POLS 202 Review Exam II flashcards

All 20 cards

1. Card 1

   Explain the ecological principle 'Everything must go somewhere'.

   This law of ecology highlights that matter and energy are conserved. It implies that waste products do not simply disappear but are transferred to another part of the environment, such as air, water, or soil, often causing pollution.

2. Card 2

   How does the ecological law 'Everything is connected to everything else' relate to environmental impact?

   This law emphasizes the interconnectedness of ecosystems. It means that an action or change in one part of an ecosystem can have ripple effects and consequences throughout the entire system, affecting various species and environmental components.

3. Card 3

   What is the meaning of the ecological law 'Nothing comes from nothing'?

   This principle asserts that all matter and energy in an ecosystem must originate from somewhere. It implies that resources are not infinite and that the production of goods or services requires the consumption of existing resources, often with associated environmental costs.

4. Card 4

   Describe the ecological principle 'Nature knows best'.

   This law suggests that natural systems and evolutionary processes have developed optimal solutions for survival and sustainability over long periods. It implies that human interventions in natural systems should be approached with caution, as they often disrupt finely tuned ecological balances.

5. Card 5

   Why is the Commerce Clause relevant to environmental law in the US?

   The Commerce Clause is relevant because the US Constitution does not directly address environmental pollution or endangered species. This means that environmental regulations often rely on the Commerce Clause to establish federal authority over activities that impact interstate commerce, even if those impacts are environmental.

6. Card 6

   Explain the 'Power of the Status Quo' in the context of US legislation.

   The Power of the Status Quo refers to the inherent difficulty in passing new legislation in the US. The founders intentionally designed the legislative process to be challenging, making it easier to maintain existing laws and policies rather than enact new ones, thus preserving the status quo.

7. Card 7

   Define 'Greenwashing'.

   Greenwashing is a deceptive practice where a company or corporation attempts to present itself as environmentally friendly or sustainable, even when its actual practices do not support such claims. This is often done to improve public image and attract environmentally conscious consumers.

8. Card 8

   How have humans 'broken out of the circle of life'?

   Humans have 'broken out of the circle of life' by creating materials that last indefinitely, like plastic, which do not readily decompose and re-enter natural cycles. Additionally, humanity often consumes resources at a rate faster than they can be naturally replenished, failing to 'close' the resource loop.

9. Card 9

   What is a 'Common Pull Resource'?

   A Common Pull Resource refers to a natural resource that is shared by many individuals within a specific area. These resources are often accessible to everyone, but their use by one person can diminish their availability for others.

10. Card 10

    Describe the 'Tragedy of the Commons'.

    The Tragedy of the Commons is an economic problem where individuals, acting independently and rationally according to their own self-interest, deplete a shared limited resource. This occurs because each individual fears that if they don't take as much as possible, others will, leaving them with nothing.

11. Card 11

    In what situation would a company engage in greenwashing?

    A company might engage in greenwashing when it wants to appeal to environmentally conscious consumers or investors without making significant, costly changes to its production processes or supply chain. It's a strategy to enhance brand reputation and market share by appearing eco-friendly.

12. Card 12

    How does the concept of 'Nothing is a free lunch' relate to environmental issues?

    The concept 'Nothing is a free lunch' in environmental issues means that every action, especially those involving resource consumption or waste generation, has an associated cost or consequence. There are always trade-offs, and environmental benefits often come with economic or social costs, and vice-versa.

13. Card 13

    Why is it difficult to pass new environmental legislation in the US, considering the 'Power of the Status Quo'?

    It is difficult to pass new environmental legislation in the US due to the 'Power of the Status Quo' because the legislative process is designed with multiple checks and balances. This makes it challenging to garner enough support and overcome potential opposition, favoring the continuation of existing environmental policies over new, potentially stricter ones.

14. Card 14

    How does the creation of plastics illustrate humans breaking out of the circle of life?

    The creation of plastics illustrates humans breaking out of the circle of life because plastics are synthetic materials that do not readily decompose back into natural components. Unlike organic matter, they persist in the environment for hundreds or thousands of years, disrupting natural cycles of decomposition and resource renewal.

15. Card 15

    What is the theoretical implication of 'Everything is connected to everything else' for environmental policy?

    The theoretical implication for environmental policy is that interventions should be holistic and consider potential cascading effects. Policies focused on one environmental problem might inadvertently create or exacerbate others, requiring a comprehensive understanding of ecosystem interdependencies.

16. Card 16

    Distinguish between a 'Common Pull Resource' and a privately owned resource.

    A 'Common Pull Resource' is one that is accessible to and used by multiple individuals in a community, often without clear private ownership, like a public fishing ground. A privately owned resource, in contrast, is exclusively controlled and managed by an individual or a specific entity, limiting access to others.

17. Card 17

    How does the 'Tragedy of the Commons' apply to global climate change?

    The 'Tragedy of the Commons' applies to global climate change because the Earth's atmosphere is a common resource for absorbing greenhouse gases. Each nation, acting in its self-interest, may continue to emit pollutants, fearing economic disadvantage if it reduces emissions while others do not, leading to the collective degradation of the atmosphere.

18. Card 18

    In what way does the ecological law 'Nature knows best' suggest caution regarding technological solutions to environmental problems?

    The law 'Nature knows best' suggests caution regarding technological solutions because natural systems have evolved complex, self-regulating mechanisms over millennia. Human-engineered solutions, while well-intentioned, often fail to account for the intricate interdependencies within ecosystems and can lead to unforeseen negative consequences or disruptions.

19. Card 19

    Why is the phrase 'Nothing is a free lunch' a good summary of the environmental impact of human activities?

    The phrase 'Nothing is a free lunch' is a good summary because it encapsulates the idea that all human activities, from manufacturing to consumption, have environmental costs. Whether it's resource depletion, pollution, or habitat destruction, there are always consequences that must eventually be paid, even if they are not immediately apparent.

20. Card 20

    How does the concept of 'closing the circle' relate to humans breaking out of the circle of life?

    The concept of 'closing the circle' directly addresses humans breaking out of the circle of life by advocating for practices that mimic natural cycles. It means designing systems where resources are reused, recycled, or biodegraded, ensuring that materials re-enter productive use rather than accumulating as waste and depleting new resources.

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