All flashcards
Flashcard 1: Which action saves the most electricity: leaving lights on or turning them off when not needed?
Answer: Turning them off when not needed. Eliminates unnecessary electricity use completely.
Flashcard 2: What is a rain garden designed to do?
Answer: Soak up runoff and filter pollutants before water reaches streams. Plants and soil act as natural water treatment systems.
Flashcard 3: What does the term sustainability mean for a community?
Answer: Meeting needs now without harming future generations’ resources. Balances current use with preserving resources for the future.
Flashcard 4: What is a renewable energy resource?
Answer: An energy source that is naturally replaced in a short time. Nature replenishes these sources faster than we use them.
Flashcard 5: Which choice is a permeable surface: asphalt parking lot or gravel path?
Answer: Gravel path. Gravel has spaces for water to infiltrate, unlike solid asphalt.
Flashcard 6: Which statement best communicates a community solution to protect water quality?
Answer: Pick up pet waste to keep bacteria out of storm drains and streams. Pet waste contains harmful bacteria that pollute waterways.
Flashcard 7: What is a permeable surface?
Answer: A surface that lets water soak through into the ground. Reduces runoff and recharges groundwater naturally.
Flashcard 8: Which solution best reduces stormwater runoff in a neighborhood: more pavement or rain gardens?
Answer: Rain gardens. Gardens absorb water while pavement increases runoff.
Flashcard 9: What is the main goal of conservation in a community?
Answer: Protect natural resources by using them wisely and reducing harm. Conservation prevents depletion and environmental damage.
Flashcard 10: Which community action most directly reduces landfill methane from food waste?
Answer: Composting food scraps. Decomposing food in landfills produces methane, a greenhouse gas.
Flashcard 11: Which energy source is renewable: coal or solar?
Answer: Solar. Sunlight renews daily; coal takes millions of years to form.
Flashcard 12: What is habitat restoration?
Answer: Repairing damaged habitats so plants and animals can survive there. Returns ecosystems to healthy conditions for biodiversity.
Flashcard 13: Which community project best supports habitat restoration: planting native trees or removing all plants?
Answer: Planting native trees. Native species provide food and shelter; removal destroys habitat.
Flashcard 14: What is the purpose of planting native plants in community spaces?
Answer: Support local wildlife and reduce water and chemical use. Native plants are adapted to local conditions and ecosystems.
Flashcard 15: What is energy conservation in homes and schools?
Answer: Using less energy to do the same tasks. Reduces waste and saves money while maintaining comfort.
Flashcard 16: Which “R” (reduce, reuse, recycle) most directly lowers the amount of waste created?
Answer: Reduce. Prevents waste creation at the source, unlike reusing or recycling existing items.
Flashcard 17: What are the three actions in the waste hierarchy often taught as the “3 Rs”?
Answer: Reduce, reuse, recycle. This hierarchy minimizes waste from most to least effective.
Flashcard 18: What is stormwater runoff?
Answer: Rain or melted snow that flows over land into drains and streams. Picks up pollutants as it flows across surfaces.
Flashcard 19: Which claim is supported by evidence: "LED bulbs save energy" or "LED bulbs are prettier"?
Answer: "LED bulbs save energy". Energy savings can be measured; beauty is subjective.
Flashcard 20: Which statement best communicates a solution: "Our river has trash" or "Install bins and cleanups"?
Answer: "Install bins and organize regular community cleanups". Specific actions are clearer than problem statements.
Flashcard 21: Identify the best reason communities create protected areas such as parks and reserves.
Answer: To preserve habitats and reduce human impact on ecosystems. Protected areas limit development to preserve nature.
Flashcard 22: Which option is the best example of conserving water at the community level?
Answer: Fixing leaks in public water systems and installing low-flow fixtures. Reduces water waste through infrastructure improvements.
Flashcard 23: What is a native species?
Answer: A species that naturally lives in an area without being introduced. Evolved in the region without human introduction.
Flashcard 24: Which community action best protects biodiversity in a local area?
Answer: Protecting habitats and planting native species. Native plants support local wildlife and ecosystem balance.
Flashcard 25: What is the main purpose of a community recycling program?
Answer: Reduce landfill waste and conserve natural resources. Diverts materials from disposal to create new products.
Flashcard 26: Which energy choice is renewable and produces no air pollution during use?
Answer: Solar energy. Sunlight converts to electricity without emissions.
Flashcard 27: What is a renewable energy source?
Answer: An energy source that is naturally replaced, such as solar or wind. Nature replenishes these sources continuously.
Flashcard 28: Which community solution reduces air pollution from vehicles most directly?
Answer: Expanding public transportation and safe bike routes. Fewer cars on roads means less exhaust emissions.
Flashcard 29: What is erosion?
Answer: Movement of soil or rock from one place to another by wind or water. Natural forces transport loose particles to new locations.
Flashcard 30: Which practice helps prevent soil erosion on hillsides in a community park?
Answer: Planting groundcover and trees to hold soil in place. Plant roots stabilize soil and prevent it from washing away.