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Discuss the causes and impacts of one global environmental issue that you have studied. - Leaving Cert Geography - Question 14 - 2017
Question 14
Discuss the causes and impacts of one global environmental issue that you have studied.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Discuss the causes and impacts of one global environmental issue that you have studied. - Leaving Cert Geography - Question 14 - 2017
Step 1
Identify one global environmental issue
Answer
One significant global environmental issue is deforestation, which refers to the large-scale removal of trees from forested areas. This issue has become pervasive due to various factors, including agricultural expansion, logging, infrastructure development, and urbanization.
Step 2
Discuss the causes of deforestation
Answer
The primary causes of deforestation include:
- Agricultural Expansion: Large areas of forests are cleared to make way for crops and livestock.
- Logging: Both legal and illegal logging activities lead to the removal of trees for timber and paper products.
- Infrastructure Development: Construction of roads and urban areas often encroaches into forested regions.
- Climate Change: While deforestation contributes to climate change, it can also exacerbate the situation by altering local weather patterns.
Step 3
Discuss the impacts of deforestation
Answer
The impacts of deforestation are profound and far-reaching:
- Loss of Biodiversity: Many species lose their habitats, leading to extinction and decreased biodiversity.
- Climate Change Contribution: Deforestation contributes to increased greenhouse gas emissions, as trees absorb carbon dioxide.
- Disruption of Water Cycles: Trees play a critical role in maintaining the water cycle; their removal affects rainfall patterns and water availability.
- Soil Erosion: Without tree roots to hold the soil in place, erosion increases, leading to loss of arable land and sedimentation in water bodies.