Environment and Sustainable
Development questions and answers
Pollution - correct answer-presence of substances in the environment that inconvenience or
endanger humans
Disability-adjusted life year (DALY) - correct answer-statistical measure combining in one
number years lost to premature mortality and years lived with disability;
Ecosystem - correct answer-an animated, interactive realm of plants, animals and
microorganisms inhabiting an area of the nonliving environment
Sustainable development - correct answer-nonpolluting economic growth that raises
standards of living without depleting the net resources of the earth; economy, society,
environment
Dualism - correct answer-the theory that humans are separate from nature because they
have the power of reason, and unlike plants and animals, souls
René Descrates - correct answer-believed that nature operated like a machine, according to
fixed laws that humans could study and understand
Progress - correct answer-the belief that history is a narrative of improvement in which
humanity moves from lower to higher levels of perfection
Capitalism - correct answer-economy in which private individuals and corporation own the
means of production, and motivated by the desire for profit, compete in free markets under
conditions of limited restraint by the government
Utiliarianism - correct answer-the ethical philosophy of the greatest good for the greatest
number
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - correct answer-executive branch regulatory
agency with a mission to protect human health and to preserve the natural environment
Clean Air Act - correct answer-requires the EPA to set national standards for air pollutants at
levels that protect public health and the enviornment
Risk assessment - correct answer-the largely scientific process of discovering and weighing
dangers posed by a pollutant
Risk - correct answer-a probability existing somewhere between zero and 100 percent and a
harm that will occur; to ensure that public health is protected
with a margin of safety
Development questions and answers
Pollution - correct answer-presence of substances in the environment that inconvenience or
endanger humans
Disability-adjusted life year (DALY) - correct answer-statistical measure combining in one
number years lost to premature mortality and years lived with disability;
Ecosystem - correct answer-an animated, interactive realm of plants, animals and
microorganisms inhabiting an area of the nonliving environment
Sustainable development - correct answer-nonpolluting economic growth that raises
standards of living without depleting the net resources of the earth; economy, society,
environment
Dualism - correct answer-the theory that humans are separate from nature because they
have the power of reason, and unlike plants and animals, souls
René Descrates - correct answer-believed that nature operated like a machine, according to
fixed laws that humans could study and understand
Progress - correct answer-the belief that history is a narrative of improvement in which
humanity moves from lower to higher levels of perfection
Capitalism - correct answer-economy in which private individuals and corporation own the
means of production, and motivated by the desire for profit, compete in free markets under
conditions of limited restraint by the government
Utiliarianism - correct answer-the ethical philosophy of the greatest good for the greatest
number
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - correct answer-executive branch regulatory
agency with a mission to protect human health and to preserve the natural environment
Clean Air Act - correct answer-requires the EPA to set national standards for air pollutants at
levels that protect public health and the enviornment
Risk assessment - correct answer-the largely scientific process of discovering and weighing
dangers posed by a pollutant
Risk - correct answer-a probability existing somewhere between zero and 100 percent and a
harm that will occur; to ensure that public health is protected
with a margin of safety
