Chapter 14: Lesson 14.2 Pollution Prevention and Greener Living
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Last updated 4 months ago
14 questions
10
| Draggable item | arrow_right_alt | Corresponding Item |
|---|---|---|
biodegradable | arrow_right_alt | process of gathering food scraps and organic waste into a bin and letting it decompose and then adding it to soil to help plants grow |
sustainability | arrow_right_alt | number that communicates to the public the level of pollutants in the air |
Air Quality Index (AQI) | arrow_right_alt | able to break down without causing harm when thrown out |
recycling | arrow_right_alt | land, such as an old factory or gas station, that contains hazardous waste |
green products | arrow_right_alt | goods that have a less harmful impact on the environment than traditional products |
fossil fuels | arrow_right_alt | natural forms of energy, such as oil, natural gas, and gas, that were formed a very long time ago, when dinosaurs lived on Earth |
brownfield site | arrow_right_alt | actions that maintain the natural resources in the environment |
renewable energy | arrow_right_alt | process in which used materials are turned into new products |
composting | arrow_right_alt | type of energy that cannot be used up, such as wind, water, or solar power |
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Society’s Actions to
Protect the Environment
_______ and _______ governments have passed laws to promote a safe environment. The _______ (EPA) is the federal government agency that sets rules and regulations to protect people’s health and the environment in the _______ (Figure 14.14). These rules put into practice laws passed by _______ . They are based on scientific research.
States have their own laws aimed at protecting the environment. Each state has _______ with power to enforce those laws.
Clean Air Act
The _______ is a federal law that regulates _______ levels to protect people’s health. This law sets specific limits on the amounts and types of pollution that power plants can release into the air. It also regulates the amounts and types of pollution produced by motor vehicles. This law has had a major impact on reducing air pollution.
The EPA works with state and local agencies to create a measure of air pollution. This measure is called the _______ (AQI). The AQI tells you about five major air pollutants (Figure 14.15). Large cities are required to report the AQI every day. Many smaller communities do as well. This index is available on the _______ or through a free e-mail or app.People can use the AQI to protect themselves. If air pollution is high in an area one day, people can spend more time inside. This is especially important for people with _______ . If air pollution levels are high, stay indoors during the afternoon. This is when _______ are typically the highest.
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Safe Drinking Water Act
The _______ Act requires that drinking water is tested for more than _______ pollutants. This testing includes _______ , such as _______ . It also includes pollutants that could spread diseases, such as _______ and _______ . Water systems are continually tested to make sure they meet safe standards.
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act provides rules and regulations about _______ . For example, some chemicals can cause harm if they are simply dumped in the trash. Some trash contains _______ . If those chemicals are not in a special container, they can _______ into the ground or water (Figure 14.16). There are now specific rules about disposing of such waste.
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Land Revitalization Program
Sometimes land contains _______ that can hurt people’s health. These areas that contain hazardous waste are called _______ . A brownfield site may be the site of an old factory or gas station. The EPA’s _______ cleans up potentially contaminated land so that it is safe to use. This process removes any polluting substances and creates more usable land.
Celebrate Earth Day
People around the world celebrate _______ on April 22 each year. Earth Day events are held to demonstrate support for _______ and taking care of the planet. Join an Earth Day celebration in your school or community—or start your own. You can find lots of ideas for activities to do in support of Earth Day online.
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The Environmental Protection Hierarchy
The _______ has created a graphic called the environmental protection hierarchy. It shows _______ ways of protecting the environment. The higher up in the hierarchy, the better the approach (Figure 14.17).
Source Reduction
The best strategy for protecting the environment is to reduce _______ . This eliminates the source, or cause, of _______ . For example, many people buy bottled water and then throw out the plastic container. Instead, they could buy a reusable bottle and refill it. This approach would reduce the amount of plastic thrown away. Very simple strategies, such as turning off the lights when leaving a room and turning off the water when _______ , reduce the amount of energy used.
Reducing the use of _______ is another way to help the environment. These energy sources are called _______ and were formed a very long time ago, when dinosaurs lived on Earth. Burning these fuels releases gases and particulate matter into the air. Many scientists also believe that they contribute to climate change. Driving electric or hybrid cars, for example, can reduce the amount of exhaust from fossil fuels.
Alternative sources of electric energy such as _______ , wind power, and water power help as well. These sources of energy come from resources that do not run out, such as _______ . These types of energy are called renewable energy (Figure 14.18). People can use as much energy as possible from these sources and never run out. Another advantage about this type of energy is that it does not cause pollution. That is why this type of energy is sometimes called _______ . The more people can use renewable energy sources, the more they protect the environment.
Another way of _______ is to take care of your belongings, such as clothes and electronics, so they last longer. Buy used clothes or books instead of new ones. Shop at thrift stores, garage sales, and flea markets to save money and protect the environment at the same time. All of these strategies
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Reusing and Recycling
The next best approach to _______ is to reuse and recycle items you use, instead of just throwing them away. Reusing products means they do not have to be thrown away or recycled. For example, instead of using a new plastic bag and throwing it away every time you go shopping, carry a _______ . Buy rechargeable batteries, which you can reuse. When you are done using something, donate it so someone else can use it, too. For example, you could donate clothes you have outgrown to a local homeless shelter, thrift store, or charitable organization.
_______ is a process in which used materials are turned into new products. This reduces the amount of trash sent to _______ . Recycling conserves natural resources and saves energy. Recycling also helps limit the burning of fossil fuels, which contributes to climate change. Many items people use every day are recyclable. For example, newspapers and magazines, _______ , glass bottles, and _______ are all recyclable (Figure 14.19).
Certain types of products need to be _______ in particular ways to protect the environment. These include electronics, such as televisions and computers, and appliances, such as microwaves and _______ . These products can contain dangerous substances. It is important to recycle these products properly so that these substances do not _______ . Many towns have special days these products can be dropped off for recycling. Some stores also collect these products for recycling.
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Treatment
The next step in the hierarchy is _______ substances that may be _______ . This approach uses processes that make the substance less dangerous. For example, sewage is treated in _______ plants to avoid the harmful effects of human waste entering the environment.
Disposal
Some products contain _______ , and therefore are not able to be treated or recycled. These products need to be disposed of very carefully to avoid _______ the environment. They cannot simply be placed in a trash can and then dumped in a landfill (Figure 14.20). Most _______ provide specific instructions on how to carefully dispose of these products.
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Greener Living
“Green” living means living in a way that protects the _______ It involves limiting or preventing actions that pollute and conserving resources. One goal of _______ is to make choices that create sustainability, or actions that maintain the natural resources in the environment.
When people make responsible choices about using and _______ , they help protect Earth so that these natural resources can last for many, many years (Figure 14.21). For example, _______ is a way of growing plants that reduces any negative impact on the environment. It includes actions such as avoiding the use of chemicals that can pollute the soil and capturing rain to water plants.
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Use Less Energy
Making small changes in your behavior can help _______ and conserve natural resources. Following are some simple strategies for using less energy at home:
- _______ door as soon as you select what you need.
- Use light bulbs that run on _______ (Figure 14.22).
- Turn off lights when leaving a room.
- Use as _______ as possible to heat and cool your home. Set the thermostat a bit higher in the summer and a bit lower in the winter to reduce the amount of energy used.
- _______ and windows shut when heating or cooling your home.
- Buy _______ products. You can look for the Energy Star symbol to choose products that have energy efficiency. This symbol appears on products that use smaller amounts of energy. These products save people money over time because they require less energy to run. They also reduce energy use, which saves energy and reduces pollution. The symbol is given to various products that use electricity, including computers and fans. It is also given to new buildings that meet standards for lower energy use.
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Buy Green Products
Another approach to green living is to make _______ . Green products are goods that have a less harmful impact on the environment than traditional products. _______ could include any of the following features:
- made of _______
- obtained from local stores or farms, _______ was needed to transport them (Figure 14.23)
- made without _______
- _______ , or able to break down without causing harm when thrown out
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Reduce Food Waste
Another way to live greener is to reduce the _______ . Every year, Americans throw away more than _______ . This includes food that has spoiled, but it also includes leftovers people just do not finish. Most of this food ends up in _______ . Being more mindful about your food choices can help reduce food waste and save money. You can reduce food waste in the following ways:
- Only buy as much food as you expect to eat.
- _______ so that it stays fresh longer.
- Have a “leftovers night” each week.
- When eating out, _______ you do not finish to avoid it being thrown away.
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Plant a Tree
_______ is a pretty simple way to protect the environment (Figure 14.24). Trees beautify surroundings and provide shade. The _______ provide can make a home cooler and reduce the demand for air-conditioning. Trees also absorb carbon dioxide and other gases (including _______ and _______ ) from the air, and release oxygen into the air. This helps air quality. Trees also help the environment by holding water in the soil, preventing it from running off.
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Be Green Away from Home
There are many ways people can be green at school or work. _______ is one approach. Instead of buying new notebooks, pens, and other supplies each new school year, reuse supplies from the previous year. If buying new items, look for those made from _______ . Office workers can use paper that is no longer needed as note paper.
People can make _______ in the school or workplace cafeteria. Following are some easy ways to make environmentally friendly choices:
- If you _______ from home, use reusable containers instead of disposable ones.
- Bring drinks in a thermos or safe reusable water bottle.
- If you bring cans or bottles to school or work, _______ .
- If you buy lunch, take only what you need. Extra napkins and ketchup packages simply add extra waste.
- Some schools have a composting program to help reduce the amount of food waste._______ involves gathering food scraps and organic waste into a bin and letting it decompose and then adding it to soil to help plants grow (Figure 14.25). If your school has this type of program, make sure to dispose of your food scraps properly so they are composted and not just thrown away. If your school does not have this type of program, maybe you could work with friends to start one.
Many people do not understand how their choices impact the environment, and how even small changes can help protect the planet. Educating people in your school or community about the benefits of reducing energy consumption can help protect the environment and improve overall health in your community (Figure 14.26).
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Be Green on the Road
You can reduce _______ and pollution by making greener choices when you travel. For example, walking or biking to school is a greener choice than riding in a car. For longer distances, try to use _______ , such as a _______ , _______ , or _______ . These forms of transportation take many people and use much_______ than if people drove their own car.
Drivers can also make _______ to help protect the _______ . One way drivers can help the environment is to buy _______ cars. Cars can differ a lot in how much gas they use. Cars with a high miles-per-gallon (MPG) use less gas than those with a low MPG. A _______ car costs less to drive and _______ . Although most cars run on gasoline, some newer cars use different forms of energy that are better for the environment. _______ do not use any gas and do not produce exhaust. Of course, they do use some energy—the _______ needed to recharge their batteries. _______ cars are powered with both _______ and _______ . Driving these cars may save money because less money is spent buying gas.