Page 111 - Computer - 10(A&B)

Urban Challenge R
Rapid Fireapid Fire
Today almost half of the world’s population lives in urban communities. Population Is it possible to
pressure has resulted in inadequate urban infrastructure and services. The most serious reverse the adverse
effects of salinisation
problems are unemployment, poor housing conditions, and environmentally and socially and alkalisation of
related health concerns. soil?

Energy

The global energy consumption has been increasing day by day. The most used energy sources for commercial
energy production and consumption are the fossil fuels. The renewable energy amounts to only 21% of the total
energy consumed worldwide. Solar, wind, geothermal, and alternative energy sources, such as ethanol have
found only limited, small-scale use.

The dependence on fossil fuels has resulted in three major problems:
v emission of carbon dioxide or Greenhouse Effect
v urban air pollution and acidification
v depletion of resources
Nuclear power also causes problems like health risks to workers and to the community; and risk of catastrophic
accidents.

Industry
Industrialisation brings economic growth, but also leads to a shift in population from rural to urban areas and
escalating pollution of air, sea, land and rivers.

The ability of developing countries to deal with such problems as the disposal of hazardous wastes and industrial
pollution has not been as great as in the industrialised nations due to cost, trade, and technological inequalities
between countries.

Species and Ecosystems
The depletion of the gene pool in various ecosystems has serious implications for the global economy since
a substantial proportion of the production of medicines and drugs depends on species found in the tropical
forests.

Space Junk
The increasing amount of space ‘junk’ is a pollution problem that has been largely overlooked. It indicates the
need for international agreements on the issue. Management of outer space by the 1967 Outer Space Treaty has
not been endorsed by all nations.

Environmental Degradation

Environmental degradation caused by factors such as over-exploitation of the land, drought, and global climatic
changes leads to deepening poverty and famine, which in turn contribute to social unrest and conflict.

Conflict and War

The threat of nuclear war presents us with the possibility of unprecedented global ecosystem destruction.
Excessive military expenditure diverts funds from the urgent environmental problems facing developing
nations.

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