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Quizzes > Science

Sustainability Trivia Questions to Test Your Eco Know-How

Quick, free sustainability quiz with 15 questions and instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Brandi DufoeUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Colorful paper art depicting elements of environmental sustainability for a trivia quiz

Use these sustainability trivia questions to check your understanding of climate change, resource use, and biodiversity. Answer 15 quick multiple-choice questions with instant results, then review what you missed and learn the key facts. For more practice, try our sustainability quiz, explore environmental trivia questions, or focus on the natural resource quiz.

Which term best describes the variety of genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity in a region?
The process of species extinction
Variation in genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity
The number of individuals in a population
The diversity of climate zones in a region
Biodiversity refers to the variety of life across genetic, species, and ecosystem levels. High biodiversity enhances ecosystem resilience and functioning.
Which greenhouse gas is the most abundant contributor to recent human-driven climate change?
Methane (CH4)
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Ozone (O3)
Nitrous oxide (N2O)
Carbon dioxide is the most abundant greenhouse gas emitted by human activities, primarily from fossil fuel combustion. It contributes significantly to the greenhouse effect and global warming.
Which of the following is a renewable energy source?
Coal
Solar energy
Natural gas
Nuclear energy
Solar energy harnesses sunlight to generate power and is naturally replenished, distinguishing it as renewable. Fossil fuels and nuclear energy are not considered renewable because they rely on finite resources.
Which waste reduction strategy involves using items multiple times in their original form?
Treating wastewater
Reusing items in their original form
Composting organic material
Converting waste into energy
Reusing items in their original form extends product life and reduces resource consumption. Other strategies involve processing or disposal, but reuse specifically refers to using items again without transformation.
What are ecosystem services?
The study of animal behavior
The physical processes that shape the Earth's surface
The economic value of natural resources
The benefits humans obtain from ecosystems, like pollination and water purification
Ecosystem services are the direct and indirect benefits humans derive from natural systems, such as pollination, water purification, and nutrient cycling. They are crucial for human well-being and economic activity.
What is eutrophication?
The gradual decrease in soil fertility
The process of deforestation for agriculture
Excess nutrients in water bodies leading to algal blooms
The increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide
Eutrophication occurs when excess nutrients, especially nitrogen and phosphorus, enter water bodies and stimulate algal blooms. These blooms deplete oxygen, harm aquatic life, and disrupt ecosystem balance.
Which principle best describes the triple bottom line concept in sustainable development?
Focusing solely on conserving wildlife
Developing technology without regard for human needs
Balancing environmental protection, economic growth, and social equity
Maximizing economic output at the expense of environment
The triple bottom line principle integrates environmental protection, economic growth, and social equity in sustainable development. It ensures that development meets current needs without compromising future generations.
Why are solar and wind energy often described as intermittent?
They produce radioactive waste
They only generate electricity when the sun is shining or wind is blowing
They require high water usage
They emit greenhouse gases during operation
Solar and wind power depend on weather conditions and are not continuously available, leading to intermittency issues. This variability requires energy storage or backup systems to ensure reliability.
Which example illustrates closed-loop recycling?
Dumping metal scrap in landfills
Upcycling organic matter into compost
Melting used glass and reforming it into new glass products
Burning plastics to generate energy
Closed-loop recycling involves processing used materials, like melting glass, into new products of the same type. This strategy preserves material quality and reduces the need for virgin resources.
What are edge effects in habitat ecology?
The diversity within a single ecosystem
Changes in environmental conditions at the boundary between habitats
The connectivity between different habitats
Total area of a habitat patch
Edge effects refer to changes in population or community structures at the boundary of two habitats. These edges often have different environmental conditions, affecting species composition and interactions.
Which ecosystem component acts as a major carbon sink by storing carbon in biomass?
Forests capturing and storing atmospheric carbon in biomass
Urban expansion into wetlands
Invasive species reducing native diversity
Overfishing of marine species
Forests act as carbon sinks by absorbing CO2 during photosynthesis and storing it in biomass. This carbon sequestration helps mitigate climate change by reducing atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations.
Which forestry practice is most sustainable?
Planting a single tree species in a reforestation project
Selective logging of mature trees while preserving forest structure
Clear-cutting entire forest areas for agriculture
Draining wetlands for development
Selective logging removes specific trees while preserving overall forest structure and biodiversity. It is more sustainable than clear-cutting, which can lead to habitat loss and soil erosion.
Which greenhouse gas has the highest global warming potential per molecule over 100 years?
Water vapor (H2O)
Nitrogen (N2)
Methane (CH4)
Oxygen (O2)
Methane has a higher global warming potential per unit than other major gases, trapping more heat in the atmosphere over a 100-year period. It is primarily emitted from agriculture and fossil fuel extraction.
Which ecosystem service is provided by wetlands?
Providing timber for construction
Flood control by absorbing excess water
Generating oxygen through photosynthesis
Polluting waterways
Wetlands absorb and hold excess water, reducing flood peaks and protecting downstream areas. Their porous soils and vegetation slow water flow and mitigate flood risks.
What is a key principle of a circular economy?
Designing products so materials can be reused or recycled easily
Extracting raw materials without reuse
Promoting linear consumption models
Maximizing single-use plastic packaging
Circular economy principles focus on designing products for reuse, repair, and recycling to minimize waste. This approach shifts away from linear consumption and reduces resource extraction.
Which metric measures the land and water area required to support a population's resource consumption and waste absorption?
Carbon footprint
Biomass index
Ecological footprint
Water footprint
The ecological footprint measures the land and water area required to support a population's resource consumption and waste absorption. It provides a metric for assessing human demand on ecosystems.
Which renewable energy source is most suitable for providing base-load power due to its continuous output?
Tidal energy
Geothermal energy
Wind energy
Solar photovoltaic energy
Geothermal energy provides a consistent power supply because it taps into Earth's internal heat, making it suitable for base-load electricity. Other renewables like solar and wind are more variable in output.
What does carbon capture and storage (CCS) involve?
An energy source derived from burning biomass
A technique for measuring carbon concentration in the atmosphere
A process that captures CO2 emissions and stores them underground
A method of planting trees to offset carbon emissions
Carbon capture and storage involves capturing CO2 emissions from sources like power plants and storing them underground to prevent atmospheric release. It is a mitigation tactic for reducing greenhouse gas concentrations.
How does habitat fragmentation increase species vulnerability?
Isolation of species by continental drift
Formation of mountain ranges through tectonic activity
Higher proportion of edge habitat leading to increased vulnerability to external threats
Expansion of habitats due to climate warming
Habitat fragmentation increases the proportion of edge habitat relative to interior, exposing species to conditions like invasive species and environmental stress. A higher edge-to-area ratio can decrease habitat quality and biodiversity.
Which assessment method evaluates environmental impacts of a product from cradle to grave?
Environmental impact statement (EIS)
Risk assessment
Cost - benefit analysis
Life cycle assessment (LCA)
Life cycle assessment (LCA) systematically evaluates environmental impacts of a product or process from cradle to grave. It helps identify areas for reducing resource use and emissions across the entire lifecycle.
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Analyse human impact on ecosystems and resource use
  2. Identify key principles of sustainable development and conservation
  3. Evaluate renewable energy sources and their environmental benefits
  4. Apply waste reduction strategies in everyday scenarios
  5. Demonstrate knowledge of biodiversity and ecosystem services
  6. Master climate change concepts and mitigation tactics

Cheat Sheet

  1. Major human activities impacting ecosystems - Have you ever wondered how our actions shape the planet? From clearing forests and polluting rivers to overfishing and introducing invasive species, human activities can tip delicate ecosystems out of balance. Recognizing these forces is the first step toward crafting clever conservation solutions.
  2. Core principles of sustainable development - Imagine a world where economic growth, environmental health, and social well-being all win together! Sustainable development is all about meeting our needs today without stealing resources from future generations. By balancing profit, planet, and people, we pave the way to a brighter tomorrow.
  3. Benefits of renewable energy sources - Ready to power up without the pollution? Solar, wind, and other renewables slash greenhouse gas emissions and rely on endless natural forces. Embracing these clean energy heroes also reduces our dependence on dwindling fossil fuels.
  4. Practical waste reduction strategies (3Rs) - Let's go on a trash-busting adventure with the 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! Cutting down on waste saves resources, shrinks pollution, and even sparks creative DIY projects. Small daily swaps add up to big eco-wins.
  5. Importance of biodiversity - Picture a vibrant web of life where every creature plays a part - this is biodiversity in action! Rich species variety boosts ecosystem resilience and delivers services like pollination, clean water, and disease control. Protecting biodiversity keeps the planet humming its natural tune.
  6. Ecosystem services explained - Nature is full of freebies - food, water purification, climate regulation, and even spiritual inspiration! These ecosystem services are the countless benefits we derive from healthy habitats. Grasping their value helps us protect the green engine that powers our world.
  7. Fundamentals of climate change - Heat-trapping greenhouse gases are turning up Earth's thermostat, leading to rising seas and wild weather swings. By understanding the greenhouse effect and its knock-on consequences, you'll be ready to join the global effort to adapt and mitigate. Knowledge is power when it comes to safeguarding our future!
  8. Climate change mitigation tactics - Time to suit up as a climate hero by cutting carbon footprints! Boosting energy efficiency, shifting to renewables, and adopting smarter transport can significantly slow warming trends. Every choice you make can help keep global temperatures in check.
  9. Role of conservation efforts - Protected parks, habitat restoration projects, and strong environmental laws are the frontline defenders of biodiversity. These strategies help balance human needs with the natural world's demands. When we invest in conservation, everyone - from bees to people - wins.
  10. Power of individual and collective actions - Think your small choices don't matter? Think again! Simple habits like using less energy, picking eco-friendly products, and spreading awareness ripple out into powerful positive change. Together, our everyday decisions can transform the planet's destiny.
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