CHapter4: paragraph 4.1

4.1 Setting the scene for the environment
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AardrijkskundeMiddelbare schoolvwoLeerjaar 2

This lesson contains 15 slides, with text slides and 4 videos.

Items in this lesson

4.1 Setting the scene for the environment

Slide 1 - Slide

At the end of this lesson
You will be able to:
  • Define the environment;
  • Explain the links between environment and development.

Slide 2 - Slide

Defining the environment
The environment = our surroundings.
  • Natural environment = Living, non-living things that occur naturally on the Earth.
  • Built environment = Landscapes constructed by human beings.

Environmental problem = Negative effects of human activities on the environment. Three causes: Population growth, globalisation and increased prosperity.

Slide 3 - Slide

Environmental problems
We distinguish three types of environmental problems:
  1. Pollution = Introducing harmful substances into the environment.
  2. Depletion (uitputting) = Using natural resources more quickly than they are replenished.
  3. Degradation = decrease in size, quality and diversity of the natural landscape.

In paragraph 4.2 we will look at examples for each of them.

Slide 4 - Slide

Development and the environment
More economic activity (high GDP per capita) = more environmental issues.
In chapter 1 you learned about the supply chain:
MEDCs: design process + sale of products.
NIC: production process. 
  • Main reason: NICs have fewer laws protecting the environment.
  • Positive aspects: Jobs and income for the NIC’s population. 
  • Negative aspect: factories cause environmental problems.


Slide 5 - Slide

Development and the environment
Increase of development and welfare levels lead to more awareness of environmental problems.

More protest amongst inhabitants and (environmental) NGOs. 
After a turning point, environmental problems will decrease, because of stricter regulation. This process is described in the environmental Kuznets curve, as you can see in the figure on the right.

Slide 6 - Slide

Another way to look at the relationship between the environment and development is by using the ecological footprint. 

Slide 7 - Slide

Slide 8 - Video

Solutions to environmental problems: sustainable development
Sustainable development
= A development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs, 2015) were created by the United Nations.
Goals that relate directly to the environment include:
  • Goal 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy
  • Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
  • Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

Slide 9 - Slide

Slide 10 - Video

Historic environmental problems
In the past, several societies collapsed as a result of environmental problems. They do no longer exist.

Watch the National Geographic video clip about the Anasazi, a native American people in Southwest Colorado.

Also read the text in your textbook (part G).


Slide 11 - Slide

To do
Exercises 6 to 12 + mindmap on page 147.

Done? Watch the films at the end of this lessonup.

Go ahead and do paragraph 4.2 exercise 1 to 10 + mindmap Questions? Write them down. This is homework for  the10th of march

Slide 12 - Slide

Slide 13 - Video

Slide 14 - Video

Ruins of some of the impressive buildings constructed by the Anasazi culture in present day Colorado (USA).

Slide 15 - Slide