The Effect of Development on the Environment
When countries grow and develop, they usually build more factories and use more
technology. This helps people by improving jobs, money, and how they live. But it can
also harm the environment.
Some of the bad effects on nature include:
• Global warming (the Earth getting hotter)
• Deforestation (cutting down too many trees)
• Soil erosion (losing the top layer of soil)
• Water and air pollution (dirty water and air)
• Extinction of plants and animals (some animals and plants disappearing forever)
Environmental Issues and Impacts
Use of Fossil Fuels
Between 1990 and 2010, carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions increased by 45%. By 2010, over
700 million motor cars were in use globally, producing around 900 million tons of CO₂ in
that year alone. More cars and fossil fuel burning lead to higher CO₂ emissions, contributing
to global warming and climate change.
Problem of Global Warming
Severe droughts – Long periods without rain cause water shortages and crop failures.
Heatwaves – Prolonged high temperatures harm health, cause deaths, and damage crops.
Extreme weather – Stronger storms, cyclones, and unpredictable weather become frequent.
Heavy rain & flooding – Intense rainfall causes rivers to overflow, damaging homes, roads,
and farmland.
Rise in sea level – Melting ice and expanding seawater flood coastal areas, forcing people to
relocate.
Negative Impacts
Health – Higher temperatures and extreme weather increase illnesses and disease spread.
Agriculture – Lower yields due to droughts, floods, and unpredictable weather.
Soil erosion – Heavy rain and floods wash away fertile soil.
Damage to infrastructure and water supply – Floods and storms destroy roads, bridges, and
pipelines.0
Destruction of forests – Drought, fires, pests, and storms reduce biodiversity and CO₂
absorption.
Effects of Oil
Pollution – Oil spills contaminate oceans, rivers, and coasts, harming water quality.
Destruction of biodiversity and marine life – Oil harms fish, seabirds, and marine species.
Long-term effects – Oil damages habitats like coral reefs for years, slowing recovery.
Problems with Urbanisation
Rapid and unsustainable growth – Cities expand too quickly for services to keep up.
Waste removal and disposal problems – Accumulated waste pollutes the environment.
Severe air pollution – From traffic, factories, and power plants, causing health problems.
Outdated energy technologies – Old systems, including unsafe nuclear plants, risk accidents.
Over-exploitation of Resources
Harmful mining operations – Cause deforestation, erosion, and water pollution.
Chemical fertilisers & GM seeds – Pollute water, damage soil, and risk food security.
Extinction of Animals
Ingestion of plastic – Animals mistake plastic for food, causing death.
Harm to animal life – Pollution and habitat loss reduce species numbers.
Threatens food supply – Loss of key species disrupts the food chain.
Loss of species and rainforests – Deforestation destroys habitats, causing extinctions.
Increased Desertification and Soil Erosion
Desertification – Land becomes desert-like due to overuse and climate change.
Soil erosion – Wind, rain, and poor farming wash away fertile soil.
Overconsumption & Biocapacity
Overconsumption – Developed societies use more resources than nature can replace.
Biocapacity – The Earth's ability to reproduce resources and absorb waste. Ecological
footprint – The area needed to meet human needs and absorb waste. Currently, humanity's
footprint exceeds Earth's biocapacity, leading to resource depletion.
Pollution
Air pollution – From burning fossil fuels in industries, transport, and homes; causes acid
rain.
Water pollution – From untreated waste entering rivers and dams; harms humans, animals,
and plants.
Land pollution – From dumping rubbish, poor farming, and mining; includes industrial
waste from manufacturing.
