Exploring Greener Options - Section 6.3 Quiz

Imagine that you and your family are on vacation in the Rocky Mountains. Your hotel offers you a choice between 4 different picnic options for your nature walk. Which is the greenest option?

Sandwiches and cake in reusable plastic containers with cloth napkins in a wicker basket, to be returned to the hotel
A plastic disposable bag containing sandwiches and pieces of cake both wrapped in plastic wrap, with paper napkins
Sandwiches and cake sealed in disposable, but biodegradable, paper containers, with paper napkins in a disposable plastic bag
Sandwiches and cake in sealed disposable plastic containers with cloth napkins in a cloth bag to be returned to the hotel

Which statement below about the impact on the environment is true?

All products require energy and materials to manufacture
Biodegradable products require less energy to manufacture
Products that are recycled have no impact on the environment
Products that are manufactured using renewable energy have no impact on the environment

Old computers contribute a lot of garbage to our landfills. We need to find ways to reduce this waste. Which option would be least effective in reducing their environmental impact?

Ship computer waste to larger landfill sites away from populated areas
Offer a financial incentive to computer manufacturers to produce computer parts that can be recycled
Impose fines on computer manufacturers that do not produce computer parts that can be recycled
Launch an awareness campaign to inform consumers about how much waste their old computers contribute to landfills

Corn-based ethanol is being recommended as a greener alternative to gasoline as a fuel for cars. There are however, several factors that reduce corn's greenness. Which environmental impact of growing corn for ethanol is the least harmful?

Corn must be stored in large storehouses once it is harvested
The ethanol must be extracted from the corn, and that requires energy and fuel
Growing corn requires pesticides and fertilizers
Transporting corn-based ethanol to pump stations requires energy and fuel

Sometimes it is difficult to know whether a product is environmentally friendly or not. Clothing made from cotton, for example, has been advertised as eco-friendly because it is a renewable resource.

However, cotton-growing has an impact on the environment. Which impact is least likely to harm the environment?

Cotton is a fast growing plant that can be harvested often
Cotton growing requires water irrigation
Land must be cleared to grow cotton
Cotton must be shipped long distances to fabric manufacturers

In the store you notice that you can purchase grapes that were grown locally as well as grapes that were grown in faraway Chile.

Why is choosing locally-grown grapes a better option for the environment?

Reduced transportation
Less pesticide and fertilizer use
Better taste
They cost less

Imagine that you are a responsible developer. Which home construction option would be least environmentally friendly?

Building condos that take up more space
Building condos that reuse washing and shower water
Building that have rooftop solar panels
Building that have well insulated windows

Which plan is least likely to reduce the environmental impact of a new home?

Build from only natural materials
Build a smaller size home
Build from renewable materials
Build an energy-efficient home

Consider several different types of flashlights that all require about the same amount of material to construct. Which one would have the least impact on the Earth?

A hand-crank powered flashlight
A disposable battery powered flashlight
A rechargeable battery powered flashlight
A gasoline-powered flashlight

Which plan of action below would be least effective in reducing the environmental impact of cars?

Design cars to travel faster
Design communities with less sprawl
Encourage public transit
Encourage the purchase of electric cars