 Introduction to World Problems Poverty People who live in poverty are poor. They don't have the money they need to live. Across the world, many people live in poverty. Environment The environment is the world around us. Nature is part of our environment. People today are concerned about preserving the natural environment for future generations. Government A government is a group of people that make decisions for a city, state, country, or other area. In the United States, we elect our government. Pollution Pollution is the contamination of the natural environment. There are many types of pollution. Air and water pollution affect the environment. Immigration Immigration is the act of moving from one country to another. People who immigrate may do so because of pollution or other problems in their country. Population The number of people who live in a certain place is its population. Population growth can have a negative effect on the environment. Literacy The ability to read and write is called literacy. Literacy helps people to achieve their goals and participate in society. It helps people understand the world they live in. Natural disaster A natural disaster is an event that happens due to an extreme change in the natural environment. Hurricanes, floods, and tsunamis are examples of natural disasters. Homelessness Not having a place to live is called homelessness. Homelessness is a worldwide problem. Governments in most countries provide services to help homeless people. Natural resources Natural resources are things that exist in nature. Trees, water, and oil are examples of natural resources. The End