ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY AND SUSTAINABILITY

A collection of vocabulary-style flashcards covering key concepts, terms, and definitions from the Environmental Literacy and Sustainability lecture notes, including science literacy, environmental ethics, case studies, toxicology, and information literacy.

Environment

The biological and physical surroundings in which any given living organism exists.

Environmental science

An interdisciplinary field that draws on natural and social sciences and humanities to understand the natural world and our relationship with it.

Interdisciplinary

Involving two or more disciplines; environmental science draws on natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities.

Natural sciences

Disciplines such as ecology, geology, chemistry, and engineering that study the physical world.

Social sciences

Disciplines such as anthropology, psychology, and economics that study human societies.

Humanities

Fields such as art, literature, and music that study human culture and values.

Environmental literacy

A basic understanding of how ecosystems function and the impact of our choices on the environment.

Sustainability

Living within the means of one’s environment so future generations can meet their needs.

Wicked problems

Multifaceted environmental problems with multiple causes, stakeholders, and trade-offs.

Triple bottom line

A framework where solutions are environmentally sound, socially equitable, and economically viable.

Applied science

Research whose findings are used to solve practical problems.

Empirical science

A scientific approach based on systematic observation and experimentation.

Viking middens

Ancient garbage heaps used to study past human behavior and resource use.

Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK)

Indigenous knowledge about seasonal cycles and resource use accumulated over generations.

Sustainable development

Development that meets present needs without compromising future generations.

Anthropocene

A proposed new geological epoch marked by significant human impact on Earth.

Great Acceleration

The post-World War II surge in resource use and pollution.

Renewable energy

Energy sources that are replenished naturally on a human timescale (e.g., solar, wind).

Nonrenewable resources

Resources with finite supply that cannot be replenished quickly.

Biodiversity

The variety of species on Earth and their genetic variation.

Population control

Mechanisms (predation, disease, competition) that keep populations from overshooting.

Recycle matter

Reusing waste materials within ecosystems so new inputs are minimized.

Depend on local biodiversity

Ecosystems rely on the variety and interactions of local species to function.

Observational study

A study that gathers data in a real-world setting without manipulating variables.

Experimental study

A study that manipulates variables to test hypotheses with a control group.

Independent variable

The variable deliberately changed by the researcher.

Dependent variable

The variable measured to assess the effect of the independent variable.

Test group

The group exposed to the experimental manipulation.

Control group

The group that does not receive the experimental manipulation.

P-value

The probability that observed results occurred by chance; commonly P < 0.05 as a threshold.

Hypothesis

A testable inference or educated guess about a phenomenon.

Theory

A well-supported, widely accepted explanation that has been rigorously tested.

Peer review

Evaluation of research by outside experts before publication.

Scientific certainty

Increasing confidence with accumulating evidence, but not absolute proof.

Comparative study

Study comparing similar phenomena across species or regions for insights.

Primary sources

Original data or firsthand information, such as peer‑reviewed articles.

Secondary sources

Sources that interpret primary sources, like review articles.

Tertiary sources

Summaries based on secondary sources, such as textbooks and encyclopedias.

Information literacy

Ability to find and evaluate the quality and reliability of information.

Logical fallacies

Flawed reasoning patterns that undermine arguments (e.g., hasty generalization, red herring).

Hasty generalization

Drawing broad conclusions from insufficient evidence.

Red herring

Introducing irrelevant information to distract from the issue.

Ad hominem

Attacking the person rather than the argument.

Appeal to authority

Relying on an authority instead of evidence.

Appeal to ignorance

Claim based on lack of evidence rather than positive proof.

False dichotomy

Presenting only two options when others exist.

Precautionary principle

Acting to prevent harm when data are uncertain or consequences could be severe.

Toxic substances

Chemicals that can harm living organisms.

Toxicity

A chemical’s ability to cause harm.

Carcinogen

A substance that causes cancer.

Mutagen

A substance that damages DNA and can cause mutations.

Teratogen

A substance that causes birth defects during development.

Poison

A substance that damages or kills cells.

Sensitizer

A chemical that can trigger an allergic reaction after exposure.

Endocrine disruptor

A chemical that interferes with hormones.

Acute effects

Rapid adverse effects after exposure.

Chronic effects

Adverse effects from long-term exposure to a substance.

Bioaccumulation

Build-up of a substance in an organism’s tissues over time.

Biomagnification

Increased concentration of a substance up the food chain.

LD50

Lethal dose to kill 50% of test organisms.

NOAEL

No observed adverse effect level.

LOAEL

Lowest observed adverse effect level.

Dose‑response curve

Graph showing how response changes with dose of a substance.

Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)

US law regulating chemical substances; updated in 2016 to require safety demonstration.

Safe Water Drinking Act (SWDA)

US federal standards protecting drinking water quality.

Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety Act

2016 reform of TSCA emphasizing precaution and safety testing before market entry.

Flint water crisis

Lead-in-water problem in Flint, Michigan highlighting information literacy and environmental justice.

Environmental justice

The concept that access to a clean, healthy environment is a basic human right.

Lead exposure effects on children

Children absorb more lead; developing brains are particularly vulnerable.

White-nose syndrome (WNS)

A deadly fungal disease of hibernating North American bats caused by a novel fungus.

Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd)

The fungus implicated in White-nose Syndrome.

Chytridiomycosis

A fungal disease threatening many amphibians worldwide.

Chytrid fungus

Fungus causing chytridiomycosis in amphibians.

Environmental ethics

The personal philosophy that guides how one treats the environment.

Anthropocentric worldview

Human-centered view valuing nature mainly for its usefulness to humans.

Biocentric worldview

Life-centered view that assigns intrinsic value to all living beings.

Ecocentric worldview

System-centered view valuing entire ecosystems and processes.

TEK (Traditional Ecological Knowledge)

Indigenous knowledge about ecosystems and sustainable living.

Holocene vs. Anthropocene evidence

Discussion of whether human impact marks a new geological epoch.