The UN has published Global Sustainable Development Goals, addressing the developmental opportunities, goals and challenges of developed and developing countries. As this technically is a non- political organization, intended to represent the citizens of the world, there is no reason for corporations to make these goals a priority. a. True b. False B

The United States has remained consistently committed to sustainable development goals from the highest levels of national administration. a. True b. False B

Items on the Sustainable Development Goal list include Gender Equality, Innovation, Industry and Infrastructure. a. True b. False A

The class viewed the 60 Minutes report on plastic in the ocean The class viewed the 60 Minutes report on plastic in the ocean. Which of the following is not true? a. Though entertaining, it was not a credibly sourced report. b. Companies like NorCal’s Recology, who manage our recycled plastic and ship it overseas, have no clear idea where this plastic is going to end up, aside from a general location. c. We are inundated in plastic trash in virtually every corner of the developed, and developing, world. d. A very young man, Boyan Slat, has an idea to help with plastic in the ocean that garnered great interest and 30M in investment support. A

The Midway Atoll is roughly equidistant between North America and Asia The Midway Atoll is roughly equidistant between North America and Asia. What of the following did we learn about this distal location? a. It is virtually the only area left in the world that is pristine, because it is so remotely located. b. There is an abundance of healthy natural wildlife in an ecosystem largely untouched by human presence c. Wildlife is suffering in the area, due to an increasing amount of plastic trash reaching its shores. d. Endangered monk seals and giant sea turtles are common sights there. e. B, C, and D are correct. E

Which of the following is not true of the Ocean Cleanup effort shown in the video? a. It is the brainchild of a man who did not finish college. b. The project has attracted the interest of many credible scientists. c. The early prototype, now launched, will almost certainly clean up the plastics from the 5 gyres of the ocean and restore the ocean to health. d. It is possible to utilize the benefits of the prototype to examine more targeted technical solutions to the problem of plastics in the Ocean. C

Which of the following is a problem in terms of eradicating the presence of plastics from the ocean? a. We have no idea how to reuse and recycle plastics. b. The oceanic ecosystem is beginning to rely upon plastic, as in the case for certain species finding plastic pieces floating at the surface of the ocean to be convenient for laying eggs. c. There are so many people globally who care about oceanic plastic removal, that it is impossible to find funding to pay everyone clamoring to help with the problem. d. Much plastic in the ocean, and the tons of pieces that reach the shore, are ingested by hungry animals and fish, who mistake even plastic bags for food. D

Coastal landscapes of the United States and other countries have been changing dramatically, in part due to the prevalence of plastics and other polluting materials that threaten to overwhelm the ecosystem. a. true b. False A

It would be beneficial to humanity if we can believe that the same brilliant, innovative species that created plastic to solve problems, can find solutions to the problem of its seemingly eternal existence on our planet. a. True b. False A

Regarding the MIT-based climate simulation game we played, a key learning discussed in class was to understand that a. Climate science and forecasts cannot be precise because the picture emerging is based on consilient, varied, credible sources; thus, climate assumptions can’t be as important as scientists and ecologists imply they are. b. The United States has a minor role in leading the world to better understanding of climate impacts, because of our emission rates. c. The role of what’s occurring in developing nations is a critical piece of our understanding about balancing global economic progress vs. pollution. d. Climate is clearly beyond our control, and we should turn our focus to the immediate present in order to prosper. C

According to what we are learning in this class, a reasonable plan for managing the future of climate impacts as best we, as individual/global citizens, can, requires the following: a. Corporate interest, informed executives, and strong leadership b. An educated citizenry and economic investments c. Informed, activated members in government administrations d. Personal interest, continued research, and committed actions on both small and massive scales e. All the above E