INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL
SCIENCE EXAM 2 LATEST UPDATE 2026
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS||
GUARANTEED PASS
Scientific Method Characteristics -CORRECTANSWER 1. Testing of Ideas
2. Uses Observations 3. Based on certain operating assumptions
4. Follows sequence of steps
5. Repeatable
3 ways to study the environment -CORRECTANSWER 1. lab studies
2. field studies
3. computer models
Ecological Footprint -CORRECTANSWER A way of measuring how much of an impact
a person or community has on the earth. Someone who uses more natural resources
will have a bigger footprint than someone who uses less.
Tragedy of the Commons -CORRECTANSWER situation in which people acting
individually and in their own interest use up commonly available but limited resources,
creating disaster for the entire community
,3 ethical perspectives -CORRECTANSWER anthropocentrism, biocentrism,
ecocentrism
Anthropocentrism -CORRECTANSWER the belief that humans hold a special place in
nature; being centered primarily on humans and human affairs.
Biocentrism -CORRECTANSWER The belief that all creatures have rights and values;
being centered on nature rather than humans.
Ecocentrism -CORRECTANSWER Moral principle that regards the ecosphere as the
most important being in existence in an attempt to redress the imbalance created by
anthropocentrism
Environmental Policy -CORRECTANSWER Public policy that pertains to human
interactions with the environment. It generally aims to regulate resource use or reduce
pollution to promote human welfare and/or protect natural systems.
Environmental Policy aims to... -CORRECTANSWER Protect people's health and well-
being, to safeguard environmental quality and conserve natural resources, and to
promote equity or fairness in people's use of resources or exposure to pollution
, Free Riders -CORRECTANSWER a party that fails to invest in controlling pollution or
carrying out other environmentally responsible activities and instead relies on the efforts
of other parties to do so
"Ideal" Steps of the Policy Process -CORRECTANSWER 1. Identify Problem2. Find
Causes of Problem 3. Solution/Set Goals4. Get Organized5. Follow through with action
Steps in Risk Assessment -CORRECTANSWER 1. Hazard identification
2. Dose-response assessment
3. Exposure assessment
4. Risk characterization
1st wave of environmental policy -CORRECTANSWER - 1780s to late 1800s
- Addressed public land management
2nd wave of environmental policy -CORRECTANSWER - Late 1800s
- Addressed impacts of the 1st wave of policy (problems with westward expansion and
natural resources require protection from exploitation)
- Creates forest reserves and National Parks
3rd wave of environmental policy -CORRECTANSWER - mid to late 20th century
- largely addressed pollution issues
- landmark event: publication of silent spring
SCIENCE EXAM 2 LATEST UPDATE 2026
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS||
GUARANTEED PASS
Scientific Method Characteristics -CORRECTANSWER 1. Testing of Ideas
2. Uses Observations 3. Based on certain operating assumptions
4. Follows sequence of steps
5. Repeatable
3 ways to study the environment -CORRECTANSWER 1. lab studies
2. field studies
3. computer models
Ecological Footprint -CORRECTANSWER A way of measuring how much of an impact
a person or community has on the earth. Someone who uses more natural resources
will have a bigger footprint than someone who uses less.
Tragedy of the Commons -CORRECTANSWER situation in which people acting
individually and in their own interest use up commonly available but limited resources,
creating disaster for the entire community
,3 ethical perspectives -CORRECTANSWER anthropocentrism, biocentrism,
ecocentrism
Anthropocentrism -CORRECTANSWER the belief that humans hold a special place in
nature; being centered primarily on humans and human affairs.
Biocentrism -CORRECTANSWER The belief that all creatures have rights and values;
being centered on nature rather than humans.
Ecocentrism -CORRECTANSWER Moral principle that regards the ecosphere as the
most important being in existence in an attempt to redress the imbalance created by
anthropocentrism
Environmental Policy -CORRECTANSWER Public policy that pertains to human
interactions with the environment. It generally aims to regulate resource use or reduce
pollution to promote human welfare and/or protect natural systems.
Environmental Policy aims to... -CORRECTANSWER Protect people's health and well-
being, to safeguard environmental quality and conserve natural resources, and to
promote equity or fairness in people's use of resources or exposure to pollution
, Free Riders -CORRECTANSWER a party that fails to invest in controlling pollution or
carrying out other environmentally responsible activities and instead relies on the efforts
of other parties to do so
"Ideal" Steps of the Policy Process -CORRECTANSWER 1. Identify Problem2. Find
Causes of Problem 3. Solution/Set Goals4. Get Organized5. Follow through with action
Steps in Risk Assessment -CORRECTANSWER 1. Hazard identification
2. Dose-response assessment
3. Exposure assessment
4. Risk characterization
1st wave of environmental policy -CORRECTANSWER - 1780s to late 1800s
- Addressed public land management
2nd wave of environmental policy -CORRECTANSWER - Late 1800s
- Addressed impacts of the 1st wave of policy (problems with westward expansion and
natural resources require protection from exploitation)
- Creates forest reserves and National Parks
3rd wave of environmental policy -CORRECTANSWER - mid to late 20th century
- largely addressed pollution issues
- landmark event: publication of silent spring
