Learning Objective 1: LO 1.1 Explain how human activities and development affect the environment. TERMINAL LO
Learning Objective 2: LO 1.1.2 Describe the factors that characterize human development and how they impact environment and sustainability. ENABLING LO
Section Reference 1: 1.1 Human Impacts on the Environment
Solution: HDCs are the rich (haves) and LDCs are the poor (have nots). HDCs possess complex industrialized bases, low rates of population growth, and high per capita incomes. The United States, Canada, Japan and most of Europe fall into this category. The LDCs include Bangladesh, Mali, Ethiopia, and Laos. These countries are characterized by a low level of industrialization, a very high fertility rate, a very high infant mortality rate and a low per-capita income. Most economies of LDCs are agriculturally based rather than industrialized. Hunger, disease, and illiteracy are common in LDCs. However both categories of countries (HDCs and LDCs) are subject to global climate changes and environmental degradation. In LDCs the rapidly increasing populations tend to overwhelm and deplete the country’s soils, forests, and other natural resources. In HDCs, extravagant consumers exhaust resources and degrade the global environment.
54. Create an illustrated dictionary entry for the term, “nonrenewable resource”. Define the term, provide an example, a synonym and an antonym, and draw an illustration that represents the term.
Answer:
Difficulty: Medium
Bloomcode: Application
Learning Objective 1: LO 1.2 Describe how population growth and our choice of resources affect the environment. TERMINAL LO
Learning Objective 2: LO 1.2.1 Differentiate between renewable and nonrenewable resources. ENABLIGN LO
Section Reference 1: 1.2 Population, Resources, and the Environment
Solution: Nonrenewable resources, which include minerals (aluminum, tin, and copper) and fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas), are present in limited supplied on the Earth and are depleted by use. Synonyms for nonrenewable resources might include disappearing or shrinking resources. Antonyms include resources replenished, restored, or renewable resources. Illustrations will vary but include the concept that natural processes will not restore nonrenewable resources within a reasonable period on the human time scale.
55. The Lake Washington case illustrates the five sequential steps used to address environmental problems. Align the history of the Lake Washington pollution problem to these steps of addressing environmental problems. Identify the solution(s) implemented to address this problem. Speculate on why the final outcome of dumping highly treated sewage into Puget sounds is not an ideal, long-term solution.
Answer:
Difficulty: Hard
Bloomcode: Evaluation
Learning Objective 1: LO 1.5 List the five stages in addressing environmental problems. TERMINAL LO
Learning Objective 2: LO 1.5.1 List and briefly describe the five stages in addressing environmental problems. ENABLIGN LO
Section Reference 1: 1.5 Addressing Environmental Problems
Solution: The first stage is scientific assessment, the gathering of information. As suburban expansion around Seattle demanded increased sewage treatment plants, partially treated sewage was discharged into the lake. By the mid 1950’s, scientists noted large masses of cyanobacteria in the lake, indicating a rise in dissolved nutrients. The problem was defined. The treated sewage effluent was raising the levels of dissolved nutrients in Lake Washington to the point of serious pollution. The scientists developed a hypothesis: if the pollution were stopped, the lake would recover.
In the second stage, risk analysis, it was important to weigh the options of remediation so that the solution to the problem would not create yet another problem. For Lake Washington, plans were made to further treat the sewage and divert the discharge to Puget Sound. Puget Sound’s large area, marine water constitution and tide activity would sufficiently dilute and mix the excess nutrients.
In the third stage, public education and involvement, scientists wrote articles for the general public that explained what nutrient enrichment was and what problems it can cause. The public’s awareness of why urgent action was necessary was increased.
In the fourth stage, political action, a course of action was developed in the form of a public referendum. Even though this action increased taxes, when the final votes were counted, treated sewage was diverted from the lake into new trunk sewers.
In the final stage of evaluation, the results of the action were monitored both to see that the problem was addressed and the initial assessment has improved. Water transparency returned to Lake Washington within a few years and by 1975, the lake was back to normal