NAME: BRIAN OWOUR ONYANGO

REG NO: DLIS/527J/2023

COURSE: ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY

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TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF MOMBASA ---- BRIAN---- DLIS/527J/2023
QUESTION 1
FIVE TYPES OF ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
1. Chemical Hazards: These arises from exposure to a large variety of chemical
substance.
2. Biological hazards: refers the presences of harmful biological agents such as
bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi.
3. Physical hazards: these are natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods and wildfire.
4. Radiological hazards: it involves the exposure to ionizing radiation e.g., radioactive
water.
5. Climate hazards: include the impact of climate change such as rising of temperature.

QUESTION 2
FIVE EMERGING ISSUES IN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
1. New Diseases: The emergence and spread of new infectious diseases, such as
zoonotic diseases (those transmitted between animals and humans), pose significant
threats to public health. Factors contributing to their emergence include habitat
destruction, wildlife trade, climate change, and increased global travel and
urbanization. Examples include Ebola, Zika virus, and COVID-19.

2. Climate Change Health Impacts: Climate change is altering weather patterns,

increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, and contributing to
rising global temperatures. This leads to a range of health impacts, including heat-
related illnesses, respiratory problems from air pollution.

3. Microplastics Pollution: Microplastics are tiny plastic particles less than 5

millimeters in size, which are pervasive in the environment, including water bodies,
soil, and even the air. These particles can be ingested by marine life, animals, and
humans, potentially leading to health risks such as inflammation, organ damage, and
the transfer of harmful chemicals.

4. Exposures to chemicals: There is growing concern about exposure to a wide range of

chemicals in the environment, including industrial chemicals, pesticides, heavy
metals, and pharmaceuticals. Many of these substances have been linked to adverse
health effects such as cancer, reproductive disorders, neurological problems, and
endocrine disruption.

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TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF MOMBASA ---- BRIAN---- DLIS/527J/2023
 5. Environmental Justice: Environmental justice focuses on the disproportionate
burden of environmental hazards and pollution on marginalized communities,
including low-income neighborhoods and minority populations.

QUESTION 3
AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT IN ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY
1. Basic Environmental Concepts: Ensuring individuals have a solid understanding of
fundamental environmental concepts such as biodiversity, ecosystems, climate
change, and the interconnectedness of human activities with the environment.

2. Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills: Empowering individuals to critically

analyze environmental issues, evaluate scientific evidence, and develop innovative
solutions to complex environmental challenges.

3. Awareness of Global Environmental Issues: Increasing awareness of global

environmental issues such as climate change, deforestation, biodiversity loss, water
scarcity, and pollution, and understanding their interconnectedness and global
implications.

4. Cultural and Ethical Considerations: Recognizing the cultural diversity of

perspectives on the environment and fostering ethical values such as stewardship,
responsibility, and equity in relation to the environment.

5. Media Literacy: Developing skills to critically evaluate environmental information

and media coverage, discerning between credible sources and misinformation, and
understanding the role of media in shaping public perceptions of environmental
issues.

QUESTION 4
GOALS OF ENVIRONMENTAL LITRACY
1. Develop Empathy for All Forms of Life
Recognize that all organisms, including humans, require essential resources like food, water,
and space to survive.
Understand the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the importance of maintaining dynamic
equilibrium.

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TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF MOMBASA ---- BRIAN---- DLIS/527J/2023
2. Embrace Sustainability as a Community Practice
Realize that organisms do not exist in isolation; they depend on each other and their
environment.
Promote sustainable practices that balance human needs with ecological well-being.
3. Make the Invisible Visible
Explore hidden environmental processes and systems.
Understand how human actions impact natural cycles, such as the carbon and water cycles.
4. Anticipate Unintended Consequences
Consider the long-term effects of decisions and actions.
Recognize that environmental changes can have ripple effects across ecosystems.
5. Understand How Nature Sustains Life
One should Learn about ecological principles, such as biodiversity, energy flow, and nutrient
cycling and appreciate the value of natural resources and the need for conservation.

QUESTION 5
FIVE WAYS OF SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
1. Source Reduction: Also known as waste prevention or waste minimization, this
approach focuses on reducing the amount of waste generated at its source. It involves
promoting practices such as product redesign, packaging reduction, and encouraging
the use of reusable items.
2. Recycling and Composting: Recycling involves the collection, sorting, and
processing of materials like paper, glass, metal, and plastic to manufacture new
products.
3. Waste to energy: Waste-to-energy facilities combust solid waste to generate
electricity or heat. This method reduces the volume of waste and can provide a source
of renewable energy.
4. Landfilling: Landfills are engineered sites designed to contain and isolate waste from
the surrounding environment.
5. Waste Segregation and Disposal: Proper waste segregation at the source is essential
for efficient waste management. Segregation involves separating waste into different
categories such as recyclables, organic waste, hazardous waste, and
non-recyclable/non-biodegradable waste

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TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF MOMBASA ---- BRIAN---- DLIS/527J/2023
QUESTIONS 6
FIVE FORMS OF ENVIRONMENT POLLUTION
1. Air Pollution: This occurs when harmful substances, such as particulate matter,
sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds, are released into
the atmosphere.
2. Water Pollution: Water pollution involves the contamination of water bodies such as
rivers, lakes, oceans, and groundwater with harmful substances. Common pollutants
include sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff (pesticides and fertilizers), oil
spills, and plastic waste.
3. Soil Pollution: Soil pollution occurs when contaminants are introduced into the soil,
either through direct dumping, agricultural practices, industrial activities, or improper
waste disposal.
4. Noise Pollution: This type of pollution results from excessive noise levels in the
environment, often generated by transportation (road traffic, airplanes, trains),
industrial activities, construction, and recreational activities. Prolonged exposure to
high levels of noise pollution can lead to hearing loss, stress, sleep disturbances, and
adverse effects on wildlife.
5. Plastic Pollution: This form of pollution results from the accumulation of plastic
waste in the environment, particularly in oceans, rivers, and terrestrial ecosystems.
Plastic pollution harms marine life through ingestion and entanglement, disrupts
ecosystems, and poses risks to human health through the ingestion of microplastics in
food and water.

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TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF MOMBASA ---- BRIAN---- DLIS/527J/2023