At Southface's annual retreat the staff was challenged to take a quiz on sustainable issues and facts. Here is a shorter version of the quiz we took. We invite you to try your hand at it, as well. We've called it a mixed bag of Eco Factoids. Check your answers at the bottom.
1. Recycle one aluminum can and you save enough money to run a personal
computer for:
a. 3 seconds
b. 3 minutes
c. 3 hours
d. 3 days
2. Carbon monoxide is a major contributor to air pollution in the U.S.
Which of the following is the biggest source of carbon monoxide?
a. Factories and businesses
b. People breathing
c. Motor Vehicles
d. Trees
3. What country leads the world in photovoltaic (solar cell) production?
a. Japan
b. Sweden
c. U.S.
4. How much trash does the average person throw out annually?
a. 500 pounds
b. 1000 pounds
c. 1500 pounds
5. What sector of the US economy consumes most of the nation's petroleum:
a. residential
b. commercial
c. industrial
d. transportation
6. How much of the energy in burning coal reaches the consumer as electricity?
a. 1/3
b. 1/2
c. 3/4
d. 5/6
7. Agriculture is responsible for about ____ of the world's greenhouse gas emissions.
a. 1/2
b. 1/3
c. 1/4
d. 1/5
8. What is the most common cause of pollution of streams, rivers and oceans?
a. Dumping of garbage by cities
b. Surface water running off yards, city streets, paved lots and farm fields
c. Trash washed into the ocean from beaches
d. Waste dumped by factories
9. Substitute a compact fluorescent light for a traditional bulb and you'll keep _____ of CO2 out of the atmosphere over the life of the bulb.
a. 1 pound
b. 100 pounds
c. 1/2 ton
d. 1 ton
10. Compact fluorescents use _____ less energy than a regular bulb.
a. 60%
b. 70%
c. 80%
d. 90%
Answers
1) c. 3 hours
2) c. Motor Vehicles
3) a. Japan
4) b. 1000 pounds
5) d. transportation
6) a. 1/3 - The rest becomes waste heat.
7) d. 1/5 - Agriculture is responsible for 20% of the global greenhouse gas emissions.
In the United States, only 8% is from agriculture.
8) b. Surface water
9) c. 1/2 ton
10) a. 60%
Compiled by
Southface Energy Institute, Atlanta, GA.
