, IED1501
ASSIGNMENT 4
(PORTFOLIO) 2026
DUE 16 OCTOBER 2026
QUESTION 1
1.1.1 Climate change
Climate change refers to the significant and lasting alteration of the Earth's climate system,
primarily driven by human activities that release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere (Jansen
van Vuuren, 2025). This process involves shifts in temperature patterns, precipitation distribution,
and the frequency of extreme weather events over extended periods. South Africa is particularly
vulnerable to these changes, experiencing disruptions across water resources, agriculture,
biodiversity, and human health systems (Department of Environmental Affairs, 2018).
1.1.2 Biodiversity
Biodiversity encompasses the full variety of life on Earth, including the diversity within species,
between species, and of ecosystems (South African National Biodiversity Institute, 2019). It
represents the natural wealth of living organisms and the ecological complexes they form part of,
ranging from genetic variation to the broad range of ecosystem types found across landscapes and
seascapes. This diversity is essential for maintaining ecosystem functioning and the services that
natural systems provide to humanity.
1.1.3 Land pollution
Land pollution is the degradation of the Earth's surface and soil through the accumulation of
harmful substances, contaminants, or unsustainable practices that diminish the land's capacity to
support life and ecosystem functions (South African National Biodiversity Institute, 2025). It
encompasses soil contamination from chemicals, improper waste disposal, mining activities, and
the physical destruction of land through unsustainable land-use changes such as expanding
settlements and intensive agriculture.
, 1.1.4 Water scarcity
Water scarcity describes the condition where the demand for freshwater exceeds the available
supply within a given region, resulting in insufficient water to meet human and ecological needs
(Department of Water and Sanitation, 2025). It is characterised by physical shortages, where water
resources are inadequate to satisfy all demands, as well as economic scarcity, where the
infrastructure or institutions needed to deliver water are lacking. South Africa is classified among
the thirty most water-scarce nations globally.
1.1.5 Food insecurity
Food insecurity exists when people lack reliable access to sufficient quantities of affordable,
nutritious food necessary for an active and healthy life (Food and Agriculture Organization, 2026). It
encompasses both moderate insecurity, where individuals experience uncertainty about their
ability to obtain food, and severe insecurity, where they have actually run out of food or gone
entire days without eating. This condition is shaped by economic constraints, inadequate
infrastructure, supply chain inefficiencies, and environmental pressures that disrupt food
production and distribution systems.
1.2 Five environmental challenges and their main causes
Climate change is one of the most pressing environmental challenges, and its primary cause is the
emission of greenhouse gases from human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, industrial
processes, and deforestation (Department of Environmental Affairs, 2018). These emissions trap
heat in the atmosphere, leading to rising global temperatures and altered climate patterns.
Biodiversity loss constitutes another significant challenge, driven mainly by habitat destruction
through expanding human settlements and the conversion of natural landscapes to croplands
(South African National Biodiversity Institute, 2025). When natural habitats are lost or fragmented,
species lose the resources and space they need to survive, leading to population declines and
extinctions.
Land pollution represents a third environmental challenge, caused primarily by improper waste
management practices and industrial activities that release contaminants into the soil (South
African National Biodiversity Institute, 2025). Mining operations, informal waste dumping, and
agricultural runoff all contribute to the accumulation of harmful substances in the land.
Water scarcity is a fourth challenge, and its main cause is the combination of increasing demand
from growing populations and economic activities with limited and unevenly distributed freshwater
resources (Department of Water and Sanitation, 2025). South Africa's average per capita water
consumption exceeds international norms while the country remains one of the thirty most
water-scarce nations in the world.
Food insecurity rounds out the list of environmental challenges, caused principally by economic
constraints that limit access to nutritious food rather than absolute shortages in production (Food
and Agriculture Organization, 2026). Rising food prices, inadequate infrastructure, inefficient
markets, and poverty all contribute to people being unable to afford or access sufficient food.
ASSIGNMENT 4
(PORTFOLIO) 2026
DUE 16 OCTOBER 2026
QUESTION 1
1.1.1 Climate change
Climate change refers to the significant and lasting alteration of the Earth's climate system,
primarily driven by human activities that release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere (Jansen
van Vuuren, 2025). This process involves shifts in temperature patterns, precipitation distribution,
and the frequency of extreme weather events over extended periods. South Africa is particularly
vulnerable to these changes, experiencing disruptions across water resources, agriculture,
biodiversity, and human health systems (Department of Environmental Affairs, 2018).
1.1.2 Biodiversity
Biodiversity encompasses the full variety of life on Earth, including the diversity within species,
between species, and of ecosystems (South African National Biodiversity Institute, 2019). It
represents the natural wealth of living organisms and the ecological complexes they form part of,
ranging from genetic variation to the broad range of ecosystem types found across landscapes and
seascapes. This diversity is essential for maintaining ecosystem functioning and the services that
natural systems provide to humanity.
1.1.3 Land pollution
Land pollution is the degradation of the Earth's surface and soil through the accumulation of
harmful substances, contaminants, or unsustainable practices that diminish the land's capacity to
support life and ecosystem functions (South African National Biodiversity Institute, 2025). It
encompasses soil contamination from chemicals, improper waste disposal, mining activities, and
the physical destruction of land through unsustainable land-use changes such as expanding
settlements and intensive agriculture.
, 1.1.4 Water scarcity
Water scarcity describes the condition where the demand for freshwater exceeds the available
supply within a given region, resulting in insufficient water to meet human and ecological needs
(Department of Water and Sanitation, 2025). It is characterised by physical shortages, where water
resources are inadequate to satisfy all demands, as well as economic scarcity, where the
infrastructure or institutions needed to deliver water are lacking. South Africa is classified among
the thirty most water-scarce nations globally.
1.1.5 Food insecurity
Food insecurity exists when people lack reliable access to sufficient quantities of affordable,
nutritious food necessary for an active and healthy life (Food and Agriculture Organization, 2026). It
encompasses both moderate insecurity, where individuals experience uncertainty about their
ability to obtain food, and severe insecurity, where they have actually run out of food or gone
entire days without eating. This condition is shaped by economic constraints, inadequate
infrastructure, supply chain inefficiencies, and environmental pressures that disrupt food
production and distribution systems.
1.2 Five environmental challenges and their main causes
Climate change is one of the most pressing environmental challenges, and its primary cause is the
emission of greenhouse gases from human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, industrial
processes, and deforestation (Department of Environmental Affairs, 2018). These emissions trap
heat in the atmosphere, leading to rising global temperatures and altered climate patterns.
Biodiversity loss constitutes another significant challenge, driven mainly by habitat destruction
through expanding human settlements and the conversion of natural landscapes to croplands
(South African National Biodiversity Institute, 2025). When natural habitats are lost or fragmented,
species lose the resources and space they need to survive, leading to population declines and
extinctions.
Land pollution represents a third environmental challenge, caused primarily by improper waste
management practices and industrial activities that release contaminants into the soil (South
African National Biodiversity Institute, 2025). Mining operations, informal waste dumping, and
agricultural runoff all contribute to the accumulation of harmful substances in the land.
Water scarcity is a fourth challenge, and its main cause is the combination of increasing demand
from growing populations and economic activities with limited and unevenly distributed freshwater
resources (Department of Water and Sanitation, 2025). South Africa's average per capita water
consumption exceeds international norms while the country remains one of the thirty most
water-scarce nations in the world.
Food insecurity rounds out the list of environmental challenges, caused principally by economic
constraints that limit access to nutritious food rather than absolute shortages in production (Food
and Agriculture Organization, 2026). Rising food prices, inadequate infrastructure, inefficient
markets, and poverty all contribute to people being unable to afford or access sufficient food.
