Critical Environmental Trends and Sustainability

These flashcards cover important vocabulary related to environmental trends, sustainability, and the role of science in understanding and addressing environmental issues.

Population Growth

The increase in the number of inhabitants in a population, which significantly impacts human well-being and environmental sustainability.

Human Development Index (HDI)

A composite index measuring a country's average achievements in health, education, and income.

Ecosystem Goods

Essential resources provided by ecosystems that support human life and economic activities, such as water, food, and raw materials.

Ecosystem Services

Benefits provided by ecosystems that maintain and enhance the quality of the environment, including climate regulation and nutrient recycling.

Global Climate Change

Long-term changes in temperature and weather patterns, mainly due to human activities like fossil fuel burning.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat, including the diversity within species and among ecosystems.

Sustainability

The ability to maintain certain processes or states indefinitely without depleting resources or causing harm to the environment.

Sound Science

An evidence-based approach to understanding the natural world through observation, experimentation, and logical reasoning.

Environmental Stewardship

The responsible use and protection of the natural environment through conservation practices and sustainable resource management.

Environmental Sustainability Index (ESI)

A measure that ranks countries on their efforts to protect environmental health and enhance ecosystem vitality.