APES quiz

kWh

A measure of electricity usage; calculated by multiplying the power (in kilowatts) by the time (in hours) the appliance is used.

Nonrenewable Energy

Energy sources such as fossil fuels and nuclear power that exist in fixed quantities and cannot be replenished.

Fossil Fuels

Natural substances formed from the remains of ancient organisms, requiring millions of years under heat and pressure to create.

Coal Formation Process

Formed over millions of years through the transformation of plant remains under heat and pressure, resulting in various grades from lignite to anthracite.

Anthracite Coal

High-grade coal with low impurities and the highest energy content.

Petroleum Extraction

The process of obtaining crude oil from the earth, primarily derived from ocean-dwelling phytoplankton.

Natural Gas

A fossil fuel used mainly for cooking and heating, composed primarily of methane and extracted from ancient marine organisms.

El Nino

A climatic event occurring every 3-7 years that causes warm sea surface waters in the Pacific, affecting weather patterns globally.

Watershed

An area of land that drains into a waterbody, characterized by its vegetation, soil type, and slope.

Point Source Pollution

Pollution that originates from a single identifiable source, such as a pipe or factory.

Tragedy of the Commons

A situation where individuals use shared resources for personal gain, leading to depletion of the resource.

Cogeneration

Simultaneous production of electricity and useable heat from a single fuel source.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

A pest control approach that combines biological, physical, and chemical methods to minimize environmental disruption.

Sustainable Yield

The maximum amount of a renewable resource that can be harvested without impairing its future availability.

Bioaccumulation

The process by which persistent organic pollutants accumulate in an organism's fatty tissues over time.

Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking)

A method of extracting natural gas by injecting high-pressure fluid to fracture underground rocks.

Eutrophication

The excessive growth of algae in water due to nutrient pollution, leading to depleted oxygen levels.

Passive Solar Energy

A method of heating a building using natural sunlight without mechanical devices.

Photovoltaic Cells (PV)

Devices that convert sunlight directly into electricity.

Hydroelectricity

Electricity generated by the kinetic energy of flowing or falling water.

Cogeneration System

A system that uses the thermal energy from electricity generation to produce additional electricity or heating.

Siltation

The accumulation of sediment in a reservoir, which can negatively affect aquatic life and the generation of electricity.

Maximum Sustainable Yield

The largest yield (or catch) that can be taken from a specific fish stock over an indefinite period under constant environmental conditions.

Green Revolution

Movement aimed at increasing agricultural production through mechanization and the use of high-yield crops.

Albedo Effect

The reflectivity of a surface; higher albedo surfaces reflect more sunlight and thus absorb less heat.

Biomass Energy

Energy produced from organic materials, including plant and animal matter.

Cogeneration

The combined production of electricity and useful heat from the same energy source.

Renewable Energy Sources

Resources that can be replenished naturally over time, such as solar, wind, and biomass.

Fossil Fuel Characteristics

Energy sources formed from the decayed remains of ancient organisms, including coal, oil, and natural gas.

Urban Sprawl

The uncontrolled expansion of urban areas into rural land.

Point Source Pollution

Pollution that originates from a single, identifiable source.

Nonpoint Source Pollution

Pollution that comes from multiple sources over a large area and is not easily traced back to a single origin.

Pollutant,

A substance that causes harm or discomfort to the environment or users of a resource.

Pollution Abatement

The reduction or elimination of pollutants in the environment.

Soil Conservation,

Practices aimed at preventing soil erosion and maintaining its fertility.

Carbon Cycle

The process through which carbon is exchanged between the atmosphere, land, water, and living organisms.

Overfishing

Depleting fish populations by harvesting them at a faster rate than they can reproduce.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in a particular ecosystem or on the planet as a whole.

Aquifer

A geological formation that can store and transmit groundwater.

Algal Blooms

Rapid increase in algal population in water bodies, often due to nutrient influx.

Geothermal Energy

Energy derived from the natural heat of the earth's interior, used for electricity generation and direct heating applications.

Wind Energy

Energy obtained from the wind using turbines to generate electricity.

Solar Thermal Energy

Energy harnessed from sunlight to produce thermal energy, usually for heating water.

Nuclear Energy

Energy produced through nuclear fission, a process where heavy atomic nuclei are split to release energy.

Energy Conservation

The practice of reducing energy consumption through using less energy service.

Carbon Footprint

The total amount of greenhouse gases produced directly and indirectly by an individual, organization, event, or product.

Greenhouse Effect

The warming of the Earth's surface due to the trapping of heat by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Atmospheric CO2 Concentration

The amount of carbon dioxide present in the earth's atmosphere, a key factor in climate change.

Desalination

The process of removing salt from seawater to produce fresh water.

Sustainable Agriculture

Farming practices that meet current food needs without compromising future generations' ability to produce food.

Energy Transition

The process of shifting from fossil fuel-based energy systems to renewable energy sources.

Carbon Neutrality

Balancing emitted carbon with an equivalent amount sequestered or offset to reduce overall atmospheric carbon.

Climate Change Mitigation

Efforts to reduce or prevent the emission of greenhouse gases to limit global warming.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

A universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all by 2030.

Circular Economy

An economic model aimed at minimizing waste and making the most of resources by creating closed-loop systems.

Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS)

Regulations requiring utilities to obtain a minimum percentage of their energy from renewable sources.

Smart Grid Technology

Advanced technology that enhances electricity distribution efficiency, reliability, and communication.

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)

Technologies that capture carbon dioxide emissions from sources like power plants and store it underground.

Green Building

Designing structures with sustainability in mind, focusing on energy efficiency and reduced environmental impact.

Ecosystem Services

Natural processes that benefit humans, such as pollination, water purification, and climate regulation.

Microgrids

Localized grids that can operate independently or in conjunction with the main electrical grid.

Decarbonization

The process of reducing carbon dioxide emissions associated with electricity, industry, and transportation.

Sustainable Forestry

Forest management practices that maintain biodiversity, productivity, and ecological processes.

Integrated Energy Management

A strategy that coordinates the generation, distribution, and consumption of energy across sectors.

Agroecology

An ecological approach to agriculture that views agricultural areas as ecosystems and focuses on sustainability.

Water Conservation

The practice of using water efficiently to reduce unnecessary water usage.

Climate Change Adaptation

Adjusting practices, processes, and structures to minimize damage from climate change impacts.

Nuclear Fusion

A process where two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy; potential future energy source.

Dendrochronology

The study of tree rings to determine age and climatic conditions of trees over time.

Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)

Market-based instruments that represent proof that energy has been generated from renewable sources.

Hydroponics

A method of growing plants in nutrient solutions without soil, often used in controlled environments.

Vertical Farming

A technique of growing crops in vertically stacked layers, often incorporating controlled-environment agriculture.

Ocean Acidification

The reduction of ocean pH due to absorption of excess atmospheric CO2, affecting marine life.

Smart Agriculture

The use of technology such as IoT and precision farming techniques to improve agricultural productivity.

Circular Water Economy

An approach to water management that emphasizes recycling, reusing, and sustainable practices.

Biodiverse Landscapes

Ecosystems characterized by high levels of species diversity, contributing to resilience and sustainability.

Carbon Sequestration

The process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide to mitigate climate change.

Renewable Energy Storage

Technologies that capture and hold energy produced from renewable sources for later use.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

A process to evaluate the environmental consequences of a proposed project or development.

Zero Waste

A philosophy promoting the redesign of resource life cycles so that all products are reused, ultimately reducing waste.

Green Infrastructure

Infrastructure that manages stormwater and improves urban sustainability by incorporating natural systems.

Sustainable Transport

Transportation methods that have a low environmental impact and promote energy efficiency.

Urban Heat Island Effect

The phenomenon where urban areas become significantly warmer than their rural surroundings due to human activities.

Wildlife Corridors

Protected areas that connect fragmented habitats, allowing wildlife to safely travel between them.

Carbon Offset

A reduction in emissions of carbon dioxide or greenhouse gases made in order to compensate for emissions produced elsewhere.

Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)

A mechanism allowing industrialized countries to invest in greenhouse gas emission reduction projects in developing countries.

Electricity Generation

The process of producing electrical power from various energy sources such as fossil fuels, nuclear, or renewables.

Energy Efficiency

Using less energy to provide the same service or output, reducing overall energy consumption.

Renewable Energy Investment

Funding directed towards developing and implementing renewable energy technologies and projects.

Climate Resilience

The ability of social, economic, and environmental systems to withstand and recover from climate change impacts.

Environmental Justice

The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people in environmental decision-making.

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

Sections of oceans set aside to protect marine ecosystems and biodiversity for sustainability.

Agroforestry

An integrated approach that combines agriculture and forestry to create more diverse, productive, and sustainable land-use systems.

Sustainable Water Management

Practices that ensure safe, sufficient, and equitable access to water resources for all users.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

A technique to assess the environmental impacts of a product through all stages of its life cycle, from raw material extraction to disposal.

Carbon Trading

A market-based system that allows countries or companies to buy and sell carbon emission allowances.

Sustainable Energy

Energy derived from sources that are replenished naturally, minimizing environmental impact.

Green Technology

Innovative technologies that aim to improve environmental sustainability through resource efficiency.

Carbon Neutral Solutions

Methods or technologies that offset carbon emissions to achieve a net-zero carbon footprint.

Climate Action

Efforts aimed at reducing or reversing climate change effects through mitigation and adaptation strategies.