Environmental problem is the numerous and different challenges (problems) that threatens the lives of the people in their environment. Example of such pollution and natural hazards like storms and earthquakes. It could be caused by man or nature which poses a serious danger or risk to lives or properties of people in their environment. Environmental problems are consequences of human intervention in his environment. Variety of environmental problems now affect our entire world.
TYPES OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM
- Natural: This happens naturally and most of the time unexpectedly e.g. flood
- Man-made: This occurs due to daily activities of human beings e.g. air pollution.
CAUSES OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM
These could be natural or man-made.
NATURAL CAUSES
- Erosion: This is the washing away of the top layers of the soil by following water.
- Earthquake: It is the physical displacement of materials in the earth crust which leads to a sudden violent break of the earth surface.
- Flooding: This occurs when there is heavy downpour or when a river overflows its bank.
- Drought: This is a prolonged period of dry season in which there is no rainfall
- Hurricane and Cyclone: These are violent winds which destroy lives and properties
MAN-MADE CAUSES
- Air Pollution: This is the release of unwanted or dangerous substances (smoke, fumes of machine, vehicles etc, and noise)into the atmosphere.
- Land Pollution: Toxic substance or oil spillage affects our land.
- Water Pollution: When pollutants like chemical are injected into rivers, seas etc, marine animals are destroyed and the water becomes poisonous.
- Deforestation:It leads to erosion of the soil and increases the occurrence of global warming.
EVALUATION QUESTIONS
- What is environmental problem?
- Mention any four causes of environmental problems.
EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS ON THE SOCIETY
- It leads to destruction of pants and animals.
- Environmental problems reduce the productivity of the society as it negates good healthy living.
- Solutions to environmental problems requires a lot of money and other resources
- It can lead to loss of lives and properties.
SOLUTIONS TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS
- Canal and drainage should be constructed in flood prone areas to control movement of water.
- Trees should be planted to replace those felled for timber and agricultural purposes.
- The environmental protection agencies should regulate the disposal of waste and use of noisy gadgets.
- People should be educated on proper disposal of waste.
- Citizens should also be advised not to build their houses along the banks of rivers.
EVALUATION QUESTIONS
- State four effects of environmental problems.
- Mention any four solutions to environmental problems.
GENERAL EVALUATION/ REVISION QUESTIONS
- Mention two uses of highlands to man.
- State the similarities in usefulness of both highlands and lowlands to man.
- Mention any four causes of environmental problems.
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT
Objective Questions
- The type of environmental problem that happen unexpectedly is ____ A. food B. man-made C. natural pollution
- When there is a prolonged period of dry season with no rainfall we have ____ A. droughtB. summer
- famine D. dry season
- An example of man-made cause of environmental problem is ____ A. earthquake B. hurricane C. daily activities of human beings deforestation
- People living in a dirty environment full of excreta and flies will always have the attack of ____ A. bad sight sound sleep C. good sight D. cholera
- Solutions to environmental problems include the following except replanting of trees B. building of houses along the banks of the rivers C. canal and drainage construction D. the use of noisy gadgets should be regulated
- Which of the following is not caused by man’s activities? Afforestation B. Air pollution C. Deforestation D. Flooding E. land degradation
- Which of the following is not a feature of natural environment Hills B. Hospital C. Lakes D. Rivers E. Valley
- The following are environment problems except _________ cloud B. drought C. erosion D. flood E. pollution
THEORY
- (a) Give the classification of environmental problems. (b) State the name of the body that protects environment in Nigeria
- Mention four (4) natural environmental problems and define any one.
See also
INFLUENCE OF MAN IN THE ENVIRONMENT