Environmental Quiz

Most recent update April 1, 2013

The population of the world in 1950 was 2.6 billion. The world population is currently about:

• 3.4 billion

• 7.1 billion

• 9.3 billion

• 11.5 billion

The population of the world in 1950 was 2.6 billion. The world population is currently about:

• 3.4 billion

• 7.1 billion

• 9.3 billion

• 11.5 billion

World Population 1850-2012

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Programs Center, 2013.

The population of the world is currently increasing at a rate of about 8,900 people per:

• month

• week

• day

• hour

The population of the world is currently increasing at a rate of about 8,900 people per:

• month

• week

• day

• hour

Rate of Population Increase - 2013

Time Unit Population Increase

Year 78,044,135

Month 6,503,678

Week 1,496,740

Day 213,820

Hour 8,880

Minute 148

Second 2.5Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Division, 2013.

The estimated world population in the year 2050 is about:

• 3.4 billion

• 6.8 billion

• 9.4 billion

• 11.5 billion

The estimated world population in the year 2050 is about:

• 3.4 billion

• 6.8 billion

• 9.4 billion

• 11.5 billion

World Population 1850-2050(Medium Projection of Growth Assumed After 2000)

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Programs Center, 2013.

Bil

lion

s

The population of the United States in 1960 was 181 million. The U.S. population is currently about:

• 187 million

• 220 million

• 316 million

• 459 million

The population of the United States in 1960 was 181 million. The U.S. population is currently about:

• 187 million

• 220 million

• 316 million

• 459 million

True (T) or False (F):

United States population growth is expected to stabilize by 2050 at a slightly

higher number than currently.

True (T) or False (F):

United States population growth is expected to stabilize by 2050 at a slightly

higher number than currently.

Growth of U.S. Population, 1776- 2100

History

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division (2013)

Projection

True (T) or False (F).   The U.S. population is currently growing at an annual rate of 0.9%. If the growth rate were to increase to a sustained rate of 5% annually, the population of the United States would surpass the current population of China by 2050.

True (T) or False (F).   The U.S. population is currently growing at an annual rate of 0.9%. If the growth rate were to increase to a sustained rate of 5% annually, the population of the United States would surpass the current population of China by 2050.

At a 5% growth rate, the U.S. would exceed China’s current population (1.34 billion) by 2043. By 2050 U.S. numbers would total 1.5 x the current population of China.

If the U.S. population were to continue its current rate of growth for the next

700 years, the population would increase to over 323 billion! (The

current world population is 7.1 billion).

True (T) or False (F):

Consumption of mineral resources globally has increased sharply over the past 30 years.

True (T) or False (F):

Consumption of mineral resources globally has increased sharply over the past 30 years.

True (T) or False (F):

The world’s most economically developed countries consume a far larger share of the world’s industrial raw materials than their collective share of world population.

True (T) or False (F):

The world’s most economically developed countries consume a far larger share of the world’s industrial raw materials than their collective share of world population.

0 20 40 60 80 100

Petroleum

Wood

Cement

Nickel

Zinc

Lead

Copper

Aluminum

Steel

2010

2000

1990

Percent of Global Consumption of Selected Materials by Developed Nations*

* Developed nations included in consumption statistics are the United States, Canada, EU-15 nations, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and S. Korea.

Percent of world population, 2010 (10.7%) Note that the portion of critical materials consumed

by developed nations is decreasing as developing

nations make economic gains.

True (T) or False (F):

The United States is a net exporter of most raw materials used by industry

today.

True (T) or False (F):

The United States is a net exporter of most raw materials used by industry

today.

Due in part to domestic environmental concerns, the U.S. is a net importer of most categories of raw materials used to support our economy and lifestyle.

Most metals Portland and masonry cement Petroleum (the basis for plastics) Wood and wood products

Net U.S. Imports of Selected Materials as a Percent of Apparent Consumption - 2011, and

by Major Foreign Sources a/ b/ c/ d/

Material % Imported Principal Foreign Sources (2007-10)Niobium 100 Brazil, Canada, Germany, RussiaManganese 100 S. Africa, Gabon, China, AustraliaGraphite 100 China, Mexico, Canada, BrazilStrontium 100 Mexico, GermanyBauxite/Alumina 100 Jamaica, Brazil, Guinea, AustraliaFluorspar 100 Mexico, China, S. Africa, MongoliaYttrium 100 China, Japan, France, UKThallium 100 Russia, Germany, KazakhstanRubidium 100 CanadaAsbestos 100 Canada, ZimbabweQuartz (crystal) 100 China, Japan, RussiaThorium 100 France, India, Canada, UKTantalum 100 China, Germany, Kazakhstan, Australia

Net U.S. Imports of Selected Materials as a Percent of Apparent Consumption - 2011, and

by Major Foreign Sources a/ b/ c/ d/

Material % Imported Principal Foreign Sources (2007-10)Arsenic (trioxide) 100 Morocco, China, BelgiumIndium 100 China, Canada, Belgium, JapanRare earth metals 100 China, France, Estonia, JapanCesium 100 CanadaMica (natural) 100 China, Brazil, Belgium, IndiaIodine 99 Chile, JapanGallium 99 Germany, Canada, UK, ChinaGemstones 98 Israel, India, Belgium, S. Africa Germanium 90 China, Belgium, Russia, GermanyBismuth 89 China, Belgium, UKDiamond (dust, grit) 89 China, Ireland, S. Korea, RussiaPlatinum Group 88 Germany, S. Africa, UK, CanadaAntimony 87 China, Mexico, Belgium

Net U.S. Imports of Selected Materials as a Percent of Apparent Consumption - 2011, and

by Major Foreign Sources a/ b/ c/ d/

Material % Imported Principal Foreign Sources (2007-10)Rhenium 87 Chile, Netherlands, GermanyStone (dimension) 85 Brazil, China, Italy, TurkeyPotash 83 Canada, Belarus, RussiaLithium 80+ Argentina, Chile, ChinaVanadium 80 S. Korea, Canada, Austria, Czech Rep.Barium (Barite) 78 China, IndiaSilicon carbide 76 China, Brazil, Vietnam, NorwayTin 76 Peru, Bolivia, Indonesia, ChinaCobalt 75 China, Norway, Russia, CanadaSilver 75 Mexico, Canada, Peru, ChileZinc 73 Canada, Peru, Mexico, IrelandTitanium (sponge) 69 Kazakhstan, Japan, China, RussiaTitanium concentrates 68 S. Africa, Australia, Canada, Mozambique

Net U.S. Imports of Selected Materials as a Percent of Apparent Consumption - 2011, and

by Major Foreign Sources a/ b/ c/ d/

Material % Imported Principal Foreign Sources (2007-10)Peat 63 CanadaChromium 60 S. Africa, Kazakhstan, Russia, ChinaPalladium 56 Russia, S. Africa, UK, NorwayMagnesium Cpds 53 China, Canada, Brazil, AustriaNickel 47 Canada, Russia, Australia, NorwayFerrosilicon 42 China, Russia, Venezuela, CanadaNitrogen (fixed) 41 Trinidad/Tobago, Russia, Canada, UkrainePetroleum 40 Canada, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Russia,

Iraq, Nigeria, MexicoGarnet (industrial) 39 India, Australia, China, CanadaGold 36 Mexico, Canada, Colombia, PeruTungsten 36 China, Bolivia, Canada, GermanyMagnesium Metal 35 Israel, China, Canada

Net U.S. Imports of Selected Materials as a Percent of Apparent Consumption - 2011, and

by Major Foreign Sources a/ b/ c/ d/

Material % Imported Principal Foreign Sources (2007-10)Copper 35 Chile, Canada, Peru, MexicoPerlite 27 GreeceLumber (softwood) 25 Canada, Chile, Sweden, GermanySulfur 24 Canada, Mexico, VenezuelaSalt 22 Canada, Chile, Mexico, The BahamasBeryllium 21 Russia, Kazakhstan, Japan Mica (scrap/flake) 20 Canada, China, IndiaVermiculite 20 China, S. Africa, Australia, BrazilGypsum 13 Canada, Mexico, SpainPhosphate rock 13 Morocco, PeruAluminum 13 Canada, Russia, China, MexicoIron and steel 9 Canada, EU, China, MexicoCement (Portland/msry) 6 Canada, China, S. Korea, MexicoPumice 5 Greece, Mexico, Iceland, Montserrat

Net U.S. Imports of Selected Materials as a Percent of Apparent Consumption - 2011, and

by Major Foreign Sources a/ b/ c/ d/

Material % Imported Principal Foreign Sources (2007-10)Diamond (industrial) 3 Botswana, S. Africa, Russia, NambiaLime 1 Canada, MexicoStone (crushed) 1 Canada, Mexico, The Bahamas

a/ U.S. Geological Survey. 2013. Mineral Commodity Summaries - 2012.

b/ Principal foreign sources arranged by most important supplier to the left, next most important to the right of that, and so on.

c/ Petroleum data from U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration 2013 (February).

d/ Data for construction lumber from RISI, Random Lengths, 2012, 2013.

True (T) or False (F):

The raw material that is used in the greatest quantity in the U.S. today, and which accounts for almost one-third (by weight) of the total raw materials used

annually is steel.

True (T) or False (F):

The raw material that is used in the greatest quantity in the U.S. today, and which accounts for almost one-third (by weight) of the total raw materials used

annually is steel.

Annual U.S. Consumption of Various Raw Materials, 2010

Million Metric tons Million m3

Roundwood 153 341Industrial roundwood* 135 300Cement 71 64Steel 80 101Plastics 40.6 35.8Aluminum 3.5 1.3

Source: Data for wood from UNECE (2012); for cement, steel, and aluminum from the U.S. Geological Survey (2012); and for plastics from the American Plastics Council (2012).

* Roundwood is the volume of all wood harvested. Industrial roundwood is the volume of wood used in making forest products; the difference is firewood.

In fact, more wood is used in the U.S. every year than all metals and all

plastics combined!

True (T) or False (F):

Energy consumption per capita (per person) in the United States is twice that of the

European Union.

True (T) or False (F):

Energy consumption per capita (per person) in the United States is twice that of the

European Union.

Per Capita Energy Consumption in the U.S. and the E.U. Countries, 2008

Energy Consumption (kilograms of oil equivalent per person)

United States 7885.9

Finland (EU highest) 6555.0

France 4396.8

Germany 4187.0

UK 3894.6

E.U. Average 3773.4

China’s emissions of carbon dioxide are greater than those of any other nation, and 35% greater than those of the United States. In that same year, China’s per capita emissions of carbon dioxide were: 

China’s emissions of carbon dioxide are greater than those of any other nation, and 35% greater than those of the United States. In that same year, China’s per capita emissions of carbon dioxide were: 

a. 35 percent greater than the U.S. b. 15 percent greater than the U.S.c. About the same as in the U.S.d. About one-half those of the U.S.e. About one-third those of the U.S.

China’s emissions of carbon dioxide are greater than those of any other nation, and 35% greater than those of the United States. In that same year, China’s per capita emissions of carbon dioxide were: 

a. 35 percent greater than the U.S. b. 15 percent greater than the U.S.c. About the same as in the U.S.d. About one-half those of the U.S.e. About one-third those of the U.S.

True (T) or False (F):

Globally, the area of forests is declining, mostly due to human activity.

True (T) or False (F):

Globally, the area of forests is declining, mostly due to human activity.

Conversion of forest to non-forest uses totals about 13 million acres annually, primarily in the tropical regions.

The number one cause of tropical deforestation worldwide is:

• commercial logging.• wildfire. • clearing of lands for

agricultural use.• gathering of firewood.• building of roads and cities.

The number one cause of tropical deforestation worldwide is:

• commercial logging.• wildfire. • clearing of lands for

agricultural use.• gathering of firewood.• building of roads and cities.

Various estimates indicate that 60 to 85% of tropical deforestation today is due to permanent and shifting agriculture.

The area covered by forests in the U.S. today is approximately ____ of the forested area that existed in 1600.

• 72 percent• 50 percent• 33 percent• 17 percent

The area covered by forests in the U.S. today is approximately ____ of the forested area that existed in 1600.

• 72 percent• 50 percent• 33 percent• 17 percent

Forests now cover 72% of the land area in the U.S. that they did at the time of

European settlement

1600 2013

Forest -1,100 million acres

Forest - 751

million acres

Source: USDA - Forest Service

True (T) or False (F). The geographic area that encompasses the United States today has about the same forest coverage as the same geographic area did in 1907.

True (T) or False (F). The geographic area that encompasses the United States today has about the same forest coverage as the same geographic area did in 1907.

Forest Area in the United States 1630-2012

Th

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Acr

es

Source: USDA-Forest Service, RPA Update. (2012).

Which of the following statements most accurately describes U.S. forests:

• Forest harvest exceeds growth by 20 percent.• Forest harvest exceeds growth by 5 percent. • Forest harvest roughly equals growth.• Forest growth exceeds harvest by 29 percent.• Forest growth exceeds harvest by 72 percent.

Which of the following statements most accurately describes U.S. forests:

• Forest harvest exceeds growth by 20 percent.• Forest harvest exceeds growth by 5 percent. • Forest harvest roughly equals growth.• Forest growth exceeds harvest by 29 percent.• Forest growth exceeds harvest by 72 percent.

Net Growth/Removals Ratios – U.S., 1952-2006

Source: Smith, et al., 2004; USDA-Forest Service, General Technical Report WO-78. (2009).(This is the most recent year for which national statistics are available)

When net forest growth divided by removals = 1.0, timber inventories are neither expanding or declining.

Growth/Removals Ratios – U.S., 1952-2006

Year Softwoods Hardwoods Total

1952 1.00 1.50 1.17

1962 1.25 1.65 1.55

1970 1.23 2.01 1.48

1976 1.25 2.25 1.54

1986 1.19 1.92 1.42

1991 1.15 1.75 1.33

1996 1.33 1.71 1.47

2001 1.33 1.71 1.47

2006 1.55 2.03 1.72Source: Smith, et al., 2004; USDA-Forest Service, General Technical Report WO-78. (2009).

True (T) or False (F). Growing trees capture carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen.

True (T) or False (F). Growing trees capture carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen.

CO2 O2

Carbon

True (T) or False (F):

As originally established, it was never intended that the National Forests of the U.S. would be periodically harvested to

obtain timber that would be used in meeting the nation’s need for wood.

True (T) or False (F):

As originally established, it was never intended that the National Forests of the U.S. would be periodically harvested to

obtain timber that would be used in meeting the nation’s need for wood.

True (T) or False (F). At current rates of deforestation, forty (40) percent of current forests in the U.S. will be lost by the middle of this century.

True (T) or False (F). At current rates of deforestation, forty (40) percent of current forests in the U.S. will be lost by the middle of this century.

In fact, the area covered by forests in the U.S. is increasing.

True (T) or False (F):

In the U.S. more species of plants and animals have been driven to extinction

by logging activity than any other activity of mankind.

True (T) or False (F):

In the U.S. more species of plants and animals have been driven to extinction

by logging activity than any other activity of mankind.

There is no evidence that even one plant or animal species has been driven to extinction as a result of

logging activity in the United States.

True (T) or False (F). Under current United States law, forest harvesting is allowed in federally designated wilderness areas.

True (T) or False (F). Under current United States law, forest harvesting is allowed in federally designated wilderness areas.

No harvesting is allowed in wilderness areas

True (T) or False (F):

Considering the total annual harvest of forests in the United States and the total consumption of wood and fiber products within our country, the U.S. is a net importer of wood

and wood products.

True (T) or False (F):

Considering the total annual harvest of forests in the United States and the total consumption of wood and fiber products within our country, the U.S. is a net importer of wood

and wood products.

The United States is a Net Importer of Wood and Wood Products

Net U.S. imports of wood and wood products amounted to 9 percent of total wood consumption and 25 percent of construction lumber consumed in 2011.

As a percentage of all the paper used in the United States in 2011 _____ was recovered for reuse.

• 14 percent• 39 percent• 67 percent• 92 percent

As a percentage of all the paper used in the United States in 2011 _____ was recovered for reuse.

• 14 percent• 39 percent• 67 percent• 92 percent

Recovered paper provided _____ of the fiber used in manufacturing paper in the United States in 2011.

• 14 percent• 39 percent• 67 percent• 92 percent

Recovered paper provided _____ of the fiber used in manufacturing paper in the United States in 2011.

• 14 percent• 39 percent• 67 percent• 92 percent

True (T) or False (F). Reduced paper consumption is likely to result in a greater extent of forest cover in the United States.

True (T) or False (F). Reduced paper consumption is likely to result in a greater extent of forest cover in the United States.

The vast majority of wood used for papermaking in the U.S. comes from privately-owned forest land. Should

consumption of paper (and pulpwood) decline markedly, many owners are

likely to convert their forested land to agriculture or some other non-forest

use that will provide income.

True (T) or False (F).   The manufacture of wood construction materials generally results in far lower environmental impacts than when similar construction materials are manufactured from steel, aluminum, plastic, or concrete.

True (T) or False (F).   The manufacture of wood construction materials generally results in far lower environmental impacts than when similar construction materials are manufactured from steel, aluminum, plastic, or concrete.

At a time when Society is seeking to more effectively harness solar energy, it turns out that one of our major raw materials – wood – is totally produced using solar energy.

And, very little additional energy is required to convert wood into useful products.

The manufacture and use of all construction materials results in

environmental impacts. The impacts, however, differ

considerably.

If, for example, an interior If, for example, an interior wall of a house is constructed wall of a house is constructed using steel rather than wood using steel rather than wood

studs, the result is a large studs, the result is a large increase in energy increase in energy

consumption and emissions to consumption and emissions to air and water. air and water.

If, for example, an interior If, for example, an interior wall of a house is constructed wall of a house is constructed using steel rather than wood using steel rather than wood

studs, the result is a large studs, the result is a large increase in energy increase in energy

consumption and emissions to consumption and emissions to air and water. air and water.

Interior Non-Load Bearing Wall, Wood vs. Steel

Comparative Energy Use (GJ)

Wood Steel* Difference

3.8 11.5 3.0X

* 30% recycled content, the average recycled content for steel studs.

Source: Athena Sustainable Materials Institute.

Comparative Emissions in Manufacturing Wood vs. Steel-Framed Interior Wall

Emission/Effluent Wood Wall Steel Wall Difference

CO2 (kg) ,305 965 3.2XCO (g) 2,450 11,800 4.8X

SOX (g) 400 3,700 9.3X

NOX (g) 1,150 1,800 1.6XParticulates (g) 100 335 3.4XVOCs (g) 390 1,800 4.6XMethane (g) , 4 , 45 11.1X

Source: Athena Sustainable Materials Institute.

Comparative Effluents in Manufacturing Wood vs. Steel-Framed Interior Wall

Emission/Effluent Wood Wall Steel Wall Difference

Suspended solids (g) 12,180 495,640 41XNon-ferrous metals (mg) 62 2,532 41XCyanide (mg) 99 4,051 41XPhenols (mg) 17,715 725,994 41XAmmonia (mg) 1,310 53,665 41XHalogenated organics (mg) 507 20,758 41XOil and grease (mg) 1,421 58,222 41XSulphides (mg) 13 507 39X

Source: Athena Sustainable Materials Institute.