3,7 Environmental risks of economic development

Question 1

Describe how economic activities may pose threats to the natural environment, locally and globally

Answer 1

Threats to the natural environment including soil erosion, desertification, enhanced global warming and pollution (water, air, noise, visual)

Population growth and more development means more demand for resources, food, water, energy

Soil erosion: overfarming/over-cultivation

Global warming: desertification

Deforestation: enhanced global warming

More development: more cars/travel = more air/noise/visual pollution

Question 2

Demonstrate the need for sustainable development and management

Answer 2

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Question 3

Understand the importance of resource conservation

Answer 3

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Question 4

case study

An area where economic development is taking place causing the environment to be at risk

Answer 4

Industrial development in the Pearl River Delta China

Key facts:

• 30 million people employed in industry
• 2007 80% of rainfall is acid rain
• 50% of waste water no treated before going into river

Places:

• Pearl River Delta
• Guangdong (jean factory)
• Dongguan (shoe factory 80,000 people work)

Issues:

• Air pollution
• Increase in acid rain destroys soil and vegetation ,and wildlife
• Air quality impact on human health
• water pollution- blue dyes from jeans, heavy metals in water
• Human food chain; fish, plants, crops, soil destroyed
• Deforestation: for resources and factories: soil erosion, landslides, flooding