Chapter 1 Notes AP Environmental
Science Questions and answers
Describe what is meant by the phrase "an environmentally sustainable society" as relate to
the human population. - correct answer-The human population must meet the current and
future needs in order to be an environmentally sustainable society.
What is the natural capital? - correct answer-The natural resources and natural services that
keep us and other forms of life alive and support our economies.
What are natural resources? - correct answer-Materials and energy in nature that are
essential or useful to humans. Often classified as renewable (water, air, soil, plants, and
wind) or nonrenewable (copper, oil, coal)
What are natural services? - correct answer-Functions of nature, such as purification of air
and water, which support life and human economies.
What is nutrient cycling? - correct answer-The circulation of chemicals necessary for life.
Dead organic matter --> decomposition --> inorganic matter in soil --> organic matter in
plants --> organic matter in animals, repeat
What is solar capital? - correct answer-Energy from the sun; without it natural capital would
collapse
What is natural capital degradation? - correct answer-Human activities degrade the natural
capital by using normally renewable resources faster than nature can renew them.
What is the difference between economic growth and economic development? - correct
answer-While economic growth provides people with more goods and services, economic
development has the goal of using economic growth to improve living standards.
Distinguish between developed countries and developing countries. - correct
answer-Developed: 1.2 billion people total, highly industrialized, high per capita GDP PPP,
18% of the population, 85% of the wealth, 75% of pollution/waste
Developing: 5.5 billion people, some middle income moderately developed and others are
low income least developed, per capita GDP PPP is steadily declining, 82% of population,
15% of wealth, 25% pollution/waste
What is environmental degradation and give 3 examples of it. - correct answer-Depletion or
destruction of a potentially renewable resource such as soil, grassland, forest, or wildlife that
is used faster than it is naturally replenished. If such continues, the resource becomes
nonrenewable (on a human time scale) or extinct. Examples: water and air pollution,
decreased wildlife habitats/shrinking forests, soil erosion
Science Questions and answers
Describe what is meant by the phrase "an environmentally sustainable society" as relate to
the human population. - correct answer-The human population must meet the current and
future needs in order to be an environmentally sustainable society.
What is the natural capital? - correct answer-The natural resources and natural services that
keep us and other forms of life alive and support our economies.
What are natural resources? - correct answer-Materials and energy in nature that are
essential or useful to humans. Often classified as renewable (water, air, soil, plants, and
wind) or nonrenewable (copper, oil, coal)
What are natural services? - correct answer-Functions of nature, such as purification of air
and water, which support life and human economies.
What is nutrient cycling? - correct answer-The circulation of chemicals necessary for life.
Dead organic matter --> decomposition --> inorganic matter in soil --> organic matter in
plants --> organic matter in animals, repeat
What is solar capital? - correct answer-Energy from the sun; without it natural capital would
collapse
What is natural capital degradation? - correct answer-Human activities degrade the natural
capital by using normally renewable resources faster than nature can renew them.
What is the difference between economic growth and economic development? - correct
answer-While economic growth provides people with more goods and services, economic
development has the goal of using economic growth to improve living standards.
Distinguish between developed countries and developing countries. - correct
answer-Developed: 1.2 billion people total, highly industrialized, high per capita GDP PPP,
18% of the population, 85% of the wealth, 75% of pollution/waste
Developing: 5.5 billion people, some middle income moderately developed and others are
low income least developed, per capita GDP PPP is steadily declining, 82% of population,
15% of wealth, 25% pollution/waste
What is environmental degradation and give 3 examples of it. - correct answer-Depletion or
destruction of a potentially renewable resource such as soil, grassland, forest, or wildlife that
is used faster than it is naturally replenished. If such continues, the resource becomes
nonrenewable (on a human time scale) or extinct. Examples: water and air pollution,
decreased wildlife habitats/shrinking forests, soil erosion
