EDU - 11
DEVELOPMENTAL PERSPECTIVES
OF EDUCATION.
UNIT 3
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS AND IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
Concept and components of
Environment Natural and Manmade Environment Environmental resources- types
Biodiversity-types and significance
Environmental
education-concept and importance Need of incorporating EE at various
levels-Primary, Secondary and Tertiary level. Objectives and Principles of EE
Human interventions, its
impact on Environment and measures of Environmental protection Deforestation,
Quarrying and Mining, Destruction of mangroves, sacred groves and wetlands,
Population Explosion, Pollution types, causes and effects.
Depletion of Biodiversity,
Extinction of species- Climate change, water scarcity, loss of arable soil, global
warming, ozone depletion, greenhouse effect.
Waste management, wildlife
and forest conservation, water conservation, green culture, alternative sources
of energy, organic farming, vermi composting.
3. B) Education for sustainable development-
Concept
and significance
Sustainable practices and
role of students. Role of Governmental agencies and NGO s in
environmental protection.
Environmental laws and
rights- Air act, Water act, Wildlife Protection act, Forest Conservation act ,
Articles 48 A, 51 A(g),
International Protocols- Earth Summit, Kyoto
Protocol, Montreal Protocol, Stockholm Conference.
CONCEPT AND COMPONENTS OF ENVIRONMENT
v Meaning and Definition
The term environment has
been derived from a French word “Environia” means to surround.
It refers to both
abiotic (physical or non-living) and biotic (living) environment. The word
environment means surroundings in which organisms live.
Environment is the sum
total of physical, biological and cultural elements which are interlinked both
individually and collectively. It influences the growth and development of
living forms.
Definitions of Environment
1. According to P.
Gisbert “Environment is anything immediately surrounding an object and exerting
a direct influence on it.”
2. According to E. J.
Ross “Environment is an external force which influences us.”
Thus, environment refers
to anything that is immediately surrounding an object and exerting a direct
influence on it.
COMPONENTS OF ENVIRONMENT
Environment mainly
consists of atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere. But it can be
roughly divided into two types such as
(a) Micro environment
Micro environment refers
to the immediate local surrounding of the organism.
(b) Macro environment.
Macro environment refers
to all the physical and biotic conditions that surround the organism
externally.
It can also be divided
into two other types such as
(c) Physical environment
Physical environment
refers to all abiotic factors or conditions like temperature, light, rainfall,
soil, minerals etc. It comprises of atmosphere, lithosphere and hydrosphere.
(e) Manmade
environments
They are artificially made environments made by man resembling
natural environment.
eg: Fish tanks which are created by man and they resemble natural
aquatic reservoirs.
(f) Natural environment
Natural environment refers to the natural biotic and abiotic
components of the environment which are naturally occurring. It includes all vegetation, microorganisms, soil,
rocks, atmosphere and natural phenomena.
For example : Pond , Lake , grassland , etc
Based on the source of origin,
state of development and the renewability of the resources we can classify
natural resources.
Classification of natural resources based on source of
origin
Biotic environment.
Biotic environment includes
all living forms like plants, animals, micro organisms. It also includes fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum which are formed from organic
matter that has decayed.
Abiotic environment:
These
resources come from non-living and non-organic material. Examples of these
resources include land, fresh water, air, and heavy metals (gold, iron, copper,
silver, etc.)
Classification of natural resources based on source of
state of development
Potential resources
These are
resources that exist in a region and may be used in the future.
For
example, if a country has petroleum in sedimentary rocks, it is a potential
resource until it is actually drilled out of the rock and put to use.
Actual resources
These are
resources currently surveyed. Their quantity, quality and the development is
dependent on technology.
Reserve resources
This is the
part of an actual resource that can be developed profitably in the future.
Stock resources
These are
resources that have been surveyed, but cannot be used due a lack of technology.
An example of a stock resource is hydrogen.
Classification of natural resources based on their
renewability
Renewable natural resources
These are
resources that can be replenished and are available continuously and their
quantity is not noticeably affected by human consumption.
Eg.
sunlight, air, and wind .
Non-renewable natural resources
These
resources form extremely slowly in the environment. A resource is considered to
be non-renewable when their rate of consumption exceeds the rate of recovery.
eg minerals
and fossil fuels.
Biodiversity
The term
biodiversity was coined as a contraction of biological diversity by E.O. Wilson
in 1985. Biodiversity may be defined as the variety and variability of living
organisms and the ecological complexes in which they exist.
In other
words, biodiversity is the occurrence of different types of ecosystems,
different species of organisms adapted to different climates, environments
along with their interactions and processes.
Types of Biodiversity
1.
Genetic diversity
It
describes the variation in the number and types of genes as well as chromosomes
present in different species.
Genetic
diversity has the following importance:
(i) It helps in speciation or evolution of new
species
(ii) It is useful in
adaptation to changes in environmental conditions
(iii) It is important for
agricultural productivity and development.
2.
Species diversity
It
describes the variety in the number and richness of the species with in a
region. The species richness depends largely on climatic conditions.
3.
Ecosystem diversity
It
describes the assemblage and interaction of species living together and the
physical environment in a given area. It relates to varieties of habitats,
biotic communities, ecological processes in biosphere. It also tells about the
diversity within the ecosystem. It is referred as Land escape diversity because
it includes placement and size of various ecosystems.
Eg, the
landscapes like grass lands, deserts, mountains etc. show ecosystem diversity.
Importance of Biodiversity:
1. Productive values
Biodiversity produces a
number of products harvested from nature and sold in commercial markets. So it
provides economic benefits to people
2. Consumptive value:
The consumptive value can be
assigned to goods such as fuel woods, leaves, forest products etc.
3. Social value:
The loss of biodiversity
directly influences the social life of the country possibly through influencing
ecosystem functions (energy flow and biogeochemical cycle). This can be easily
understood by observing detrimental effects of global warming and acid rain
which cause an unfavorable alteration in logical processes.
4. Aesthetic value:
The earth’s natural beauty
with its colour and hues, thick forest, and graceful beasts have aesthetic
values. Also refreshing fragrance of the flowers, taste of berries, melodious
songs of birds, etc. compel the human beings to preserve them. Similarly
botanical and zoological gardens are the means of biodiversity conservation and
are of aesthetic values.
5. Legal values:
All living organisms have
equal right to coexist on the surface of earth with all benefits. Unless some
legal value is attached to biodiversity, it will not be possible to protect the
rapid extinction of species.
6. Ethical value
It should be prime
responsibility and moral obligation of man to preserve and conserve other
organisms which will directly or indirectly favour the existence of the man.
7. Ecological value:
Biodiversity holds great
ecological value because it is indispensable to maintain the ecological
balance, otherwise will lead to severe problems, which may threaten the
survival of human beings.
8. Economic value:
Biodiversity has great
economic value because economic development depends upon efficient and economic
management of biotic resources.
Uses of Biodiversity:
(i) It provides food of all types.
(ii) It provides fibres,
sources for the preparation of clothes.
(iii) It provides different
types of oil seeds for the preparation of oils.
(iv) It provides new
varieties of rice, potato etc. through the process of hybridization.
(v) It provides different
drugs and medicines which are based on different plant products.
(vi) It is very essential
for natural pest control, maintenance of population of various species,
pollination by insects and birds, nutrient cycling, conservation and
purification of water, formation of soil etc.
Threats to Biodiversity
The different factors responsible for causing threat to biodiversity
1. Habitat destruction
Due to the large industrial
and commercial activities associated with agriculture, irrigation, construction
of dams, mining, fishing etc leads to habitat destruction.
2. Habitat fragmentation:
With increased population,
the habitats are fragmented into pieces by roads, fields, canals, power lines,
towns etc. The isolated fragment of habitats restricts the potential of species
for dispersal and colonization. Also it brings microclimatic changes in light, temperature, wind etc.
3. Pollution
It includes air pollution,
water pollution, industrial pollution, pollution due to chemical wastes,
pesticides, radioactive materials etc. Pollution of air, water and soil has a
direct or indirect impact on the human, animal and plant life. Pollutants like
pesticides, radioactive material, SO2, oxides of nitrogen, heavy metals,
chlorofluorocarbon, chlorofluoromethane, silt and sewage etc., have become a
cause for elimination many sensitive life forms
4. Over exploitation:
The natural resources are
over exploited to meet growing rural poverty, intensive technological growth
and globalization of economy. All these factors together may be responsible for
the extinction of a number of species.
5. Introduction of exotic species
The introduction of exotic species are due to
(i) horticulture
(ii) agriculture;
(iii) European colonisation
and
(iv) accidental transport.
Some exotic species may kill
or eat the native species thereby causing its extinction.
6. Diseases
Since the animals are more
vulnerable to infection, the anthropological activities may increase the
incidence of diseases in wild species, leading to their extinction.
7. Shifting or Jhum cultivation:
The shifting or Jhum
cultivation by poor tribal people greatly affects the forest structure which is
a store house of biodiversity.
8. Poaching of wild life:
A number of wildlife species
are becoming extinct due to poaching and hunting.
9. Natural Calamities: Fire, landslides, soil
erosion, wind, etc., occur erratically in the forested zone of the Highlands of
the State. They act as driving forces to devastate the biodiversity and disturb
the environment of the region.
10. Urbanization: It refers to the process of increased
concentration of human population in large cities. Increased human population
has put a great strain on agricultural land and forest. Clearing of forests and
conversion of agricultural lands for human habituation has a direct impact on
biodiversity as it destroys natural habitat eliminating important plant and
animal species
11. Acidification of Soil and Water: It refers to decrease
in pH of soil and water. Generally most of the soil and water are found to be
slightly alkaline or neutral. Human activities like excessive use of nitrogen based
chemical fertilizers, acid rain due to SO2 and Oxides of Nitrogen pollution
cause acidification of soil and water. Many plant and animal species are
sensitive to acidic condition and such species are eliminated from the habitat
causing biodiversity depletion
12. Mining Activity: Mining is the process of excavating
non-renewable resources like coal and minerals from the earth. Surface mining
or Open pit mining activity has direct impact on the fauna and flora of the
area and also causes environmental pollution. Also to store mined material and
to dump the residue left after extracting the ore requires huge land area. Thus
mining has a worst impact on the environment and it biodiversity.
13. Desertification: Desertification is the process leading to desert
formation. Deforestation and overgrazing brings about marked changes in the
climate of the area like changes in rainfall, temperature and wind velocity
causing soil erosion and increased dust particles in the atmosphere. This
causes desertification. As a result critical habitat for fauna and flora will
be lost
14. Loss of Arable land: The loss of arable land has been caused by a
number of factors, many or most of which are tied to human development. The
primary causes are deforestation, overexploitation for fuelwood, overgrazing,
agricultural activities and industrialization.
Conservation of Biodiversity
Biodiversity
is being depleted by the loss of habitat, fragmentation of habitat, over
exploitation of resources, human sponsored ecosystems, climatic changes,
pollution invasive exotic spices, diseases, shifting cultivation, poaching of
wild life etc.
Human being
should prevent the degradation and destruction of the habitats thereby
maintaining the biodiversity at its optimum level. Conservation of biodiversity
is protection, upliftment and scientific management of biodiversity so that it
gives maximum benefits for the present generation and to meet the needs of the
future generations.
Conservation
of biodiversity has three basic objectives
(a) To maintain essential
ecological processes and life supporting systems.
(b) To preserve the
diversity of species.
(c) To make sustainable
utilisation of species and ecosystems.
Strategies for Conservation of
Biodiversity:
(1) All the possible varieties (old or new) of
food and timber plants, live stock, agriculture animals and microbes should be
conserved.
(2) All the economically
important organisms in protected areas should be identified and conserved.
(3) Critical habitats for
each species should be identified and safeguarded.
(4) Priority should be given
to preserve unique ecosystems.
(5) There should be
sustainable utilisation of resources.
(6) International trade in
wild life should be highly regulated.
(7) The poaching and hunting
of wildlife should be prevented as far as practicable.
(8) Care should be taken for
the development of reserves and protected areas.
(9) Efforts should be made
to reduce the level of pollutants in the environment.
(10) Public awareness should
be created regarding biodiversity and its importance for the living organisms.
(11) Priority should be
given in wildlife conservation programme to endangered species over vulnerable
species and to vulnerable species over rare species.
(12) The habitats of
migratory birds should be protected by bilateral and multilateral agreement.
(13) The over exploitation
of useful products of wild life should be prevented.
(14) The useful animals,
plants and their wild relatives should be protected both in their natural
habitat (in-situ) and in zoological botanical gardens (ex-situ)
(15) Efforts should be made
for setting up of National parks and wild life sanctuaries to safeguard the
genetic diversity and their continuing evolution.
(16) Environmental laws
should be strictly followed.
Conservation Methods
There are
two types of conservation methods namely in-situ and ex-situ conservations.
(a) In situ conservation
The
conservation of species in their natural habitat or natural ecosystem is known
as in situ conservation. It is a cheap and convenient way of conserving
biological diversity and can preserve large number of organisms which are known
and unknown to us. It helps to adjust
with different environmental conditions and to evolve into a better life form.
The
protection and management of biodiversity through in situ conservation involve
certain specific areas known as protected areas which include national parks,
Sanctuaries and Biosphere reserves.
(b) Ex-situ conservation:
Ex-situ
conservation involves maintenance and breeding of endangered plants and animals
under partially or wholly controlled conditions in specific areas like zoo,
gardens, nurseries etc. That is, the conservation of selected plants and
animals in selected areas outside their natural habitat is known as ex-situ
conservation.
Some
important areas under these conservation are:
(i) Seed gene bank,
(ii) Field gene bank;
(iii) Botanical gardens;
(iv) Zoos.
Environmental
education-concept and importance. Need of incorporating EE at various
levels-Primary, Secondary and Tertiary level. Objectives and Principles of EE
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION-CONCEPT AND IMPORTANCE
“Environmental education provides important opportunities for students
to become engaged in real world issues that transcend classroom walls. They can
see the relevance of their classroom studies to the complex environmental
issues confronting our planet and they can acquire the skills they’ll need to
be creative problem solvers and powerful advocates.”
— Ms. Campbell, California’s Superintendent
of San Mateo County Schools
Environmental Education is a holistic, lifelong learning
process which creates responsible
individuals who explore and identify environmental issues, engage in problem
solving, and take action effectively to improve the environment.
Environmental
Education can be taught formally, informally and through various non-formal education programs
such as experiential outdoor education, workshops, outreach programs and
community education.
Environmental
Education develops problem-solving and investigation skills in children.
Qualified environmental educators should work in the field, conducting
programs, involving and collaborating with local communities, and using
strategies to link the environmental awareness, building skills, and
responsible action.
The education system in India had incorporated
certain aspects of environment in school curricula as early as 1930. The
Kothari commission (1964-66) also suggested that basic education had to offer
EE and relate it to the life needs and aspirations of the people and the nation.
At the primary stage, the report recommended
that " the aims of teaching science in the primary schools should be to
develop proper understanding of the main facts, concepts, principles and
processes in physical and biological environment”
Environmental education is an essential part of
every pupil's learning. It helps to encourage awareness of the environment,
leading to informed concern for active participation in resolving environmental
problems. It was introduced without any delay from class –1 as EVS, as a
subject so that right from their childhood, the right attitudes towards
environment will be nurtured in the young minds.
IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
- Breaking Indoor Habit.
- Improving Student Health.
- Supporting STEM. EE offers an engaging platform for gaining and
applying knowledge and skills in science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics (STEM).
- Meeting 21st Century Needs.
- Cultivating Leadership Qualities. Improving Focus and Cognition.
- Creating
Enthusiastic Students.
- Fostering
Innovative Teacher-Leaders.
- Saving Schools Money.
- Fostering Healthier Schools.
- Supporting Sound Decision-Making.
- Contributing to Sustainability.
- Conserving our Natural Resources.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES FOR
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
·
The environment as a common heritage of mankind.
·
The common duty of maintaining, protecting & improving the
quality of environment, as a contribution to the protection of human health and
safeguarding the ecological balance
·
The need for a prudent and rational utilization of resources
·
The way in which each individual can contribute to the protection
of environment;
·
To improve management of environment and provide satisfactory
solutions to environmental issues.
·
Provide opportunities to acquire the knowledge, values, attitudes,
commitment and skills needed to protect and improve the environment.
·
Encourage pupils to examine and interpret the environment from a
variety of perspectives-physical, geographical, biological, sociological,
economic, political, technological, historical, esthetic and
ethical.
·
Arouse pupil's awareness and curiosity about the environment and
encourage active participation in resolving environmental problems.
·
Environmental education is closely linked to the other cross
circular themes of other subject areas.
·
Appreciations of care and concern for environment.
·
Concern for other living things on earth.
·
Independent thought on environmental issues.
·
Respect for others opinion.
·
Respect for rational argument and evidence.
·
Tolerance to face others views.
Thus Environmental education can be thought of
as comprising three linked components:
- Education
about the environments (Knowledge).
- Education
for the environment (Values, Attitudes & Positive actions).
- Education
through the environment (A Resource).
Environmental knowledge contributes to an
understanding and appreciation of the society, technology and productivity and
conservation of natural and cultural resources of their own environment. It can
solve the societal needs, the needs of a community problem and their solutions
and workforce for tackling cooperative minds. So we need the school children to
share and develop the motivation from school about various environmental
issues, which are the challenges of today and prepare them for the future.
Environmental education becomes a major part of
EE in both primary and upper primary stages of school education.
The components of
environmental education objectives are:
·
Awareness—to help social
groups and individuals acquire an awareness and sensitivity to the total
environment and its allied problems.
·
Knowledge—to help social
groups and individuals gain a variety of experience in, and acquire a basic
understanding of, the environment and its associated problems.
·
Attitudes—to help social
groups and individuals acquire a set of values and feelings of concern for the
environment and the motivation for actively participating in environmental
improvement and protection.
·
Skills—to help social groups
and individuals acquire the skills for identifying and solving environmental
problems.
·
Participation—to provide
social groups and individuals with an opportunity to be actively involved at
all levels in working toward resolution of environmental problems.
Human interventions, its
impact on Environment
1. Overpopulation
Overpopulation results when mortality rates have
decreased, medicine has improved, and methods of industrial farming were
introduced, thus keeping humans alive for much longer and increasing the total
population.
The effects of overpopulation are problems in
space, so cutting of trees, damaging eco systems, increase in CO₂ levels, reducation of
coal and fossil fuels for energy.
2. Pollution
3. Global Warming
Humans are consistently increasing CO₂ levels globally due to
burning fossil fuels and deforestation. The increase of CO₂ emissions has
contributed to the planet's average temperature
increasing almost a whole degree. As the Temperature increases,
arctic land ice and glaciers melt which causes the ocean levels to rise at a
rate of 3.42mm per year.
4. Climate Change
Climate changes due to industrial and
technological development. As global temperatures increases, Earth's weather
patterns will drastically change. The increase will impact weather patterns,
promising more intense hurricanes in both size and frequency, as well as intensifying and prolonging droughts and heat waves. But
air pollution does not just affect the environment.
5. Genetic
Modification
6. Ocean
Acidification
Ocean acidification is caused when CO₂ dissolves into the
ocean bonding with sea water creating carbonic acid. The acid reduces the pH
levels in the water. The acidity depletes the calcium concentrations, making it
difficult for crustaceans to build their shell, leaving them vulnerable without
their armor. Coral reefs are home to 25% of aquatic life, many of which are responsible for
the natural filtration of
the ocean and production of necessary nutrients that are vital for life under
the sea. However, acidification is not the only watery threat as there are
other human activities causing severe changes.
7. Deforestation
Forests are cleared to make way for new
humans, is a major threat to the survival of animals and others which becomes a
big conservation issue. It also increases the greenhouse gases within the
atmosphere which leads to further global warming. Such human activities need to
stop if we wish to survive.
8. Acid Rain
When humans burn coal, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released
into the atmosphere where they rise up and accumulate in the clouds until the
clouds become saturated and rain as acid, causing burns. It is harmful to lakes
and small bodies of water. The ground surrounding the water soaks up the acid,
depleting the soil of essential nutrients. Trees that absorb the acid
accumulate toxins that damage leaves and
slowly kills large areas of forest.
Acid rain has also been known to
completely eliminate entire
species of fish, causing a snowball effect of damage to the
ecosystem that relies on diverse organisms to sustain the environment.
9. Ozone Depletion
The ozone layer is renowned for its ability to
absorb harmful UV rays that would otherwise be detrimental to the health of all
walks of life. Without an ozone layer, walking outside would be unbearable.
10. Reduction and fragmentation of
habitats and landscapes
The expansion of humans
activities into the natural environment, manifested by urbanisation,
recreation, industrialisation, and agriculture, results in increasing
uniformity in landscapes and consequential reduction, disappearance,
fragmentation or isolation of habitats and landscapes.
11. Loss of Species of Fauna and Flora
Modern agriculture is responsible for the loss of much
wildlife and their habitats and fragmentation of habitats and wildlife
populations. The drainage of wetlands, the destruction of hedgerows and the
intensive use of fertilizers and pesticides can all pose a threat to wildlife.
13. Energy
The sustainability of the natural environment will be
improved as trends away from damaging energy uses and extractive methods reduce
and whilst real cost market forces and the polluter pays principle take
effect.
Almost all forms of industry have an impact on the natural
environment and its sustainability. The impact varies at different stages in
the life cycle of a product, depending upon the raw materials used through to
the final end use of the product for waste residue, re-use or recycling.
Industrial accidents and war damage to industrial plants can also endanger the
natural environment.
some forms of tourism can be extremely detrimental to
ecologically sensitive areas, resulting in habitat degeneration or destruction,
in the disturbance or hunting even rare or threatened species.
16.Transport and
Infrastructure
Transport is perhaps the major contributor to pollution in
the world today, particularly global environmental issues such as the
greenhouse effect. The key impacts of transportation include fragmentation of
habitats and species and genetic populations, disruption of migration and
traffic mortalities to wildlife.
17.Land Degradation
Deforestation occurs when humans clear forests
to use the land either for agriculture or for habitation. Consequently, forest
cover dwindles significantly, leading to soil erosion and extinction of plant
species. Land animals also decline in numbers and even face extinction due to
human expansion that encroaches on their natural habitat and limits their
ability to spread geographically.
18. Air Pollution
One of the biggest environmental impacts of
human activities is air quality. The transportation sector, industry etc causes
an imbalance in the quality and composition of air. Some air pollutants deplete
the ozone layer and expose the Earth to dangerous radiation from the sun.
19. Water Contamination
Human intervention in the environment also
jeopardizes the supply and flow of clean drinking water. Activities like waste
disposal from residential, commercial and industrial areas, oil spills and
runoff from agriculture all contaminate bodies of water. The direct deposit of pollutants
into lakes, rivers, seas and streams and indirect runoff of hazardous
substances during the rainy seasons both impact water sources. Another
environmental issue impacting water systems is overfishing, which causes a
reduction in diversity of marine life.
Deforestation
Deforestation means unwanted cutting of trees including repeated lopping,
felling, removal of forest litter, browsing, grazing and trampling of
seedlings. It results mainly from
1)
shifting cultivation
2) development projects
3) demand for fuel wood
4) demand for wood for industry and for commercial
purposes
5) other causes.
1)Shifting cultivation
In this practice a patch of land is cleared, vegetation is burned and the ash
is mixed with the soil thus adding nutrients to the soil. This patch of land is
used for raising crops for 2 to 3 years, and this yield is modest. In India it
is widely practiced in North Eastern and in Andaman Nicobar islands.
2) Development projects
The use of science and technology support the process of development at a rapid
rate. Development projects like the hydroelectric projects, large dams and
reservoirs, laying down Railway lines and roads etc results in deforestation
effects
3) Demand for fuel wood
The increasing demand for fuel wood results in deforestation. Increasing
demand for firewood from forest which is used for lighting, cooking or heating
purposes pressures on the forests increased intensity of deforestation.
4) Raw materials
Raw materials used in making boxes, crates, packing cases, paper etc also
demands deforestation. Since large number of industries dependent on forests,
thoughtless and unrestricted exploitation of forest for raw materials results
in degradation of the forest ecosystem.
5) Other causes
·
Natural enemies like
termites, pests and several kinds of diseases affect the forests adversely.
·
Due to floods and fires.
·
Overgrazing and Agriculture
·
Deforestation and
overgrazing
·
Rate of water infiltration
is proportionally related to grazing intensity. Water infiltration is low in
heavily grazed areas and high in lightly grazed areas. Heavily grazed areas
also have high rates of runoff.
·
Changes in environment
caused by man
·
cultivating the land
intensely without proper soil management, leads to problems like soil erosion,
desertification and depletion of plant nutrient.
·
Irrigation without
sufficient drainage leads to excessive accumulation of water (water logging) or
salts (salinization), rise in water table in the soil, ultimately leading to
the degradation of quality of soil.
·
Indiscriminate use of
agrochemicals - fertilizers and pesticides
·
Mining
Effects of deforestation
1.
Soil erosion
2.
Water Cycle
3.
Loss of Biodiversity
4. Climate Change
Plants absorb Carbon Dioxide CO2 from the atmosphere and
gives off Oxygen. Destroying the forests mean CO2 will remain in the atmosphere
and in addition, destroyed vegetation will give off more CO2 stored in them as
they decompose. This will alter the climate of that region. Cool climates may
get a lot hotter and hot places may get a lot cooler.
5.
Loss of ecological
balance:
6.
Air pollution:
7.
Water pollution:
8.
Increased
consumption of natural resources:
9.
Production of
waste:
10.
Extinction of
Wildlife:
11.
Habitual
destruction:
12.
Noise pollution:
13.
Radiation
pollution:
14. Soil erosion
How can we preserve forests
1.
laws, rules and
regulations should be there to enforce the preservation of forests.
2.
Make a conscious
effort to share information with others on deforestation and its' effects.
3.
Join organizations,
forest-preservation societies and pressure groups that aim to help preserve the
rest of our natural resources. When more people work together, the impact is
greater.
4.
Reduce the use of
artificial items, recycle more and re-use items.
5.
Wood, paper, plastics
and many other things we use everyday at home can be linked to natural
resources being destroyed. This means that if we all recycle more, there will
be less dependence on the environment (and trees).
Quarrying
It's a process of cutting into rock or ground
to extract stone or other materials.
Quarrying Methods
1.
Excavating
Excavating
stones from earth by Shovels, pick axes, hammers chisels, machinery etc
2.
Wedging
This method
is suitable for quarrying soft stratified rocks. Steel hammers called sledge,
hammers etc split the slab along the line of holes drilled.
3.
Heating
This method
is suitable where only smaller blocks of more or less regular shape are
required. It consists in piling a heap of fuel on a small area of the exposed
face of rock and burning a steady fire for some hours. It results in uneven
expansion because of unequal heating of the two layers and consequent
separation of the upper and lower layers.
4.
Blasting
It is
quarrying stones with explosives. Blasting is to excavate foundations for
buildings road structures in rock works and for tunneling.
Advantages of quarrying:
- enhancing trade
- creating jobs for people around
- creating new habitats
- sometimes new roads are built
- after the removal of extracted
material , the site can be used for leisure and sports activities
Disadvantages of qurraying:
·
air pollution
·
noise pollution
·
destruction of habitats
·
destruction of natural beauty
·
producing waste, creating a menace if not disposed off wisely
·
contamination of water
·
production of bacteria, germs and insects around which can be
harmful for people
·
often leaves an open pit that can become a dumping ground for
others
·
affects the weather of the surrounding
Mangroves and Coral Reefs
The greatest benefit of mangroves
is their ability to reduce storm surge. This benefit is long-term and requires
no maintenance. Mangroves are destroying because of clearing for development,
logging, and shrimp farming.
Coral reefs are lost by mining
sedimentation from agriculture on the upland, bad fishing techniques that kill
corals , sedimentation from nourished beaches and a host of other natural and
global warming-related causes. Mangroves and coral reefs often provide
protection for nearby beaches. Their destruction harms the beach as well.
Importance of Reefs and Mangroves
Mangroves
- The only species
of tree which flourishes in sea water.
- Regenerate quickly
from propagules.
- Provide vital
structure to coastlines, their arching roots trap sediment that would
otherwise be washed back by the waves.
- Act as a barrier
between sea and land, protecting vulnerable coastal communities from the
impact of waves.
- Mangroves and
their root systems provide habitats for; bats, spawning fish, lobsters,
manatees and birds.
Threats to and Mangroves
1.
Mangroves thrive in
brackish, nutrient-rich waters. It purifies the water of silt, human waste and
nutrients
2.
Anthropogenic
Impacts
·
destroyed to make way
for tourist resorts, or cut for firewood.
·
Chemical Pollution
·
Pesticides and
fertilisers used in agricultural development projects
·
Industrial practices
such as mining, dredging and refining all release heavy metals into coastal
waters.
·
Nutrients
Loading/Sewage
The
introduction of organic compounds results in eutrophication and subsequent
oxygen depletion. Europhication is where the nutrient load gets to an extent
that the community becomes dominated by algal/seaweed, exceeding the capacity
to control by grazing organisms. This leads to oxygen and light reduction and
perhaps death of the communities living there.
·
Overfishing
·
Construction
and Sedimentation
·
Mangrove
cutting
·
Rubbish/Litter
·
Tourists
MINING
Mining may
be defined as the removal of minerals and other materials from Earth's crust
for the welfare and prosperity of man. Modern industrial, economic and
commercial activity depends a lot on the exploitation and consumption of
minerals. The recovery of minerals and construction material require removing
the vegetative cover on land with underlying soil mantle and excavating
overlying rock masses
The result
- is
reshaping of the topography,
- generation
of great volumes of debris and
- disruption
of surface and ground water circulations.
- These
further lead to soil erosion,
- increased
incidences of landslides and ultimately Land Degradation.
- affect
ocean ecosystems
Pollution
It is an unconcerned and uncontrolled contamination of
natural resources. Its effects are hazardous for the healthy survival.
Pollution is drastically rising in all the countries associated with
modern technology and population growth. Even the daily normal livelihood
requirements are high contributing factors to never ending pollution of all
sorts. Pollution poses health hazards, endangers wild life and makes the planet
unsafe for future human survival.
Types of pollution:
1.
Air pollution: This is a contamination of natural air with dangerous
gases. Many gases like carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, methane
and other harmful gases are emitted from automobiles (powered by petroleum),
industries and sometimes by natural calamities like volcanoes. It is also
caused by emissions from manufacturing industries and power plants, smoking,
natural events such as volcanic eruptions and wildfire, and burning of waste
materials such as wood, rubber and plastics. The common air pollutants include hydrocarbons, volatile organic
compounds (VOCs), dust particles, carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides, particulate
matter, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), and nitrogen oxides. There is some sort of
particulate dust from the chimneys of the factory. This is harmful especially
to the respiratory system are it is directly exposed. This air pollution can be
minimized by filtration of effluents, decrease in use of petroleum related
automobiles and also sufficient growth of trees.
- Water pollution:
After air, water is resource which is highly contaminated. Both drinking
water from rivers, ponds and also sea water are contaminated by discharge
of large amounts of human and industrial wastes. The causes of water pollution
include:
·
The discharge of industrial waste in water bodies
·
Agricultural pollution: practices such as the use of pesticides
and other agrochemicals that get washed into water systems or infiltrate into
groundwater
·
Discharge and dumping of waste materials and home made products
such as plastics and detergents into water bodies
·
Oil spills
·
Natural disasters such as floods and hurricanes that lead to
intermixing of water with dangerous substances on the land
·
Sediments from soil erosion
3.
Land pollution:
It also occurs when people dump chemical products to soils
in the form of herbicides, fertilizers, pesticides, or any other form of the
consumer by-products. Mineral exploitation equally leads to the decline in
quality of the earth’s land surfaces. In this regard, it has grave consequences
for human health, plant life, and soil quality. Acid rain, construction sites, solid waste, mineral
exploitation, agricultural chemicals, and deforestations are the primary causes of land pollution.
- Sound pollution:
Also called as noise pollution is a disturbance of silent
environment with harsh loud noises. Noise pollution is mostly an undesirable
sound or sound which generates horrible discomfort on the ears. It is
measured in decibels (dB) and sound levels beyond 100 dB can cause
permanent hearing loss. The industrial sound limit according to the World
Health Organization (WHO) is 75 dB. In the contemporary society, noise has
become a permanent aspect owing to the daily activities such as
transportation including airports, traffic and railroads, industrial
manufacturing, construction works, and concerts. This
is mostly due to automobile sounds, by the audio systems used for fun
or public speeches, temples, mosques, churches etc. This pollution has
severe impact especially on the old people, small children. Even sound
from industrial sirens, vehicle movements also contribute to this noise
pollution.
5.
Dust pollution: This is pollution where in the contamination is due to
dust particles in air. This can be from soil, roads, farming, and even due
to mining etc. From farms this dust pollution occurs due to pollen grains as a
part of pollination. While on the roads it is due to unclean road over run by
vehicles. This air contamination by dust creates trouble for proper breathing
leading to infections, congestion of breath etc.
6.
Radiation
pollution: This is the pollution due
to abnormal radiation in the environment. This occurs due to use of radioactive
elements from atomic energy stations. From cell and mobile towers, by use
of wireless Internet access modems etc. . Due to its intensity, it can cause
massive human death, cancers, serious lung disease, organ damage, birth defects,
and grave destruction to plant life and animals.
7.
Thermal pollution: This pollution arises due to release of excess heat from
thermal power plants, industries involved in metals molding etc.
The heat is released into the surrounding water rising the temperature of the
locality drastically. This can be especially troublesome water and marine
animals as the heat deprives them of oxygen and also changes the environment
around them.
8.
Light
pollution: Light pollution
effects especially at night as it disturbs the sleep of humans, birds and other
animals. This might sometimes affect the natural body rhythm
or circadian clock. It is believed that light pollution is one of the
causes of obesity, insomnia and other health issues. The types of light pollution
include glare, light trespass, and sky glow. City lighting, advertising and
billboards, and nighttime entertainments are some of the main contributors of
light pollution
9.
Plastic
pollution: The plastic and polythene
due to their ability to withstand decomposition for years together add up to
pollution. Plastic pollution can contribute to air, water and soil pollution.
10. Industrial Pollution
Industrial pollution is the release of wastes and
pollutants generated by industrial activities into the natural environment
including air, water, and land. The pollutants and wastes from industries
encompass air emissions, deposit of used water into water resources, landfill
disposal, and injection of toxic materials underground. Industrial pollution can adversely damage plants, kill
animals, cause ecosystem imbalance, and degrade the quality of life. Leading
industries such as power plants, steel mills, sewage treatment plants, heating
plants, and glass smelting among other production, processing and manufacturing
companies are the contributors to industrial pollution.
EFFECTS OF DEPLETION OF BIODIVERSITY
Extinction of species
Even though
a species is not eliminated from the ecosystem or from the biosphere, its niche
(the role the species play in the ecosystems it inhabits) diminishes as its
numbers fall. If it is suddenly declining in numbers, it may produce
significant changes in the ecosystem’s structure. For example, if trees are cut from forests it eliminates the shading, temperature, and moisture regulation, animal
habitat, and nutrient transport services they provide to the ecosystem.
CLIMATE CHANGE
Climate means the average weather conditions in
an area over a long period of time usually 30 years or longer. It includes
systems in the air, water, land and living organisms. Climate change is the
shift or abnormal change in climate patterns. Ecosystems and biodiversity will
be forced to fluctuate along with the regional climate, and that could harm
many species. Changes in climate can also intensify droughts, decrease water
supply, threaten food security, erode and inundate coastlines, and weaken
natural resilience infrastructure that humans depend on.
1. TEMPERATURE
·
A number of species
cannot control its body temperature when the ambient temperature rises above
30°C. An extended heat could kill off a large part of its population.
·
Warmer sea surface
temperatures causes coral bleaching
·
Predicted changes in
the intensity, frequency and extent of disturbances such as fire, cyclone,
drought and flood will place.
· Heatwaves may affect the biodiversity of marine ecosystems
2. CHANGES IN RAINFALL
·
Predicted decreased
rainfall and consequent lower river flows in both regions would have a major
impact on aquatic biota.
3. INCREASED CO2 AND
PLANT GROWTH
·
causes increased
growth rates in many plant species.
·
‘fertilization’ effect
is matched by increased CO2, adequate soil moisture and
other nutrients.
·
increased concentrations of carbon dioxide
could diminish the nutritional value of foliage.
·
resulted in a decrease
in the ocean’s pH, which in turn affects the rate at which many marine
organisms build skeletons, meaning that reefs damaged by bleaching or other
agents would recover more slowly.
4.
EFFECTS OF WATER AND WATER
SCARCITY
·
show a direct
correlation to the growth rates and persistences of plant species in that
region.
·
have a direct impact
on the soil moisture in an area.
·
changing the dynamics
of the ecosystem as a whole.
·
Plants rely not only
on the total rainfall during the growing season, but also the intensity and
magnitude of each rainfall event.
·
Environment cannot
survive in the absence of water.
GLOBAL WARMING
Global warming is the long-term
heating of Earth’s climate system due to human activities, primarily fossil
fuel burning, which increases heat-trapping greenhouse gas levels in Earth’s
atmosphere. It occurs when carbon dioxide (CO2) and other air pollutants and
greenhouse gases collect in the atmosphere and absorb sunlight and solar
radiation that have bounced off the earth’s surface. These pollutants trap the
heat and cause the planet to get hotter. That's what's known as the greenhouse
effect. Human activities are estimated to have increased Earth’s global average
temperature by about 1 degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit), a number that
is currently increasing by 0.2 degrees Celsius (0.36 degrees Fahrenheit) per
decade.
Natural processes can also
contribute to climate change such as volcanic activity, changes in the Sun’s
energy output, and variations in Earth’s orbit etc
Certain gases in the atmosphere
block heat from escaping. Long-lived gases that remain semi-permanently in the
atmosphere and do not respond physically or chemically to changes in
temperature are described as "forcing" climate change. Gases, such as
water vapor, which respond physically or chemically to changes in temperature
are seen as "feedbacks."
Gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect
- Water vapor. Water vapor increases the possibility of clouds and
precipitation, making these some of the most important feedback mechanisms
to the greenhouse effect.
- Carbon dioxide (CO2). A minor but very important
component of the atmosphere, carbon dioxide is released through natural
processes such as respiration and volcano eruptions and through human
activities such as deforestation, land use changes, and burning fossil
fuels. This is the most important long-lived "forcing" of
climate change.
- Methane. A hydrocarbon gas due to the decomposition of wastes
in landfills, agriculture, rice cultivation, as well as ruminant digestion
and manure management associated with domestic livestock
- Nitrous oxide. Gas produced by soil cultivation practices,
especially the use of commercial and organic fertilizers, fossil fuel
combustion, nitric acid production, and biomass burning.
- Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Of industrial origin used in a number of
applications, but now largely regulated in production and release to the
atmosphere. They are also greenhouse gases.
EFFECTS
·
Earth will become warmer.
·
Warmer conditions will
probably lead to more evaporation and precipitation overall, but individual
regions will vary, some becoming wetter and others dryer.
·
A stronger greenhouse effect
will warm the oceans and partially melt glaciers and other ice, increasing sea
level.
·
Ocean water also will expand
if it warms, contributing further to sea level rise.
·
Higher temperatures and
shifting climate patterns may change the areas where crops grow best and affect
the makeup of natural plant communities.
OZONE DEPLETION
The theory
about ozone depletion was first put forward in 1974 by American scientists
Mario Molina and F. Sherwood Rowland. Ozone
depletion is the
thinning of ozone layer, which is most pronounced in the polar regions,
especially over Arctic and Antarctic
region. It is a major environmental problem because it increases the amount of uv
radiation that reaches Earth’s surface, which increases the rate of skin
cancer, cataract and genetic and immune system damage. Ozone layer is expected to recover over time. Measurements
from satellites, aircraft, ground-based sensors, and other instruments indicate
that ozone decreased globally. The largest decreases in ozone took place in
toward the poles and the smallest decreases occurred in tropical areas. In
addition, atmospheric measurements show that the depletion of the ozone
layer increased the amount of UV radiation reaching Earth’s surface.
This global decrease in stratospheric ozone is well correlated with rising
levels of chlorine and bromine stratosphere from the manufacture and release of
CFCs and other halo carbons from refrigerants and large chillers,
propellants for aerosol cans, blowing agents for making plastic
foams, firefighting agents etc.
