3.4b

Question 1

What environmental problems have communities in developing countries faced which impact people’s health and wellbeing

Answer 1

• air and water pollution
• land degradation
• overexploitation of resources
• loss of biodiversity

Question 2

air and water pollution

Answer 2

• Mega cities generate a poison cocktail of pollutants arising from traffic congestion and increased energy consumption.
• Pollution from these activities result in additional health issues – respiratory illness, increase in cancers.

Question 3

loss of biodiversity

Answer 3

clearance of natural areas for living space around the city causes loss of biodiversity due to urban sprawl (shanty towns set up)

Question 4

land degradation

Answer 4

• RUM linked to additional employment opportunities lead to overcrowded slums with poor sanitation and the spread of water-borne diseases e.g. cholera.
• soils are eroding or suffering from acidification caused by industrial emission

Question 5

overexploitation of resources

Answer 5

• land, raw materials and water (from ground and rivers) exploited as a result of increased energy demands leading to more power stations (and pollution)