Untitled Flashcards Set

Fermi Paradox

The apparent contradiction between the high probability of extraterrestrial life and the lack of evidence for, or contact with, such civilizations.

Rare Earth Hypothesis

The idea that Earth is unique or very rare in its ability to support life.

Selection bias (Anthropic Principle)

The concept that the universe must be suitable for life because we are here, but does not imply that there are other life forms.

Common Earth

The idea that life in the universe is likely common; we just haven't discovered it yet.

Drake Equation

A formula used to estimate the number of active extraterrestrial civilizations in the Milky Way galaxy.

The Great Filter

A theoretical explanation for the Fermi Paradox; suggests there are obstacles that prevent the evolution and survival of technological civilizations.

Milankovitch Cycles

Long-term variations in Earth’s orbit that affect climate and lead to ice ages.

Phanerozoic eon

The fourth eon of Earth's history, beginning 544 million years ago, marked by the Cambrian explosion.

Cambrian explosion

A rapid diversification of life forms that occurred around 540 million years ago.

Anthropocene

A proposed geological epoch that begins when human activities started to have a significant global impact on Earth’s geology and ecosystems.

Great Acceleration

A period from World War II to the present characterized by rapid increases in human population and economic activities.

Reductionism

An approach to understanding complex phenomena by reducing them to their simpler components.

Emergent properties

Characteristics of a system that can only be understood when the system is viewed as a whole.

Zoonosis

Diseases that can be transmitted between animals and humans.

Vector-borne diseases

Diseases transmitted to humans through vectors like mosquitoes, accounting for a significant percentage of infectious diseases.

Habitat loss

The destruction or degradation of natural environments, often due to human activities.

Biodiversity hotspots

Regions that are both rich in endemic species and experiencing significant habitat loss.

Functional redundancy

The presence of multiple species that fulfill similar functions in an ecosystem, providing resilience.

Biomagnification

The process where the concentration of toxic substances increases in higher trophic levels of the food chain.

Environmental Kuznets Curve

The hypothesis that environmental degradation increases up to a point as a country develops then decreases as affluence grows.

Managed retreat

A planned process of relocating communities away from hazardous areas due to environmental change.

Sustainable yield

The ecological yield that can be taken from a specific area without reducing its capacity to regenerate.

Cap and trade

An environmental policy tool that allows companies to buy and sell government-issued allowances for emissions.

Germ theory

The theory that certain diseases are caused by specific microorganisms.

Miasma theory

An obsolete medical theory that diseases were caused by 'bad air' or miasmas.

Intentional error

Type 1 Error, a false positive that occurs when one thinks there’s an effect where none exists.

False dilemma

A logical fallacy that presents two extreme options in a situation.

Ad hominem

A fallacy that attacks the character rather than the argument of the opponent.

Ecosystem services

The benefits that humans obtain from ecosystems, including provisioning, regulating, and cultural services.

Climate change mitigation

Efforts to reduce or prevent the emission of greenhouse gases.

Climate change adaptation

Adjustments in practices, processes, and structures to minimize damage from climate change.

Negative externality

A cost incurred by a third party due to an economic transaction, often unaccounted for in the market.

Just transition

A framework for ensuring that the shift to a sustainable economy does not contribute to inequities.

Resilience

The ability of a system or community to recover from disturbances.

Tipping point

A critical threshold where a small change can lead to significant and often irreversible effects.

Greenhouse effect

The trapping of the sun's warmth in the planet's lower atmosphere due to greenhouse gases.

Keeling Curve

A graph that shows the increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere since the late 1950s.

The War of the Commons

A situation in which individuals acting independently according to their self-interest can ultimately destroy a shared limited resource.

Urbanization

The population shift from rural to urban living, which can create conditions for disease transmission.

Vulnerability

The characteristics and circumstances that make a community susceptible to hazards.

Affluence

The abundance of wealth, resources, or goods in an environment.

Population growth

An increase in the number of individuals in a population.

Stewardship

The responsible management of resources and behavior toward the environment.

Interconnectedness

The state of being connected with each other, usually referring to ecosystems, social systems, or economic systems.

Social inequalities

Disparities in wealth, opportunities, and privileges among different social classes.

Environmental racism

Policies and practices that disproportionately impact people of color in negative environmental ways.

Political power

The authority to influence or outright control the behavior of people and it can be exercised through coercive means.

Climate justice

The fair treatment of all people in regard to climate change policy and its effects.

Ecosystem resilience

The capacity of an ecosystem to recover from disturbances and maintain its functions.

Socioeconomic status

An individual or group's position within a hierarchical social structure, often associated with income, education, and occupation.

Ecological footprint

A measure of human demand on the Earth's ecosystems, expressed as the amount of biologically productive land and water area needed to produce the resources consumed.

Sustainability

Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Resource depletion

The consumption of a resource faster than it can be replenished.

Wildlife corridors

Restricted areas intended to preserve and connect wildlife habitats.

Trade-offs

The balance achieved between two desirable but incompatible features; a compromise.

Cultural significance

The importance placed on a cultural resource for the community.

Systemic risk

The risk of collapse of an entire system, as opposed to the risk associated with any one individual part.

Rural-urban migration

The movement of people from rural areas to cities, often driven by the search for better job opportunities.

Disaster risk reduction

Strategies to minimize vulnerabilities and disaster risks throughout the life cycle of a disaster.

Intergenerational equity

The principle of fairness in the distribution of benefits and burdens among current and future generations.

Permafrost thaw

The ongoing thawing of permafrost, which can release greenhouse gases and alter ecosystems.

Biofeedback

A technique that teaches people to control physiological processes by providing information on those processes.

Environmental stewardship

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

Societal resilience

The ability of a society to withstand and recover from disruptions.

Carbon sinks

Natural systems that absorb and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Adaptation strategies

Methods employed to help communities adjust to the effects of climate change.

Megafauna extinction

The extinction of large animals, which occurred at the end of the last Ice Age due to climate change and human activity.

Resource management

The efficient and sustainable utilization of natural resources.

Fossil fuel dependence

Reliance on fossil fuels as the primary source of energy.

Climate modeling

The application of mathematical models to predict climate variations and is used in studying global warming.

Social justice

The view that everyone deserves equal economic, political, and social rights, goods, and opportunities.

Health equity

The principle that everyone should have a fair opportunity to attain their full health potential.

Co-housing

A type of intentional community composed of private homes supplemented by shared facilities.

Environmental indicators

Variables that assess the condition of the environment, often used to measure progress towards sustainability.

Waste management

The collection, transport, processing, recycling, or disposal of waste materials.

Ecotourism

Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.

Sustainable agriculture

Farming that meets current food needs without compromising the ability of future generations to feed themselves.

Green economy

An economy that aims for sustainable development without degrading the environment.

Environmental litigation

The use of legal action to enforce environmental laws or regulations.

Pollinator decline

The reduction of pollinator populations, leading to potential agricultural productivity impacts.

Water scarcity

The lack of sufficient available water resources to meet the demands of water usage within a region.

Heat islands

Urban areas that experience significantly warmer temperatures than their rural surroundings due to human activities.

Ecological succession

The process by which ecosystems change and develop over time.

Carbon neutrality

Achieving a net zero carbon footprint by balancing carbon emissions with carbon removal.

Nutrient cycling

The movement and exchange of organic and inorganic matter back into the production of living matter.

Conservation biology

The study of biodiversity with the aim of protecting species and their habitats.

Preservation

The protection of something, especially in its original state.

Environmental impact assessment

A procedure for evaluating the likely impact of a proposed project on the environment.

Environmental policy

A statement or law regarding the management of human activities that impact the environment.

Social determinants of health

Conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age that affect health and quality of life.

Alternative energy sources

Energy sources that are considered alternatives to fossil fuels, such as solar, wind, and geothermal energy.

Sustainable cities

Urban areas designed to minimize environmental impacts through sustainable practices.

Climate adaptation fund

Resources allocated for efforts aimed at adapting to the impacts of climate change.

Carbon offsetting

Reducing emissions of carbon dioxide or greenhouse gases to compensate for emissions produced elsewhere.

Microplastics

Small plastic particles that pollute the environment and can be harmful to wildlife.

Pollution prevention

Practices that reduce, eliminate, or prevent pollutants from being released into the environment.

Public health policy

Decisions and actions that are undertaken to protect and improve the health of the public.

Habitat restoration

The process of returning a habitat to its original condition.

Green infrastructure

An interconnected network of green space that conserves natural ecosystem values.

Integrated pest management (IPM)

An environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of practices.