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Lake Chad, described as a shrunken lake, is now a pale shadow of what it used to be 50 years ago. Discuss factors that have contributed to the shrinking of this lake and ways in which it can be restored, suggest.

a) Climate change and deforestation
b) Over-extraction of water for irrigation
c) Industrial pollution
d) All of the above

1 Answer

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Final answer:

Lake Chad's shrinkage is primarily due to climate change, over-extraction of water for irrigation, and industrial pollution may also influence lake ecosystems. Restoring the lake requires sustainable water management and actions to mitigate climate change.

Step-by-step explanation:

The shrinking of Lake Chad can be attributed to several human-induced factors. Firstly, climate change has resulted in more extreme temperatures and drier regional climates, diminishing the lake's size through increased evaporation. Secondly, the lake has fallen victim to over-extraction of water for irrigation purposes, reducing the inflow necessary to sustain its original breadth. Lastly, while incidents of industrial pollution have also contributed to the degradation of lake ecosystems globally, there is no specific mention of pollution as a significant factor for Lake Chad's shrinkage in the provided material.

To address and potentially reverse the shrinking of Lake Chad, restoration efforts would need to focus on sustainable water management to balance the needs for irrigation with the lake's ecological needs. Additionally, combating the effects of climate change through global cooperative efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions could also contribute to stabilizing and restoring the lake's environment.

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