Thinking Geographically: Key Issue 4
Why Are Some Human Actions Not Sustainable?
Rubenstein, pp. 30-37
name:
period:
● SUSTAINABILITY AND RESOURCES
1. Very carefully define the following terms in your own words:
A. renewable resource
B. nonrenewable resource
C. sustainability
D. conservation
E. preservation
2. Complete the chart below which details the Three Pillars of Sustainability according to the UN.
give an example
what needs to
be done?
ENVIRONMENTAL
ECONOMY
SOCIETY
3. Why does the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) criticize the idea of “sustainability”?
3a. What is another, and opposite, criticism?
3b. What do both sides agree on?
4. What do the following Greek words mean?
litho ___________
atmo ____________
hydro ____________
bio ____________
5. List and briefly describe the four physical systems of Earth.
a)
b)
c)
d)
5a. Which physical system is “biotic”? Why?
6. How many major types of climates do geographers identify? ______
7. In what major way does climate influence human activities? (Give an example.)
8. What are the two major problems with which geographers are concerned, as far as soil is concerned?
a)
b)
9. Very carefully define the following terms in your own words:
A. Cultural Ecology
B. Environmental Determinism
C. Possibilism
10. Complete two case studies which describe human modifications of and adaptation to the local
environment. To do so, annotate the blank maps and bullet in brief notes to the side of each.
A) THE NETHERLANDS
B) FLORIDA