Environmental Issues in Asia Air Pollution Asian Brown

Environmental Issues in Asia

Air Pollution Asian Brown Cloud 2 mile deep brown haze Respiratory problems Climatic Changes Floods Acid rain Blocks Sunlight Destroys crops Causes: Industrialization High population in Urban areas Burning wood and other biomass material Many areas lack electricity or other cleaner energy sources

Asian Brown Cloud

Air Pollution China is the world’s fastest growing economy no environmental regulation India has some 500, 000 annual deaths from indoor air pollution

India’s Environmental Concerns India’s main environmental concern-overpopulation. Such a large number of people will put a strain on groundwater supplies. More water is needed to irrigate crops to keep up with the food supply. If artificial fertilizers are used on crops, then drinking water may be affected.

India’s Environmental Concerns Rivers such as the Ganges and groundwater are also toxic waste from industry. Industry and vehicles pollute the air. India has many small industrial workshops. It is difficult for the government to enforce laws to improve air and water pollution

Ganges River India’s most sacred river Used for funeral rites Cremated bodies (not) cremated bodies Used by millions for drinking and bathing Poor sewage systems drain directly into the river

China’s Environmental Issues Feeding the Chinese people is a huge task. Much of the food production occurs on the North China Plain. The fertility of this plain is mostly because of the Huang He (Yellow River). The Huang He used to regularly flood over its banks, often destroying crops. This river is sometimes referred to as “China’s Sorrow. ”

China’s Population To handle the population problem in China, the government instituted a one-child-per-family policy in 1979. Couples that have only one child receive economic and educational benefits, while in cities, couples that have more than one child pay fines. This population control policy has not been as successful as was hoped. Many Chinese babies are put up for adoption.

Yangtze River China’s longest river - 4, 000 miles from the Northwest regions to the East China Sea Poor sewage drains millions of gallons into the river Fertilizer run-off into the river Millions of people use the river to catch fish (most have been contaminated by factory chemicals)

Yangtze River Three Gorges Dam Pros: Provide millions with Hydroelectric power Control flooding in certain areas Cons: Many plants and animals living near the river may face extinction Built on an area prone to Earthquakes!

Summarize… Describe the causes and effects of air pollution and flooding in India and China. Describe the causes and effects of pollution on the Yangtze and Ganges Rivers.