4. and trade. Refer back to Grade 6 'Why pe copi Discuss decline and/or growth of population of the settlement and suggest reasons. You will need to research this point. You may observe a large number of new buildings in your settlement. This suggests the settlement is growing. A large number of empty buildings would suggest the settlement is declining. Suggest reasons why the population may be growing or declining. 5. Identify and discuss one social or environmental issue. Social issues are about people such as living conditions, unemployment, lack of school and clinics. Environmental issues are about the environment, such as pollution, destruction of woodland, soil erosion and wetland destruction.