23) The GPI ________.
A) for Canada has increased dramatically since 1950
B) adds to GDP unpaid work, such as parenting
C) subtracts from GDP unpaid work, such as parenting
D) is positively correlated with increases in fossil fuel use
E) for Canada far exceeds that of the rest of the world
24) GPI is an acronym for ________.
A) Gas Price Index
B) Good Parent Index
C) Genuine Progress Indicator
D) Good Price Indicator
E) Global Pollution Index
25) A school of philosophy exemplified by Emerson and Whitman, which saw nature as a
symbol of deeper spiritual truth was called ________.
A) the environmental justice movement
B) ecofeminism
C) deep ecology
D) preservationism
E) transcendentalism
26) Which is NOT an obstacle in moving toward sustainability?
A) neoclassical economics
B) equating economic well-being with economic growth
C) belief that economic well-being and environmental well-being are opposed to each other
D) cornucopianism
E) cassandrism
27) Given that fossil fuels are nonrenewable, the breakneck speed of extraction and exporting of
bitumen from Alberta’s tar sands is NOT ________.
A) a triumph of the “me, now” mentality
B) an example of intergenerational environmental injustice
C) unsustainable
D) a new version of Madame de Pompadour “after us, Deluge” thinking
E) a wise, long-term development strategy that does not sacrifice the rights of future Canadians
28) Utilitarianism in its philosophical assumptions is closest to ________.
A) the environmental justice movement
B) ecocentrism
C) biocentrism
D) deep ecology
E) anthropocentrism
29) Among the world ecosystem’s services discussed in Chapter 21, the lowest monetary value
was assigned to soil formation. What is the likely reason? (Hint: Recall Chapter 7.)
A) The formation of soil is offset by processes destroying soil.
B) The formation of soil is fast and as such does not carry high monetary value.
C) The formation of soil is relatively straightforward and as such does not carry high monetary
value.
D) Most of the newly formed soils in the world are of little economic use.
E) The formation of soil is extremely slow.
30) Among the world ecosystem’s services discussed in Chapter 21, the highest monetary values
had ________.
A) erosion control
B) waste treatment
C) water regulation
D) cultural uses
E) nutrient cycling
21.5 True/False Questions
1) The Aborigines in the Kakadu region of Australia unanimously oppose development of the
Jabiluka mine.
2) Environmental ethics and the belief that humans are part of nature had their roots in the
ecology movement of the mid-1900s.
3) Ethics and economics both deal with questions about what we value.
4) Economists study the “household” of human society and ecologists study the “household” of
life.
5) In recent decades, the rate of economic growth is the highest it has ever been in human history
because of technology.
6) Unlike classical economics, neoclassical economics internalized in its costs the damage to the
environment and society.
21.6 Essay Questions
1) In 2004, the chief executive officer of the corporation holding rights to the Jabiluka ore body
cancelled the company’s mining plans at Jabiluka and gave the Mirrar people veto power over
future development. What factors might contribute to the future development of mining despite
the officer’s 2004 pledge?
2) Briefly explain why Aborigines opposed Jabiluka.
3) Compare and contrast the philosophies of John Muir and Gifford Pinchot.
4) Describe the ways in which a nation’s attitude toward environmental issues might be shaped
by economics, culture and religion, and political ideology, and laws.
5) Explain the two ways in which environmental injustice manifests itself. Give Canadian
examples.
6) Briefly discuss the connection between deep ecology and environmental economic principles.
7) Why do environmentalists see neoclassical cost-benefit analysis as biased in favour of
economic development and against environmental protection?
8) Nine times out of ten when a politician says that we need to balance the protection of the
environment with the interests of the economy, what he or she really means is that he or she is
planning to sacrifice the environment on the altar of short-term economic growth. Explain why
this might be good short-term politics, but a bad long-term policy.
9) Can environmental sustainability and economic growth coexist?
10) In April 2012, Canadian minister of natural resources, the Honourable Joe Oliver, justified
shortening environmental assessments, limiting who can have a voice in them, and downloading
the assessment to the provinces whenever possible. He said, “It is projected there could be more
than 500 major projects representing half a trillion dollars of new investments in our energy and
mining industries over the next decade. What a fantastic opportunity for Canadians across this
great country. But we must seize the moment. These opportunities will not last forever.” What
are some possible problems with this argument?
21.7 Scenario-Based Questions
Read the following scenario and answer the questions below.
Burning fossil fuels and their derivatives produces, among other things, harmful pollutants such
as particulates, acid rain-producing sulphur and nitrogen oxides, and carbon oxides. These air
pollutants threaten ecosystems all over the world, and high carbon dioxide levels contribute to
global warming. Furthermore, fossils fuels have a limited supply. The market price of fossil
fuels, especially crude oil, has continued to rise in recent years. Despite this, Canadians continue
to consume fossil fuels at alarming rates. We rely on fossil fuels for most of our energy needs. At
various times, the federal government has considered mandating higher fuel efficiency standards
for Canadian vehicles as a possible solution to this environmental energy crisis. Most auto
manufacturers, however, are opposed to the imposition of standards.
1) Which of the following have contributed to the rapid increase in crude oil prices over the past
decade?
A) decrease in demand for oil
B) increase in demand for oil
C) increase in supply of oil
D) increased availability of alternative fuels
E) higher gas taxes
2) Why is the consumption of fossils fuels high, despite high prices?
A) no available alternatives
B) nonrenewability of fossil fuels
C) cultural preferences and resistance to change
D) political unrest in the Middle East
E) bad weather
3) Which of the following represents one possible explanation for why the federal government
has NOT been successful at mandating higher fuel efficiency standards for vehicles?
A) the cost-effectiveness of producing smaller vehicles
B) the cost-effectiveness of operating smaller vehicles
C) Western Canada’s dependence on imported oil
D) the threat caused by Canadian branches of American auto manufacturers which may move
their assembly lines to another country
E) the exemption of auto manufacturers from federal laws
4) What factors might lead to more political support for higher fuel-efficiency standards?
A) higher oil prices
B) lower oil prices
C) an end to political instability in the Middle East
D) release of oil from the national petroleum reserves
E) decreased demand for oil
5) What alternative measures might the federal government take to aid in the fossil fuel crisis?
A) abolish green taxes
B) reopen closed coal mines
C) drill for oil in Ontario
D) build more oil refineries
E) encourage more provincial governments to support better public transportation.
6) What measures might consumers take to aid in the fossil fuel crisis?
A) lobby the government to stop industry permit trading
B) protest high taxes on fossil fuels
C) purchase only domestic fuel
D) purchase only imported fuel
E) carpool
7) ________ would oppose fuel efficiency standards because they believe “we will find more
oil” to solve the fossil fuel crisis.
A) Cassandras
B) Conservationists
C) Preservationists
D) Cornucopians
E) Transcendentalists
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