(a) What is environmental hazard? (b) Name five examples of environmental hazards. (c) Explain any three effects of environmental pollution.

Answer Details

(a) What is an environmental hazard?

An environmental hazard is any natural or human-induced event or condition in the environment that poses a threat or danger to human life, property and other living things. It is a situation with the potential to cause damage, injury, loss or destruction.

(b) Five examples of environmental hazards

• Flooding.
• Drought and desertification.
• Earthquakes.
• Volcanic eruptions.
• Soil erosion (also acceptable: landslides, storms/hurricanes, oil spillage, deforestation, pollution).

(c) Three effects of environmental pollution

• Health problems: polluted air and water cause diseases such as cholera, respiratory illness and skin infections, and can lead to death.
• Destruction of ecosystems and living things: pollution kills fish, wildlife and plants, poisons the soil and reduces biodiversity.
• Damage to agriculture and economic loss: contaminated soil and water lower crop yields and fish catch, spoil water supplies and impose high clean-up and treatment costs; air pollution also contributes to global warming and acid rain.