Week 9 – Jss 1 Third Term Social Studies Lesson Notes

WEEK NINE
TOPIC: ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM
Environmental problem are problem caused by nature and man within our surroundings.
Types of environmental problems

1. Natural environmental problems
2. Man-made environmental problem

    

Natural environmental problem are:

1. Drought: it means absence of rainfall over a long period of time in a particular place.

    

Cause of drought

• Lack of rainfall
• Lack of cloud cover
• Low humidity; sudden changes in the climate of a particular place.

Effects of draught

• It causes streams or rivers to dry.
• It affects human beings and live stock
• It causes food shortage.
• It also have effect on plants

1. Earthquake : it refers to a sudden release of energy in earth crust. This cause a great damage to buildings and other infrastructures.

    Causes of earthquake
   

• It is caused by volcanic activities
• Landslides
• Mine blasts and nuclear tests.

   

1. Cyclone: this is a violence rotating windstorm
2. Hurricane: this is a powerful storm with strong winds and heavy rains.
3. Tornado: This is a violent and rotating column of air in contact with the ground. It is always in form of a narrow funnel.
4. Flooding: this is a situation where a large of water settles on dry land meant for human beings.

    

Causes of flooding

 

• Blockage of drainage and culverts
• Excessive rainfalls
• Erection of building on water channels
• Improper urban planning etc.

   

Effects of flooding

• Disruption of economic activities.
• Dislocation f people.
• Washing away of roads.
• Destruction of lives and properties.
• Spread of water borne diseases.etc.

  Man-made Environmental problems.

1. Air pollution: this is the release of unwanted and dangerous substances like fumes, smoke, and dust into the atmosphere.

    Causes
   

• Dust and soot from industries.
• Release of mist from coal mining and cement factories
• smoke

   Effects
  
   

• Impaired health likes; lung and skin cancer, eyes irritation
• Climatic variation
• Acid rain.

   

1. Water pollution: this is the release of pollutants i.e. chemicals into water-rivers ,oceans , seas etc.

    Causes
   

• Oil spillage
• Discharge of chemicals into water.

   

1. Land pollution: This involves the contamination of land with toxic substances.

    Causes
   
    

• Oil spillage on land

   

1. Deforestation: This is the indiscriminate felling of trees and clearing of vegetation.

    

Effects of Environmental Problems.

• Loss of lives and properties.
• Destruction of animals and plants
• Spread of diseases
• Low agricultural productivity etc.

Solutions to environmental problems

• Education: government should educate the citizen on the effect of man-made environmental problems such as; air pollution.
• Sanctions: sanctions should be placed on citizens that violate the law of environmental pollution, this will help in controlling man-made environmental problems.
• Tree planting exercise: government should continue tree planting programme and they should also encourage citizen to plant trees.
• Localization of industries: industries should be sited in designated areas for easy monitoring of their activities.
• Proper disposal of wastes and sewage: government should intensify effort to discourage indiscriminate burning and disposal of wastes. A designated site should be provided at a strategic place for dumping of refuses.

EVALUATON:

• What are environmental problems?
• List the types of environmental problems
• State and explain natural environmental problems
• State and explain man-made environmental problems.
• Highlight 5 effects of environmental problems.
• Profound 5 solutions to environmental problems.

   

ASSIGNMENT:

1. State two effect of environmental problems and explain.
2. Profound 3 solutions to environmental problems in Nigeria.