Waste Management and Pollution

Understand how rapid global population growth and a widespread increase in the standard of living result in increased resource usage and greater waste production.

Explain that unless waste and chemical materials are properly handled and managed, severe environmental pollution will be caused.

Describe how water pollution can occur due to the release of untreated sewage, agricultural fertiliser runoff, or toxic industrial chemicals.

Describe how air pollution can occur from the widespread release of smoke and acidic gases.

Describe how land pollution can occur from the extensive use of landfill sites and the unregulated dumping of toxic chemicals.

Assess how pollution acts to kill plants and animals, thereby directly contributing to a major reduction in local and global biodiversity.