1. Explain this class's working definition of "environment."
2. Should all humans be concerned about environmental issues? Why/why not?
3. Define "ecosystem service," and give four examples of ecosystem services.
4. Define "biodiversity."
5. In what area of the world do we find the most biodiversity?
6. Why should biodiversity declines be of concern to the human species?
7. Explain what a watershed is and why we should care what is going on in our watershed.
8. What is the biggest cause of biodiversity decline?
9. Explain the "10% rule" for energy loss through trophic levels (the food chain).
10. Explain what the "10% rule" has to do with human food consumption.
11. Explain the precautionary principle and how it might be related to our personal choices.
12. How might the precautionary principle influence how we vote on environmental legislation?
13. Which of the following nutrients is mined for human agricultural use? phosphorous or nitrogen
14. Where does most of the nitrogen we use in agriculture come from?
15. Explain how the scientific method works.
16. Explain how science is different from faith.
17. Explain how a scientific journal is different from a popular science magazine.
18. Explain why the statement "I don't believe in science" doesn't make sense.
19. Can human population increase indefinitely? Why/why not?
20. What will be natural limits to human population?
21. What can we humans do to limit human population growth?
22. Explain the differences in population of three different countries (this info was discussed in your discussion section). Sketch pyramid diagrams of these countries, and explain the differences in age structure. Also describe how these differences in population might affect the countries' futures.
23. Define population "carrying capacity," and explain why it is important to discussions of human population.
24. How are city/states different from tribes?
25. What has happened to tribal peoples in the last 200 years?
26. What is urbanization and what does it mean for humanity?
27. What are some negative effects that urbanization has on the environment, and what are some solutions?
28. What are some negative effects of concrete and what can we do about it?
29. What are some negative effects of lawns, and what can we do about it?
30. Explain different factors involved in overexploitation and how we as a society can exploit our resources more sustainably.
31. Explain the difference between status quo economics and "ecological economics."
32. Why do growth centered, globalized capitalistic economies fail to preserve ecosystems?
33. Give two examples of what we as a society can do to better protect our natural resources?
34. Give an example of what we can do as individuals to better protect our environment.
35. How are indigenous peoples affected by western, capitalistic societies?
36. What are some alternative worldviews to the western, capitalistic worldview?
37. Explain what happened to the Ladaki in The Economics of Happiness.
38. How did the "Garbage Warrior" work towards sustainability?
39. Explain what the Story of Stuff means by externalities (costs not figured into current economic systems)?
40. What is the key science behind global climate change?
41. Your Uncle Joe tells you he doesn't believe in climate change; what is your response?
42. Describe how U.S. consumption levels affect the global environment.