Pollution 

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Growing population + Wealth = ↑ Resources + ↑ Waste

 

There are 3 Types of Pollution you need to be aware of:

 

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Land Use

 

Humans reduce wild habitats for:  

• Building  

• Quarrying  

• Farming  

• Waste dumping

 

Peat Bogs  

 

A peat bog is a type of wetland ecosystem where partially decomposed plant material accumulates to form a thick layer of ‘peat’. This can only occur in waterlogged, acidic and anaerobic conditions as this prevents the plant material from fully decomposing.

 

Peat is very useful and can be dried and removed from peatbogs for 2 reasons:

1. To produce compost

2. To burn as fuel

 

Problems  

• Draining and burning → CO₂ release  

• We destroy and use the peat faster than it forms so we will run out 

• Habitat loss → ↓ biodiversity  

• Ethical issue: cheap fuel vs climate & wildlife

 

Deforestation

 

Large-scale tree removal for:  

1. Cattle ranching  

2. Crop farming (e.g., rice)  

3. Biofuels

 

Evaluating Deforestation

 

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Global Warming

 

Global warming is an increase in the Earth’s temperature due to increasing amounts of greenhouse gases.

 

Examples of Greenhouse Gases  

• CO₂ (fossil fuels, deforestation)  

• CH₄ (cows, rice, landfills)  

• N₂O (fertilisers)  

• H₂O vapour

 

Consequences of Global Warming

 

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The scientific consensus of global warming is that it is Real & human-caused — 99%+ peer-reviewed studies agree with this.