Fall SemeSter 2025 | UNISa aSSIgNmeNt |
SUS1501 – SUStaINabIlIty aNd greed | Complete
aNSwerS, CaSe StUdIeS & Updated StUdy gUIde |
dUe November/deCember 2025
Question 1: What is the primary goal of sustainable development?
1. A. Maximize profit at all costs
2. B. Balance economic growth with environmental protection
3. C. Ignore social equity
4. D. Focus solely on technological advancement
Correct Answer: B. Balance economic growth with environmental protection.
Rationale: Sustainable development aims to meet the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This involves a
balanced approach that considers economic growth, environmental protection, and
social equity.
Question 2: Which of the following exemplifies a "greed-driven" approach to
resource management?
1. A. Investing in renewable energy sources
2. B. Overexploiting natural resources for short-term gain
3. C. Promoting effective waste management
4. D. Supporting fair trade practices
Correct Answer: B. Overexploiting natural resources for short-term gain.
Rationale: A greed-driven approach often focuses on immediate profits without regard
for long-term sustainability, leading to the depletion of natural resources and
environmental degradation.
Question 3: Which of the following is a renewable energy source?
1. A. Coal
2. B. Solar energy
3. C. Natural gas
4. D. Nuclear energy
Correct Answer: B. Solar energy.
,Rationale: Solar energy is derived from sunlight and can be harnessed to generate
electricity or heat, making it a renewable resource because it is abundant and
replenished naturally, unlike fossil fuels.
Question 4: What is the concept of "carrying capacity"?
1. A. The maximum population size an environment can sustain
2. B. The total economic output of a country
3. C. The amount of resources consumed by a population
4. D. The level of pollution in an ecosystem
Correct Answer: A. The maximum population size an environment can sustain.
Rationale: Carrying capacity refers to the maximum number of individuals an
environment can support without being degraded. It is essential for maintaining balance
in ecosystems and sustainably managing resources.
Question 5: Which of the following is a major cause of deforestation?
1. A. Sustainable forestry practices
2. B. Agricultural expansion
3. C. Urban development
4. D. Conservation efforts
Correct Answer: B. Agricultural expansion.
Rationale: Agricultural expansion leads to deforestation as forests are cleared to make
way for crops and livestock, which contributes to habitat loss, biodiversity decline, and
increased greenhouse gas emissions.
Question 6: What is the purpose of carbon credits?
1. A. To increase carbon emissions
2. B. To provide a market-based approach to reducing greenhouse gases
3. C. To fund fossil fuel projects
4. D. To certify renewable energy sources
Correct Answer: B. To provide a market-based approach to reducing greenhouse
gases.
,Rationale: Carbon credits are part of a cap-and-trade system that allows companies to
buy and sell credits for their carbon emissions, incentivizing reductions and promoting
investment in cleaner technologies.
Question 7: Which principle is NOT a part of sustainable development?
1. A. Prioritizing short-term economic gains
2. B. Equity in resource distribution
3. C. Environmental sustainability
4. D. Economic viability
Correct Answer: A. Prioritizing short-term economic gains.
Rationale: Sustainable development emphasizes long-term socioeconomic growth
that balances environmental stewardship and social equity, rather than focusing solely
on immediate profits.
Question 8: What does the term "circular economy" refer to?
1. A. A model that promotes waste generation
2. B. An economic system aimed at eliminating waste through reuse and
recycling
3. C. A financial strategy based on linear production
4. D. A temporary economic model
Correct Answer: B. An economic system aimed at eliminating waste through reuse
and recycling.
Rationale: The circular economy seeks to design out waste and pollution, keeping
products and materials in use longer, thereby fostering sustainability and reducing the
environmental impact.
Question 9: Which of the following practices contributes to biodiversity loss?
1. A. Planting native species
2. B. Monoculture farming
3. C. Creating wildlife reserves
4. D. Sustainable logging
Correct Answer: B. Monoculture farming.
, Rationale: Monoculture farming involves growing a single crop over a large area, which
can lead to habitat degradation, reduced genetic diversity, and increased vulnerability
to pests and diseases.
Question 10: What role do NGOs play in sustainability efforts?
1. A. They eliminate the need for government regulation
2. B. They advocate for environmental protection and sustainability initiatives
3. C. They focus solely on profit-making
4. D. They limit public participation
Correct Answer: B. They advocate for environmental protection and sustainability
initiatives.
Rationale: Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) often raise awareness, provide
education, and push for policy changes that promote sustainability and address
environmental issues at local, national, and international levels.
Question 11: Which of the following is an example of a sustainable transportation
option?
1. A. Gasoline-powered vehicles
2. B. Bicycles
3. C. Diesel trucks
4. D. Private jets
Correct Answer: B. Bicycles.
Rationale: Bicycles are a sustainable transportation option that requires no fossil fuels,
reduces emissions, and helps decrease traffic congestion, making them
environmentally friendly compared to motor vehicles.
Question 12: Which term describes the phenomenon where businesses prioritize
profit over environmental concerns?
1. A. Greenwashing
2. B. Corporate social responsibility
3. C. Ethical sourcing
4. D. Sustainable practices
SUS1501 – SUStaINabIlIty aNd greed | Complete
aNSwerS, CaSe StUdIeS & Updated StUdy gUIde |
dUe November/deCember 2025
Question 1: What is the primary goal of sustainable development?
1. A. Maximize profit at all costs
2. B. Balance economic growth with environmental protection
3. C. Ignore social equity
4. D. Focus solely on technological advancement
Correct Answer: B. Balance economic growth with environmental protection.
Rationale: Sustainable development aims to meet the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This involves a
balanced approach that considers economic growth, environmental protection, and
social equity.
Question 2: Which of the following exemplifies a "greed-driven" approach to
resource management?
1. A. Investing in renewable energy sources
2. B. Overexploiting natural resources for short-term gain
3. C. Promoting effective waste management
4. D. Supporting fair trade practices
Correct Answer: B. Overexploiting natural resources for short-term gain.
Rationale: A greed-driven approach often focuses on immediate profits without regard
for long-term sustainability, leading to the depletion of natural resources and
environmental degradation.
Question 3: Which of the following is a renewable energy source?
1. A. Coal
2. B. Solar energy
3. C. Natural gas
4. D. Nuclear energy
Correct Answer: B. Solar energy.
,Rationale: Solar energy is derived from sunlight and can be harnessed to generate
electricity or heat, making it a renewable resource because it is abundant and
replenished naturally, unlike fossil fuels.
Question 4: What is the concept of "carrying capacity"?
1. A. The maximum population size an environment can sustain
2. B. The total economic output of a country
3. C. The amount of resources consumed by a population
4. D. The level of pollution in an ecosystem
Correct Answer: A. The maximum population size an environment can sustain.
Rationale: Carrying capacity refers to the maximum number of individuals an
environment can support without being degraded. It is essential for maintaining balance
in ecosystems and sustainably managing resources.
Question 5: Which of the following is a major cause of deforestation?
1. A. Sustainable forestry practices
2. B. Agricultural expansion
3. C. Urban development
4. D. Conservation efforts
Correct Answer: B. Agricultural expansion.
Rationale: Agricultural expansion leads to deforestation as forests are cleared to make
way for crops and livestock, which contributes to habitat loss, biodiversity decline, and
increased greenhouse gas emissions.
Question 6: What is the purpose of carbon credits?
1. A. To increase carbon emissions
2. B. To provide a market-based approach to reducing greenhouse gases
3. C. To fund fossil fuel projects
4. D. To certify renewable energy sources
Correct Answer: B. To provide a market-based approach to reducing greenhouse
gases.
,Rationale: Carbon credits are part of a cap-and-trade system that allows companies to
buy and sell credits for their carbon emissions, incentivizing reductions and promoting
investment in cleaner technologies.
Question 7: Which principle is NOT a part of sustainable development?
1. A. Prioritizing short-term economic gains
2. B. Equity in resource distribution
3. C. Environmental sustainability
4. D. Economic viability
Correct Answer: A. Prioritizing short-term economic gains.
Rationale: Sustainable development emphasizes long-term socioeconomic growth
that balances environmental stewardship and social equity, rather than focusing solely
on immediate profits.
Question 8: What does the term "circular economy" refer to?
1. A. A model that promotes waste generation
2. B. An economic system aimed at eliminating waste through reuse and
recycling
3. C. A financial strategy based on linear production
4. D. A temporary economic model
Correct Answer: B. An economic system aimed at eliminating waste through reuse
and recycling.
Rationale: The circular economy seeks to design out waste and pollution, keeping
products and materials in use longer, thereby fostering sustainability and reducing the
environmental impact.
Question 9: Which of the following practices contributes to biodiversity loss?
1. A. Planting native species
2. B. Monoculture farming
3. C. Creating wildlife reserves
4. D. Sustainable logging
Correct Answer: B. Monoculture farming.
, Rationale: Monoculture farming involves growing a single crop over a large area, which
can lead to habitat degradation, reduced genetic diversity, and increased vulnerability
to pests and diseases.
Question 10: What role do NGOs play in sustainability efforts?
1. A. They eliminate the need for government regulation
2. B. They advocate for environmental protection and sustainability initiatives
3. C. They focus solely on profit-making
4. D. They limit public participation
Correct Answer: B. They advocate for environmental protection and sustainability
initiatives.
Rationale: Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) often raise awareness, provide
education, and push for policy changes that promote sustainability and address
environmental issues at local, national, and international levels.
Question 11: Which of the following is an example of a sustainable transportation
option?
1. A. Gasoline-powered vehicles
2. B. Bicycles
3. C. Diesel trucks
4. D. Private jets
Correct Answer: B. Bicycles.
Rationale: Bicycles are a sustainable transportation option that requires no fossil fuels,
reduces emissions, and helps decrease traffic congestion, making them
environmentally friendly compared to motor vehicles.
Question 12: Which term describes the phenomenon where businesses prioritize
profit over environmental concerns?
1. A. Greenwashing
2. B. Corporate social responsibility
3. C. Ethical sourcing
4. D. Sustainable practices
