CUE - Environmental Issues

Question 1

Water pollution

Answer 1

The contamination of water bodies or sources such as rivers, lakes, oceans, aquifers and groundwater by the discharge of pollutants into water without adequate treatment

Question 2

Non-point source pollution

Answer 2

Pollution which is the result of precipitation run-off from a wide range of sources including fertilisers from agriculture and chemicals from urban settlements

Question 3

Remediation

Answer 3

The removal of pollutants or contaminants from watercourses that have become polluted

Question 4

Brownfield site

Answer 4

An area of previously developed land

Question 5

Dereliction

Answer 5

The state of buildings / an area having been abandoned and become dilapidated

Question 6

Greenfield

Answer 6

An area of undeveloped land

Question 7

Land remediation

Answer 7

The removal of pollution or contaminants from the ground, which allows areas of derelict former industrial land to be brought back into commercial use

Question 8

Give the causes, impacts and solutions of air pollution in Leeds

Answer 8

Causes
Vehicle exhausts and wood burning stoves release particulates

Impacts
4.5% of adult deaths in Leeds are connected to exposure from air pollution
In 2019 it was reported that Neville Street was the worst polluted street outside of London

Solutions
Leeds City Council run a zero emissions fleet
Schemes to improve public transport and cycle lanes

Question 9

Give the causes, impacts and solutions of water pollution in Leeds

Answer 9

Causes
The River Aire in Leeds used to be highly polluted because of
Industrial waste of textile, chemical and engineering industries
Domestic waste as Yorkshire Water lacked sufficient filtration systems to remove pollutants from sewage effluent

Impacts
At times of low rainfall the river was comprised of 70% sewage effluent and 30% natural water

Solutions
In the 1980s 30 organisations campaigned to get Yorkshire Water to install extra filtration systems

Question 10

Give the causes, impacts and solutions of dereliction in Leeds

Answer 10

Causes
Deindustrialisation from 1950s meant steel and textiles manufacturing moved to lower income countries for cheaper labour

Impacts
‘Post-industrial landscape’ created in areas such as South Bank

Solutions
Regeneration projects occurred, especially in South Bank where previously derelict buildings such as the Tetley was transformed from an abandoned old brewery to an arts and social venue and event space

Question 11

Give the causes, impacts and solution of air pollution in Rio de Janeiro

Answer 11

Causes
Heavy congestion produced exhaust fumes
Factory chimneys release pollutants from factories

Impacts
City often covered in brown smog
Around 5000 deaths occur each year due to air pollution

Solutions
Major road improvements with a 14km Rio-Niteroi Bridge built to create a more direct route into the city but there is still very heavy congestion at peak times

Question 12

Give the causes, impacts and solutions of water pollution in Rio de Janeiro

Answer 12

Guanabara Bay has become highly polluted

Causes
Rivers are polluted by runoff from open sewers and industrial waste
Ships empty their fuel tanks into the sea due to a lack of facilities

Impacts
Fishing has declined by 90% in the last 20 years
Water pollution greatly threatens the tourist industry as the famous beaches are being ruined

Solutions
12 new sewage works built since 2004
Tighter environmental laws

Question 13

Give the causes, impacts and solutions of dereliction in Rio de Janeiro

Answer 13

Causes
Many 19th century colonial style houses have been abandoned as the rich prefer newer apartment buildings

Impacts
Rising rent prices in improved favelas means that people have began to squat in the derelict houses

Solutions
Some squatting is organised and headed by a social movement for example the Movement of Neighbourhood and Favela struggles