What Are the Environmental Effects of Poverty?
Daily life is a harsh struggle for the estimated one of every two people on Earth who try to survive on an income of $1-3 (U.S.) per day. Such acute poverty is related to environmental quality and people’s quality of life because poor people often . Deplete and degrade local forests, soil, grasslands, wildlife, and water supplies for short-term survival. They do not have the luxury of worrying about longterm supplies of natural resources when their daily life is focused on getting enough food and water to survive. . Live in areas with high levels of air and water pollution and with the greatest risk of natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, and volcanic eruptions. Spend an average of 4-6 hours (1) per day searching for and carrying fuelwood and (2) per week drawing and carrying water. . Have many children as a form of economic security. Their children (1) help them grow food, (2) gather fuel (mostly wood and dung), (3) haul drinking water, (4) tend livestock, (5) wo
