1. Why has the global population been increasing rapidly?
Answer:
Advances in nutrition, sanitation, and health have led to longer lifespans and more people reaching reproductive age.
2. What are the main consequences of overpopulation?
Answer:
Overpopulation leads to deforestation, increased pollution, overcrowding, and depletion of natural resources.
3. How does deforestation affect the environment?
Answer:
Deforestation contributes to soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, the greenhouse effect, and extreme weather events.
4. What relationship exists between population growth and pollution?
Answer:
As the population grows, so does pollution, affecting air, water, and soil quality, especially in urban areas.
5. What is the role of human activity in increasing pollution-related diseases?
Answer:
Human-made pollution has been linked to respiratory diseases, such as asthma, which are worsening due to increased pollution levels.
6. What are the effects of deforestation in Nepal on neighboring countries?
Answer:
Deforestation in Nepal leads to soil erosion and increases the risk of floods in India and Bangladesh.
7. Why can’t human populations continue to grow indefinitely?
Answer:
The Earth has finite resources, and continued population growth will strain food supplies and natural resources.
8. How does deforestation affect global climate?
Answer:
Deforestation contributes to climate change through the greenhouse effect and the loss of carbon-absorbing forests.
9. What factors have helped some countries slow down population growth?
Answer:
Countries like China and Thailand have slowed population growth through government policies, education, and access to family planning.
10. What is the connection between deforestation and the loss of biodiversity?
Answer:
Deforestation destroys habitats, leading to the extinction of plant and animal species.
11. How does higher population density exacerbate social issues?
Answer:
It can lead to increased crime, ethnic conflicts, and strained resources like food and healthcare.
12. What role does consumption in wealthy countries play in deforestation?
Answer:
Wealthy nations’ demand for resources, such as beef and paper, leads to large-scale deforestation in developing countries.
13. How does deforestation contribute to soil erosion?
Answer:
Without trees, soil is more easily washed away by rain, leading to erosion and reduced land fertility.
14. What is meant by ‘population explosion’?
Answer:
It refers to the rapid increase in the world’s population, particularly in the last few centuries.
15. What are the effects of air pollution on public health in cities?
Answer:
Air pollution in cities leads to respiratory illnesses, with thousands dying from conditions like asthma annually.
16. How does population growth affect energy consumption?
Answer:
Increased population leads to higher demand for energy, further stressing natural resources and increasing environmental damage.
17. What is desertification, and how does it relate to deforestation?
Answer:
Desertification is the process of land becoming desert-like, often caused by deforestation and unsustainable land use.
18. How has the population of the world changed since 1950?
Answer:
For every 11 people alive today, only 1 was alive in 1950, showing the massive population increase.
19. What are some long-term consequences of deforestation?
Answer:
Long-term effects include reduced quality of life, loss of biodiversity, and decreased ability of the Earth’s biosphere to support life.
20. What should humanity do to reverse deforestation?
Answer:
Humanity needs to take proactive measures such as reforestation, sustainable land use, and reducing consumption of forest products.
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