Environmental Science...Chapter 6, Section 5.

Urbanization brings several benefits, including lower birth rates, improved access to healthcare and education, and increased economic feasibility of recycling. As cities become more developed and urbanized, birth rates tend to decrease due to factors such as increased education and access to family planning services. Urban areas also typically have better healthcare facilities and services, leading to improved health outcomes for residents. Similarly, urbanization often leads to better educational opportunities, with more schools and resources available. Lastly, urban areas tend to have more efficient waste management systems, making recycling more economically feasible and sustainable. Therefore, all of the given answers are correct in highlighting the benefits of urbanization.

"Fecal snow" refers to a phenomenon where particles of fecal matter become airborne and mix with snow, creating a contaminated mixture. This is a characteristic of Mexico City due to its high levels of air pollution and inadequate sewage systems. The city's large population and heavy traffic contribute to the release of pollutants, including fecal matter, into the air. These pollutants can then settle on the snowfall, leading to the formation of fecal snow.

As global warming continues, one of the major impacts will be the rise in sea levels. This rise in sea levels will lead to flooding in coastal cities. The melting of glaciers and ice caps due to global warming will contribute to this rise in sea levels. As a result, coastal cities will likely face severe water shortages due to the flooding caused by the rising sea levels. This explanation aligns with the given answer of "flooding as sea levels rise secondary to global warming".

The correct answer is "increasingly, developing." This answer suggests that poverty is becoming more prevalent in developing countries. It implies that as time goes on, poverty is growing and affecting a larger number of people in these nations.

Urban areas generally have higher cloud cover, temperature, fog, and precipitation compared to suburbs and rural areas. This is primarily due to the urban heat island effect, where the concentration of buildings, concrete, and asphalt in cities leads to increased absorption and retention of heat. This results in higher temperatures, greater moisture retention, and increased condensation, leading to more clouds, fog, and precipitation.

A city can be described as a heat island because it tends to have significantly higher temperatures compared to surrounding rural areas. This is primarily due to the abundance of concrete and asphalt, which absorb and retain heat, as well as the lack of vegetation and green spaces. The concentration of human activities, such as industrial processes and transportation, also contributes to the release of heat and pollutants. As a result, cities often experience higher temperatures, especially during the summer, creating an urban heat island effect.

Tokyo in Japan is the correct answer because it is the first hypercity on the planet with a population of 35 million people. The other cities listed have populations below 35 million and therefore do not qualify as hypercities.

Urban populations, although occupying only a small percentage of Earth's land area, consume a significant proportion of its resources. This is due to the concentration of economic activities, infrastructure, and human settlements in urban areas. Urban populations require resources such as energy, water, food, and materials for construction and manufacturing. The high demand for these resources in urban areas leads to a disproportionate consumption compared to their land area. Therefore, it is plausible that urban populations consume 75% of Earth's resources.

Breathing the air of Mexico City is like smoking three packs of cigarettes each day. This comparison suggests that the air pollution in Mexico City is so severe that it has a similar negative impact on one's health as smoking three packs of cigarettes daily. The high levels of pollutants in the air can lead to various respiratory and cardiovascular problems, similar to the harmful effects of smoking.

The concentration of the U.S. population into urban areas has helped protect the country's biodiversity by reducing the destruction and degradation of wildlife habitats. As people live in more defined and smaller areas, there is less encroachment on natural habitats, allowing wildlife to thrive. This concentration also leads to less urban sprawl, which further minimizes habitat destruction. Therefore, the concentration of the population into urban areas has a positive effect on natural resources by preserving biodiversity.

All of these factors can be said to favor urban sprawl. Cheap gasoline encourages people to rely on cars for transportation, leading to the expansion of cities. Affordable land allows for the development of suburbs and the spread of urban areas. Increased prosperity often leads to a higher demand for housing and amenities, resulting in the expansion of cities. Poor urban planning can also contribute to urban sprawl by allowing for unplanned and uncontrolled development. Therefore, all of these factors can contribute to the phenomenon of urban sprawl.

The correct answer is "caused by both immigration and natural increase." Urban growth in developing countries is not solely due to natural increase (population growth) but also immigration (people moving from rural areas to urban areas). Both factors contribute to the increase in urban population in these countries.

The correct answer is "shifted to the south and west". This can be explained by looking at population trends and migration patterns in the United States. Over the years, there has been a noticeable movement of people from the northern and eastern regions towards the southern and western parts of the country. This shift can be attributed to various factors such as job opportunities, climate preferences, and lifestyle choices. Economic growth in the southern and western states, along with the appeal of warmer climates, has attracted many individuals and families to relocate to these regions.