Environment and Nature Flashcards

What does 'sustainability' mean in the context of environmental policy?

Answer: Meeting current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

Sustainability means managing resources and development so that ecological balance is maintained for both present and future populations.

What is the role of wetlands in the environment?

Answer: They filter water, support biodiversity, reduce flooding, and store carbon

Wetlands serve as natural water filters, flood buffers, carbon sinks, and critical habitats for a wide range of plants and animals.

What is an invasive species?

Answer: A species introduced to a new area where it causes harm to the environment, economy, or human health

An invasive species is a non-native organism whose introduction to an ecosystem causes environmental harm by outcompeting or preying on native species.

What is the Kyoto Protocol?

Answer: An international agreement that set binding greenhouse gas reduction targets for developed nations

The Kyoto Protocol, adopted in 1997, was the first international treaty with legally binding emissions reduction targets for industrialized countries.

Which gas is most associated with the depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer?

Answer: Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

CFCs, once widely used in refrigerants and aerosol sprays, break down ozone molecules when they reach the stratosphere, thinning the ozone layer.

What is the purpose of a national park in the United States?

Answer: To preserve natural and cultural heritage areas for public enjoyment and conservation

National parks are federally protected areas managed by the National Park Service to conserve landscapes, wildlife, and cultural sites for present and future generations.