Environmental Sustainability Flashcards

A city is developing a Vulnerability Assessment for climate adaptation planning. Which community asset would be considered MOST vulnerable to sea-level rise?

Answer: Coastal wastewater treatment infrastructure built at sea level

Low-lying coastal infrastructure like wastewater plants faces the most direct risk from sea-level rise, including inundation, storm surge damage, and saltwater intrusion.

Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), when is an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) required?

Answer: When a federal action may significantly affect the quality of the human environment

NEPA requires an EIS for major federal actions that may significantly affect the quality of the human environment, based on significance determined through an Environmental Assessment.

Which approach BEST describes Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as used in municipal parks and public lands?

Answer: Using the least toxic effective methods, prioritizing prevention and biological controls over chemicals

IPM uses a combination of prevention, monitoring, and targeted interventions with preference for non-chemical methods to manage pests with minimal environmental impact.

A municipality adopts a Complete Streets policy. How does this relate to environmental sustainability?

Answer: It designs streets for all users including pedestrians and cyclists, reducing auto dependency and emissions

Complete Streets make walking, cycling, and transit more viable, reducing vehicle miles traveled and associated greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.

A city is evaluating its drinking water system's sustainability. Which indicator would BEST measure water use efficiency?

Answer: Non-Revenue Water (NRW) percentage representing system losses

Non-Revenue Water measures the percentage of treated water lost through leaks, theft, or metering inaccuracies before reaching paying customers, indicating system efficiency.

A city manager is responding to a constituent complaint about an industrial facility emitting odors and noise in a low-income neighborhood. This is MOST directly an issue of:

Answer: Environmental justice and cumulative environmental burdens

Cumulative environmental burdens on low-income and minority communities is the defining concern of environmental justice, requiring equitable consideration in siting and permitting decisions.

Which of the following is the BEST example of a co-benefit from municipal tree planting programs?

Answer: Simultaneous reduction in urban heat, stormwater runoff, air pollution, and improved mental health

Urban trees deliver multiple simultaneous benefits—cooling, stormwater retention, air quality improvement, and psychological well-being—making them highly cost-effective sustainability investments.