3.4b major environmental problems in developing countries

Question 1

loss of biodiversity

Answer 1

• from 1970 to 2015, China’s terrestrial vertebrates declined by 50%
• as vast areas of forest are cleared for farmland, endangered animals struggled to survive

Question 2

over-exploitation of resources

Answer 2

• in Bangalore, the demand for water daily is 840 litres per day –> strains groundwater supplies
• China has abundant oil and coal and key metals e.g. iron core
  • resources cannot keep up with its demand

Question 3

land degradation

Answer 3

• soils in the south of China are suffering from acidification caused by industrial emissions
• land clearance has also led to deforestation and over-intensive grazing
• about 1/4 of China’s total land surface is now under desertification

Question 4

pollution & health problems

Answer 4

• 70% of China’s rivers and lakes are now polluted
• Bangalore produces 2,500 tonnes of solid plastic waste per day and large quantities of nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxides –> forcing many residents to wear masks to avoid air pollution
• nearly 50% of all the world’s coal is burned in China
• air pollution in northern China estimated to reduce life expectancy by 5 years
• Chinese air pollution kills an average of 4400 ppl a day
• 360 million Chinese do not have access to safe drinking water