SCI 275 All Assignments

Week 1

In your own words, define environmental sustainability. Then, list three behaviors of your own that threaten environmental sustainability. How could you change those behaviors to reduce threats to environmental sustainability?

Reflect on your own worldview and compare it with the worldviews presented in the text. Provide examples of the benefits of your view to defend your position.

Week 3

Identify the fruit or vegetable you selected and relate the second law of thermodynamics to the changes in energy observed in Appendix C. How did the amount of energy gained compare to the amount of energy lost as heat at the second through fourth trophic levels? Considering the amount of energy required to produce animal-based foods and goods, should humans change their habits so they consume products closer to the bottom of the food chain because it is more efficient?

Provide a one sentence description of typical precipitation and temperature for summer and winter. Use terms such as cool, cold, warm, hot, dry, and wet. Then, identify the characteristics of a plant and animal that is seen regularly in your region. How do the characteristics relate to the amount of rain or sunlight in your region? When responding to your classmates, explain how the traits of your plant or animal may or may not be adaptable to their biome.

Week 5

What can you do to lower your total? What is your greatest challenge in lowering your total? When you review other students posts, suggest how they might control air emissions for their situations.

Describe at least three potential indoor air quality (IAQ) hazards in your home. What are the possible health impacts of each hazard? Do you believe your health is at risk based on your exposure to the three IAQ hazards? Why or why not? What can you do to reduce exposure to the hazard?

Week 7

Identify a viewpoint given in the video that highlights the importance of biodiversity. Do you believe that every species is connected to one another as expressed in the video? Why or why not?

What are the challenges of managing your chosen terrestrial resource issue? What human activities contribute to the problem?

Week 9

Capstone Discussion

If you were an environmental researcher and were given funding to assist with one environmental issue, which of the following topics would you choose to spend your funds on?

Human population

Atmospheric pollution

Water resources

Terrestrial resources

Energy conservation

What influenced your choice? What would the ultimate goal of your research be?