M-Lec 2: G1 - Environmental Threats Part 2

Biodiversity Loss

The decline in the variety of life on Earth which includes species, genes, and ecosystems.

Mining

The process of extracting minerals and natural resources from the earth, such as gold, coal, and copper.

Overpopulation

This is when the population’s size exceeds the carrying capacity of its environment.

Urbanization

Refers to the process where people move from rural areas to urban areas.

Urban Sprawl

A process of urbanization where cities are facing uncontrolled expansion.

Suburbanization

A process of urbanization where residential areas or suburbs, far away from the city, experience growth.

Megacities

Refers to extremely large cities with over 10 million people.

10 million

Amount of population needed to be considered a megacity.

Gentrification

A process of urbanization where old neighborhoods are renewed and upgraded.

Re-urbanization

A process of urbanization where central city areas, after decline, were revived.

Counterurbanization

A process of urbanization where people are moving away from cities and into smaller towns or rural areas.

Waste Disposal

The process of managing and getting rid of waste materials such as household, industrial, and hazardous wastes.

Landfilling

A waste disposal method where wastes are buried in the ground.

Incineration

A waste disposal method where wastes are burned at high temperatures.

Composting

A waste disposal method where organic wastes like food scraps are placed in a compost pit where they undergo natural decomposition.

Prevention

A part of the waste management hierarchy, which is also the most preferred option, is where it avoids making waste in the first place through conscious design, less material use, and only making necessary purchases.

Reuse

A part of waste management hierarchy where before it becomes a waste, it should be repaired, refurbished, or used again for its original or a new purpose.

Recycle

A part of waste management hierarchy where used materials are processed into new products.

Recovery

A part of the waste management hierarchy where they extract value from waste that cannot be reused or recycled, with energy recovery (like converting waste to electricity) and composting as primary methods.

Disposal

A part of the waste management system where trash is safely placed in landfills or other disposal sites.