Environmental Science Final

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What is a fossil fuel?

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Fossil fuels are natural substances formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals, primarily consisting of carbon and hydrogen. Examples include coal, oil, and natural gas.

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What are the three principles of sustainability?

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The three principles of sustainability are: 1) Solar energy - harnessing energy from the sun; 2) Biodiversity - maintaining a variety of species; 3) Nutrient cycling - recycling nutrients in ecosystems.

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What does the First Law of Thermodynamics state?

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The First Law of Thermodynamics states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.

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What is the ozone layer?

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The ozone layer is a region of Earth's stratosphere that contains a high concentration of ozone (O3) and protects living organisms by absorbing most of the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

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What are the effects of climate change?

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Effects of climate change include melting glaciers, rising sea levels, and more extreme weather events. It does not include the evolution of more species.

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What is solar energy?

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Solar energy is the energy harnessed from the sun's rays, which can be converted into electricity or heat.

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What is biodiversity?

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Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, including the diversity of species, genetic variation, and ecosystem diversity.

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What is nutrient cycling?

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Nutrient cycling is the process by which nutrients are recycled in the environment, moving from one organism to another and through the ecosystem.

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What is the significance of the carbon cycle?

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The carbon cycle is crucial for regulating Earth's climate and supporting life by cycling carbon through the atmosphere, oceans, soil, and living organisms.

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What are greenhouse gases?

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Greenhouse gases are gases in Earth's atmosphere that trap heat, contributing to the greenhouse effect. Major greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O).