1. Most recent update January 26, 2010
Environmental Quiz
Most recent update January 26, 2010

2. The population of the world in 1950 was 2. 6 billion
The population of the world in 1950 was 2.6 billion. The world population is currently about:
3.4 billion
6.8 billion
9.3 billion
11.5 billion

3. The population of the world in 1950 was 2. 6 billion
The population of the world in 1950 was 2.6 billion. The world population is currently about:
3.4 billion
6.8 billion
9.3 billion
11.5 billion

4. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Programs Center, 2010.
World Population
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Programs Center, 2010.

5. The population of the world is currently increasing at a rate of about 8,600 people per:
month
week
day
hour

6. The population of the world is currently increasing at a rate of about 8,600 people per:
month
week
day
hour

7. Rate of Population Increase - 2010
Time Unit Population Increase
Year ,395,378
Month ,282,948
Week ,445,941
Day ,563
Hour ,607
Minute
Second
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Division, 2010.

8. The estimated world population in the year 2050 is about:
3.4 billion
6.2 billion
9.3 billion
11.5 billion

9. The estimated world population in the year 2050 is about:
3.4 billion
6.2 billion
9.3 billion
11.5 billion

10. World Population 1850-2050 (Medium Projection of Growth Assumed After 2000)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Programs Center, 2010.

11. The population of the United States in 1960 was 181 million. The U. S
The population of the United States in 1960 was 181 million. The U.S. population is currently about:
187 million
220 million
308 million
459 million

12. The population of the United States in 1960 was 181 million. The U. S
The population of the United States in 1960 was 181 million. The U.S. population is currently about:
187 million
220 million
308 million
459 million

13. True (T) or False (F): United States population growth is near zero, with the population expected to stabilize by about 2025.

14. True (T) or False (F): United States population growth is near zero, with the population expected to stabilize by about 2025.

15. Growth of U.S. Population, 1776- 2100
Projection
History
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division (2010)

16. True (T) or False (F).  Assuming a growth rate of 5% annually, the population of the United States would surpass the current population of China by 2040.

17. True (T) or False (F).  Assuming a growth rate of 5% annually, the population of the United States would surpass the current population of China by 2040.
At a 5% annual growth rate the U.S. population would quadruple in only 28 years, bringing the number of U.S. residents to over 1.2 billion.

18. If the U.S. population were to continue its current rate of growth for the next 700 years, the population would increase to over 315 billion! (The current world population is 6.8 billion).

19. True (T) or False (F): The United States is a net exporter of most raw materials used by industry today.

20. True (T) or False (F): The United States is a net exporter of most raw materials used by industry today.

21. Due in part to domestic environmental concerns, the U. S
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

22. Net U.S. Imports of Selected Materials as a Percent of Apparent Consumption , and by Major Foreign Sources
Material % Imported Principal Foreign Sources ( )
Niobium Brazil, Canada, Estonia
Manganese S. Africa, Gabon, China, Australia
Graphite China, Mexico, Canada, Brazil
Strontium Mexico, Germany
Bauxite/Alumina Jamaica, Guinea, Brazil, Australia
Fluorspar China, Mexico, S. Africa, Mongolia
Yttrium China, Japan, France
Thallium Russia, Netherlands, Belgium
Rubidium Canada
Asbestos Canada
Quartz (crystal) China, Japan, Russia
Thorium UK, France
Tantalum Australia, China, Brazil, Japan

23. Net U.S. Imports of Selected Materials as a Percent of Apparent Consumption , and by Major Foreign Sources
Material % Imported Principal Foreign Sources ( )
Arsenic (trioxide) China, Morocco, Hong Kong, Mexico
Indium China, Japan, Canada, Belgium
Rare earth metals China, France, Japan, Russia
Cesium Canada
Vanadium Czech Rep., Swaziland, Canada, S. Korea
Gallium China, Ukraine, Germany, Canada
Gemstones Israel, India, Belgium, S. Africa
Bismuth Belgium, Mexico, UK, China
Diamond (industrial) Botwsana, S. Africa, Nambia, Ireland
Platinum Group S. Africa, Germany, UK, Canada
Stone (dimension) Italy, Brazil, Turkey, China
Rhenium Chile, Germany, Netherlands
Antimony China, Mexico, Belgium

24. Net U.S. Imports of Selected Materials as a Percent of Apparent Consumption , and by Major Foreign Sources
Material % Imported Principal Foreign Sources ( )
Mica (natural) China, India, Belgium, Brazil
Germanium Belgium, Canada, Germany, China
Cobalt Norway, Russia, China, Canada
Potash Canada, Belarus, Russia, Germany
Tin Peru, Bolivia, China, Indonesia
Barium (Barite) China, India
Titanium concentrates S. Africa, Australia, Canada, Ukraine
Iodine Chile, Japan, Russia
Zinc Canada, Peru, Mexico, Ireland
Palladium Russia, S. Africa, UK, Belgium
Tungsten China, Germany, Canada, Bolivia
Silver Mexico, Canada, Peru, Chile
Peat Canada

25. Net U.S. Imports of Selected Materials as a Percent of Apparent Consumption , and by Major Foreign Sources
Material % Imported Principal Foreign Sources ( )
Petroleum Canada, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela,
Nigeria, Mexico
Diamond (indust) China, Ireland, Russia, S. Korea
Silicon China, Russia, Venezuela, Canada
Chromium S. Africa, Kazakhstan, Russia, Zimbabwe
Titanium (sponge) Kazakhstan, Japan, Russia
Magnesium Cpds China, Canada, Austria, Australia
Lithium >50 Chile, Argentina
Magnesium Metal Canada, Russia, Israel, China
Nitrogen (fixed) Trinidad and Tobago, Canada, Russia
Garnet (industrial) Australia, India, China, Canada
Vermiculite S. Africa, China
Nickel Canada, Russia, Norway, Australia
Copper Chile, Canada, Peru, Mexico

26. Also significant import dependency for Leather, Natural Rubber, Wool.
Net U.S. Imports of Selected Materials as a Percent of Apparent Consumption , and by Major Foreign Sources
Material % Imported Principal Foreign Sources ( )
Lumber (softwood) Canada, Germany, Chile, Brazil, New
Zealand
Sulfur Canada, Mexico, Venezuela
Gypsum Canada, Mexico, Spain, Dominican Rep
Perlite Greece
Salt Canada, Chile, The Bahamas, Mexico
Mica (scrap/flake) Canada, China, India, Finland
Cement (Portland/msry) Canada, China, Thailand, S. Korea
Phosphate rock Morocco
Iron and steel Canada, EU, Mexico, Brazil
Pumice Greece, Italy, Turkey, Mexico
Lime Canada, Mexico
Stone (crushed) Canada, Mexico, The Bahamas
Also significant import dependency for Leather, Natural Rubber, Wool.

27. 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.

28. 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.

29. Annual U.S. Consumption of Various Raw Materials, 2007
Million Metric tons Million m3
Roundwood
Industrial roundwood*
Cement
Steel
Plastics
Aluminum
* Roundwood is the volume of all wood harvested. Industrial roundwood is the volume of wood used in making forest products; the difference is firewood.
Source: Data for wood from USFS (2008); for cement, steel, and aluminum from the U.S. Geological Survey (2008); and for plastics from the American Plastics Council (2008).

30. In fact, more wood is used in the U. S
In fact, more wood is used in the U.S. every year than all metals and all plastics combined!

31. True (T) or False (F): Consumption of mineral resources globally has increased sharply over the past 30years.

32. True (T) or False (F): Consumption of mineral resources globally has increased sharply over the past 30years.

33. True (T) or False (F): Energy consumption per capita (per person) in the United States is twice that of the European Union.

34. True (T) or False (F): Energy consumption per capita (per person) in the United States is twice that of the European Union.

35. Per Capita Energy Consumption in the U.S. and the E.U. Countries, 2008
Energy Consumption (kilograms of oil equivalent per person)
United States
7885.9
Finland (EU highest)
6555.0
France
4396.8
Germany
4187.0 UK
3894.6
E.U. Average
3773.4

36. 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.

37. 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.

38. The area covered by forests in the U. S
The area covered by forests in the U.S. today is approximately ____ of the forested area that existed in 1600.
72 percent
50 percent
33 percent
17 percent

39. The area covered by forests in the U. S
The area covered by forests in the U.S. today is approximately ____ of the forested area that existed in 1600.
72 percent
50 percent
33 percent
17 percent

40. Forests now cover 72% of the land area in the U. S
Forests now cover 72% of the land area in the U.S. that they did at the time of European settlement
1600
2007
Forest million acres
Forest -
1,100 million acres
Source: USDA - Forest Service

41. True (T) or False (F). The geographic area that encompasses the United States today has about the same forest coverage as the same geographic area did in 1907.

42. True (T) or False (F). The geographic area that encompasses the United States today has about the same forest coverage as the same geographic area did in 1907.

43. Forest Area in the United States 1630-2007
Thousand Acres
Source: USDA-Forest Service, General Technical Report WO-78. (2009).

44. True (T) or False (F). Growing trees capture carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen.

45. True (T) or False (F). Growing trees capture carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen.
CO2 O2
Carbon

46. Which of the following statements most accurately describes U. S
Which of the following statements most accurately describes U.S. forests:
Forest harvest exceeds growth by 20 percent.
Forest harvest exceeds growth by 5 percent.
Forest harvest roughly equals growth.
Forest growth exceeds harvest by 29 percent.
Forest growth exceeds harvest by 72 percent.

47. Which of the following statements most accurately describes U. S
Which of the following statements most accurately describes U.S. forests:
Forest harvest exceeds growth by 20 percent.
Forest harvest exceeds growth by 5 percent.
Forest harvest roughly equals growth.
Forest growth exceeds harvest by 29 percent.
Forest growth exceeds harvest by 72 percent.

48. Net Growth/Removals Ratios – U.S., 1952-2006
When net forest growth divided by removals = 1.0, timber inventories are neither expanding or declining.
Source: Smith, et al., 2004; USDA-Forest Service, General Technical Report WO-78. (2009).

49. Growth/Removals Ratios – U.S., 1952-2006
Year
Softwoods
Hardwoods
Total
1952
1.00
1.50
1.17
1962
1.25
1.65
1.55
1970
1.23
2.01
1.48
1976
2.25
1.54
1986
1.19
1.92
1.42
1991
1.15
1.75
1.33
1996
1.71
1.47
2001
2006
2.03
1.72
Source: Smith, et al., 2004; USDA-Forest Service, General Technical Report WO-78. (2009).

50. 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 nation’s need for wood.

51. 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 nation’s need for wood.

52. 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 this century.

53. 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 this century.
In fact, the area covered by forests in the U.S. is increasing.

54. True (T) or False (F): In the U. S
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.

55. True (T) or False (F): In the U. S
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.

56. 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.

57. True (T) or False (F). Under current United States law, forest harvesting is allowed in federally designated wilderness areas.

58. 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

59. 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.

60. 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.

62. 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.

63. 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.

64. The United States is a Net Importer of Wood and Wood Products
Net U.S. imports of wood and wood products amounted to percent of total wood consumption and 29 percent of construction lumber consumed in 2008.

65. 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.

66. As a percentage of all the paper used in the United States in 2008 _____ was recovered for reuse.

67. As a percentage of all the paper used in the United States in 2008 _____ was recovered for reuse.

68. Recovered paper provided _____ of the U. S
Recovered paper provided _____ of the U.S. paper industry’s fiber in 2008.
12 percent
34 percent
51 percent
86 percent

69. Recovered paper provided _____ of the U. S
Recovered paper provided _____ of the U.S. paper industry’s fiber in 2008.
12 percent
34 percent
51 percent
86 percent

70. True (T) or False (F). More extensive recycling of paper could reduce harvesting of forests in the U.S. by 60 percent or more.

71. True (T) or False (F). More extensive recycling of paper could reduce harvesting of forests in the U.S. by 60 percent or more.

72. Were paper recycling in the U. S
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%.

73. True (T) or False (F).   The manufacture of wood construction materials generally results in far lower environmental impacts than when similar construction materials are manufactured from steel, aluminum, plastic, or concrete.

74. True (T) or False (F).   The manufacture of wood construction materials generally results in far lower environmental impacts than when similar construction materials are manufactured from steel, aluminum, plastic, or concrete.

75. At a time when Society is seeking to more effectively harness solar energy, it turns out that one of our major raw materials – wood – is totally produced using solar energy.

76. And, very little additional energy is required to convert wood into useful products.

77. The manufacture and use of all construction materials results in environmental impacts. The impacts, however, differ considerably.

78. 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.

79. Interior Non-Load Bearing Wall, Wood vs. Steel
Comparative Energy Use (GJ)
Wood Steel* Difference X
* 30% recycled content.
Source: Athena Sustainable Materials Institute, 1993.

80. Comparative Emissions in Manufacturing Wood vs
Comparative Emissions in Manufacturing Wood vs. Steel-Framed Interior Wall
Emission/Effluent Wood Wall Steel Wall Difference
CO2 (kg) , X
CO (g) , , X
SOX (g) , X
NOX (g) 1, , X
Particulates (g) X
VOCs (g) , X
Methane (g) , , X
Source: Athena Sustainable Materials Institute, 1993.

81. Source: Athena Sustainable Materials Institute, 1993.
Comparative Effluents in Manufacturing Wood vs. Steel-Framed Interior Wall
Emission/Effluent Wood Wall Steel Wall Difference
Suspended solids (g) 12, , X
Non-ferrous metals (mg) , X
Cyanide (mg) , X
Phenols (mg) , , X
Ammonia (mg) , , X
Halogenated
organics (mg) , X
Oil and grease (mg) , , X
Sulphides (mg) X
Source: Athena Sustainable Materials Institute, 1993.