Chapter 2 Multiple Choice Questions

. Which of the following is NOT a type of idea that plays an important role in global environmental governance?

Liberalism

Nationalism

Causal beliefs

Social norms

. Which of the following statements reflects a communitarian worldview?

Humanity shares an underlying ethical concern for specific ways to protect the environment.

Common principles should be created to guide conservation efforts around the world.

Countries have different cultural perspectives and these differences need to be taken into account when developing environmental policies.

Each country's domestic environmental regulations should be approved by an international organization.

. Which of the following statements accurately depicts the distinction between anthropocentric and biocentric worldviews?

Anthropocentrism assumes that it is appropriate for humans to obtain services from non-humans, while biocentrism assumes that human use of non-humans is never justified.

Anthropocentrism assumes that environmental protection should not be considered because human concerns must come first, whereas biocentrism assumes that environmental concerns must come before human concerns.

Anthropocentrism assumes that humans should be free to mistreat animals and exploit natural resources, whereas biocentrism assumes that the exploitation of resources can't be justified.

Anthropocentrism assumes that the criteria governing the human-environment interactions must relate to how the environment serves the interests of humanity, whereas biocentrism assumes that non-humans have intrinsic value, and their interests need to be taken into account.

. Why would a shift from an anthropocentric worldview to a biocentric worldview in international environmental politics be difficult?

It would be too much work and effort to change international environmental law.

Anthropocentrism has several deep roots in the western culture.

A biocentric worldview would harm the economy.

Anthropocentrism is the best way to ensure that future generations will live in a healthy environment.

. What was the primary motivation for negotiating the 1946 International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling, which created the International Whaling Commission?

The decline in whale populations was a biodiversity conservation concern.

The adverse health effects of eating whale meat.

Declining whale populations put the whaling industry at risk. Therefore, whale stocks had to be monitored.

As an essential part of marine ecosystems, the decline of whale populations threatens the vitality of the oceans.

. Which of the following is an example of a conservationist policy?

A national park system is created which bans all forms of human activity within the parks.

A grassland ecosystem is made off limits to commercial development.

A protected area is designated that bans all types of human activities, aside from no trace hiking and backpacking.

A government creates a programme to implement sustainable forest management practices.

. Which of the following statements best explains the distinction between neo-Malthusianism and cornucopianism?

Neo-Malthusianism sees a growing human population as a destabilizing force that must be managed, whereas cornucopianism sees a growing human population as an asset because it means additional capacity for innovation.

Neo-Malthusianism sees technology as inherently bad for the environment, whereas cornucopianism sees technological advancement as a prerequisite for environmental protection.

Neo-Malthusianism believes that humans are incapable of protecting the environment, whereas cornucopianism believes that the environment doesn't need protecting.

Neo-Malthusianism believes that the environment can be protected best if humans minimize their interventions, whereas cornucopianism believes that human intervention is needed to protect the environment.

. What arguments are used to support the position that economic growth is not a solution to environmental problems?

The forces of supply and demand cannot account for the Earth's natural balances.

Industrial capitalism neglects the value of natural capital.

Economic growth exacerbates environmental problems by increasing resource extraction and pollution.

All of the above.

. Why are considerations of equity difficult to address through policy decisions?

Environmental problem solving is most effective when equity is not considered.

Conceptualizations of equity are contested and they raise moral dilemmas.

Most environmental stakeholders don't think equity is important.

Policymakers think equity is important but it should be left to philosophers to address.

. Why might there be conflicts between intragenerational and intergenerational equity?

Addressing the needs of living generations may require a trade-off with fulfilling the needs of future generations, and vice versa.

Living generations cannot definitively know what the interests of future generations are.

There is no conflict, everyone currently living has the same interests as future generations.

There are no similarities in the interests of present and future generations.