Here is the official version of these review questions. The final will be CUMULATIVE. Questions listed here are likely more specific that what will be asked on the exam, but knowing the answers to them will help you perform well on Wednesday. Review all lectures (online) as another resource. Good luck!

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Vocabulary you should know by the end of this course:

Define the following in non-vague terms, using a specific example. Relate this word or phrase to topics we have been studying in class.

State of the Environment at CC

1. What were two main conclusions from each project in the 2002 State of the Environment at CC? What were the main methods used in each project? What were the main recommendations or solutions from each project?

Energy Consumption and Production

1. What are the primary sources of energy (electricity and heat) currently used in the United States? List and explain a) how each resource is extracted, b) the benefits of using this energy source and c) drawbacks of using this energy source. What is the main source of energy in Colorado?

2. What are three energy sources that are alternative to fossil fuels? Briefly explain the technology (or biology) of these alternative energy sources and why they will be "greener" or "cleaner" sources of energy than fossil fuels (if they are). What are some drawbacks to using these alternatives? How have the costs of these alternative energy sources changed over the last several decades?

3. How many years of coal, oil, & natural gas do we have left (in the world) and how do we calculate this if we assume positive population growth?

4. Based on our trip to the Nixon Power Plant, what were some steps used to create energy from coal? List three and explain. What were some of your other impressions of the Nixon Power Plant?

Waste Disposal, Urbanization, and Natural Building

1. What are three facts that you remember about solid waste disposal?

2. What is composting? How will this practice reduce solid wastes in landfills? Where does the "material" go during composting?

3. Is it legal in the United States to dump waste in the ocean? Has this happened in this country? Give an example.

4. What are the benefits and drawbacks of incineration? What are three benefits of recycling?

5. What is hazardous waste, and what are some US laws that deal with it? What is a Superfund site?

6. Explain the field of Environmental Justice and give a real-world example.

7. What are three cities that are among the top 10 largest cities in the world? Approximately how many people live within a "megacity"?

8. What are three negative ecological consequences of city living (as opposed to rural living), What is a positive ecological consequence of urbanization?

9. What are two differences in city planning between western and eastern US cities? What are four ways we can make our western cities more livable?

10. What are three components of an Earthship? What are three ways that an Earthship contributes to environmental conservation? What are some drawbacks to living in a natural building. Do the benefits outweigh the costs?

Air Pollution and Climate Change

1. Define the terms "air pollution" and "climate change". What are the similarities and differences between the two?

2. Is the air in North America today dirtier or cleaner than it was 100 years ago? Why? Explain the laws in place that have caused this change, and what these laws control. Compare the same 100 year trend in a developing country like Pakistan.

3. What are the 6 compounds considered to be "air pollutants" in the United States? Of which of these is transportation a major source? (Hint: these are the same compounds that are measured from your car during your yearly emissions test).

4. What is the primary source of SO2 (sulfur dioxide)? Particulates?

5. Explain the US Clean Air Act. (Hint: the compounds regulated by the Clean Air Act is what defines "air pollution"). How does human activity increase the production of each of these compounds?

6. What are some local (health) and global effects of aerosols? Are aerosols natural or human-derived?

7. What are three things that could contribute negatively to your indoor air quality?

8. What is the stratospheric ozone hole and why is it over Antarctica? What is the cause of the ozone hole? Is the hole "natural"?\\

9. What international legislation was passed in response to the discovery of the ozone hole? What have been the ecological impacts of this agreement

10. What is the link between energy production, air pollution, and women's health in the developing world? (i.e. think stoves)

11. What are the effects of these "air pollutants" (know which compounds these are?) on human health and plant health?

12. What is acid rain? Use pH in your answer. What are some ecological effects of acid rain?

13. How did the 1990 amendments to the Clean Air Act change the existing legislation?

Environmental Health

1. What is the Ebola virus and how is it transferred to humans? What is malaria and how is it transferred to humans? What is the link between DDT and malaria?

2. What are the factors that may contribute to the fact that 30 new diseases and some old, more virulent ones have appeared in the past two decades? Use the Hanta virus, Dengue Fever, and Cholera as examples.

3. What is the definition of zoonotic, and how does it relate to human-induced environmental change?

4. How do bacteria become resistant to antibiotics and pesticides? Give some examples of diseases where bacteria are now resistant to our drugs. What are some of the consequences?

Biodiversity and Land Use Change

1. How are humans changing the DIVERSITY and COMPOSITION of species on Earth?

2. What is an exotic species? What makes a species invasive? Give real-world examples in Colorado

3. What is the taxonomic group with the largest number of known species?

4. What are five reasons why we should be concerned with a loss of biodiversity. Explain, using real-world examples of each.

5. What are three primary causes of biodiversity loss on Earth? Explain, using real-world examples.

6. Is extinction a human-caused phenomenon? How have humans changed the "natural" rate of extinction?

7. What are three things YOU do that contribute to biodiversity loss on Earth? What could you do differently? What will it take to change your actions?

8. What is the primary driver of wildlife poaching in Africa? Where is the market for these goods?

9. In his book, Ishmael, Daniel Quinn says "[Humans] ... kill what they don't eat and kill what eats what they eat." Explain this idea, using real-world examples.

10. What is the Endangered Species Act (ESA)? Explain at least two provisions of this important Act. What are some human controversies that have arisen over the ESA?

11. How does climate change bring new challenges to the preservation of endangered species? Explain in a brief essay.

12. What are some ecological consequences of grazing?

13. Where is the largest market for old-growth and tropical timber? What can YOU do in your life to ameliorate this problem?

Ecological Economics, Education, ßand Activism

Will generate questions in class over the next two days....