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Compare renewable and nonrenewable resources.
Renewable resources are replenished quickly; nonrenewable resources are finite and take millions of years to form.
Compare environmental determinism and possibilism.
Environmental determinism states environment dictates human actions; possibilism states humans have choices within environmental constraints.
Compare the impacts of humans on the atmosphere and the hydrosphere.
Humans impact the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels, leading to climate change. They impact the hydrosphere by damming rivers, altering water flow.
Compare the goals of economic and social sustainability.
Economic sustainability balances economic growth with environmental protection. Social sustainability creates a healthy, inclusive, and just society.
Compare solar and wind energy.
Solar energy comes from the sun; wind energy harnesses the power of the wind, both are renewable.
Compare coal and natural gas.
Both are fossil fuels, but coal is a solid and generally dirtier to burn, while natural gas is a gas and burns more cleanly.
Compare the lithosphere and the geosphere.
The lithosphere is Earth's solid outer layer, while the geosphere is Earth's solid inner layer.
Compare the use of dams and aqueducts.
Dams store water and control its flow; aqueducts transport water over long distances.
Compare the impacts of mining and quarrying.
Both extract resources from the lithosphere, but mining often involves underground extraction while quarrying is typically surface-level.
Compare the use of water for drinking and irrigation.
Drinking water requires purification and treatment; irrigation uses large quantities of water for agriculture.
Explain the concept of the 'triple bottom line'.
A holistic approach considering economic, social, and environmental impacts.
What are the three pillars of sustainability?
Environmental, economic, and social sustainability.
Explain the interconnectedness of human actions and environmental consequences.
Human actions have both positive and negative impacts on the environment, requiring careful consideration.
What is the core idea behind sustainability?
Meeting current needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet their own.
Describe environmental determinism.
The outdated belief that the environment dictates human actions and societal development.
What is 'possibilism'?
The theory that humans have choices within environmental constraints.
What is the role of abiotic systems?
Non-living components of Earth that support life and are manipulated by humans.
Describe the human impact on the environment.
Human actions have both positive (e.g., improved living standards) and negative (e.g., pollution) impacts on the environment.
Describe the positive impacts of humans on the environment.
Improved living standards, technological advancements, increased life expectancy.
Describe the negative impacts of humans on the environment.
Pollution, habitat destruction, climate change, resource depletion.
What is a renewable resource?
Resources replenished quickly by nature.
What is a nonrenewable resource?
Resources formed slowly over millions of years; can be depleted.
Define sustainability.
Meeting present needs without compromising future generations.
What is environmental sustainability?
Using resources without depleting or damaging them.
What is economic sustainability?
Balancing economic growth with environmental protection.
What is social sustainability?
Creating a healthy, inclusive, and just society.
Define environmental determinism.
The belief that the environment shapes society.
What is the atmosphere?
Layer of gases regulating climate and protecting from radiation.
What is the lithosphere?
Earth's solid outer layer, source of minerals and resources.
What is the hydrosphere?
Earth's water system, essential for life.