Environmental Quiz

1
Environmental Quiz
Most recent update January 13, 2006
2
The population of the world is currently about

• 3.4 billion
• 6.5 billion
• 8.7 billion
• 9.2 billion
• 11.5 billion

3
The population of the world is currently about

• 3.4 billion
• 6.5 billion
• 8.7 billion
• 9.2 billion
• 11.5 billion

4
World Population 1850-2005
Source U.S. Census Bureau, International
Programs Center, 2006.
5
The population of the world is currently
increasing at a rate of about 8,434 people per

• month
• week
• day
• hour
• minute
• second

6
The population of the world is currently
increasing at a rate of about 8,434 people per

• month
• week
• day
• hour
• minute
• second

7
Rate of Population Increase - 2006
Time Unit Population Increase Year
74,281,173 Month 6,190,098
Week 1,428,484 Day
205,510 Hour
8,480 Minute 141
Second 2.4
Source U.S. Census Bureau, International
Division, 2006.
8
The estimated world population in the year 2050
is about

• 3.4 billion
• 6.2 billion
• 8.7 billion
• 9.2 billion
• 11.5 billion

9
The estimated world population in the year 2050
is about

• 3.4 billion
• 6.2 billion
• 8.7 billion
• 9.2 billion
• 11.5 billion

10
World Population 1850-2050(Medium Projection of
Growth Assumed After 2000)
Source U.S. Census Bureau, International
Programs Center, 2006.
11
True (T) or False (F)United States population
growth is near zero, with the population expected
to stabilize by about 2025.
12
True (T) or False (F)United States population
growth is near zero, with the population expected
to stabilize by about 2025.
13
Growth of U.S. Population, 1776- 2100
Projection
History
14
Over the past decade, the U.S. population has
grown at an annual rate of about 1. Some say
this is too high, others that this is too low.
The annual long term growth rate that you view as
acceptable for the United States is

• 10 or less
• 5 or less
• 3 or less
• 2 or less
• 1 or less
• 0.5 or less
• 0

15
If the U.S. population were to continue its
current rate of growth for the next 700 years,
the population would increase to over 300
billion! (The current world population is 6.5
billion).
16
True (T) or False (F)The United States is a
net exporter of most raw materials used by
industry today.
17
True (T) or False (F)The United States is a
net exporter of most raw materials used by
industry today.
18

Due in part to domestic environmental concerns,
the U.S. is a net importer of most categories of
raw materials used to support our economy and
lifestyle.

• Most metals
• Portland and masonry cement
• Petroleum (the basis for plastics)
• Wood and wood products

19
Net U.S. Imports of Selected Materials as a
Percent of Apparent Consumption - 2004, and by
Major Foreign Sources
Material Imported Principal Foreign
Sources Columbium 100 Brazil, Canada,
Estonia, Germany Mica (natural)
100 India, Belgium, China, Germany Manganese
100 S. Africa, Gabon, Australia,
France Graphite 100 China, Mexico,
Canada, Brazil Strontium 100 Mexico,
Germany Bauxite/Alumina 100 Australia,
Jamaica, Guinea, Suriname Fluorspar
100 China, S. Africa, Mexico Yttrium
100 China, Japan, Austria, Netherlands Thallium
100 Belgium, France, Russia, UK Rubidium
100 Canada Asbestos
100 Canada Quartz (crystal) 100 Brazil,
Germany, Madagascar
20
Net U.S. Imports of Selected Materials as a
Percent of Apparent Consumption - 2004, and by
Major Foreign Sources
Material Imported Principal Foreign
Sources Arsenic (trioxide) 100 China,
Chile, Morocco, Mexico Indium
100 China, Canada, Japan, France Rare earth
metals 100 China, France, Japan,
Estonia Rubidium 100 Canada Vanadium
100 Czech Rep., S. Africa, Canada,
China Gemstones 99 Israel, India,
Belgium Platinum Group 91 S. Africa,
UK, Germany, Canada Bismuth
90 Belgium, Mexico, China, UK Tin
88 Peru, China, Bolivia, Brazil Stone (dimension)
85 Italy, Canada, India, Spain Diamond
(indust) 85 Ireland,
Switzerland, UK, Russia Titanium (sponge)
85 Kazakhstan, Japan, Russia
21
Net U.S. Imports of Selected Materials as a
Percent of Apparent Consumption - 2004, and by
Major Foreign Sources
Material Imported Principal Foreign
Sources Palladium 81 Russia,
S. Africa, UK, Belgium Tantalum 80
Australia, Kazakhstan, Canada, China Barium
(Barite) 79 China,
India Rhenium 79 Chile, Kazakhstan,
Mexico Cobalt 76 Finland, Norway,
Russia, Canada Iodine 74 Chile, Japan,
Russia Tungsten 73 China,
Canada Chromium 72 S. Africa, Kazakhstan,
Zimbabwe, Russia Potash 70
Canada, Belarus, Russia, Germany Magnesium
Metal 68 Canada, China, Russia,
Israel Titanium concentrates 65 S.
Africa, Australia, Canada, Ukraine
22
Net U.S. Imports of Selected Materials as a
Percent of Apparent Consumption - 2004, and by
Major Foreign Sources
Material Imported Principal Foreign
Sources Petroleum 58 Canada,
Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Venezuela,
Nigeria Silicon 56 S. Africa,
Norway, Brazil, Russia Zinc 56 Canada,
Mexico, Peru Beryllium 55 Kazakhstan,
Japan, Brazil, Spain Silver 54 Mexico,
Canada, UK, Peru Lithium gt50 Chile,
Argentina Nickel 49 Canada, Russia,
Norway, Australia Magnesium Cpds
48 China, Australia, Canada, Austria Copper
43 Canada, Chile, Peru, Mexico Aluminum
41 Canada, Russia, Venezuela,
Mexico Diamond (dust, grit) 40 Ireland,
China, Ukraine
23
Net U.S. Imports of Selected Materials as a
Percent of Apparent Consumption - 2004, and by
Major Foreign Sources
Material Imported Principal
Foreign Sources Nitrogen (fixed) 38
Trinidad and Tobago, Canada, Russia Lumber
(softwood) 37 Canada, EU, Chile,
N. Zealand, Mex. Mica 35
Canada, India, China, Finland Garnet
(industrial) 34 Australia, India,
China Pumice 26 Greece, Italy,
Turkey Perlite 23
Greece Gypsum 26 Canada, Mexico,
Spain Salt 20 Canada, Chile, Mexico,
The Bahamas Cement (Port/msry) 23
Canada, Thailand, China, Venezuela Sulfur 20
Canada, Mexico, Venezuela Iron and steel
18 EEC, Canada, Mexico, S.
Korea Wood/Wd. Prod. 12 Canada, China,
Indonesia, Finland, N.
Zealand, Chile, Brazil
24
Net U.S. Imports of Selected Materials as a
Percent of Apparent Consumption - 2004, and by
Major Foreign Sources
Material Imported Principal Foreign
Sources Phosphate rock 6 Morocco Iron
and steel slag 5 Canada, France,
Italy, Japan Talc 1 China, Canada,
France, Japan Also significant import dependency
for Arsenic, Cesium, Gallium, Germanium, Leather,
Natural Rubber, Selenium, Wool, Zirconium.
Source US Geological Survey, 2004.
25
True (T) or False (F)The raw material that is
used in the greatest quantity in the U.S. today,
and which accounts for almost one-third (by
weight) of the total raw materials used annually
is steel.
26
True (T) or False (F)The raw material that is
used in the greatest quantity in the U.S. today,
and which accounts for almost one-third (by
weight) of the total raw materials used annually
is steel.
27
Annual U.S. Consumption of Various Raw Materials,
2004
Million Metric tons Million
m3 Roundwood 301 556 Industrial
roundwood 277 512 Forest products
(wd only) 180 296 Cement 121
110 Steel 125 158 Plastics
39.1 34.5 Aluminum 6.3
2.2
Source Data for wood from USFS (2005) for
cement, steel, and aluminum from the U.S.
Geological Survey (2006) and for plastics from
the National Commission on Materials Policy
(1975) and the APC Plastics Industry Council
(2006).
28
In fact, more wood is used in the U.S. every year
than all metals and all plastics combined!
29
True (T) or False (F)The world is rapidly
running out of many important minerals.
30
True (T) or False (F)The world is rapidly
running out of many important minerals.
31
The number one cause of tropical deforestation
worldwide is

• commercial logging.
• wildfire.
• clearing of lands for agricultural use.
• gathering of firewood.
• building of roads and cities.

32
The number one cause of tropical deforestation
worldwide is

• commercial logging.
• wildfire.
• clearing of lands for agricultural use.
• gathering of firewood.
• building of roads and cities.

Various estimates indicate that 60 to 85 of
tropical deforestation today is due to permanent
and shifting agriculture.
33
The area covered by forests in the U.S. today is
approximately ____ of the forested area that
existed in 1600.

• 68 percent
• 50 percent
• 33 percent
• 25 percent
• 17 percent

34
The area covered by forests in the U.S. today is
approximately ____ of the forested area that
existed in 1600.

• 68 percent
• 50 percent
• 33 percent
• 25 percent
• 17 percent

35
Forests now cover 68 of the land area in the
U.S. that they did at the time of European
settlement
1600
2002
Forest - 749 million acres
Forest - 1,100 million acres
Source USDA - Forest Service
36
True (T) or False (F). The geographic area that
encompasses the United States today has about the
same extent of forest coverage as the same
geographic area did in 1907.
37
True (T) or False (F). The geographic area that
encompasses the United States today has about the
same extent of forest coverage as the same
geographic area did in 1907.
38
Forest Area in the United States 1630-2002
Thousand Acres
Source Smith, et al., 2004.
39
Which of the following statements most accurately
describes U.S. forests

• Forest harvest exceeds growth by 8 percent.
• Forest harvest exceeds growth by 3 percent.
• Forest harvest roughly equals growth.
• Forest growth exceeds harvest by 19 percent.
• Forest growth exceeds harvest by 48 percent.

40
Which of the following statements most accurately
describes U.S. forests

• Forest harvest exceeds growth by 8 percent.
• Forest harvest exceeds growth by 3 percent.
• Forest harvest roughly equals growth.
• Forest growth exceeds harvest by 19 percent.
• Forest growth exceeds harvest by 48 percent.

41
Net Growth/Removals Ratios U.S., 1952-2001
When net forest growth divided by removals 1.0,
timber inventories are neither expanding or
declining.
Source USDA - Forest Service RPA Assessment,
2000 Smith et al., 2004.
42
Growth/Removals Ratios U.S., 1952-2001
Source Smith, et al., 2004.
43
True (T) or False (F)As originally
established, it was never intended that the
National Forests of the U.S. would be
periodically harvested to obtain timber that
would be used in meeting the nations need for
wood.
44
True (T) or False (F)As originally
established, it was never intended that the
National Forests of the U.S. would be
periodically harvested to obtain timber that
would be used in meeting the nations need for
wood.
45
True (T) or False (F). At current rates of
deforestation, forty (40) percent of current
forests in the U.S. will be lost by the middle of
the next century.
46
True (T) or False (F). At current rates of
deforestation, forty (40) percent of current
forests in the U.S. will be lost by the middle of
the next century.
In fact, the area covered by forests in the U.S.
is increasing.
47
True (T) or False (F)In the U.S. and globally,
more species of plants and animals have been
driven to extinction by logging activity than any
other activity of mankind.
48
True (T) or False (F)In the U.S. and globally,
more species of plants and animals have been
driven to extinction by logging activity than any
other activity of mankind.
49
There is no evidence that even one plant or
animal species has been driven to extinction as a
result of logging activity in the United States.
50
True (T) or False (F). Under current United
States law, forest harvesting is allowed in
federally designated wilderness areas.
51
True (T) or False (F). Under current United
States law, forest harvesting is allowed in
federally designated wilderness areas.
No harvesting is allowed in wilderness areas
52
True (T) or False (F). Populations of elk,
pronghorn antelope, and wild turkey have declined
significantly in the U.S. over the past 60 years.
53
True (T) or False (F). Populations of elk,
pronghorn antelope, and wild turkey have declined
significantly in the U.S. over the past 60 years.
In fact, populations of each of these species
within the U.S. have increased by at least 800 to
1,000 percent over the past 50 years.
54
(No Transcript)
55
True (T) or False (F)Considering the total
annual harvest of forests in the United States
and the total consumption of wood and fiber
products within our country, the U.S. is a net
importer of wood and wood products.
56
True (T) or False (F)Considering the total
annual harvest of forests in the United States
and the total consumption of wood and fiber
products within our country, the U.S. is a net
importer of wood and wood products.
57
The United States is a Net Importer of Wood and
Wood Products

• Net U.S. imports of wood and wood products
  amounted to about 11 percent of total wood
  consumption and 37 percent of construction lumber
  consumed in 2004.

58
When waste paper exports are included in the net
import calculation, the U.S. net import figure
for wood and wood products drops to 2-3 percent.
59
As a percentage of all the paper used in the
United States in 2004 _____ was recovered for
reuse.

• 2.9 percent
• 6.5 percent
• 14.7 percent
• 29.3 percent
• 49.5 percent
• 60.1 percent

60
As a percentage of all the paper used in the
United States in 2004 _____ was recovered for
reuse.

• 2.9 percent
• 6.5 percent
• 14.7 percent
• 29.3 percent
• 49.5 percent
• 60.1 percent

61
Recovered paper provided _____ of the U.S. paper
industrys fiber in 2004.

• 2.0 percent
• 6.1 percent
• 12.9 percent
• 19.8 percent
• 24.3 percent
• 37.1 percent

62
Recovered paper provided _____ of the U.S. paper
industrys fiber in 2004.

• 2.0 percent
• 6.1 percent
• 12.9 percent
• 19.8 percent
• 24.3 percent
• 37.1 percent

63
True (T) or False (F). More extensive recycling
of paper could reduce harvesting of forests in
the U.S. by 60 percent or more.
64
True (T) or False (F). More extensive recycling
of paper could reduce harvesting of forests in
the U.S. by 60 percent or more.
65
Were paper recycling in the U.S. to go to the
limit of technology worldwide the domestic timber
harvest could be reduced by about 12-13.
66
The building material that can be produced with
the least impact on the environment is

• brick
• concrete
• aluminum
• virgin steel
• recycled steel
• wood
• plastic

67
The manufacture and use of all construction
materials results in environmental impacts. The
impacts, differ considerably however.
68
If, for example, an interior wall of a house is
constructed using steel rather than wood studs,
the result is a large increase in energy
consumption and emissions to air and water.
69
Comparative Emissions in Manufacturing Wood vs.
Steel-Framed Interior Wall
Emission/Effluent Wood Wall Steel
Wall CO2 (kg) 305 965 CO (g)
2,450 11,800 SOX (g) 400
3,700 NOX (g) 1,150
1,800 Particulates (g) 100
335 VOCs (g) 390 1,800 Methane (g)
4 45
Source Athena Sustainable Materials Institute,
1993.
70
Comparative Effluents in Manufacturing Wood vs.
Steel-Framed Interior Wall
Emission/Effluent Wood Wall Steel
Wall Suspended solids (g) 12,180
495,640 Non-ferrous metals (mg) 62
2,532 Cyanide (mg) 99 4,051 Phenols
(mg) 17,715 725,994 Ammonia (mg)
1,310 53,665 Halogenated organics
(mg) 507 20,758 Oil and grease
(mg) 1,421 58,222 Sulphides (mg) 13
507
Source Athena Sustainable Materials Institute,
1993.