IED1501 ASSESSMENT 04 PORTFOLIO 2026
QUESTION 1
Study the relevant sections of your study guide, as well as any other appropriate scholarly
sources, to assist you in answering the questions that follow. In addition, read each question
carefully before responding. Number your answers exactly as the questions.
Use your own words to define the following concepts fully (a single word or phrase will
not be accepted as a definition).
QUESTION 1
1.1 Define the following concepts fully
1.1.1 Climate change
Climate change refers to the long-term changes in the Earth's average weather patterns
and temperatures over many years or decades. It is mainly caused by human activities
that release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, such as burning coal, oil, and gas
for energy. These gases trap heat from the sun, causing the planet to warm up. This
leads to changes like more extreme weather events (floods, droughts, heatwaves),
rising sea levels, and shifting rainfall patterns that affect people, animals, and plants all
over the world (Shava, 2018, Unit 2, Section 2.2.3).
1.1.2 Biodiversity
Biodiversity means the variety of all living things on Earth. This includes the different
species of plants, animals, insects, and microorganisms, as well as the genetic
differences within each species. It also includes the different ecosystems where these
living things are found, such as forests, rivers, wetlands, and oceans. Biodiversity is
important because every living thing plays a role in keeping ecosystems healthy and
balanced. When biodiversity is lost, it affects the ability of nature to provide food, clean
water, and other resources that humans need to survive (Shava, 2018, Unit 2, Section
2.2.2).
,1.1.3 Land pollution
Land pollution is the contamination or damage of the land surface and soil by harmful
substances or waste materials. This happens when people dump garbage, chemicals,
industrial waste, or toxic materials on the ground instead of disposing of them properly.
It also occurs when pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemicals from farming soak into
the soil. Land pollution makes the soil unhealthy and unable to support plant growth,
harms animals that live in the soil, and can pollute underground water sources. It also
makes land unsuitable for farming and can release harmful gases into the air (Shava,
2018, Unit 2, Section 2.2.1.3).
1.1.4 Water scarcity
Water scarcity means that there is not enough clean, fresh water available to meet the
needs of people, animals, and plants in a particular area. This can happen because of
natural reasons, such as low rainfall or droughts, or because of human activities like
pollution, wasteful water use, and poor water management. Water scarcity affects
drinking water supplies, farming (which needs water for crops and livestock), industry,
and the health of ecosystems. It can lead to conflicts over water, food shortages, and
the spread of diseases because people may be forced to use unclean water (Shava,
2018, Unit 2, Section 2.2.5).
1.1.5 Food insecurity
Food insecurity means that people do not have reliable access to enough safe and
nutritious food to lead a healthy and active life. This can be because food is not
available in their area, they cannot afford to buy it, or they do not have the resources to
grow their own food. Food insecurity is caused by factors such as poverty, climate
change (which affects crop production), conflicts, poor farming practices, and unequal
distribution of resources. It leads to hunger, malnutrition, and related health problems,
especially among children and vulnerable communities (Shava, 2018, Unit 2, Section
2.2.4).
, 1.2 List five environmental challenges and state one main cause of each
Environmental Main Cause
Challenge
1. Climate change Burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and gas) for energy, which
releases greenhouse gases (Shava, 2018, Unit 2, Section 2.2.3)
2. Water pollution Industrial waste and sewage being dumped into rivers, lakes,
and oceans without proper treatment (Shava, 2018, Unit 2,
Section 2.2.1.2)
3. Deforestation Cutting down trees for timber, farming, and urban development
(Shava, 2018, Unit 2, Section 2.2.2)
4. Biodiversity Destruction of natural habitats by human activities like
loss agriculture, mining, and urbanization (Shava, 2018, Unit 2,
Section 2.2.2)
5. Land pollution Poor waste management and illegal dumping of garbage and
toxic materials (Shava, 2018, Unit 2, Section 2.2.1.3)
QUESTION 1
Study the relevant sections of your study guide, as well as any other appropriate scholarly
sources, to assist you in answering the questions that follow. In addition, read each question
carefully before responding. Number your answers exactly as the questions.
Use your own words to define the following concepts fully (a single word or phrase will
not be accepted as a definition).
QUESTION 1
1.1 Define the following concepts fully
1.1.1 Climate change
Climate change refers to the long-term changes in the Earth's average weather patterns
and temperatures over many years or decades. It is mainly caused by human activities
that release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, such as burning coal, oil, and gas
for energy. These gases trap heat from the sun, causing the planet to warm up. This
leads to changes like more extreme weather events (floods, droughts, heatwaves),
rising sea levels, and shifting rainfall patterns that affect people, animals, and plants all
over the world (Shava, 2018, Unit 2, Section 2.2.3).
1.1.2 Biodiversity
Biodiversity means the variety of all living things on Earth. This includes the different
species of plants, animals, insects, and microorganisms, as well as the genetic
differences within each species. It also includes the different ecosystems where these
living things are found, such as forests, rivers, wetlands, and oceans. Biodiversity is
important because every living thing plays a role in keeping ecosystems healthy and
balanced. When biodiversity is lost, it affects the ability of nature to provide food, clean
water, and other resources that humans need to survive (Shava, 2018, Unit 2, Section
2.2.2).
,1.1.3 Land pollution
Land pollution is the contamination or damage of the land surface and soil by harmful
substances or waste materials. This happens when people dump garbage, chemicals,
industrial waste, or toxic materials on the ground instead of disposing of them properly.
It also occurs when pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemicals from farming soak into
the soil. Land pollution makes the soil unhealthy and unable to support plant growth,
harms animals that live in the soil, and can pollute underground water sources. It also
makes land unsuitable for farming and can release harmful gases into the air (Shava,
2018, Unit 2, Section 2.2.1.3).
1.1.4 Water scarcity
Water scarcity means that there is not enough clean, fresh water available to meet the
needs of people, animals, and plants in a particular area. This can happen because of
natural reasons, such as low rainfall or droughts, or because of human activities like
pollution, wasteful water use, and poor water management. Water scarcity affects
drinking water supplies, farming (which needs water for crops and livestock), industry,
and the health of ecosystems. It can lead to conflicts over water, food shortages, and
the spread of diseases because people may be forced to use unclean water (Shava,
2018, Unit 2, Section 2.2.5).
1.1.5 Food insecurity
Food insecurity means that people do not have reliable access to enough safe and
nutritious food to lead a healthy and active life. This can be because food is not
available in their area, they cannot afford to buy it, or they do not have the resources to
grow their own food. Food insecurity is caused by factors such as poverty, climate
change (which affects crop production), conflicts, poor farming practices, and unequal
distribution of resources. It leads to hunger, malnutrition, and related health problems,
especially among children and vulnerable communities (Shava, 2018, Unit 2, Section
2.2.4).
, 1.2 List five environmental challenges and state one main cause of each
Environmental Main Cause
Challenge
1. Climate change Burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and gas) for energy, which
releases greenhouse gases (Shava, 2018, Unit 2, Section 2.2.3)
2. Water pollution Industrial waste and sewage being dumped into rivers, lakes,
and oceans without proper treatment (Shava, 2018, Unit 2,
Section 2.2.1.2)
3. Deforestation Cutting down trees for timber, farming, and urban development
(Shava, 2018, Unit 2, Section 2.2.2)
4. Biodiversity Destruction of natural habitats by human activities like
loss agriculture, mining, and urbanization (Shava, 2018, Unit 2,
Section 2.2.2)
5. Land pollution Poor waste management and illegal dumping of garbage and
toxic materials (Shava, 2018, Unit 2, Section 2.2.1.3)
