What are environmental hazards? Provide three examples and five effects on mankind.

a) An environmental hazard is a substance, state, or event that has the potential to threaten the natural environment or adversely affect human health. These hazards can be natural or human-made.

b) Three examples of environmental hazards are:

• Earthquakes
• Floods
• Pollution (e.g., air pollution, water pollution)

c) Five effects of environmental hazards on mankind are:

• Loss of life due to direct impact (e.g., drowning in floods, collapse of buildings in earthquakes).
• Injury and illness from exposure to hazardous substances, contaminated water, or physical trauma.
• Displacement of populations leading to homelessness and refugee crises.
• Economic losses through destruction of infrastructure, property, and agricultural land.
• Disruption of essential services such as water supply, electricity, and communication networks.