Concepts of Environment and Environmental Geography
1) What is the environment? Why is the environment considered as a system?
Answer: The term 'environment' in a broad sense refers to the surrounding conditions of any organism or community of organisms. Environmental conditions include all the factors on which the position and development of an organism depends. These components can be both national and inorganic Both these types of components interact to create the environment necessary for living things.
The environment is the result of the interaction of countless components. Globally, the environment functions as a vast and complex system. ǀThe term system refers to a particular situation created by interrelated components. ǀThe Earth's ecosystem is formed by the interaction of numerous living and non-living components Includes the place's own environment ǀ
2. Explain the relationship between the Earth's atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere with examples
Answer: The four zones of the Earth's environment - atmosphere, terrestrial, hydrosphere and biosphere - each exist separately but are naturally related to each other
For example: The biosphere includes the parts of the Earth that contain life ie animals and plants ǀ the parts of the Earth that contain life are the land surface, oceans and atmosphere where birds and insects fly ǀ so it can be seen that the biosphere includes all the zones The presence of the ocean (water) is above the land and the atmosphere is above the water and land ǀ the slightest change in water and land can cause radical changes in the atmosphere
3. Briefly write why the environment is not the same in all regions of the world.
Answer: Although the environments of different regions of the world are interrelated, each region has its own properties or characteristics due to geographical reasons. The properties of natural materials are not the same everywhere in the world. Soil, water, temperature, organisms, etc. vary from region to region. Similarly, the natural environment of a place is determined by various factors such as location on the surface, topography, distance from sea, altitude, climate, flora, wildlife etc. ǀ these factors vary from region to region ǀ for example The equatorial regions are warm because the Sun's heat falls vertically ǀ while the two poles are cool because the Sun's heat falls obliquely
4) Define environmental geography ǀ
Answer: Environmental geography is the branch of geography that studies the changes and problems of the Earth's environment and tries to find solutions to them
5. Discuss the importance of environmental geography as a branch of geography
Answer: Recently, our world is facing various environmental problems. Rapid population growth and the expansion of urbanization and industrialization on the one hand and the dramatic development of human lifestyles on the other have naturally put pressure on the Earth's environment. This includes the unprecedented expansion of transportation, efforts to extract resources from all sources, modernization of agriculture, expansion of markets, widespread use of mineral fuels in industry and vehicles and many socio-economic development processes. These processes have led to environmental problems like deforestation, biodiversity shrinkage, global warming, desertification, soil, water and air pollution etc. ǀ these problems are difficult to study with traditional concepts, techniques, methods etc ǀ Geographers are therefore trying to apply new ideas and technologies to study these problems scientifically ǀ For this purpose, a new discipline called Environmental Geography has been developed within the framework of the study of geography for the special study of environmental problems ǀ
6. Give an overview of the purpose and scope of study of environmental geography.
Answer: Environmental geography studies the creation, nature and changes of the environment in different regions focusing on humans and human activities ǀ Environmental geography can discuss the extent and causes of deforestation in a region, where and how disasters like floods ,landslides etc. occur, where and how pollution destroys the environment ǀ Natural Environmental geography is also the subject of environmental geographical studies ǀ the study of the historical development of the environment, population growth and its relationship with the environment, natural disasters and their management, the relationship of the environment with economy and culture
Environmental science involves every branch of science to a greater or lesser extent ǀ the study of environmental science covers many subjects related to chemistry, geology, biology, physics, climatology, geography ǀ
7. What is meant by environmental components? Write the meaning of organic and inorganic components.
Answer: The meaning and scope of environment is quite broad ǀ the components of the environment include all the land, water, atmosphere and biosphere ǀ the countless components of the environment are bound together by a complex interrelationship of all these zones ǀ
Biological components: Biological components include the biosphere ǀ ranging from various species of plants and microorganisms to large animals ǀ such as animals, plants, etc. ǀ
Non-living material: All non-living components of the land, water, atmosphere are inorganic components ǀ such as soil, water, air, various metals, etc.
8. 8. Fill in the accompanying list by dividing the following components into two categories - organic and inorganic ǀ
Ingredients - sand, beads, bacteria, phytoplankton (Phyloplankton), grass ,rain, humidity (humidiy)., soil, water,forest , pests,viruses. Coal ,mineral oil,mangroves, solar energy.
Answer:
9) What is environmental problem?
Answer: Environmental problems are adverse effects on the environment caused by various natural or man-made factors
10. State the reasons why the world's environmental problems are increasing
Answer: At the beginning of human civilization, people did not suffer from environmental problems as they do today. However, the Earth has been exposed to natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, cyclones, floods, and severe seas for centuries. However, the root causes of environmental problems nowadays are rapid population growth, massive resource acquisition, massive application of system technology in production, increase in vehicles, urban expansion, etc. ǀ
11. What is meant by environmental equilibrium?
Answer: Environmental balance is maintained only when the various elements available in the environment are in certain proportions ǀ An imbalance is created when the amount of these elements is too high or too high for natural or man-made reasons The presence of oxide gases can create an unbalanced state in the atmosphere ǀ
12. Deforestation is the cause of many problems and the result of many developments-Analyze the statement logically ǀ
Answer: One of the major environmental problems in the world is deforestation ǀ this process of deforestation is called deforestation ǀ the main cause of deforestation is industrial development and rapid development of human lifestyle ǀ To set up an industry or factory in a city or town, the forests are first cleared ǀ this destroys the available vegetation and shelter for animals and birds in the area ǀ deforestation also affects soil quality ie soil degradation ǀ it also affects the climate of the area There are adverse effects ǀ so it can be said that while deforestation has paved the way for development on the one hand ,it has also created new problems on the other ǀ
13. What is global warming? State the main reasons for this ǀ
Answer: Global warming is the phenomenon of atmospheric warming caused by human activities against nature
The main reasons for this are:
1) Extensive use of vehicles and widespread use of fossil fuels
2) Promotion of industrial industry
3) Fires caused by forest fires or accidents
4) Deforestation for urbanization
5) The use of air conditioners, refrigerators, etc. is increasing at an increasing rate
14. Give an overview of the problems that can arise from global warming ǀ
Answer: The problems that can arise from global warming are:
1) Global warming will have a direct impact on agriculture ǀ crop production will decline and regions will suffer from famine in places
2) Global warming will also have a direct impact on vegetation ǀ the current distribution of plants on the surface will change significantly ǀ vegetation will decrease especially in areas along deserts and forest areas will be converted to grasslands ǀ similarly melting glaciers in mountainous areas The existing appearance of the plant will change ǀ
3) As the Earth's surface temperature rises for various reasons, the ice sheets in the polar regions are melting and sea levels are rising ǀ this is likely to flood many marine islands, coral islands and bay islands ǀ
4) Climate will change ǀ new places may be affected by excessive rainfall or drought ǀ
5) Climate change will cause changes in diet, habitat etc. of animals in forest areas ǀ animals that cannot adapt to frequently changing conditions will become extinct ǀ
6) Viral and bacterial diseases (malaria,dengue, esophagus ) will increase ǀ new diseases will appear ǀ
15. Briefly write about the duties of human beings in controlling global warming
Answer: The duties of human beings in controlling global warming are:
1) Vehicles should be used in limited ǀ they should be inspected by appropriate departments to prevent pollution caused by vehicles ǀ
2) Minimize the use of air conditioners, refrigerators, etc. ǀ
3) The afforestation process must be supported by private or public tree planting ǀ
4) Environmental pollution laws should be strictly enforced in the country or state
5) Awareness meetings on environmental pollution should be conducted in other social institutions including schools, colleges etc. to make the younger generation aware of this issue ǀ
16. Name the greenhouse gases.
Answer: Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, chlorofluorocarbons etc. ǀ
17. What is air pollution? What are the causes of air pollution?
Answer: Air pollution is when a pollutant or gas mixes with the air and changes its natural properties ǀ the pollutants or gases in the air cannot be absorbed by natural processes ǀ they gradually poison the air ǀ
The causes of air pollution are:
1) Expansion of industrial industry
2) Urbanization
3) Extensive use of vehicles and widespread use of fossil fuels
4) Application of nuclear energy,
5) Deforestation
6) Forest fires
7) Various unconsidered activities of people such as dumping garbage in open places, defecating in open places, smoking cigarettes etc. ǀ
18. Write down the problems that air pollution can cause
Answer: The problems caused by air pollution are:
1) Air pollution is increasing human health problems ǀ respiratory diseases (asthma, bronchitis, lung cancer, heart attack), skin diseases etc. are slowly increasing ǀ
2) Air pollution causes acid rain ǀThe presence of excessive amounts of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide in the air causes acid rain ǀ Acid rain destroys vegetation, farms and also destroys the water of canals and lakes
3) Earth's surface temperature is rising due to increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere for various reasons ǀ with the melting of polar ice and sea level rise ǀ
4) The ozone layer in the atmosphere benefits life by blocking ultraviolet rays from the Sun ǀ this ozone layer is gradually weakening due to air pollution ǀ
5) In winter, fog formed by the combination of smoke and dust causes various road accidents ǀ
19. How is water polluted? Briefly write about the damage that can be caused by water pollution ǀ
Answer: The causes of water pollution are:
1) Industrial wastes
2) Agriculture where chemical fertilizers and pesticides are applied
3) Mineral discoveries
4) Disposal of waste materials
5) Unplanned construction without adequate urbanization and garbage disposal
6) Pollution from vehicles (especially pollution caused by oil tanker accidents at sea)
7) If radioactive substances are mixed with water
8) Water pollution occurs when sulfur dioxide accumulated in the atmosphere falls in the form of rain
The damages that can be caused by water pollution are:
1) When the water of a river is polluted, the inhabitants of the valley suffer from problems like food, drinking water and livelihood etc. ǀ
2) Wastes and chemicals discharged from industries and waste from large constructions in urban areas mainly pollute the water of nearby lakes, canals or rivers.
3) Water pollution causes diseases in humans ǀ
4) Water pollution reduces soil fertility ǀ
5) Waste discharges from large industries have increased the acidity of the fresh water in the surrounding reservoirs ǀ making them unfit for human consumption ǀ Many aquatic plants and animals are becoming extinct with the increase in acidity in the water ǀ
20. Explain the steps that people can take to solve environmental problems
answer- The steps that people can take to solve environmental problems are:
1) Private or public tree planting shall support the afforestation process ǀ
2) Measures shall be taken to inspect vehicles by appropriate departments to prevent pollution caused by them ǀ
3) Smoke and waste disposal from small and large coal plants should be reduced ǀ
4. Conduct awareness meetings on environmental pollution in other social institutions including schools, colleges etc. to make the younger generation aware of this issue ǀ
5) Laws and regulations related to environmental pollution should be strictly enforced in the country or state ǀ
6) There is a need to intervene in illegal land mining in the mountains
7) Forests with rare wildlife and plants should be conserved ǀ
8) The use of very high intensity microphones, sound systems and motor horns shall be avoided to prevent noise pollution
9) Keeping sewers clean and prohibiting littering ǀ
10. Organic fertilizers and pesticides should be applied instead of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in the fields
Editing By:- Lipi Medhi
