Concept Check #8

 According to lecture, if all Californians would take shorter showers, plant less water-
reliant landscapes, and turn the water off when they brush their teeth, these changes
would still not solve the water crisis in California because:

Urban/residential water usage is only 20% of total water usage in California

 From lecture, why is the default framing of sustainability (individualization of

responsibility) a major barrier to sustainability?

All of these are reasons why the default framing is a major barrier to
sustainability.

 According to lecture, 80% of San Diego County’s water comes from “state water”,
meaning it comes from:

The California bay area and Colorado river

 Based on lecture, the fact that only 10% of farms in California received roughly 66% of
government water funds exemplifies the:

Concept of a perverse subsidy

 As discussed in lecture, bottled water is more expensive than tap water, but people
continue to consume it because relative to tap water bottled water:

None of these statements are true regarding bottled water.

 Based on lecture, why is it problematic that California’s water system is driving the tiny,
slimy Delta Smelt fish into extinction? Because

The Delta smelt is an indicator species regarding overall ecosystem health,

meaning it is important to the overall healthy functioning of the ecosystem

 According what we discussed in class, which of the following reflects a dominant

discourse that often impedes (i.e. limits or prevents) efforts towards sustainability? The
notion that:

A move towards sustainable practices will cause economic harm (especially jobs)

 From Steinberg’s, The Obsessive Quest for the Perfect Lawn, large lawns are a major
impediment to sustainability in the SW U.S. because they need what
two scarce resources in huge amounts?

Oil (for fertilizer and powered mowers) and water

 When you drive your car you pay for gas, the car, insurance, etc. Likewise, when you use
your powered lawn mower you pay for the mower and the gas; however, you do not pay
for the CO2 or other pollutants you emit. Based on the Steinberg reading, this pollution is
an example of:

An externality