AP Environmental Science Flashcards: Introduction To Sustainability

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Introduction To Sustainability, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Environmental Science.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What is the impact of deforestation on sustainability?

Answer: Reduces biodiversity and increases carbon emissions. Removes carbon storage and habitat, disrupting ecosystems.

Flashcard 2: Which principle emphasizes minimizing waste in sustainability?

Answer: Zero waste principle. Aims for complete elimination of waste through design.

Flashcard 3: What is the main objective of eco-labeling?

Answer: To inform consumers about the environmental impact. Labels help consumers make environmentally conscious purchases.

Flashcard 4: What is a common method for assessing sustainability?

Answer: Life cycle assessment (LCA). Evaluates environmental impacts throughout a product's lifecycle.

Flashcard 5: Which factor is part of the triple bottom line in sustainability?

Answer: Economic, social, and environmental factors. The triple bottom line balances people, planet, and profit.

Flashcard 6: What is the role of education in sustainability?

Answer: Raises awareness and promotes sustainable practices. Knowledge empowers individuals to make sustainable choices.

Flashcard 7: What is the definition of sustainability?

Answer: Meeting present needs without compromising future generations. This is the Brundtland Commission's foundational definition from 1987.

Flashcard 8: What is 'greenwashing'?

Answer: Misleading claims about environmental benefits. Companies falsely market products as environmentally friendly.

Flashcard 9: Which practice can reduce energy consumption in buildings?

Answer: Insulation. Reduces heat loss and lowers heating/cooling demands.

Flashcard 10: What is 'greenwashing'?

Answer: Misleading claims about environmental benefits. Companies falsely market products as environmentally friendly.

Flashcard 11: Which practice helps in water conservation?

Answer: Rainwater harvesting. Collects precipitation for later use, reducing demand.

Flashcard 12: Identify a benefit of energy efficiency.

Answer: Reduces energy costs and consumption. Using less energy saves money and reduces emissions.

Flashcard 13: What is the focus of the circular economy model?

Answer: Reusing and recycling materials. Keeps materials in use longer, reducing waste streams.

Flashcard 14: Which material is commonly recycled to promote sustainability?

Answer: Aluminum. High recycling rate saves energy and reduces mining needs.

Flashcard 15: Identify a strategy to achieve sustainable urban development.

Answer: Smart growth. Compact development reduces sprawl and infrastructure needs.

Flashcard 16: Define 'sustainable consumption'.

Answer: Using resources efficiently to minimize waste. Meets needs while reducing environmental impact per unit.

Flashcard 17: What does 'eco-efficiency' mean?

Answer: Creating more value with less environmental impact. Maximizes economic output while minimizing resource use.

Flashcard 18: Identify a benefit of urban green spaces.

Answer: Improves air quality. Plants filter pollutants and produce oxygen naturally.

Flashcard 19: Define 'carrying capacity' in ecological terms.

Answer: Maximum population size an environment can sustain. Population exceeding this limit leads to resource depletion.

Flashcard 20: Identify a sustainable practice in forestry.

Answer: Selective logging. Harvests specific trees while maintaining forest structure.

Flashcard 21: Identify a global challenge addressed by sustainability.

Answer: Climate change. Rising temperatures threaten ecosystems and human systems.

Flashcard 22: Identify a consequence of overfishing.

Answer: Depletion of fish stocks. Exceeds reproductive capacity, threatening marine ecosystems.

Flashcard 23: What is an example of a sustainable transportation option?

Answer: Public transit. Shared mobility reduces per-capita emissions and congestion.

Flashcard 24: Name a non-renewable resource.

Answer: Fossil fuels. Formed over millions of years and consumed faster than replenished.

Flashcard 25: What does 'sustainable yield' refer to?

Answer: Harvesting without depleting resources. Extraction rate matches natural regeneration capacity.

Flashcard 26: What is the purpose of the Paris Agreement?

Answer: To limit global warming to below 2°C. International climate accord targeting greenhouse gas reduction.

Flashcard 27: What does 'sustainable yield' refer to?

Answer: Harvesting without depleting resources. Extraction rate matches natural regeneration capacity.

Flashcard 28: What does the term 'resilience' refer to in sustainability?

Answer: Ability to recover from environmental disturbances. Systems maintain function despite shocks or stresses.

Flashcard 29: Which principle focuses on maintaining ecosystem services?

Answer: Ecosystem-based management. Considers whole ecosystems rather than individual components.

Flashcard 30: Which sector is a major contributor to carbon emissions?

Answer: Transportation. Moving people and goods produces significant greenhouse gases.

Flashcard 31: Identify a global challenge addressed by sustainability.

Answer: Climate change. Rising temperatures threaten ecosystems and human systems.

Flashcard 32: What is 'biocapacity'?

Answer: Capacity of an area to generate renewable resources. Measures land's ability to support human consumption patterns.

Flashcard 33: What does the term 'ecological footprint' refer to?

Answer: Measure of human demand on Earth's ecosystems. Compares resource use to Earth's regenerative capacity.

Flashcard 34: What does the term 'resilience' refer to in sustainability?

Answer: Ability to recover from environmental disturbances. Systems maintain function despite shocks or stresses.

Flashcard 35: What is the main goal of sustainable agriculture?

Answer: To produce food without degrading natural resources. Maintains long-term soil fertility and ecosystem health.

Flashcard 36: Which farming practice supports soil health and sustainability?

Answer: Crop rotation. Alternating crops prevents soil depletion and pest buildup.

Flashcard 37: Identify a benefit of urban green spaces.

Answer: Improves air quality. Plants filter pollutants and produce oxygen naturally.

Flashcard 38: Which principle emphasizes minimizing waste in sustainability?

Answer: Zero waste principle. Aims for complete elimination of waste through design.

Flashcard 39: What is the role of biodiversity in sustainability?

Answer: Supports ecosystem services and resilience. Greater diversity increases ecosystem stability and function.

Flashcard 40: What does the term 'environmental justice' mean?

Answer: Fair treatment of all people in environmental policies. Prevents disproportionate environmental burdens on communities.

Flashcard 41: What is the significance of the Brundtland Report?

Answer: Defined sustainable development. 1987 report established the modern sustainability framework.

Flashcard 42: What is the main objective of eco-labeling?

Answer: To inform consumers about the environmental impact. Labels help consumers make environmentally conscious purchases.

Flashcard 43: Which farming practice supports soil health and sustainability?

Answer: Crop rotation. Alternating crops prevents soil depletion and pest buildup.

Flashcard 44: What does 'carbon footprint' measure?

Answer: Total greenhouse gas emissions caused by an entity. Includes direct and indirect emissions from all activities.

Flashcard 45: Identify an example of a renewable resource.

Answer: Solar energy. Naturally replenished and doesn't deplete with use.

Flashcard 46: What is the definition of sustainability?

Answer: Meeting present needs without compromising future generations. This is the Brundtland Commission's foundational definition from 1987.

Flashcard 47: Identify a sustainable energy source.

Answer: Wind energy. Harnesses natural forces without depleting resources.

Flashcard 48: Identify a key principle of sustainable development.

Answer: Intergenerational equity. Ensures current actions don't harm future generations' rights.