Over the past 50 years, the total amount of waste generated by each person in the United States has nearly doubled, primarily because of increased affluence. Discuss three specific actions that an American citizen could take in order to promote a more

environmentally sound waste management lifestyle.

What will be an ideal response?


First, reducing the amount of waste generated should be the focus. This can be accomplished by purchasing items in reusable containers, or if this is not possible for some items, then to choose items with as little packaging as possible. Packaging waste (paper and plastic) accounts for a significant amount of waste entering the municipal waste stream. Second, increasing the amount of recycling one participates in would be a significant action. Although the current rate of recycling in the United States is just over 30%, in Japan and many European countries it exceeds 50%. Finally, one could consider reusing some wastes, particularly paper and plastic bags used to carry purchased food and material goods. Never using another paper or plastic bag (using cloth, reusable bags instead) would be a significant action, especially if practiced by every U.S. citizen.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

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Identify all of the different observations used to support Harry Hess's theory of seafloor spreading.

A. Shallow earthquakes along transform faults B. High heat flow at oceanic ridges C. Dipping zones of earthquakes at ocean trenches D. Geographic fit of the continents E. Matching bodies of rock on either side of the Atlantic F. Studies of fossil plants and animals G. Seafloor magnetic anomalies H. Alignment of mountain ranges when the Atlantic is closed I. Patterns of glaciation

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

What is a king cobra an example of?

A. amphibian B. mammal C. fish D. bird E. reptile

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

The materials that compose most of Titan are completely different than those that compose Earth. Therefore, what were scientist surprised to see from space-probe images in a 2005 landing?

A. a landscape similar to Earth's B. the image of Martha Stewart C. an utterly alien landscape, unlike anything seen on Earth D. some indications that an ancient civilization may have inhabited Titan approximately 500,000 years ago

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

Generally speaking, a spill of crude oil is more dangerous to marine life than a spill of refined oil

Indicate whether the statement is true or false

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences