SS7G10 The student will discuss environmental issues across Southern and Eastern Asia.

a.  Describe the causes and effects of pollution on the Yangtze and Ganges Rivers.

b.  Describe the causes and effects of air pollution and flooding in India and China.

Pollution of the Yangtze River

Causes include – 

• Sewage runoff• Industrial runoff• Agricultural runoff

Pollution of the Yangtze River

Effects include – 

• Dead zones• Lack of drinkable water• Deformities in animals• Multiple health issues

http://en.mercopress.com/2009/12/04/china-attacks-water-pollution-and-plans-massive-investments

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URLriIJASV8

Pollution of the Ganges RiverCauses include – 

• Industrial runoff• Human waste• Human pollution (trash)• Bodies(http://www.all-about-india.com/Ganges-River-Pollution.html)

http://www.all-about-india.com/Ganges-River-Pollution.htmlhttps://confluence.furman.edu:8443/display/GGY230F10/Lake+and+Sea+Pollution

Pollution of the Ganges

Effects include – 

• Health issues• Death• Lack of drinkable water• Negative impact on economy

Air Pollution in India

Causes – 

• Transportation• Industry• Household pollution• Coal power stations• Large population

Effects – 

• Death (over 2million/year)• Lung cancer• Lung infections• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

http://www.all-about-india.com/India-Air-pollution.html

http://www.thecuttingedgenews.com/index.php?article=11805

http://www.backpacking-tips-asia.com/environmental-issues-in-india.html#.UhEpBm1XNhE

Air Pollution in China

Causes – • Rapid economic growth• Burning coal• Population growth• Transportation

Effects – • Respiratory disease• Lung cancer• Asthma• Brown cloud• Acid rain

http://econews.com.au/news-to-sustain-our-world/china%E2%80%99s-56bn-air-pollution-crackdown/

http://www.inautonews.com/total-number-of-cars-in-china-hits-240m-as-air-quality-reaches-hazardous-levels#.UhE1v21XNhE

http://www.easterbrook.ca/pmu199/?p=482

Flooding in India and China

Causes – • Typhoons•Monsoons• Tropical Storms• Urban development• Human Oversight

Effects – • Damage to property• Loss of property• Diseases• Death• Economic toll• Landslides

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/07/21/china.floods.three.gorges.dam/index.htmlhttp://www.cnn.com/2013/06/23/world/asia/india-floods

http://www.cleveland.com/world/index.ssf/2010/08/thousands_missing_in_landslide.html http://

english.sina.com/china/p/2012/0625/480306.html

http://www.indiamike.com/india/uttarakhand-f135/massive-flooding-in-uttarakhand-june-2013-a-t198165/3/

Will the completion of the Three Gorges Dam on the upper Yangtze River help with flooding?

Pros and Cons of the Three Gorges Dam

• Will generate electricity-clean & inexpensive• A renewable energy source• Will control flooding• Can store river water in case of a drought• Will improve transportation

• Requires the flooding of entire valleys & scenic areas• Disrupts natural seasonal changes in the river• Ecosystems can be destroyed• Natural flooding cleans out silt• The silt that washes downstream provides fertile soil

Facts about the Three Gorges Dam “Future Wonder of the World”• When completed it will be the largest hydroelectric dam in the world• Will be more than 1 mile long• Will be almost 600 feet tall• Will cost about 24 billion dollars• 20 years construction time!!