Chapter 6

social issues and the environment

1. Understanding what sustainable development means?

Answer:  According to Bartland, sustainable development is "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs .

            Again, according to the Commission on Environment and Development, sustainable development is a process of change that balances resource acquisition, investment volume, direction of technological advances and institutional change between present needs and a secure future.

2. What are renewable and non-renewable energy sources? Give examples.

Renewable  energy sources are solar energy, wind energy, hydropower , geothermal energy, marine thermal energy, tidal energy, gas biodegradation energy, biofuels, hydrogen etc. These energies can be used over and over again. These are obsolete and alternative sources of energy .

       Non-renewable sources include fossil fuels, nuclear fuels such as uranium, thorium, etc. Once these energy reserves are exhausted, they cannot be easily replaced. They have been used as conventional energy sources to meet the energy demands of human society .

3. What is energy conservation? Mention some of the measures taken to conserve energy.

Answer:  Energy conservation means taking measures to reduce energy consumption. Nowadays, the rate of energy consumption is considered to be the barometer of civilization. The energy potential of a country is directly related to the economic growth and development of the country.

            Some of the measures taken to conserve energy are:

        (a) Use of renewable energy resources like solar energy, wind energy, biogas etc. instead of fossil fuels like petroleum, coal, natural gas, uranium and non-renewable energy resources.

            (b) Invention of more efficient technologies that can conserve energy significantly.

        (c) Unnecessary use of electricity should be prohibited. Street lights should be turned off early in the morning.

            (d) Consumers can reduce energy consumption in various household activities.

        (e) Industries should develop technical strategies for proper utilization of their raw materials.

4. The What is rainwater harvesting? What is the purpose of rainwater harvesting?

Answer:  Rainwater harvesting or harvesting is  the storage and storage of rainwater from the roofs and concrete yards of houses made of concrete or tin etc. which also increases groundwater. Groundwater quantity is increased through construction of special bases used to catch rainwater like wells, pits, lagoons, check dams etc Nowadays, rainwater harvesting systems are increasing in urban as well as rural areas to alleviate water shortages during dry seasons  .

    The objectives of rainwater harvesting are: 

  • Reduce fall damage

  • meeting the increasing demand for water

  • reducing pressure on groundwater

  • Enhance groundwater quality by processes that recombine water.

5. What are the advantages of rainwater harvesting?

Answer:  The advantages of rainwater harvesting are:

  • This system allows for the construction of a water source wherever required.

  • This system is inexpensive and every household can easily take the simple step required to reuse rainwater.

  • Chemicals like fluoride, arsenic, iron etc. are not present in rainwater.

  • Since groundwater problems are now serious in many cities around the world, the use of rainwater in domestic and other areas reduces the pressure on groundwater

  • It serves as an essential reservoir in times of emergency and when the public water supply system is malfunctioning or fails.

  • The rainwater harvesting system is simple and the common man can easily learn technical techniques like storing rainwater, constructing a storage tank etc. at low cost.

6. How can health be affected by the environment?

Answer:  According to the World Health Organization, health is a complete state of physical, mental and social well-being of a person. People's health is affected by their environment. Drinking water supply is essential for health, a fundamental human right and a component of effective health plans.  More than 80 per cent of diseases in India including typhoid, cholera, hepatitis, polio, gastroenteritis, amoebiasis, giardiasis etc. are waterborne The most common and most common waterborne disease is microbial infections. Many toxic chemicals, pesticides, heavy elements are mixed in water and soil in various ways. These substances enter the human body through the food chain and have adverse effects on the body.

            Again, different industries and transport systems release different gases into the atmosphere. Some of these gases (such as sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide, hydrocarbons and airborne dust particles) cause health damage in different ways at different stages. Solid waste destroys air, water and soil quality. This poses a threat to health and the environment. Houses and gardens in poor dirty conditions also cause serious health damage. This means that health can be affected in different ways by the environment.

7. Explain the statement "Population explosion is the main cause of environmental degradation"

Answer:

8. What are the major greenhouse gases? What is the greenhouse effect?

Answer:  The major greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, chlorofluorocarbons, water vapor and ozone.

9. What is global warming? List some of the consequences of global warming.

Answer:  Global warming is the phenomenon of greenhouse gases creating a layer and increasing temperature.

        Some of the consequences of global warming are:

    (a) The average surface temperature is about 15°C. This temperature is optimal for a variety of organisms.

  (b) Climate change will occur. There will be thunderstorms and snowfall in various places. In addition, floods will weaken the agricultural economy.

    (c) The polar regions will be more affected and their ice will melt (within the next 30 to 40 years). The lowlands will be flooded. 

    (d) Human health will deteriorate. In a warm environment, bacteria will multiply rapidly and new diseases will develop. etc.

10. What is acid rain?

Answer:  Oxides of sulfur and nitrogen produced by industrial activities and combustion of fossil fuels are the main sources of acids formed from atmospheric gases. When the wind blows the oxides of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen in different directions, they come into contact with water vapor to form tiny particles of sulfuric acid, nitric acid, sulphate and nitrate. These chemicals descend to the surface in the form of dry and dry matter. The mixture formed in this whole process is called acid rain.