The critical topics of poverty and environmental pollution issues are not only interconnected but also have far-reaching implications for our planet and its inhabitants.

1. -Concept of
Poverty and
Environmental
Pollution-
DSU4622 – Environmental
Communication

2. -CONCEPT OF POVERTY AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION-
The critical topics of poverty and environmental pollution issues are not only
interconnected but also have far-reaching implications for our planet and its inhabitants.
✓Let us begin by understanding the essence of these challenges:
❑Definition of Poverty: Poverty is a multifaceted condition characterized by insufficient
income, limited access to basic necessities, and a lack of opportunities for economic and
social advancement. It affects millions of people worldwide, trapping them in a cycle of
deprivation and vulnerability. Poverty manifests differently across regions, but its impact is
universally felt.
❑Definition of Environmental Pollution: Environmental pollution refers to the contamination
of air, water, soil, and ecosystems due to human activities. It disrupts natural processes,
harms biodiversity, and jeopardizes human health. Pollution takes various forms, including
air pollution from industrial emissions, water pollution from untreated sewage, and soil
contamination from hazardous chemicals.
Introduction:
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4. SEGUE BLUE
Global Prevalence of Poverty and Environmental Pollution
❖ As of 2023, more than 700 million people, or 10% of the global population, still live in
extreme poverty, surviving on less than $1.90 a day. The World Bank data from March 2023
shows that at $3.65, the global poverty headcount ratio increases to 23.6 percent,
representing 28 million more people living in poverty.
❖ Almost all of the global population (99%) breathes air that exceeds WHO guideline limits and
contains high levels of pollutants, with low- and middle-income countries suffering from the
highest exposures5. Global waste is expected to increase to 3.4 billion tons by 2050, and
pollution of all types hinders development outcomes.

5. THE LINK BETWEEN POVERTY AND ENVIRONMENTAL
POLLUTION
Poverty and Overexploitation of Natural Resources:
Poverty often leads to the overexploitation of natural resources. Impoverished
communities, in their struggle for survival, may resort to unsustainable practices such
as deforestation for fuel or farming. This not only results in environmental pollution
through soil erosion and increased carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere but also
leads to a loss of biodiversity.
Examples:
✓ Deforestation: Poor communities may cut down forests for timber, agriculture,
or fuel, leading to habitat loss and soil erosion.
✓ Overfishing: Fishing communities facing poverty may deplete fish stocks,
affecting marine ecosystems.
✓ Mining: Resource extraction can harm ecosystems and water quality.
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6. THE LINK BETWEEN POVERTY AND ENVIRONMENTAL
POLLUTION
Environmental Degradation Exacerbating Poverty:
On the other hand, environmental degradation can further exacerbate poverty.
Pollution can contaminate water sources and agricultural land, reducing the
availability of clean water and productive soil. This can lead to a decrease in
agricultural productivity, thereby affecting the livelihoods of those dependent on it.
Health Impacts:
✓ Pollution-related illnesses (e.g., respiratory diseases from air pollution)
increase healthcare costs and reduce work capacity.
✓ Contaminated water leads to waterborne diseases.
Economic Consequences:
✓ Environmental disasters (e.g., floods, droughts) disproportionately affect
vulnerable populations.
✓ Loss of biodiversity affects livelihoods (e.g., bee pollination for crops).
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7. “QUOTE”
“Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of
charity. It is an act of justice. It is the
protection of a fundamental human
right, the right to dignity and a decent
life. While poverty persists, there is no
true freedom.”
-Nelson Mandela-
‘Quote’

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Case Studies
Poverty and environmental pollution are interconnected issues that affect communities
worldwide. The relationship between these two factors is often cyclical, with poverty
leading to environmental degradation, which in turn exacerbates poverty. Today, we will
explore some real-world examples of this relationship.
Case Study 1: Poverty Leading to Environmental Pollution In many developing countries,
poverty often leads to environmental pollution. For instance, in Nairobi, Kenya, the poorest
communities live in cramped informal settlements, often near rubbish dumps. The huge
smouldering dump site in Dandora, on the eastern outskirts of the city, lies right next to
schools, churches, clinics, and shops. People living in nearby places like Canaan, downwind
of the dump site, face daily exposure to toxic fumes from the dump, affecting their overall
well-being and health, particularly small children.

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Case Studies
Case Study 2: Environmental Pollution Leading to Poverty Environmental pollution can also
lead to poverty. In Tanzania, electronic waste has become a big business. However, the
country, which has a poverty rate near 70%, has little e-waste management capacity, which
means hazardous materials are regularly disposed of in ways that contaminate
groundwater supplies. This contamination can lead to health issues, reducing the ability of
individuals to work and pushing them further into poverty.
Case Study 3: Deforestation in Developing Countries Deforestation is a significant issue in
many developing countries. For example, in Brazil, large stretches of the Amazon rainforest
have been cut down. This deforestation often occurs due to the economic needs of
impoverished communities. However, it leads to significant environmental damage and can
exacerbate poverty by degrading the land that communities rely on for their livelihoods.

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Case Studies
Conclusion These case studies illustrate the
complex relationship between poverty and
environmental pollution. Addressing these
interconnected issues requires comprehensive,
multi-faceted solutions that consider both the
economic needs of communities and the
necessity of environmental sustainability.
In pictures: Life on Kenya's Dandora
dump near Nairobi
E-waste recycling by DEAN in
Tanzania
Clear-cutting
in the
Amazon
rainforest as
viewed
overhead by
plane

11. “QUOTE”
“Everyone talks about stopping
environmental pollution! As long as
humans exist on earth, it is not possible
to ‘stop’ pollution entirely, but it can be
‘minimized’!”
― Md. Ziaul Haque
‘Quote’

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The Role of Policy
Policies play a crucial role in addressing interconnected issues like poverty and
environmental pollution. They provide a framework for action, guide decision-making
processes, and can help manage complex challenges.
❑ Successful Policies in the Past:
• Integrated Approach: The Poverty-Environment Initiative (PEI) over 16 years on four
continents has introduced approaches to tackle linked problems such as climate,
economic, and nature and poverty crises at the national level.
• Sustainable Practices: Policies promoting sustainable transport, waste management,
buildings, and industry have led to cleaner air in cities. Proper management and
disposal of chemicals and waste, and reduced food losses contribute to sustainable
consumption and production practices.

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The Role of Policy
❑ Future Policies Needed:
• Reassessment of Eradication Methods: Climate change, conflict, and COVID-19 are
forcing a reassessment of how we eradicate poverty while addressing overlapping
planetary emergencies.
• Integrated Policies: The UN Secretary-General has called on governments to advance
concrete, integrated, and targeted policies to eradicate poverty, reduce inequality, and
end the war on nature, with a particular focus on advancing the rights of women and
girls and empowering the most vulnerable.
policies play a vital role in addressing interconnected issues like poverty and
environmental pollution. Successful policies from the past can provide valuable lessons,
and future policies need to adapt to the changing landscape of our interconnected world.

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Conclusion
❖ In conclusion, we have delved into the intricate relationship between
poverty and environmental pollution. We have seen how these two issues
are not isolated, but rather intertwined in a complex web of cause and
effect.
❖ We have explored how poverty often forces individuals and communities
to rely on environmentally harmful practices for survival, leading to
deforestation, overfishing, and pollution. Conversely, environmental
degradation exacerbates poverty by depleting natural resources and
increasing vulnerability to natural disasters.

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Conclusion
❖ It is crucial to understand that poverty and environmental pollution are not
separate issues that can be addressed in isolation. They are deeply
interconnected, and our approach to solving them must also be
interconnected. By addressing these issues together, we can work towards
a future where both people and the planet can thrive.
❖ In the end, the health of our planet and the well-being of its people are
inextricably linked. We cannot hope to eradicate poverty without also
tackling environmental pollution, and vice versa. It is our collective
responsibility to ensure a sustainable and equitable future for all.
Thank you.

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