Topic Test Answers

Global participation is important in reducing resource depletion, because the problem is a global one. Local deforestation has global impacts. The demand for resources in one country can affect the depletion of resources in other countries. Without global participation, nonrenewable resources will continue to be depleted.

Smart growth planning concentrates development in the center of a city, preventing urban sprawl. This strategy reduces the need for automobile use, reducing pollution and the other environmental consequences arising from building roads and such. Smart growth also advocates more mixed-use development, which distributes the costs, benefits, and burdens of city development more broadly and equitably.

Government programs aim to increase incentives for consumers and producers to move toward energy efficiency. Energy efficient products are marked with a label designating them as such under the Energy Star program. This helps consumers make informed decisions when buying products that consume energy. The Alliance to Save Energy is a coalition of businesses that work together to effect policy changes that will improve energy efficiency.

Human activity has an impact on the environment. In order to minimize the impact of human activity it is important to understand factors that affect the environment. It is also important to know how different human activities affect those environmental factors. This knowledge can be obtained by monitoring specific environmental parameters. For resource use, specifically, it is important to monitor changes in the environment to decide the level and frequency of resource use in certain areas.

Environmental contingency plans are important because it is not possible to accurately predict possible environmental changes brought about by environmental policies and practices. Changes that occur can be disastrous, so having a contingency plan that can be effected to quickly deal with the changes in an attempt to mitigate the damage can be crucial.