Name: _______________________________
Date: ______________
Chapter 1 – Reading Questions
1. How does the text define ‘environmental science’?
2.
Compare and contrast human and natural systems.
3. What are some positive and negative ways humans alter natural systems.
4. Why are environmental indicators important?
5. Biodiversity can be discussed in three different ways. Identify and describe these scales.
6. How do governments impact the worldwide production of food?
7. What are two major sources of anthropogenic CO ?
2
8. Why is human population and environmental concern?
9. Read ‘Do the Math’ on the bottom of page 11, answer the question “Why might environmental
organizations choose to present similar information in different ways?” here.
10. What does it take to live sustainably?
11. Complete the following chart regarding the scientific method.
Process
Observation
Form a testable
hypothesis/prediction
Collect data/conduct
experiment
Includes
Example
Interpret results
Disseminate findings
12. Compare and contrast controlled and natural experiments.
13. In what ways is environmental science different from other sciences?
Chapter 1 Vocabulary List
Environment
Environmental science
Environmentalist
Utilitarian conservation
Biocentric conservation
Ecosystem
Ecological footprint
Extreme poverty
Sustainable development
Indigenous
Independent variable
Dependent variable
Control group
Baseline data
Environmental justice