The amount of land, water, and resources needed to support a person's lifestyle and absorb their waste.

The study of how humans interact with the environment, including the effects of human activities on nature and natural resources.

Materials or substances, such as water, air, soil, and minerals, that occur in nature and are used by humans.

The presence of harmful substances in the environment that damage air, water, or land.

Energy that comes from resources that can naturally be replaced, like sunlight, wind, or water.

Energy that comes from resources, like coal, oil, or natural gas, that cannot be replaced quickly once they are used up.

The practice of using resources in a way that ensures they are available for future generations without causing harm to the environment.

The protection and careful use of natural resources to prevent their waste or destruction.

The act of using or consuming resources, goods, or energy.

The reduction or exhaustion of a resource due to overuse or misuse.

Part of Earth where water is frozen. It includes all of Earth's ice and snow, such as glaciers, ice sheets, sea ice, permafrost, and snow cover.

A set of connected and interacting parts that work together as one whole. The system shows patterns and behaviors that are different from what the parts could do on their own.

The movement of elements and compounds through the Earth's systems. Includes carbon, nitrogen, and water cycles; involves biological, geological, and chemical processes; essential for nutrient recycling.

The movement of energy from one place, object, or system to another. The total amount of energy stays the same, but it can change forms or move between parts of a system.

Any physical substance that has mass (the amount of 'stuff' it contains) and volume (the space it occupies).

The global sum of all ecosystems, where life exists on Earth. Includes land, water, and atmosphere; interacts with other spheres like lithosphere, hydrosphere; supports all living organisms.

The layer of gases surrounding Earth. Protects from harmful solar radiation; contains oxygen for breathing; regulates temperature.

Encompasses all of Earth's water, including oceans, lakes, and rivers.

The solid, outer part of the Earth, including the crust and upper mantle.

The continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth.

The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

The wearing down or breaking of rocks.

A comparison of the number of young and elderly people to the working-age population.

The average number of years a person is expected to live.

How many babies are born in a population during a certain time period.

A group of people who are the same gender and within the same age range.

A graph that shows the age and sex distribution of a population.

The total amount of greenhouse gases (like carbon dioxide) a person, group, or activity produces, usually measured in tons per year.

A situation where shared resources (like air, water, or land) are overused and damaged because people act in their own interest instead of sharing responsibly.

Using up natural resources like water, soil, or oil faster than they can be replaced.

The protection and careful use of natural resources to prevent their waste or destruction.

The maximum population size an environment can sustain indefinitely.

Taking care of the environment and resources responsibly to make sure they are available for the future.

The act of using or consuming resources, goods, or energy.

The amount of land, water, and resources needed to support a person's lifestyle and absorb their waste.

_____ Population Pyramid-- Shape: Narrow at the base, with a wider middle or top. Characteristics: Low birth rates, a shrinking, aging population, and higher life expectancy.

_________ Population Pyramid--Shape: Wide base that narrows sharply towards the top, forming a triangle. Characteristics: High birth rates, high fertility rates, lower life expectancy, and a rapid population growth rate.

________Population Pyramid--Shape: Rectangular or "beehive" shape, with a consistent width across most age groups, narrowing only at the oldest ages. Characteristics: Low birth rates and low death rates; the population

The practice of growing a single type of plant or crop in a large area.

A chemical used to kill insects or other organisms that harm crops.

A chemical used to kill unwanted plants, like weeds.

Man-made chemicals used to help plants grow by adding nutrients to the soil.

A way of farming that focuses on working with nature to grow food sustainably.

A large-scale farming method that uses machines, chemicals, and technology to grow crops and raise animals.

Water that flows over land, carrying soil, chemicals, or pollutants into rivers, lakes, or oceans.

An area where people have limited access to affordable and healthy food, like fresh fruits and vegetables.

A system of providing water to plants or crops, especially in dry areas.

A way of farming that meets current food needs while protecting the environment and resources for future generations.

The science and practice of growing crops and raising animals to provide food, clothing, and other products.

Discarded electronic equipment, including TVs, cell phones, computers, etc.

Any discarded material containing substances known to be toxic, mutagenic, carcinogenic, or teratogenic to humans or other life-forms; ignitable, corrosive, explosive, or highly reactive alone or with other materials.

The steady flow of varied wastes, from domestic garbage and yard wastes to industrial, commercial, and construction refuse.

Capable of being broken down by natural processes. Reduces waste Composed of organic material Environmentally friendly.

The process of recycling organic waste into nutrient-rich soil. Reduces landfill waste Enhances soil health.

The process of burning waste materials to reduce their size or turn them into ash. Often used for medical or hazardous waste. Releases heat and gases (sometimes harmful).

A large site where garbage is buried under the ground. Designed to store waste safely. Includes layers to prevent pollution.

The process of turning waste into new, reusable materials. Reduces waste and conserves resources. Commonly used for paper, glass, plastics, and metals.

Keeping places clean and free of waste to protect health. Includes garbage collection and sewage systems. Prevents the spread of disease.

Any garbage, refuse, or unwanted materials that are discarded and do not flow like liquids. Includes materials like plastics, paper, metals, and food waste. Can be biodegradable (like food) or non-biodegradable (like plastics). Managed through methods like landfills, incineration, and recycling.

Waste that does not decompose naturally.

A fund created by Congress in 1980 to clean up hazardous waste sites. Money for the fund comes from taxing chemical products.

Waste materials are recycled into new products of the same type.

Waste materials are recycled and then converted into different products.

The primary federal law in the United States governing water pollution. It aims to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation's waters by preventing pollution.

The main federal law that ensures the quality of Americans' drinking water. The EPA sets standards for drinking water quality and oversees the states, localities, and water suppliers who implement those standards.

Water that is safe to drink or to use for food preparation. It must be free from harmful bacteria, toxic chemicals, and other contaminants that could cause illness.

Occurs when colonies of algae—simple plants that live in the sea and freshwater—grow out of control and produce toxic or harmful effects on people, fish, shellfish, marine mammals, and birds.

An area in a body of water with extremely low oxygen levels (hypoxia) that can no longer support most marine life. Often caused by excessive nutrient pollution (eutrophication) from human activities.

Pollution originates from many diffuse sources over a broad area and cannot be traced to a single, identifiable point

Pollution that comes from a single, identifiable, and discrete source, such as a pipe, ditch, or factory smokestack, where pollutants are discharged into the environment

the movement of energy from one place, object, or system to another. The total amount of energy stays the same, but it can change forms or move between parts of a system

The continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth

The process where water bodies, like lakes or rivers, become overly enriched with nutrients, often from fertilizers or sewage. This results in excessive algae growth, which depletes oxygen levels in the water.

The process where toxic substances, like pesticides or heavy metals, increase in concentration as they move up the food chain. This happens because predators consume many prey, each with small amounts of the toxin.

Process of removing salt and other impurities from seawater or brackish water to make it safe for drinking or irrigation. This process is especially important in areas where freshwater is scarce.

A measure of how clear or cloudy water is, caused by the presence of suspended particles like dirt, algae, or microorganisms.

The amount of oxygen gas that is present and dissolved in water. It is essential for the survival of aquatic organisms, as they rely on this oxygen to breathe.