TCGT 1530 GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY - DESAI EXAM 1 QUESTIONS ANSWERED CORRECTLY LATEST
UPDATE 2026
nature - Answers intrinsic character, inherent character/basic constitution of a person or thing (...or
in our case "a concept")
Science - Answers a stream of human events involving a mathematical or systematic study of nature
that results in a body of knowledge that is practical as well as theoretical
Technology - Answers the cumulative sum of human means developed in response to society's needs
or desires to systematically solve problems
Environment - Answers 1the natural, physical, & social circumstances and conditions by which a
person is surrounded in including climatic (climate), edaphic (soil), and biotic (living organism) factors;
2ecosystem, living community & its environment
technology - Answers In 1615 it was defined as: "a discourse (school of thought) on an art; the
scientific study of the practical or industrial arts" (it was considered the "useful arts" as opposed to
those arts that were not absolutely necessary for survival)
technes - Answers branch of knowledge humans use to develop new techniques (for doing things)
George Wilson, Professor of Technology at the University of Edinburgh - Answers By 1823 it had
become " a description of arts, especially those which are mechanical"
Spier wrote - Answers 1968- technology embraces the means by which man controls or modifies his
natural environment"
Lenski 1974 - Answers the definition had evolved to: "the information, techniques, and tools with
which people utilize the material resources of their environment to satisfy their needs & desires
Technology Definition - Answers : "a study of the technical means undertaken in all cultures that
involves the systematic application of organized knowledge and tangibles for the extension of the
human faculties" (abilities)
Technology Definition - Answers the cumulative sum of human means developed in response to
society's needs or desires to systematically solve problems"
Technology Characteristics - Answers It is evident in all cultures regardless of their stage of
development
It is knowledge based and involves the application of knowledge to solve problems. (Applied Science)
It is accumulative
It is fundamental to humanity
It is fundamental to survival
It alters culture and society
It is future oriented
It is observable
Technology typically precedes science - Answers e.g., the steam engine was developed before the
laws of thermodynamics)
Science is the - Answers "know why"
Technology is often defined as - Answers "Applied Science" or more often.. the "know how"
Your text defines science as - Answers "a stream of human events involving a mathematical or
systematic study of nature that results in a body of knowledge that is practical as well as theoretical"
symbiosis - Answers "an intimate living together of two dissimilar organisms in a mutually beneficial
relationship"
two levels of strain - Answers 1st - between old and new ways of doing things............. "resistance to
change"
2nd - between groups with different ideals
What is Strain - Answers As society changes "strain" is experienced
Sustainability Defined: - Answers To meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability
of future generations to meet their own needs
Improving the quality of human life while living within the carrying capacity of supporting eco-systems
There is abundant scientific evidence that humanity is living unsustainably. Returning human use of
natural resources to within sustainable limits will require a major collective effort
, The dimensions of sustainability are often taken to be environmental, social and economic, known as
the three pillars of sustainability
Sustainability Gist - Answers To survive on planet Earth, humans must live within its measurable
biophysical constraints
Three Pillars - Answers Social, Environmental, Economic
Sub Pillars - Answers Bearable, Viable, Equitable
Social - Answers Common characteristics of people or descriptions of collectivities
Attitudes, orientations, or behaviors which take the interests, intentions, or needs of other people
into account
Interactions between people
Membership of a group of people or inclusion or belonging to a community of people
Environmental (Natural Environment): - Answers Complete ecological units that function as natural
systems without massive human intervention
This includes all vegetation, animals, microorganisms, soil, rocks, atmosphere and natural phenomena
that occur within their boundaries.
The natural environment is contrasted with the built environment, which comprises the areas and
components that are strongly influenced by humans
Economic - Answers An economy (or "the economy") is the realized economic system of a country or
other area.
It includes the production, exchange, distribution, and consumption of goods and services of that
area.
The study of different types and examples of economies is the subject of economic systems
A given economy is the end result of a process that involves its technological evolution, history and
social organization, as well as its geography, natural resource endowment, and ecology, among other
factors
Four Sectors of Modern Economic Activity: - Answers Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, Quaternary
Primary sector of the economy - Answers Involves the extraction and production of raw materials,
such as corn, coal, wood and iron. (A coal miner and a fisherman would be workers in the primary
sector.)
Secondary sector of the economy - Answers Involves the transformation of raw or intermediate
materials into goods e.g. manufacturing steel into cars, or textiles into clothing. (A builder and a
dressmaker would be workers in the secondary sector.)
Tertiary sector of the economy - Answers Involves the provision of services to consumers and
businesses, such as baby-sitting, cinema and banking. (A shopkeeper and an accountant would be
workers in the tertiary sector.)
Quaternary sector of the economy - Answers Involves the research and development needed to
produce products from natural resources. (A logging company might research ways to use partially
burnt wood to be processed so that the undamaged portions of it can be made into pulp for paper.)
Note that education is sometimes included in this sector.
Earth Charter - Answers an international declaration of fundamental values and principles considered
useful by its supporters for building a just, sustainable, and peaceful global society in the 21st century.
Intergenerational equity - Answers providing future generations with the same environmental
potential as presently exists
Decoupling economic growth from environmental degradation - Answers managing economic growth
to be less resource intensive and less polluting
Integration of all pillars - Answers integrating environmental, social and economic sectors when
developing sustainability policies
Ensuring environmental adaptability and resilience - Answers maintaining and enhancing the
adaptive capacity of the environmental system
Ensuring distributional equity - Answers avoiding unfair or high environmental costs on vulnerable
populations
UPDATE 2026
nature - Answers intrinsic character, inherent character/basic constitution of a person or thing (...or
in our case "a concept")
Science - Answers a stream of human events involving a mathematical or systematic study of nature
that results in a body of knowledge that is practical as well as theoretical
Technology - Answers the cumulative sum of human means developed in response to society's needs
or desires to systematically solve problems
Environment - Answers 1the natural, physical, & social circumstances and conditions by which a
person is surrounded in including climatic (climate), edaphic (soil), and biotic (living organism) factors;
2ecosystem, living community & its environment
technology - Answers In 1615 it was defined as: "a discourse (school of thought) on an art; the
scientific study of the practical or industrial arts" (it was considered the "useful arts" as opposed to
those arts that were not absolutely necessary for survival)
technes - Answers branch of knowledge humans use to develop new techniques (for doing things)
George Wilson, Professor of Technology at the University of Edinburgh - Answers By 1823 it had
become " a description of arts, especially those which are mechanical"
Spier wrote - Answers 1968- technology embraces the means by which man controls or modifies his
natural environment"
Lenski 1974 - Answers the definition had evolved to: "the information, techniques, and tools with
which people utilize the material resources of their environment to satisfy their needs & desires
Technology Definition - Answers : "a study of the technical means undertaken in all cultures that
involves the systematic application of organized knowledge and tangibles for the extension of the
human faculties" (abilities)
Technology Definition - Answers the cumulative sum of human means developed in response to
society's needs or desires to systematically solve problems"
Technology Characteristics - Answers It is evident in all cultures regardless of their stage of
development
It is knowledge based and involves the application of knowledge to solve problems. (Applied Science)
It is accumulative
It is fundamental to humanity
It is fundamental to survival
It alters culture and society
It is future oriented
It is observable
Technology typically precedes science - Answers e.g., the steam engine was developed before the
laws of thermodynamics)
Science is the - Answers "know why"
Technology is often defined as - Answers "Applied Science" or more often.. the "know how"
Your text defines science as - Answers "a stream of human events involving a mathematical or
systematic study of nature that results in a body of knowledge that is practical as well as theoretical"
symbiosis - Answers "an intimate living together of two dissimilar organisms in a mutually beneficial
relationship"
two levels of strain - Answers 1st - between old and new ways of doing things............. "resistance to
change"
2nd - between groups with different ideals
What is Strain - Answers As society changes "strain" is experienced
Sustainability Defined: - Answers To meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability
of future generations to meet their own needs
Improving the quality of human life while living within the carrying capacity of supporting eco-systems
There is abundant scientific evidence that humanity is living unsustainably. Returning human use of
natural resources to within sustainable limits will require a major collective effort
, The dimensions of sustainability are often taken to be environmental, social and economic, known as
the three pillars of sustainability
Sustainability Gist - Answers To survive on planet Earth, humans must live within its measurable
biophysical constraints
Three Pillars - Answers Social, Environmental, Economic
Sub Pillars - Answers Bearable, Viable, Equitable
Social - Answers Common characteristics of people or descriptions of collectivities
Attitudes, orientations, or behaviors which take the interests, intentions, or needs of other people
into account
Interactions between people
Membership of a group of people or inclusion or belonging to a community of people
Environmental (Natural Environment): - Answers Complete ecological units that function as natural
systems without massive human intervention
This includes all vegetation, animals, microorganisms, soil, rocks, atmosphere and natural phenomena
that occur within their boundaries.
The natural environment is contrasted with the built environment, which comprises the areas and
components that are strongly influenced by humans
Economic - Answers An economy (or "the economy") is the realized economic system of a country or
other area.
It includes the production, exchange, distribution, and consumption of goods and services of that
area.
The study of different types and examples of economies is the subject of economic systems
A given economy is the end result of a process that involves its technological evolution, history and
social organization, as well as its geography, natural resource endowment, and ecology, among other
factors
Four Sectors of Modern Economic Activity: - Answers Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, Quaternary
Primary sector of the economy - Answers Involves the extraction and production of raw materials,
such as corn, coal, wood and iron. (A coal miner and a fisherman would be workers in the primary
sector.)
Secondary sector of the economy - Answers Involves the transformation of raw or intermediate
materials into goods e.g. manufacturing steel into cars, or textiles into clothing. (A builder and a
dressmaker would be workers in the secondary sector.)
Tertiary sector of the economy - Answers Involves the provision of services to consumers and
businesses, such as baby-sitting, cinema and banking. (A shopkeeper and an accountant would be
workers in the tertiary sector.)
Quaternary sector of the economy - Answers Involves the research and development needed to
produce products from natural resources. (A logging company might research ways to use partially
burnt wood to be processed so that the undamaged portions of it can be made into pulp for paper.)
Note that education is sometimes included in this sector.
Earth Charter - Answers an international declaration of fundamental values and principles considered
useful by its supporters for building a just, sustainable, and peaceful global society in the 21st century.
Intergenerational equity - Answers providing future generations with the same environmental
potential as presently exists
Decoupling economic growth from environmental degradation - Answers managing economic growth
to be less resource intensive and less polluting
Integration of all pillars - Answers integrating environmental, social and economic sectors when
developing sustainability policies
Ensuring environmental adaptability and resilience - Answers maintaining and enhancing the
adaptive capacity of the environmental system
Ensuring distributional equity - Answers avoiding unfair or high environmental costs on vulnerable
populations
