NTec - GI&BE Explain sustainability

Explain how recycling materials can reduce the impact on natural resources.

• Recycling conserves natural resources and reduces pollution from extraction processes.
• Recycling uses old materials.
• Recycling is the process of converting waste into reusable material.
• Using recycled paper saves trees.

Answer explanation

The correct answer addresses the process (recycling) and its direct effects (conservation and reduced pollution), which is the essence of ‘explain’.

Explain the importance of sustainable farming practices for the environment.

• Sustainable farming minimizes chemical use, promotes biodiversity, and conserves water.
• Sustainable farming is less harmful.
• Sustainable farming involves practices that do not deplete resources.
• Crop rotation is a sustainable practice.

Answer explanation

The answer explains the benefits of sustainable farming, linking practices to environmental outcomes.

Explain why using renewable energy sources is beneficial for long-term ecological balance.

• Renewable energy doesn’t deplete resources or emit greenhouse gases, aiding ecological balance.
• Renewable energy is clean.
• Renewable energy is energy from sources that replenish naturally.
• Solar panels generate renewable energy.

Answer explanation

It explains the relationship between renewable energy use and its positive impact on ecological balance.

Explain how reducing water usage can contribute to sustainability efforts.

• Reducing water usage prevents freshwater depletion and reduces energy for treatment and transport.
• Water should be conserved.
• Water conservation involves using less water to preserve resources.
• Taking shorter showers saves water.

Answer explanation

The answer connects reduced water usage to specific sustainability benefits, explaining the ‘how’.

Explain the role of biodiversity in maintaining a sustainable ecosystem.

• Biodiversity provides services like pollination, nutrient cycling, and pest control.
• Biodiversity is varied life.
• Biodiversity is the variety of life in a particular habitat.
• A forest has high biodiversity.

Answer explanation

It explains the functional role of biodiversity in ecosystem services, which is key to sustainability.

Explain how sustainable transportation options can reduce carbon emissions.

• Sustainable transportation cuts down carbon emissions and air pollution.
• Cars emit carbon dioxide.
• Sustainable transportation is less damaging to the environment.
• Biking instead of driving reduces emissions.

Answer explanation

The answer links sustainable transportation to specific environmental benefits, explaining the ‘why’.

Explain the impact of overfishing on marine ecosystems and how sustainable fishing practices can help.

• Overfishing disrupts food chains; sustainable practices maintain marine ecosystem balance.
• Overfishing reduces fish populations.
• Overfishing is catching too many fish at once.
• Limiting fishing quotas is sustainable.

Answer explanation

It explains the consequences of overfishing and how sustainable practices counteract these effects.

Explain the concept of a carbon footprint and how individual actions can affect it.

• A carbon footprint is total emissions caused by an individual; actions like reducing travel lower it.
• Everyone has a carbon footprint.
• A carbon footprint measures greenhouse gas emissions.
• Turning off lights reduces your carbon footprint.

Answer explanation

The answer explains what a carbon footprint is and how personal choices can influence it.

Explain the importance of protecting natural habitats in the context of sustainability.

• Protecting habitats preserves biodiversity and maintains vital ecosystem services.
• Habitats are homes for animals.
• Habitat protection is safeguarding areas where species live.
• National parks protect habitats.

Answer explanation

The answer explains the link between habitat protection, biodiversity, and ecosystem services.

Explain how consumer choices can influence the sustainability of production methods.

• Consumer demand for sustainable products can lead to eco-friendly production methods.
• People buy products.
• Consumer choice refers to the decisions people make when purchasing products.
• Choosing organic food is a sustainable choice.

Answer explanation

The answer explains the cause-and-effect relationship between consumer behavior and production sustainability.