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Natural resource depletion is the unsustainable consumption or exhaustion of essential natural resources—such as water, minerals, forests, fossil fuels, and biodiversity—at a rate that exceeds their natural rate of replenishment or regeneration. This phenomenon is primarily driven by industrialization, urbanization, population growth, and excessive consumption patterns, all of which place increasing pressure on these finite resources.

The depletion of natural resources results in the gradual scarcity of vital commodities necessary for economic development, human well-being, and environmental stability. For example, the over-extraction of groundwater can lead to aquifer depletion, threatening agricultural productivity and water availability for populations. Similarly, the over-mining of mineral resources and fossil fuels not only diminishes resource availability but also exacerbates environmental degradation, including habitat destruction, soil erosion, and pollution. Deforestation, driven by logging, agriculture, and urban expansion, further disrupts ecosystems, contributing to biodiversity loss, climate change, and soil degradation.

From an economic standpoint, resource depletion may lead to significant volatility in commodity prices, particularly as resources become scarcer and more costly to extract. This can create imbalances in the global market and affect countries that depend heavily on resource extraction for their economic stability. Moreover, the depletion of resources often results in diminishing returns, where it becomes increasingly difficult and expensive to extract remaining reserves, ultimately leading to economic inefficiency.

In addition to the direct environmental and economic impacts, resource depletion has profound implications for human health and security. The depletion of resources such as arable land, fresh water, and energy sources can exacerbate poverty, lead to food and water scarcity, and fuel geopolitical tensions. It also exacerbates climate change, as many resource-extraction processes release significant amounts of greenhouse gases and contribute to atmospheric pollution.

Ultimately, natural resource depletion underscores the need for sustainable resource management, conservation efforts, and the development of alternative technologies to mitigate the long-term effects of over-consumption. A shift toward a circular economy, increased investment in renewable energy sources, and the promotion of responsible consumption are vital strategies for ensuring the preservation of these resources for future generations.

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Natural resource depletion is the unsustainable consumption or exhaustion of essential natural resources—such as water, minerals, forests, fossil fuels, and biodiversity—at a rate that exceeds their natural rate of replenishment or regeneration. This phenomenon is primarily driven by industrialization, urbanization, population growth, and excessive consumption patterns, all of which place increasing pressure on these finite resources.

The depletion of natural resources results in the gradual scarcity of vital commodities necessary for economic development, human well-being, and environmental stability. For example, the over-extraction of groundwater can lead to aquifer depletion, threatening agricultural productivity and water availability for populations. Similarly, the over-mining of mineral resources and fossil fuels not only diminishes resource availability but also exacerbates environmental degradation, including habitat destruction, soil erosion, and pollution. Deforestation, driven by logging, agriculture, and urban expansion, further disrupts ecosystems, contributing to biodiversity loss, climate change, and soil degradation.

From an economic standpoint, resource depletion may lead to significant volatility in commodity prices, particularly as resources become scarcer and more costly to extract. This can create imbalances in the global market and affect countries that depend heavily on resource extraction for their economic stability. Moreover, the depletion of resources often results in diminishing returns, where it becomes increasingly difficult and expensive to extract remaining reserves, ultimately leading to economic inefficiency.

In addition to the direct environmental and economic impacts, resource depletion has profound implications for human health and security. The depletion of resources such as arable land, fresh water, and energy sources can exacerbate poverty, lead to food and water scarcity, and fuel geopolitical tensions. It also exacerbates climate change, as many resource-extraction processes release significant amounts of greenhouse gases and contribute to atmospheric pollution.

Ultimately, natural resource depletion underscores the need for sustainable resource management, conservation efforts, and the development of alternative technologies to mitigate the long-term effects of over-consumption. A shift toward a circular economy, increased investment in renewable energy sources, and the promotion of responsible consumption are vital strategies for ensuring the preservation of these resources for future generations.

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The main causes of environmental issues stem from human activities and natural events that disrupt the Earth's ecosystems. Key contributors include pollution, deforestation, overpopulation, climate change, and waste generation

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Pollution is the introduction of harmful substances or contaminants into the environment, negatively affecting air, water, and land. It is mainly caused by human activities such as industrial processes, vehicle emissions, deforestation, and waste disposal. Pollution can harm human health, wildlife, and natural ecosystems. Common types include air pollution, water pollution, soil contamination, and noise pollution. Efforts to reduce pollution involve using cleaner energy sources, recycling, stricter environmental laws, and raising public awareness.

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Acknowledgement:

AI

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Deforestation has severe consequences for both the environment and living things, impacting biodiversity, climate, and human well-being.It leads to habitat loss, soil erosion, climate change, and disruptions to water cycles, ultimately threatening the survival of countless species and affecting communities worldwide.

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The primary driver of deforestation is agricultural expansion.This includes clearing forests for both large-scale commercial farming and smaller-scale farms, with the demand for crops like palm oil, soy, and beef being major contributors {ref:5, 6}. Other factors like logging, mining, and infrastructure development also play a role in forest loss.

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Depletion of Natural Resources refers to the gradual exhaustion of the Earth’s natural assets due to overuse, exploitation, or mismanagement. These resources include fossil fuels, minerals, forests, water, soil, and biodiversity.

🔍 Causes of Resource Depletion:

1. Overpopulation – Higher demand for food, water, housing, and energy.

2. Overconsumption – Excessive use of resources, especially in developed nations.

3. Deforestation – Trees cut down for timber, agriculture, and urbanization.

4. Pollution – Contaminates air, water, and soil, reducing resource quality and availability.

5. Industrialization – Rapid development demands huge resource inputs.

6. Mining & Drilling – Extractive industries deplete minerals and fossil fuels.

7. Climate Change – Alters ecosystems and water availability, accelerating depletion.

📉 Examples of Depleted Resources:

Fossil Fuels (oil, coal, natural gas): Non-renewable and heavily consumed.

Freshwater: Aquifers are drying up; rivers and lakes are shrinking.

Forests: Rapid deforestation in regions like the Amazon.

Biodiversity: Species extinction due to habitat loss and exploitation.

Topsoil: Intensive farming and erosion lead to loss of fertile land.

⚠️ Consequences:

Food and water shortages

Energy crises

Loss of biodiversity

Soil degradation and desertification

Economic instability in resource-dependent regions

Conflict over scarce resources

✅ Solutions:

1. Sustainable development – Balance economic growth with environmental protection.

2. Renewable energy – Invest in solar, wind, and hydro power.

3. Recycling and reuse – Reduce the need for virgin resource extraction.

4. Afforestation and reforestation – Restore green cover.

5. Water conservation – Use efficient irrigation and rainwater harvesting.

6. Education and awareness – Promote responsible consumption.

7. Stronger regulations – Enforce environmental laws and resource

land.

⚠️ Consequences:

Food and water shortages

Energy crises

Loss of biodiversity

Soil degradation and desertification

Economic instability in resource-dependent regions

Conflict over scarce resources

Examples of Depleted Resources:

Fossil Fuels (oil, coal, natural gas): Non-renewable and heavily consumed.

Freshwater: Aquifers are drying up; rivers and lakes are shrinking.

Forests: Rapid deforestation in regions like the Amazon.

Biodiversity: Species extinction due to habitat loss and exploitation.

Topsoil: Intensive farming and erosion lead to loss of fertile land

🔍 Causes of Resource Depletion:

1. Overpopulation – Higher demand for food, water, housing, and energy.

2. Overconsumption – Excessive use of resources, especially in developed nations.

3. Deforestation – Trees cut down for timber, agriculture, and urbanization.

4. Pollution – Contaminates air, water, and soil, reducing resource quality and availability.

5. Industrialization – Rapid development demands huge resource inputs.

6. Mining & Drilling – Extractive industries deplete minerals and fossil fuels.

7. Climate Change – Alters ecosystems and water availability, accelerating depletion

Depletion of Natural Resources refers to the gradual exhaustion of the Earth’s natural assets due to overuse, exploitation, or mismanagement. These resources include fossil fuels, minerals, forests, water, soil, and biodiversity.

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Group 4 (Zi Mae, Meghan, Xinming, Alden)

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Group 4 (Zi Mae, Meghan, Xinming, Alden)

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More living things lose their home. They also die because they cannot hide from their predators or they don’t have enough food. Even aquatic animals and plants get affected too. Deforestation will result in soil erosion so the aquatic animals can die due to lack of oxygen as less light will reach the aquatic plants so less plants trap less light to make less food through photosynthesis, less oxygen is produced.

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1) International Disagreements.

Countries argue over who is more responsible for cutting emissions.

2)Tougher Environmental Laws.

Governments face pressure to pass stricter climate policies.

3)Industry Conflicts.

These are struggles between fossil fuel industries and

clean energy supporters.

4)Resource Tensions.

Water and farmland may become limited, causing disputes

5)Climate refugees.

Rising seas and droughts force people to move, creating immigration challenges.

6)High Policy Costs.

Climate action(like green energy) can be expensive and affect the economy of countries.

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The air we breathe has a very exact chemical composition; 99% of it is made up of nitrogen, oxygen, water vapor and inert gases. Air pollution occurs when things that aren't normally there are added to the air. A common type of air pollution happens when human activity releases particles into the air from burning fossil fuels. This pollution looks like soot, containing millions of tiny particles, floating in the air. 

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The air we breathe has a very exact chemical composition; 99% of it is made up of nitrogen, oxygen, water vapor and inert gases. Air pollution occurs when things that aren't normally there are added to the air. A common type of air pollution happens when human activity releases particles into the air from burning fossil fuels. This pollution looks like soot, containing millions of tiny particles, floating in the air. 

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Water pollution happens when chemicals or dangerous foreign substances are introduced to water, including toxic chemicals, sewage, pesticides and fertilizers from agricultural runoff, or metals like lead or mercury. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 44% of assessed stream miles, 64% of lakes and 30% of bay and estuarine areas are not clean enough for fishing and swimming. 

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Water pollution happens when chemicals or dangerous foreign substances are introduced to water, including toxic chemicals, sewage, pesticides and fertilizers from agricultural runoff, or metals like lead or mercury. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 44% of assessed stream miles, 64% of lakes and 30% of bay and estuarine areas are not clean enough for fishing and swimming. 

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Land can become polluted by household garbage and by industrial waste. In 2014, Americans produced about 258 million tons of solid waste, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. A little over half of the waste — 136 million tons— was gathered in landfills. Only about 34% was recycled or composted. 

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Land can become polluted by household garbage and by industrial waste. In 2014, Americans produced about 258 million tons of solid waste, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. A little over half of the waste — 136 million tons— was gathered in landfills. Only about 34% was recycled or composted. 

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Global warming has led to an incredible increase in earth's temperature. Since 1880, the earth's temperature has increased by ~1 degrees. This has resulted in an increase in the melting of glaciers, which have led to an increase in the sea level. This could have devastating effects on coastal regions.

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Pollution is the process of making land, water, air or other parts of the environment dirty and not safe or suitable to use. This can be done through the introduction of a contaminant into a natural environment, but the contaminant doesn't need to be tangible. Things as simple as light, sound and temperature can be considered pollutants when introduced artificially into an environment.

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Pollution is the process of making land, water, air or other parts of the environment dirty and not safe or suitable to use. This can be done through the introduction of a contaminant into a natural environment, but the contaminant doesn't need to be tangible. Things as simple as light, sound and temperature can be considered pollutants when introduced artificially into an environment.

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Although environmental pollution can be caused by natural events such as forest fires and active volcanoes, use of the word pollution generally implies that the contaminants have an anthropogenic source—that is, a source created by human activities. Pollution has accompanied humankind ever since groups of people first congregated and remained for a long time in any one place

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Although environmental pollution can be caused by natural events such as forest fires and active volcanoes, use of the word pollution generally implies that the contaminants have an anthropogenic source—that is, a source created by human activities. Pollution has accompanied humankind ever since groups of people first congregated and remained for a long time in any one place

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1. Climate Change:

Increased CO2:

Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. When forests are cut down, this stored carbon is released, contributing to the greenhouse effect and global warming.

Reduced Carbon Sink:

Deforestation diminishes the planet's ability to absorb CO2, exacerbating climate change.

2. Biodiversity Loss:

Habitat Destruction:

Forests are home to a vast array of plant and animal species.Deforestation destroys these habitats, leading to population declines and potentially extinction.

Disrupted Ecosystems:

Loss of forests disrupts complex ecosystems, affecting food chains and ecological balance

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pollution, the addition of any substance (solid, liquid, or gas) or any form of energy (such as heat, sound, or radioactivity) to the environment at a rate faster than it can be dispersed, diluted, decomposed, recycled, or stored in some harmless form. 

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pollution, the addition of any substance (solid, liquid, or gas) or any form of energy (such as heat, sound, or radioactivity) to the environment at a rate faster than it can be dispersed, diluted, decomposed, recycled, or stored in some harmless form. 

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Generating power. Generating electricity and heat by burning fossil fuels causes a large chunk of global emissions.

Manufacturing goods.

Cutting down forests.

Using transportation.

Producing food.

Powering buildings.

Consuming too much

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WHAT IS GLOBAL WARMING AND WHAT CAUSED IT

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WHAT IS GLOBAL WARMING AND WHAT CAUSED IT

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Global warming is a gradual increase in the overall temperature of the earth's atmosphere generally attributed to the greenhouse effect caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide, and other pollutants.

As greenhouse gas emissions blanket the Earth, they trap the sun’s heat. This leads to global warming and climate change. The world is now warming faster than at any point in recorded history.

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Deforestation is a major environmental issue: between 2015 and 2020, the rate of deforestation was approximately 10 million hectares per year. And although that rate of loss has slowed over the last 30 years, according to The State of the World's Forests 2022 report it hasn’t decreased enough. Over 420 million hectares of forest have been lost since 1990.

Of that, around 80 million acres were ecologically important primary forests. Another 100 million acres of forest are directly threatened by forest fires, pests, diseases, invasive species, drought, and extreme weather events. Many of these snowballing threats are driven and/or amplified by climate change.

Because deforestation often takes place in diversity-rich ecosystems, a number of species are threatened. But how exactly does deforestation affect local ecosystems?

Let’s examine how deforestation can impact some of our most important ecosystems — and learn how to protect these critical landscapes.

HABITAT LOSS

Forest ecosystems encompass richly layered habitat types, which provide shelter to a breathtaking range of biodiversity — including 80% of amphibian species, 75% of bird species, and 68% of mammal species. From the Kirtland’s warbler that builds a nest amongst trees to the millions of species of plants, insects, and microorganisms scientists estimate are still undiscovered in tropical rainforests, countless species depend on trees to survive. When deforestation occurs, many species are unable to survive in the remaining fragments of forest. According to the World Wildlife Fund, this can make them more accessible (and therefore, vulnerable) to hunters and poachers; their populations are reduced, and some go extinct. Because many endemic species live in small, isolated locations, any amount of deforestation can result in extinction.

INCREASE IN GREENHOUSE GASES

Trees not only provide critical habitat for many animal species, but they also help clean the air and remove carbon from the atmosphere. Deforestation means there are fewer trees available to sequester carbon — at a time when we need to reduce greenhouse gasses more than ever. And forest loss itself can accelerate the effects of climate change. According to the World Economic Forum, if deforestation were a country, it would be the third largest CO2 emitter in the world after China and the US.

DESERTIFICATION AND SOIL EROSION

Trees have intricate root systems that help prevent soil erosion by holding the soil firmly in place. Their leaf canopies also help prevent erosion by slowing and absorbing precipitation. By helping the land retain water and remain healthy, the soil is able to provide rich nutrients to help sustain life. When deforestation occurs, soil is significantly more likely to erode. Erosion reduces soil fertility, which can negatively impact crop yields. During precipitation events, soil-laden water is also more likely to travel downstream, collecting in heavy layers of sediment that can cause significant damage to watersheds.

DISRUPTED WATER CYCLE

Forests don’t just improve water quality and flow: they also play a critical role in our water cycle by regulating precipitation, evaporation, and flows. The entire forest structure, from the canopy to the roots, stores and releases water vapor — controlling rainfall. Deforestation directly impacts this important function, destabilizing rainfall patterns and increasing the likelihood of flooding and drought. And these effects aren’t just local — studies have shown that deforestation in one part of the world can cause significant decreases in rainfall thousands of miles away

LOCAL COMMUNITIES

While we often think of forests in connection with the environment and nature, many communities rely on their local forests. There are about 250 million people who live in forests and rely on trees for their incomes and to sustain their livelihoods. While deforestation can greatly affect people’s livelihoods, it also leads to more infectious diseases in humans. These are just a few of the ways deforestation can directly affect people

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Group 4 (Zi Mae, Meghan, Xinming, Alden)

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Group 4 (Zi Mae, Meghan, Xinming, Alden)

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The main cause of deforestation is that people need land to build houses, malls, skyscrapers, and others. However, we if we clear too much land, there will be more human activities than nature. In order to avoid this, we must have an equal amount of nature and human activities.

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Vehicle emissions, fuel oils and natural gas to heat homes, by-products of manufacturing and power generation, particularly coal-fueled power plants, and fumes from chemical production are the primary sources of human-made air pollution.

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Group 4 (Zi Mae, Meghan, Xinming, Alden) 

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Group 4 (Zi Mae, Meghan, Xinming, Alden) 

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WHAT IS DEFORESTATION?

Deforestation is the permanent removal of trees and forest for other land uses such as agriculture, urbanisation, or logging. It involves cutting down or clearing forests on a large scale, resulting in the conversion of forested land to other uses.(From this🌳 to this🪾)

WORK IN PROGRESS…

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Effects on Soil Pollution and the Water Cycle

In addition to their role as carbon sinks, forests are a crucial component of the water cycle and have the all important function of preventing desertification. Cutting down trees can disrupt the cycle by decreasing precipitation and affecting river flow and water volume. In the case of the Amazon rainforest, research shows that at least 80% of its trees would be needed in order to keep the hydrological cycle going. With nearly 17% of the forest lost already, the Amazon is currently at its tipping point. Statistics show that deforestation in the tropics reduces precipitation over the Amazon by around 10%, or 138 millimeter, every year. In the South Asian Monsoon region, the reduction in rainfall is even higher, with around 18% less rain recorded in India in a single year.

Aside from their contribution to the water flow, trees help the land retain water and sustain forest life by supplying the soil with rich nutrients. Deforestation deprives the land of its cover, leaving the soil exposed to wind and rain. This makes soil vulnerable to being washed away, and prone to erosion. According to the World Wildlife Fund, as much as half of the world’s topsoil has been lost as a consequence of the nearly 4 million square miles of forest that have been lost since the beginning of the 20th century.

3. The Effects on Humans

In answering the question of how does deforestation affect the environment, you may discover that in fact, it also has a direct impact on the human population. With the loss of trees and entire forests, homelands are also being destroyed in the process. Indigenous communities who live in forests and depend on them to sustain their life bear the brunt of impacts from deforestation. As their houses are destroyed and resources compromised, these tribes are forced to migrate elsewhere and find other ways to sustain themselves.

The Amazon rainforest is home to over one million Indigenous people, mostly of Indian descent, divided into more than 400 indigenous tribes. They live in settled villages by the rivers, and grow and hunt their food. These “uncontacted” tribes live by the rules of nature but are becoming increasingly vulnerable to deforestation, which has forced many of them to migrate. While some of them move into areas occupied by other tribes, straining the land’s resources, others are forced to relocate to urban settings and completely change their way of living.

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Loss of livelihoods for local economies

Deforestation can lead to the collapse of local economies, especially in communities that rely on forests for their livelihood. Many people depend on forests for resources like timber, fruits, nuts, plants, and animals for food, medicine, and income. Forests also hold deep cultural and spiritual significance. When forests are cleared, these resources disappear, leaving people without the means to support themselves.

For example, if a community depends on logging or collecting non-timber products like rubber or medicinal plants, the loss of the forest makes those industries unsustainable. Without these resources, the economy of the community can collapse, leading to unemployment, poverty, and a lack of basic necessities.

Forests provide valuable natural resources like timber, medicinal plants, and clean water. Deforestation reduces the availability of these resources, which can impact industries that depend on them, like woodworking, furniture, pulp and paper manufacturing, and printing. Forest-based industries affect the employment of 50 million people and contribute an estimated $450 billion to annual national incomes globally.

Many countries also rely on forests for eco-tourism. Wildlife viewing, hiking, camping, and other outdoor recreational activities can generate significant income. Deforestation leads to the loss of these natural attractions, causing a drop in tourism revenue.

As previously mentioned, deforestation can lead to more frequent and intense floods, landslides, and droughts. These natural disasters can cause significant damage to infrastructure, homes, and crops, leading to high recovery costs and long-term economic strain.

In the short term, deforestation can bring economic gains through agriculture, logging, and mining, creating jobs and boosting local economies. However, the long-term economic consequences resulting from deforestation are much more damaging than the initial gains

Deforestation harms air quality because trees play an important role in filtering out pollutants into the air. They absorb poisonous carbon dioxide and release clean oxygen.

When trees are cut down, this process stops, and more carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere, which can worsen air quality. The soil can also release other potent greenhouse gases, like methane and nitrous oxide.

Slash-and-burn methods of deforestation involve cutting down trees and then burning them to clear land for farming. When trees are burned, whether through slash-and-burn methods or because of forest fires, they release smoke, poisonous gasses, and harmful particles that make the air even dirtier and harder to breathe, especially for people with respiratory conditions like asthma.

quality

Trees naturally clean water by absorbing rainwater through their roots and filtering out impurities as it passes through the soil. This process helps trap harmful substances before they can reach nearby rivers, lakes, or groundwater.

Additionally, trees slow down the flow of water during heavy rain, giving the soil more time to absorb it. When forests are cut down, there is more water runoff, which carries soil, chemicals, and debris into rivers and streams, polluting the water.

This can impact local water supplies, making it unsafe for drinking, farming, and wildlife. Without trees to protect water sources, the risk of contamination and flooding increases.

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Change:

Deforestation contributes to climate change by releasing stored carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, intensifying the greenhouse effect and leading to rising temperatures, melting glaciers, and more extreme weather events.

Soil Erosion:

Loss of tree cover exposes soil to wind and rain, leading to soil erosion, which reduces soil fertility and can cause landslides and sedimentation in waterways.

Water Cycle Disruption:

Trees play a vital role in regulating water cycles, and deforestation can disrupt rainfall patterns, increase the risk of droughts and floods, and reduce water availability.

Air Pollution:

Deforestation reduces the planet's capacity to absorb carbon dioxide, leading to increased air pollution.

Impacts on Wildlife:

Habitat Fragmentation:

Deforestation can fragment forests into smaller, isolated patches, making it difficult for animals to find food, water, and mates, and increasing their vulnerability to predators.

Human-Wildlife Conflict:

As forests shrink, wildlife may be forced into closer proximity with human settlements, leading to increased human-wildlife conflict.

Other Impacts:

Impact on Indigenous Communities:

Deforestation can displace indigenous communities who rely on forests for their livelihoods and cultural practices.

Increased Risk of Pandemics:

Deforestation can bring animals carrying diseases into closer contact with humans, increasing the risk of pandemics.

In conclusion, deforestation has a wide range of negative consequences, highlighting the importance of sustainable forest management practices and efforts to protect and restore forests worldWide

Is deforestation illegal?

Deforestation can be illegal, but it depends on the country, the method used, and whether proper laws are followed. In many places, there are laws that protect forests from being cut down without permission.

For example, cutting down trees in protected areas like national parks is usually illegal. In some countries, companies and individuals need to get a permit before clearing land for farming, logging, mining, or development.

However, illegal deforestation still happens in many parts of the world, especially when forests are cleared without following these laws or when regulations are not properly enforced. This can lead to significant environmental damage, as well as loss of biodiversity and pollution.

One of the most direct impacts of deforestation is on the 80% of land-based plant and animal species that rely on forests for food, shelter, and safety. When forests are cleared for things like farming or construction, wildlife lose their homes and often have nowhere else to go. This can lead to species disappearing, as they struggle to survive without their natural habitat.

It is estimated that we lose 137 species of animals, plants, and insects every day due to deforestation. This accelerated loss of species is contributing to what some scientists call the sixth mass extinction. Some of the most at-risk species include orangutans, rhinos, chimpanzees, mountain gorillas, giant pandas, koalas, pygmy sloths, monarch butterflies, elephants, and several species of big cats, like tigers, jaguars, and leopards.

Species loss weakens ecosystem services, which are the natural benefits ecosystems provide, like clean air, water, soil health, and food. Each species plays a role in keeping ecosystems balanced and functioning.

For example, many plants, including crops, rely on insects and animals for pollination. When pollinators like bees and butterflies decline, fewer plants get pollinated, which reduces crop yields and plant diversity, impacting food supply and nutrition.

In addition, each species has a place in the food chain. When species go extinct, it disrupts predator-prey relationships and can lead to imbalances, causing some populations to explode and others to crash. This affects overall ecosystem health and stability.

10 Negative Effects of Deforestation

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, forests cover 31% of the world’s land area. That’s over 4 billion hectares of an incredibly biodiverse, precious ecosystem. Over half of the world’s forests are in just five countries – Brazil, Canada, the United States, China, and the Russian Federation. Since 1990, around 420 million hectares of forest have been lost, and while deforestation has decreased in the past decades, it remains a serious problem. Why? Here are ten negative effects deforestation has on humans and the planet:

#1. Deforestation harms biomass and worsens climate change

A recent paper in Nature Communications used climate models and satellite data to measure the climate impact of tropical deforestation on the forests left behind. They found that after deforestation in one patch of the Amazon, the resulting climate changes led to another 5.1% loss of total biomass (roots, branches, leaves, etc) for the Amazon basin. This matters because a tree’s biomass stores carbon. Since 2010, deforestation has removed 1 petagram (1 trillion kilograms) of carbon every year. That carbon goes into the atmosphere and drives climate change. Understanding how deforestation affects other forests is essential to measuring its impact and figuring out solutions.

#2. Deforestation makes air pollution worse

Forests are essential to clean air. Through photosynthesis, the leaves of trees take in carbon dioxide and water. Combined with the sun’s energy, they convert these materials into nutrients. A by-product of this process? Oxygen. One large tree can produce as much as a day’s supply of oxygen for four people. Trees also reduce the effects of PM, which are particles of different chemicals that can cause lung and heart disease. This makes trees especially valuable in cities where pollution is higher. They also store carbon dioxide and keep it out of the atmosphere. healthy forests are essentially large air filters. Deforestation has the opposite effect. It removes an essential source of cleaner air and releases the stored carbon, worsening the air quality. Bad air has serious consequences. According to the World Health Organization, around 4.2 million people die every year as a result of outdoor air pollution. Those who don’t die are at risk for a score of lung and heart diseases.10 Negative Effects of Deforestation

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, forests cover 31% of the world’s land area. That’s over 4 billion hectares of an incredibly biodiverse, precious ecosystem. Over half of the world’s forests are in just five countries – Brazil, Canada, the United States, China, and the Russian Federation. Since 1990, around

A recent paper in Nature Communications used climate models and satellite data to measure the climate impact of tropical deforestation on the forests left behind. They found that after deforestation in one patch of the Amazon, the resulting climate changes led to another 5.1% loss of total biomass (roots, branches, leaves, etc) for the Amazon basin. This matters because a tree’s biomass stores carbon. Since 2010, deforestation has removed 1 petagram (1 trillion kilograms) of carbon every year. That carbon goes into the atmosphere and drives climate change. Understanding how deforestation affects other forests is essential to measuring its impact and figuring out solutions

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How Does Deforestation Affect the Environment?

1. Effects on Climate Change

The scientific consensus on deforestation is that it intensifies climate change at a dramatic rate, making protecting tropical rainforests an essential part of achieving the climate goals set out in the Paris Agreement.

Trees are known for their capacity to absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis. Healthy forests act as extremely valuable carbon sinks, absorbing an estimated 16 billion metric tonnes of carbon dioxide per year, and currently holding 861 gigatonnes of carbon in their branches, leaves, roots, and soils.

Deforestation is turning these sinks into huge net emitters, threatening global climate action and contributing to a steep rise in global temperatures. The current rate of rainforest-loss generated emissions is nearly 25% higher than those generated in the European Union and just slightly below US levels.

Deforestation also increases the risk of uncontrollable wildfires because of humans burning vegetation. This, in turn, contributes to destroying forests, further intensifying the loss of forests.

Found on EART.ORG

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Information (Ames, Alicia , Alexandria, Xavier) 

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Information (Ames, Alicia , Alexandria, Xavier) 

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Types of pollution

Air pollution

Water pollution

Soil pollution

Noise pollution

Plastic pollution

Radioactive contamination

Light pollution

Thermal pollution

Visual pollution

Littering

respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular problems, and even cancer. (Lung cancer ) Furthermore, pollution contributes to climate change, damages ecosystems, and negatively impacts biodiversity.

affects economic industry (e.g agriculture) affects children and elderly .

Extra

Dirty air is a plague on our health, causing 7 million deaths and many more preventable illnesses worldwide each year. But the solutions are clear.

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Social and health issues:

Climate change may affect our health and wellbeing through the impacts of extreme events, worsening air quality, changes in the spread of infectious diseases, threats to food and water quality and quantity and effects on our mental health.

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Asher

Aurelia

Zoie

Xuan Wee

Qonita

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1. Rising Temperatures

Global average temperatures have increased, leading to hotter weather, frequent heatwaves, and changes in weather patterns.

Impact: There is an increased risk of wildfires, droughts, and heat-related illnesses in humans and animals.

2. Melting Ice and Glaciers

Arctic sea ice, glaciers, and polar ice caps are melting at unexpected rates.

Impact: Rising sea levels, habitat loss for species like polar bears and seals, and disruption of freshwater sources.

3. Sea Level Rise

Caused by melting ice and the thermal expansion of seawater.

Impact: Coastal erosion, increased flooding, loss of land, and displacement of communities in low-lying areas.

4. Extreme Weather Events

Increased frequency and intensity of storms, hurricanes, floods, and droughts.

Impact: Damage to infrastructure, ecosystems, agriculture, and human livelihoods.

5. Ecosystem Disruption

Shifting climate zones force plants and animals to migrate or adapt quickly.

Impact: Species extinction, reduced biodiversity, and imbalance in ecosystems.

6. Impact on Wildlife

Changes in migration patterns, breeding seasons, and food availability.

Impact: Population declines and extinction risks for many species.

7. Agricultural Challenges

Altered rainfall patterns and increased pests/diseases affect crop yields.

Impact: Food insecurity, economic losses for farmers, and rising food prices.

8. Ocean Changes

Oceans are warming and becoming more acidic due to CO₂ absorption.

Impact: Coral bleaching, death of marine life, disruption of food chains.

9. Human Health Risks

Heatwaves, spread of vector-borne diseases (e.g., malaria, dengue), and poor air quality.

Impact: Increased mortality, especially among vulnerable populations.

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As the world seeks to slow the pace of climate change, preserve wildlife, and support more than eight billion people, trees inevitably hold a major part of the answer. Yet the mass destruction of trees—deforestation—continues, sacrificing the long-term benefits of standing trees for short-term gain of fuel, and materials for manufacturing and construction.

We need trees for a variety of reasons, not least of which is that they absorb the carbon dioxide we exhale and the heat-trapping greenhouse gases that human activities emit. As those gases enter the atmosphere, global warming increases, a trend scientists now prefer to call climate change.

There is also the imminent danger of disease caused by deforestation. An estimated 60 percent of emerging infectious diseases come from animals, and a major cause of viruses’ jump from wildlife to humans is habitat loss, often through deforestation.

But we can still save our forests. Aggressive efforts to rewild and reforest are already showing success. Tropical tree cover alone can provide 23 percent of the climate mitigation needed to meet goals set in the Paris Agreement in 2015, according

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Generating power is an environmental issue that contributes to global warming. Generating electricity and heat by burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas causes a large chunk of global emissions. This affects the living things on earth as these produces carbon dioxide which is a greenhouse gas that traps heat, causing global warming which ruins the natural habitat of living things such as polar bears and penguins.

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Effects of Deforestation on the Environment

Loss of Habitat

One of the most dangerous and unsettling effects of deforestation is the loss of animal and plant species due to their loss of habitat. 70% of land animals and plant species live in forests. Not only does deforestation threaten species known to us, but also those unknown.

The trees of the rainforest that provide shelter for some species also provide the canopy that regulates the temperature. Deforestation results in a more drastic temperature variation from day to night, much like a desert, which could prove fatal for many inhabitants.

Increased Greenhouse Gases

In addition to the loss of habitat, the lack of trees also allows a greater amount of greenhouse gases to be released into the atmosphere. Healthy forests absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, acting as valuable carbon sinks. Deforested areas lose that ability and release more carbon.

Water in the Atmosphere

Trees also help to control the level of water in the atmosphere by helping to regulate the water cycle.

One of the most important forests for regulating water cycles across the planet is the Amazon rainforest. Its millions of trees work together to release moisture into the air, creating atmospheric "rivers" that regulate Earth's weather patterns.

In deforested areas, there is less water in the air to be returned to the soil. This then causes dryer soil and the inability to grow crops.

Soil Erosion and Flooding

Further effects of deforestation include soil erosion and coastal flooding. Trees help the land to retain water and topsoil, which provides the rich nutrients to sustain additional forest life.

Without forests, the soil erodes and washes away, causing farmers to move on and perpetuate the cycle. The barren land which is left behind in the wake of these unsustainable agricultural practices is then more susceptible to flooding, specifically in coastal regions.

Effects of Deforestation on Indigenous People

As large amounts of forests are cleared away, allowing exposed land to deteriorate and the habitats of innumerable species to be destroyed, the Indigenous communities who live there and depend on the forest to sustain their way of life are also under threat.

The loss of forests has an immediate and direct effect on their lifestyle. Many Indigenous communities depend on what the forest has to offer for food, medicine, building materials, and cultural resources. Because many of these communities are located in remote areas in dense forests, the loss of these resources poses many challenges to their health and wellbeing.

Deforestation has human rights implications, particularly for the many Indigenous groups who are frontline communities.

Often, frontline communities have little say in how their local environment is altered by governments and corporations. At the same time, these communities face the most immediate and threatening impacts of environmental degradation and climate change.

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GLOBAL WARMING: ECONOMIC EFFECTS

🌍 1. Damage to Infrastructure

Extreme weather (floods, hurricanes, wildfires) damages roads, bridges, power grids, and buildings.

Repair and rebuilding costs increase, straining public budgets and insurance systems.

Coastal cities face huge costs from sea-level rise and storm surges.

🏭 2. Disruption of Industries

Energy sector: Higher demand for cooling increases energy consumption; heat can disrupt fossil fuel and nuclear plants.

Tourism: Destinations dependent on snow or reefs (e.g., ski resorts, coral reefs) may lose revenue.

Insurance: More frequent climate-related disasters raise payouts and premiums, potentially making some areas uninsurable

📉 3. Reduced Labor Productivity

Heat stress reduces productivity, especially in agriculture, construction, and outdoor jobs.

Economic losses from lost work hours could amount to billions, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions.

📈 4. Financial Market Risks

Asset values in vulnerable regions (e.g., coastal real estate) may decline.

Investors and banks face risks from stranded assets in fossil fuel industries.

Climate regulations can also shift market dynamics (e.g., carbon taxes, green subsidies)

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Political and policy failures are among the biggest obstacles to effectively addressing global warming. While the science is clear and technology is available, progress is often blocked by weak leadership, short-term thinking, and powerful vested interests.

Key challenges include:

1. Lack of Global Coordination
Climate change requires global cooperation, but countries have different priorities and levels of responsibility. International agreements often lack enforcement, and political shifts can undo progress.

2. Fossil Fuel Industry Influence
Powerful oil, gas, and coal companies fund misinformation and lobby against climate policies. Their influence weakens or delays needed legislation, especially in democracies where political donations matter.

3. Short-Term Politics Over Long-Term Solutions
Politicians often avoid climate action because of electoral risks. Policies that involve short-term sacrifices—like carbon taxes—are unpopular, even if they’re necessary for long-term sustainability.

4. Climate-Related Conflicts and Inequality
Global warming intensifies conflicts over water, land, and food, especially in poorer or unstable regions. Climate migration is rising, and political systems are often unprepared to handle these pressures.

5. Public Misinformation and Low Climate Literacy
Many voters are misinformed or unaware of the urgency of climate change, partly due to deliberate misinformation. This reduces pressure on governments to act.

6. Climate Justice and Unequal Burdens
Developing nations suffer most from climate impacts but have contributed the least to the problem. Disagreements over who should pay for climate damages and adaptation slow down international progress.

Conclusion

Despite growing awareness, political will is still the greatest barrier to solving the climate crisis. Stronger leadership, transparent governance, and international cooperation—especially with a focus on equity—are essential to meaningful action.

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The effects of deforestation are significant and multifaceted:

Loss of Habitat: Deforestation leads to the destruction of habitats for millions of species, resulting in biodiversity loss.

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Climate Change: It contributes to global warming by emitting greenhouse gases, which exacerbates climate change.

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Ecosystem Disruption: Deforestation disrupts ecosystems, affecting water cycles and increasing the risk of zoonotic diseases.

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Soil Erosion: The removal of trees leads to soil erosion, which can result in flooding and decreased soil fertility.

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Carbon Emissions: Deforestation is a major source of carbon emissions, driving dangerous climate impacts.

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These effects highlight the urgent need for sustainable forest management and conservation efforts.

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(Emmanuel)Environmental Impacts:

Habitat Loss and Biodiversity Decline:

Deforestation destroys the habitats of countless plant and animal species, leading to a decline in biodiversity and potentially causing species extinction.

Climate Change:

Deforestation contributes to climate change by releasing stored carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, intensifying the greenhouse effect and leading to rising temperatures, melting glaciers, and more extreme weather events.

Soil Erosion:

Loss of tree cover exposes soil to wind and rain, leading to soil erosion, which reduces soil fertility and can cause landslides and sedimentation in waterways.

Impacts on Wildlife:

1. Habitat Fragmentation:

Deforestation can fragment forests into smaller, isolated patches, making it difficult for animals to find food, water, and mates, and increasing their vulnerability to predators.

2. Human-Wildlife Conflict:

As forests shrink, wildlife may be forced into closer proximity with human settlements, leading to increased human-wildlife conflict.

Other Impacts:

Impact on Indigenous Communities:

Deforestation can displace indigenous communities who rely on forests for their livelihoods and cultural practices.

Increased Risk of Pandemics:

Deforestation can bring animals carrying diseases into closer contact with humans, increasing the risk of pandemics.

In conclusion, deforestation has a wide range of negative consequences, highlighting the importance of sustainable forest management practices and efforts to protect and restore forests worldwide.

Water Cycle Disruption:

Trees play a vital role in regulating water cycles, and deforestation can disrupt rainfall patterns, increase the risk of droughts and floods, and reduce water availability.

Air Pollution:

Deforestation reduces the planet's capacity to absorb carbon dioxide, leading to increased air pollution.

How Does Deforestation Affect the Environment?

1. Effects on Climate Change

The scientific consensus on deforestation is that it intensifies climate change at a dramatic rate, making protecting tropical rainforests an essential part of achieving the climate goals set out in the Paris Agreement.

Trees are known for their capacity to absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis. Healthy forests act as extremely valuable carbon sinks, absorbing an estimated 16 billion metric tonnes of carbon dioxide per year, and currently holding 861 gigatonnes of carbon in their branches, leaves, roots, and soils.

Deforestation is turning these sinks into huge net emitters, threatening global climate action and contributing to a steep rise in global temperatures. The current rate of rainforest-loss generated emissions is nearly 25% higher than those generated in the European Union and just slightly below US levels.

Deforestation also increases the risk of uncontrollable wildfires because of humans burning vegetation. This, in turn, contributes to destroying forests, further intensifying the loss of forests.

2. Effects on Soil Pollution and the Water Cycle

In addition to their role as carbon sinks, forests are a crucial component of the water cycle and have the all important function of preventing desertification. Cutting down trees can disrupt the cycle by decreasing precipitation and affecting river flow and water volume. In the case of the Amazon rainforest, research shows that at least 80% of its trees would be needed in order to keep the hydrological cycle going. With nearly 17% of the forest lost already, the Amazon is currently at its tipping point. Statistics show that deforestation in the tropics reduces precipitation over the Amazon by around 10%, or 138 millimeter, every year. In the South Asian Monsoon region, the reduction in rainfall is even higher, with around 18% less rain recorded in India in a single year.

Aside from their contribution to the water flow, trees help the land retain water and sustain forest life by supplying the soil with rich nutrients. Deforestation deprives the land of its cover, leaving the soil exposed to wind and rain. This makes soil vulnerable to being washed away, and prone to erosion. According to the World Wildlife Fund, as much as half of the world’s topsoil has been lost as a consequence of the nearly 4 million square miles of forest that have been lost since the beginning of the 20th century.

3. The Effects on Humans

In answering the question of how does deforestation affect the environment, you may discover that in fact, it also has a direct impact on the human population. With the loss of trees and entire forests, homelands are also being destroyed in the process. Indigenous communities who live in forests and depend on them to sustain their life bear the brunt of impacts from deforestation. As their houses are destroyed and resources compromised, these tribes are forced to migrate elsewhere and find other ways to sustain themselves.

The Amazon rainforest is home to over one million Indigenous people, mostly of Indian descent, divided into more than 400 indigenous tribes. They live in settled villages by the rivers, and grow and hunt their food. These “uncontacted” tribes live by the rules of nature but are becoming increasingly vulnerable to deforestation, which has forced many of them to migrate. While some of them move into areas occupied by other tribes, straining the land’s resources, others are forced to relocate to urban settings and completely change their way of living.

4. The Effects on Animals and Plants

Along with Indigenous tribes, animals are some of the biggest victims of deforestation. Forests around the world are home to more than 80% of all terrestrial animal, plant, and insect species. However, the rapid destruction of forests is contributing to a decline in biodiversity never seen before. The main effect of deforestation on animals and plants is the loss of their habitat.

Many factors related to cutting down trees contribute to driving species to extinction. Through land erosion, the soil is depleted of its nutrients, a huge source of nourishment for animals and plants. Furthermore, many animal species are heavily reliant on specific plants and their fruits for food sources. When these resources are lost, animals become weaker, more vulnerable to diseases and often succumb to starvation.

Another important role of trees is to regulate the temperature of forests and maintain it constant. When deforestation occurs, temperature variates more drastically from day to night and this extreme change can often prove fatal for many animal species.

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Causes of global warming:

Greenhouse gases blanket the earth and trap heat. Greenhouse gas emissions from burning of fossil fuels cause the greenhouse gases to trap more heat, thus the earth will become warmer.

Effects of global warming on animals:

Animals are affected in ways like disruption of food sources, and changing in breeding patterns. Weather events like heat waves, droughts and floods are also destroying habitats. Climate change alters the timing that plants grow,greatly affecting food sources of many animals.

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Green house gases is produced from man’s activities such as factory works and burning our litter. Green house gases such as carbon dioxide warm up our environment to ensure that the environment is suitable for organisms needs but a over excessive amount of green house gases cause global warming in addition, materials like styrofoam potentially destroy the ozone layer that protects the earth from harmful rays.

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(1) State the environmental issue.

(2) What are the main causes of this environmental issue?

(3) How does this issue affect the environment and living things?

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Work in groups of 4 to gather more information about the environmental problem and possible ways to solve the problem. 

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Work in groups of 4 to gather more information about the environmental problem and possible ways to solve the problem. 

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You can present your information to the class using any of the following:

Powerpoint

Inforgraphic poster

Video/animation

Roleplay a short skit

Drawing e.g. mindmap, concept cartoon, comic strip etc.

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Name group members under each group heading

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Name group members under each group heading

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1.
2.
3.
4.

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Useful information about the environmental problem

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Useful information about the environmental problem