describe the causes and effects of air pollution and flooding in india and china. describe the...
TRANSCRIPT
DESCRIBE THE CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION AND FLOODING IN
INDIA AND CHINA.
DESCRIBE THE CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF POLLUTION ON THE YANGTZE AND
GANGES RIVERS.
Pollution in Asia
Air Pollution
Asian Brown Cloud 2 mile deep brown
haze Respiratory problems Climatic Changes
Floods Acid rain
Blocks Sunlight Destroys crops
Causes: Industrialization High population in
Urban areas Burning wood and
other biomass material Many areas lack
electricity or other cleaner energy sources
Air Pollution
China’s is the world’s fastest growing economies—with no environmental regulation
India has some 500,000 annual deaths from indoor air pollution
Bangladesh has about 100,000 annual deaths from indoor air pollution
India’s Environmental Concerns
India’s main environmental concern is overpopulation.
It affects many of India’s other issues. India’s population is expected to be about 1.6
billion by 2050. Such a large number of people will put a strain on
groundwater supplies. More water is needed to irrigate crops to keep up
with the food supply. If artificial fertilizers are used on crops, then
drinking water may be affected.
India’s Environmental Concerns
Rivers such as the Ganges and groundwater are also polluted by toxic waste from industry.
Industry and vehicles pollute the air. India has many small industrial workshops. Because of this, it is difficult for the
government to enforce laws to improve air and water pollution
Ganges River
India’s most sacred river Used for funeral rites Cremated bodies (not) cremated bodies
Used by millions for drinking and bathing Poor sewage systems drain directly into the
river
China’s Environmental Issues
China’s fast industrial development and the large population have created major problems for the environment.
Pollution has increased and natural resources have been depleted.
Seven of the world’s ten most polluted cities are in China, according to a World Health Organization report.
China’s Environmental Issues
Feeding the Chinese people is a huge task. Much of the food production occurs on the North China Plain.
The fertility of this plain is mostly because of the Huang He (Yellow River).
The Huang He used to regularly flood over its banks, often destroying crops.
This river is sometimes referred to as “China’s Sorrow.”
To combat the widespread and disastrous flooding, the Chinese government has carried out large flood control and irrigation projects since 1949.
China’s Population
To handle the population problem in China, the government instituted a one-child-per-family policy in 1979.
Couples that have only one child receive economic and educational benefits, while in cities, couples that have more than one child pay fines.
This population control policy has not been as successful as was hoped.
Many Chinese babies are put up for adoption.
Yangtze River
China’s longest river- 4,000 miles from the Northwest regions to the East
China Sea Passes through over 185 towns and villages
(400 million people)Poor sewage drains millions of gallons into
the riverFertilizer run-off into the riverMillions of people use the river to catch fish
(most have been contaminated by factory chemicals)
Yangtze River
Three Gorges Dam Pros:
Provide millions with Hydroelectric power Control flooding in certain areas
Cons: Many plants and animals living near the river may face
extinction Built on an area prone to Earthquakes!
Three Gorges Dam
Summarize…
Describe the causes and effects of air pollution and flooding in India and China.
Describe the causes and effects of pollution on the Yangtze and Ganges Rivers.