Exam 1 Review – Environmental Science Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary-style flashcards covering core concepts from the lecture notes on science, sustainability, IPAT, population, economics, regulation, EPA, and U.S. regulation history.

Science

A systematic, evidence-based process for investigating the natural world to understand phenomena and inform decisions.

Independent variable

The variable deliberately changed by the researcher to test its effect on the dependent variable.

Dependent variable

The variable measured or observed in response to changes in the independent variable.

Confounding variable

An outside factor that influences both the independent and dependent variables, potentially biasing results.

Hypothesis

A testable statement about the relationship between variables used to guide data collection and testing.

Null hypothesis

A statement that there is no effect or relationship between the tested variables.

Alternative hypothesis

A statement that there is an effect or relationship between the tested variables.

Controlled experiment

An experiment where variables are controlled and manipulated to isolate cause-and-effect.

Manipulative experiment

An experiment in which the researcher actively changes the independent variable.

Observational (natural) experiment

A study observing conditions as they occur without manipulating variables.

Control group

The group that does not receive the experimental treatment and serves as a baseline.

Exposed group

The group that receives the experimental treatment or condition.

Sustainability

Meeting present needs without compromising future generations’ ability to meet theirs; balance among environment, society, and economy.

Carrying capacity

The maximum population an environment can sustain indefinitely given available resources.

Carrying capacity worldwide exceeded

World-wide carrying capacity is believed to have been exceeded in the late 20th century; estimates vary.

Sustainable development

Development that meets present needs without compromising future generations’ ability to meet their needs.

IPAT equation

Impact (I) = Population (P) × Affluence (A) × Technology (T).

Earth’s population (approx.)

Approximately 8 billion and increasing.

Population growth rate trend

Global growth rate has slowed over time, but total population continues to rise due to momentum.

Historical causes of population change

Fertility decline with development, medical advances, urbanization, and economic change.

Female education effect on population

Higher female education generally lowers birth rates and slows population growth.

Infant mortality rate (IMR) effect

Lower IMR tends to reduce fertility rates; historically high IMR is associated with higher birth rates.

Ecosystem goods and services

Benefits provided by ecosystems to humans, including provisioning, regulating, supporting, and cultural services.

Ecological footprint

A measure of the environmental impact of a person or population, expressed as land/water area needed to sustain resource use and absorb waste.

Footprints variation by country

Per-capita footprints vary; developed countries often have larger footprints due to consumption and technology use.

Challenges in highly developed nations

High consumption, fossil-fuel use, waste, and pollution; need for cleaner technologies and sustainable practices.

Challenges in less developed nations

Poverty, rapid population growth, infrastructure gaps; balancing development with sustainability.

Renewable resource

A resource that can be replenished naturally on a human timescale (e.g., solar, wind, hydro).

Non-renewable resource

A finite resource that cannot be replenished on human timescales (e.g., fossil fuels, minerals).

Managing renewable resources

Sustainable harvesting, efficiency, storage, substitution, and safeguarding regeneration.

Managing non-renewable resources

Efficient use, recycling, substitution with renewables, and reducing demand.

Industrial Revolution

Period of rapid industrialization with mechanization and fossil fuels, transforming economies and society.

Agricultural Revolution

Historical shift to improved farming techniques that increased food production, enabling population growth.

Anthropocentrism

Worldview that views humans as the central or most important species.

Biocentrism / Ecocentrism

Worldviews that assign intrinsic value to all living beings (biocentrism) or to ecosystems as a whole (ecocentrism).

Monetary valuation

Valuation method that assigns a monetary value to goods/services, often via market prices or willingness-to-pay.

Non-monetary valuation

Valuation that captures values not expressed in money, such as existence, option, or cultural values.

Direct use value

Immediate, tangible use of a resource (e.g., food, timber).

Indirect use value

Benefits from ecosystem services not tied to direct use (e.g., flood protection, pollination).

Option value

Value of preserving the possibility of future use of a resource.

Existence value

Value placed on simply knowing that a resource or species exists.

GDP modification (full cost accounting)

Adjusting GDP with indicators like Green GDP or Genuine Progress Indicator to include environmental and social costs.

Triple bottom line

Performance measured in three pillars: economic, environmental, and social.

Regulation (three branches)

Legislative (statutes) makes laws; Executive enforces and writes regulations; Judicial interprets statutes.

Statutory law

Laws enacted by a legislative body (e.g., Congress).

Regulatory law

Rules created by administrative agencies to implement statutes.

Tort law

Civil wrongs causing harm; largely created by courts (common law).

Executive orders

Directives from the President directing agency action, with the force of law.

EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)

U.S. agency that writes environmental regulations, enforces laws, and conducts environmental programs.

Cap and trade

Market-based approach setting a cap on total emissions and allowing trading of emission permits.

Command and control

Regulatory approach prescribing specific standards or technologies with enforcement penalties.

Laws of the third regulatory wave

Key environmental laws from the 1960s–1970s: NEPA (1969), Clean Air Act (1970), Clean Water Act (1972), Endangered Species Act (1973), Safe Drinking Water Act (1974), Toxic Substances Control Act (1976).

NEPA

National Environmental Policy Act (1969): requires environmental impact assessments for major federal actions.

Clean Air Act (CAA)

1970 law aiming to control air pollution and protect public health by setting emissions standards.

Clean Water Act (CWA)

1972 law regulating discharges into U.S. waters and protecting water quality.

Endangered Species Act (ESA)

1973 law protecting threatened and endangered species and their habitats.

Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)

1974 law ensuring the quality of Americans’ drinking water.

Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)

1976 law regulating new and existing chemical substances to protect health and the environment.