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Telangana TSBIE TS Inter 1st Year Environmental Education Study Material 21st Lesson Global Conferences Sustainable Development Textbook Questions and Answers.

TS Inter 1st Year Environmental Education Study Material 21st Lesson Global Conferences Sustainable Development

Essay Questions

Question 1.
Write an essay an Environmental issues and problems.
Answer:
Environmental issues and problems are being experienced in almost all countries of the world today. However, the intensity of the issues differ from country to country. The intensity depends largely on the size and rate of growth of population, the quality and technologies available to the people, the level of socio-economic development, and environmental awareness. As the effects are being felt across the globe a call for Collective effort by all concerned is the only solution to redress these environmental problems and to protect the planet for future generations. The first such concerted action was initiated by the United Nations Conference in the year 1972.

Stockholm Declaration 1972 :
The first United Nations (UN) conference that focused on international environmental issues was held in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1972. It reflected a growing interest in conservation issues worldwide and laid the foundation for global environmental governance. The final declaration of the Stockholm Conference was an environmental “manifesto that was a forceful statement of the finite nature of Earth’s resources and the necessity for humanity to safeguard them. The Stockholm Conference also led to the creation of the United, Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in December 1972 to co-ordinate global efforts to promote sustainability and safeguard the natural environment.

Documents created during the conference influenced international environmental law; one notable example was the final declaration, which elucidated 26 principles concerning the environment.

The final declaration was a statement of human rights as well as an acknowledgment of the need for environmental protection. The first principle began ‘Man has the fundamental right to freedom, equality and adequate conditions of life, in an environment of a quality that permits a life of dignity and well-being. The need to preserve the environment was not placed in opposition to economic development.

Soon after the Stockholm Declaration, the Indian Government amended the constitution and included Article 48-A and 51A(g)

Brundtland Commission 1983 :
Post Stockholm, concerns for the environment continued to grow. There was widespread deforestation, industrial pollution and environmental degradation. The ozone hole, the warming of the earth, increased carbondioxide in the environment – all added to the growing environmental concerns. A need was felt to link environmental concerns with industrial development and growth.

Accordingly, in 1983 the United Nations established the ‘World Commission on the Environment and Development’ or, as commonly referred, the ‘Brundtland Commission’. The Brundtland Commission Report – ‘Our Common Future‘ in 1987 used the epochal definition of Sustainable Development. It is “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.

Rio Declaration 1992 – Agenda 21 :
Twenty years after Stockholm, the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development was held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The Earth Summit, as it was called adopted the ‘Rio Declaration’. An action plan of 40 chapters called Agenda 21 was adopted by over 100 Nations. Agenda 21 was geared towards achieving Sustainable Development in the 21^st century. The ‘Rio Concept’ can be summarised as :

• Equal consideration of environment, society and economy :
• Inter-generational solidarity keeping in mind the needs of the future generations;
• A global consensus and political commitment at the national and international levels;
• Involvement of the Non-Government Organisations (NGOs);
• Provides a blue print for the governments to attain a balance between the environment and the needs of the population and
• A Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) was established to follow up the Rio agreements, and it monitors the agreements of the Earth Summit at the local, national, regional and international levels.

The Rio Summit Follow up :
The Rio Summit was followed by several other Conferences to focus on Sustainable Development. The focus was on following the path of ‘Sustainable Development’ in all countries in all parts of the ecosystem whether on land, water or air. The effort has also been an all-inclusive development that reaches all sections of the population with a special focus on vulnerable sections like women, children or the marginalised.

A five year review of the progress of the ‘Earth Summit’ was held in 1997 by the United Nations General Assembly. This was followed by a ten year review in 2002 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Millennium Development Goals :
In 2000, the largest-ever gathering of world leaders agreed to a set of time bound and measurable goals for combating poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy, environmental degradation and discrimination against women, to be achieved by 2015.

The Montreal Protocol 1987 is a treaty that focussed on the protection of the ozone layer. It sought to phase out ODSs (Ozone Depleting Substances) which damage the ozone layer. Countries agreed to an accelerated phase out schedule for CFCs (chloro fluorocarbons), used in refrigerants and aerosol sprays, which were largely responsible for the problem. Subsequently in 2001 HCFCs (hydrochloro ftuorocarbons) too were banned or their use sevorely restricted. NASA has reported that the ozonejayerlsrecovering, in part due to reduced, concentrationS’oTCFC’S and other Ozone depleting substances which were phased out under the Montreal Protocol. It is believed that the ozone layer will return to the 1980 levels between 2050 and 2070.

This treaty is regarded as an outstanding example of international co-operation. All 197 member countries of the United Nations have now accepted legally binding obligations to phase out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances.

The Kyoto Protocol 1997 is an international agreement that aims to reduce global warming caused by human activities. It placed restrictions on the amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that are emitted by developed countries. It separated countries into two groups, developed nations and developing nations. Emission limitations were placed only on developed countries. Developed countries agreed to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by about 5% by 2012 based on 1990 levels. It was signed in 1997 and came into force in 2005 after being ratified by 127 countries.

The Kyoto Protocol marked a break from earlier treaties. Earlier treaties had merely suggested that governments should make voluntary efforts to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. The Kyoto Protocol, however, set mandatory limits of greenhouse emissions for nations which signed the accord. However, the US, one of the most polluting countries, has not ratified the agreement. Canada withdrew from the treaty in 2012.

In 2011 climate change negotiations were held in Durban. The outcome was a step forward in establishing an international agreement beyond Kyoto. It was agreed to cut carbon emissions in all countries, including developed countries and several major developing countries.

United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development – or Rio+20 :
The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development or Rio+20 (20 years after the 1972 conference) – took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in June 2012. It resulted in a focused political outcome document, which contains clear and practical measures for implementing sustainable development. The Conference also adopted groundbreaking guidelines on green economy policies.

The Paris Protocol in 2015 marked a significant milestone in the global conferences on climate control. The treaty focuses on the alarming rise in average global temperatures that is taking place as a result of carbon emissions. It is believed that if global temperatures rise by more than 2 degrees Celsius, it will have disastrous consequences for all. All member countries, therefore, have made voluntary pledges to cut carbon emissions. However, it is not legally binding. An agreement to set a goal of limiting global warming to “well below 2°C” was agreed upon. The agreement calls for zero net anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions to be reached during the second half of the 21^st century.

Countries would strive to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C. The 1.5°C goal will require zero emissions sometime between 2030 and 2050, according to scientists,. The landmark treaty has been signed by 196 nations. The Paris Agreement is likely to come into effect by 2020 and will replace the 1997 Kyoto protocol as the new international law for global emissions reduction.

There was a major set back, however, in June 2017. Donald Trump, President of the USA announced that his country was pulling out of the climate agreement. Ironically, that makes the USA the only country in the world which is not party to the treaty.

Nearly fifty years have gone by since the ‘Stockholm Declation of 1972. The world as a whole is committed towards combating hunger, disease, illiteracy, poverty and reducing inequalities. We will succeed in our endeavour only if we practise the principle of Sustainable Development.

Telangana TSBIE TS Inter 1st Year Environmental Education Study Material 20th Lesson Environment Laws and Policies Textbook Questions and Answers.

TS Inter 1st Year Environmental Education Study Material 20th Lesson Environment Laws and Policies

Essay Questions

Question 1.
Define Environmental law of India and explain Environmental laws and its Acts.
Answer:
The environmental law in India has always been quite comprehensive; it includes not only the concept of sustainable development but also air and water pollution, preservation of our forests and wildlife, noise pollution and even the protection of our ancient monuments. Community resources such as tanks, ponds, etc., have now been articulated by the Supreme Court for inclusion in the concept of environment, considering that they affect the quality and enjoyment of our life.

Awareness about the environment and particularly matters relating to pollution has increased with education and public awareness. Modem environmental jurisprudence is a little over three decades old but has made remarkable strides in achieving the objectives of protecting the environment.

Most of the laws were codified by the British in the second half of the 19^th century. Legislation which is oriented towards Environment protection includes – The Shore Nuisance Act, 1853, Indian Forests Act, 1865, Wild Birds and Animals Protection Act, 1912, Explosive Substance Act, 1908, the Poison Act, 1919. The objective of these laws was to protect the environment by preventing discharge of polluting substances or by limiting or banning their discharge. The objective was also to . prevent hunting, poaching and felling of trees.

The Stockholm Declaration at the UN Conference on Human Environment and Development held at Stockholm, 1972, had a significant impact on India Environment Law. It is considered the magna carta of Environmental law. 26 principles related to the environment and development were laid down in this conference.

After the Stockholm Conference, 1972, the Government of India brought the 42^nd amendment in the Constitution and incorporated Article 48A and Article 51 A (g).

Constitutional Provisions for Environment Protection :
The ‘Right to Life’ contained in Article-21 of the Constitution of India includes the right to a clean and healthy environment. It means you have the right to live in a clean and healthy environment.

Article – 38 of our Constitution requires the State to ensure a social order for the welfare of people, which can be obtained only by an unpolluted and clean environment.

Article – 48 A comes under part IV of ‘Directive Principles of State Policy’ of the Constitution. It declares The State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and safeguard forests and wildlife of the country.’ It requires the State to adopt a Protectionist policy as well as an Improvinistic Policy. Protectionist policy imposes a ban on those things which lead to environmental degradation, e.g. ban on use of leaded petrol, ban on use of plastic bags. Improvinistic policy refers to alternatives that can be used for improvement of environment, e.g. use of CNG or low sulphur fuel, tree plantation in industrial areas.

Article – 51A (g) of the Indian Constitution says :
‘It shall be the duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life, and to have compassion for living creatures.’ It is listed as a Fundamental Duty of citizens but is not enforceable as a law.

Acts for Environmental Protection :
The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 :
The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was enacted in 1974 to provide for the prevention and control of water pollution, and for maintaining or restoring of wholesomeness of water in the country. This is the first law passed (in India) whose objective is to ensure that domestic and industrial pollutants are not discharged into rivers and lakes without adequate treatment.

The reason is that such a discharge renders the water unsuitable as a source of drinking water as well as for the purposes of irrigation. The discharge adversely affects marine life. In order to achieve its objectives, the Pollution Control Boards at the Central and State levels were created to establish and enforce standards for factories discharging pollutants into water bodies.

What can individuals do to prevent water pollution?

1. Bring to the notice of the authorities concerned issues relating to water pollution. E.g : inform the Pollution Control Board of any offender who is polluting the water and ensure that appropriate action is taken. One can also write to the press.
2. Do not dump wastes into a household or industrial drain which can directly enter any water body, such as a stream, river, pond, lake or the sea.
3. Do not use toilets for flushing down waste items as they do not disappear but reappear at other places and cause water pollution.
4. Use compost instead of chemical fertilizers in gardens.
5. Avoid use of pesticides at home like DDT, melathion and aldrin. Use alternative methods like paste of boric acid mixed with gram flour to kill cockroaches and other insects. Use dried neem leaves to help keep away insects.

The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 :
Was enacted to provide for the prevention, control and abatement of air pollution in India. It is a specialised piece of legislation which was enacted to take appropriate steps for the preservation of natural resources of the earth, which among other things include the preservation of the quality of air and control of air pollution. The prime objectives of the Act are the following : Prevention, control and abatement of air pollution; establishment of central and state pollution control boards to implement the aforesaid purpose; and to maintain the quality of air.

What can an individual do to control air pollution?

1. Bring to notice of the authorities concerned issues relating to air pollution E.g. : Vehicular pollution to the RTO, open biomass burning to local bodies, industrial emissions to the Pollution Control Board.
2. Use cars only when absolutely necessary or share space (car pooling). Walk or cycle as much as possible instead of using fossil fuel powered vehicles.
3. Use public transport as far as possible, as more people can travel in a single large vehicle rather than using multiple
   small vehicles which add to pollution.
4. Do not use air fresheners and other aerosols and sprays which contain CFCs that deplete the ozone layer.
5. Do not smoke in a public place. It is illegal and endangers not only your own health but also that of others.
6. Grow more trees and report to the authorities on cutting down of trees.

The Environment Protection Act, 1986 :
It was the Bhopal Gas Tragedy which spurred the Government of India to enact comprehensive environmental legislation, including rules relating to storing, handling and use of hazardous waste. On the basis of these rules, the Indian Parliament enacted the Environment Protection Act, 1986. This is an umbrella legislation that consolidates the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act’of 1974 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1981. The objective of the Environment Protection Act is to protect and improve the environment in the country.

The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 :
There was no direct provision for ‘noise pollution’ under the Environment Protection Act, 1986 or any other legislation. The increasing ambient noise levels in public places from various sources like industrial activity, generator sets, loud speakers and vehicular horns have harmful effects 6n human health. It was the need of the hour to come out with a law which would regulate and control noise producing sounds with the objective of maintaining the ambient air quality standards in respect of noise.

Therefore, the Central Government framed The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000′. These rules have been laid down by the government to reduce environmental noise pollution. Certain standards, such as the ambient air quality standards, have been set by the government. The permissible levels of noise are differeht for different areas, such as industrial, commercial, residential areas and silence zones (areas within the vicinity of hospitals, educational institutions or courts).

The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1981 :
This Act aims to provide immediate relief to the persons affected by an accident occurring while handling any hazardous substance. It provides that every owner shall take out, before he starts handling any hazardous substance, one or more insurance policies providing for contracts of insurance. The objective of taking insurance is that the compensation resulting from the possible future accident is guaranteed.

The collector of the area has been empowered’to verify the occurrence of any accident at any place within his jurisdiction and also cause publicity to be given for inviting applications from the victims for any compensation. Apart from the insurance contract, the funding for the purpose of compensation is also generated by the Central Government by the establishment of “Environment Relief Fund”. This fund may be utilized by the collector for paying the compensation.

The National Environment Tribunal Act, 1995 :
This Act is aimed to provide for strict liability for damages arising out of any accident occurring while handling any hazardous substance and for the establishment of a National Environment Tribunal for effective and expeditious disposal of cases arising from such accident, with a view to giving relief and compensation for damages to persons, property and the environment and for matters connected with it.

The beauty of this Act lies in the fact that the liability of the owner of hazardous substance has been made strict in case of any accident and the resultant injury to public. In any claim for the compensation, the claimant is not required to plead and establish that the death, injury or damage in respect of which the claim has been made was due to any wrongful act, neglect or default of any person. So, the burden of proof does not rest upon the claimant of compensation which is a big relief for the victims.

Question 2.
Write an essay on Pollution Control Boards.
Answer:
Pollution Control Boards :
Pollution Control Boards are statutory bodies constituted with an objective to protect and promote the atmosphere and to control pollution.

The Central Pollution Control Board :
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), a statutory organisation, was constituted in September, 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 to deal with the rise in pollution. Further, CPCB was entrusted with the powers and functions under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.

Functions of the CPCB :

1. Promote cleanliness of streams and wells in different areas of the states by prevention, control and abatement of water pollution.
2. Improving the quality of air and to prevent, control or abate air pollution in the country.
3. Advise the Central Government on any matter concerning prevention and control of water and air pollution and improvement of the quality of air.
4. Plan and cause to be executed at nation wide programme for the prevention, control or abatement of water and air pollution.
5. Provide technical assistance and guidance to the State Boards, carry out and sponsor investigation and research relating to problems of water and air pollution and for their prevention, control or abatement.
6. Prepare manuals, codes and guidelines relating to treatment and disposal of sewage and trade effluents as well as for stack gas cleaning devices, stacks and ducts.
7. Lay down or modify (in consultation of the State Governments), the standards for streams or wells and lay down standards for the quality of air.

The State Pollution Control Boards :
The State Governments also have their Pollution Control Boards for example, TSPCB (Telangana State Pollution Control Board).

Functions of State Boards :

1. To advise the State Government on matters relating to pollution and on ‘sitting’ of industries; to plan programmes for pollution control;.
2. To collect and disseminate information;
3. To carry out inspection of polluting industries and areas;
4. To lay down effluent and emission standards; and
5. To issue consent to industries and other activities for compliance of prescribed emission and effluent standards.

The Government has made several other rules in the area of the Solid Waste Management which include the Hazardous Waste Management Rules to manage the Hazardous Waste generated from the process; The Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules for safe disposed of the hospital waste; The E-Waste Rules 2016 for the safe disposal of Electrical and Electronic Waste and the Municipal Solid Waste management Rules for disposal of domestic waste. The Construction and Demolition Waste Rules pertain to the managing and recycling of C & D waste generated from construction works.

National Green Tribunal :
A Tribunal is established for the adjudication of disputes related to some specific areas, whereas courts exist for the adjudication of all kinds of disputes regardless of any specific area. Every court is a tribunal but tribunals are not courts. Rules of natural justice ensure fairness in any adjudicatory process. Final judgement of a tribunal is generally called ‘award’.

The National Green Tribunal was established on 18^th October, 2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 for the effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources. It includes enforcement of any legal right relating to the environment and giving relief and compensation for damages to persons and property. It is a specialized body equipped with the necessary expertise to handle environmental disputes involving multidisciplinary issues.

The National Green Tribunal makes efforts for disposal of applications or appeals within six months of filing of the same. New Delhi is the principal place of sitting of the Tribunal Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai are the other four places of sitting of the Tribunal.

Issues Involved in Enforcement of Environmental Legislation :
The objective of any Rule or Law is not to impose restrictions on the individual but to ensure the safety of the individual. No rule can be effective unless individuals act in consciousness of the fact that Rules are guidelines for safe living and are made by ourselves for a better society.

Environmental legislation has envolved to protect our environment as a whole, our health, and the earth’s resources. The presence of legislation to protect the air, water, soil, etc., does not necessarily mean that the problem is addressed. Once legislation is introduced at the global, national or state level, it can be implemented only with the support of individuals. The role of the agencies is mainly to increase awareness about rules.

Role of Citizens and Action Groups :
Citizens must leam to act as watch dogs to protect their environment from the consequences of various types of pollution. Well-informed citizens have not only rights but also duties in this regard. They can join action groups to develop a lobby to strengthen environmental movements in the country, state, town or village. Individuals can take one or several possible actions when they observe offenders who, in their self-interest, damage the environment. An individual has the right to bring an environmental offence or nuisance to the attention of concerned authorities.

The help of NGOs can be sought in this regard. It is possible to move courts by a Public Interest Litigation, and approach even the apex court – the Supreme Court of India. The Supreme Court of India in the recent past has given several highly enlightened pro-conservation judgments. Citizens can also elicit public support through the press and electronic media.

Telangana TSBIE TS Inter 1st Year Environmental Education Study Material 19th Lesson What is Sustainable Development Textbook Questions and Answers.

TS Inter 1st Year Environmental Education Study Material 19th Lesson What is Sustainable Development

Essay Questions

Question 1.
Write an essay an Sustainable Development.
Answer:
Today there is serious concern about the earth’s growing fragility. As global citizens, we must realize that our actions have consequences for the entire world. Economic development cannot be viewed in isolation from social and ecological development. We have to ensure that the path of development that we follow is all-inclusive and in harmony with the environment of the earth. This is possible only if there is co-operation amongst all the people of the world. The ancient sages, in their wisdom, summed up this concept aptly – ‘Vasudhaiva Kutum- bakam’ (The world is a family).

What is Sustainable Development?

In 1987, the Brundtland Commission published a report, Our Common Future, in an effort to link the issues of economic development and environmental stability. In doing so, this report provided the oft-cited definition of sustainable development as “development that present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. The concept of sustainable development aims to maintain economic advancement and progress while protecting the longterm value of the environment.

• Sustainable development calls for concerted efforts towards building an inclusive, sustainable and resilient future for the people and the planet.
• For sustainable development to be achieved, it is crucial to harmonize three core elements : economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection. These elements are interconnected and all are crucial for the wellbeing of individuals and societies.
• Eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions is an indispensable requirement for sustainable development. To this end, there must be promotion of sustainable, inclusive and equitable economic growth, creating greater opportunities for all, reducing inequalities, raising basic standards of living, fostering equitable social development and inclusion, and promoting integrated and sustainable management of natural resources and ecosystems. The diagram at the side illustrates the interaction between the ecology, economy and social (community) development.

Threats to ‘Sustainable Development’:
Economic disparity, social inequality and environmental degradation are threats to sustainability. Some of the causes of unsustainability are as follows :

• increasing human population;
• over-exploitation of resources to meet human needs like fuel, fodder and shelter;
• activities like fishing, agriculture, over use of fresh water, deforestation and industrialization;
• land clearing – it leads to problems like soil degradation, pollution, loss of biodiversity, deforestation, desertification, climate change;
• social degradation due to factors like increasing unemployment, health crisis, armed conflict, urbanization, poverty, income inequity.

The world as a whole is steadfast in its commitment towards achieving a balance between environmental, economic and social development. The agenda of ‘Sustainable Development’ is also an all-inclusive growth. It is a pattern of development that involves all sections of the community – the well off, the poor, men and women.

How can Sustainable Development be implemented?
Sustainable Development is possible if we undertake the following strategies :

• Preservation of biological diversity in terrestrial, fresh water and marine systems;
• Sustainable use of resources and minimising the depletion of resources;
• Caring for the environment;
• Improving the quality of life including social and economic concerns ;
• Conservation of natural capital both for renewable and non-renewable resources;
• Conservation of natural and cultural diversity;
• Limits on natural resource utilisation and assimilation of wastes;
• Efficiency of resource utilisation by all societies;
• Social equity through poverty reduction and gender equity;
• Reduction of emission of greenhouse gases;
• Reduction in use of ozone depleting substances;
• Reduction in air pollution;
• Reduction in use of chemical fertilizers;
• Stopping desertification; and
• Stopping deforestation.

Question 2.
Write an essay on sustainable consumption.
Answer:
Sustainable Development aims to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 global goals set by the United Nations in 2015.

Sustainable Consumption :
The concept of sustainable consumption and production was recognized in the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, adopted in 2002 at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD). It was acknowledged that fundamental changes in the way societies produce and consume are indispensable for achieving global sustainable development.

The 10 – year frame work of programme (10 YFP) on sustainable consumption and production patterns was adopted at the Rio+20 Conference in 2012.

Consumption patterns and expectations are deeply entrenched in most societies and cultures. Industrialized world citizens overall generate three-quarters of other wide ranging pollutants, also toxic chemicals and hazardous wastes. Much the same applies to the depletion of many of the world’s nonrenewable natural resources. Hence, the consumption problem lies primarily with affluent communities, and they bear a responsibility to pioneer a path towards sustainable consumption. This is all the more pertinent in so far as sizable communities in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, as well as in China, India, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, are entering the consumption classes. While poor communities certainly need to increase their consumption, they might consider less wasteful and polluting forms of consumption than those that characterize rich nations.

Sustainable Consumption and Development :
Sustainable Development’ is concerned with the rate of consumption and use of natural resources. The focus is on ensuring that we do not consume the resources at a rate that makes it difficult for us to substitute or replace them. If we use cars then we have to make sure that we use eco-friendly fuel and technology that minimises air pollution. If we use ground water then we also have a responsibility of recharging it through various techniques like rain water harvesting.

‘Sustainable Development’ is thus, responsible development. It is economic development that keeps in mind the needs of the society and environment. It is development that is inclusive development that reaches all sections of society. It is a development that benefits all sections of society and is not at the cost of the earth’s ecology.

Exploitation pressures on natural resources are already unsustainable in several respects apart from global warming. We use over half of available fresh water runoff, an amount projected to rise to three-quarters by 2025 through population growth alone. The number of water-short people today, 550 million, could well soar to 3 billion by 2025. Much the same prospect — reflecting fast-growing consumption in relation to expanding population and environmentally adverse technology — applies to other strategic resource stocks such as topsoil, forests, grasslands, fisheries, biodiversity, climate, and the atmosphere.

Policy Options :
We can increase resource-use efficiency through fewer materials inputs, longer product lifetimes, and waste prevention. We could accomplish much by utilizing technologies already available. With the right incentives, there could even be a fourfold increase in resource productivity. Efficiency enables sufficiency. In particular, we should make use of the “energy source” that is the cheapest, most widely available, and least exploited, namely, efficiency and conservation.

Sustainable consumption and production is about promoting resource and energy efficiency, sustainable infrastructure, and providing access to basic services, green and decent jobs and a better quality of life for all. Its implementation helps to achieve overall development plans, reduce future economic, environmental and social costs, strengthen economic competitiveness and reduce poverty. It involves different stakeholders, including business, consumers, policy makers, researchers, scientists, retailers, media and development co-operation agencies, among others.

It involves engaging consumers through awareness-raising and education on sustainable consumption and lifestyles, providing consumers with adequate information through standards and labels and engaging in sustainable public procurement, among others.

• Each year, an estimated one third of all food produced – equivalent to 1.3 billion tonnes worth around $1 trillion – ends up rotting in the bins of consumers and retailers, or spoiling due to poor transportation and harvesting practices.
• If people worldwide switched to energy efficient light bulbs the world would save US$120 billion annually.
• Should the global populate reach 9.6 billion by 2050, the equivalent of almost three planets could be required to provide the natural resources needed to sustain current lifestyles.

Water :

• Less than 3 percent of the world’s water is fresh (drinkable), of which 2.5 percent is frozen in the Antarctica, Arctic and glaciers. Humanity must therefore, rely on 0.5 percent for all of man’s ecosystem’s and fresh water needs.
• Man is polluting water faster than nature can recycle and purify water in rivers and lakes.
• More than 1 billion people still do not have access to fresh water.
• Excessive use of water contributes to the global water stress.
• Water is free from nature but the infrastructure needed to deliver it is expensive.

Energy :

• Despite technological advances that have promoted energy efficiency gains, energy use in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries will continue to grow another 35 percent by 2020. Commercial and residential energy use is the second most rapidly growing area of global energy use after transport.
• In 2002 the motor vehicle stock in OECD countries was 550 million vehicles (7 percent of which were personal cars). A 32 percent increase in vehicle ownership is expected by 2020. At the same time, motor vehicle kilometers are projected to increase by 40 percent and global air travel is projected to triple in the same period.
• Households consume 29 percent of global energy and consequently contribute to 21 percent of resultant CO₂ emissions.
• In India the motorised transport is increasing uniformly at a Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 10.5% leading to higher impetus on the oil sector.
• One-fifth of the world’s final energy consumption in 2013 was from renewables.

Food :

• While substantial environmental impacts from food occur in the production phase (agriculture, food processing), house-holds influence these impacts through their dietary choices and habits. This consequently affects the environment through food-related energy consumption and waste generation.
• 1.3 billion tonnes of food is wasted every year while almost 1 billion people go undernourished and another 1 billion hungry.
• Over consumption of food is detrimental to our health and the environment.
• 2 billion people globally are overweight or obese.
• Land degradation, declining soil fertility, unsustainable water use, overfishing and marine environment degradation are all lessening the ability of the natural resource base to supply food.
• The food sector accounts for around 30 percent of the world’s total energy consumption and accounts for around 22 percent of total Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Low Carbon Life Styles :
The increased emissions of carbon- dioxide over the last few decades have led to an alarming increase in average global temperatures. This phenomenon is called global warming. If this trend continues, the planet is doomed.

At the individual level, we contribute to the emission of carbon dioxide in almost every activity we perform. Some activities lead to large emissions of carbon, while others do not. Going by plane from Hyderabad to Chennai, for instance, causes much more emission of carbon dioxide than travelling the same distance by bus. Eating a dosa at home causes less emission of carbon dioxide than eating a pizza in a restaurant or even eating the same kind of dosa there. Running an air conditioner causes more carbon dioxide emissions than running a fan.

Every citizen has the responsibility of initiating measures to reduce the impact of his activities on the environment. He should strive to have a ’low carbon footprint’ by reducing his carbon dioxide emissions. A low carbon life saves energy and reduces greenhouse gases.

How to adopt a low carbon life style :

At Home :

• Switch to Energy efficient devices; these can be identified by the rating available on the electrical applicances.
• 5 star rated refrigerators, air conditioners, fans, geysers etc.
• Replacing incandescent bulbs with CFL and LED ones.

Usage of Renewable sources in place of rion-renewable energy sources :

• Solar water heaters, Solar Photo Voltaic energy, and Solar inverters.

Practise Energy Efficiency Measures :

• Switch off the lights and other electrical appliances when not required.
• Use the geyser in quick succession and do not keep it on for long hours.

Vehicles :

• Minimise vehicle usage by walking or cycling.
• Inflate tyres regularly for increased mileage.
• Regular maintenance of the vehicle gives energy efficiency.
• Carpooling and planning your trips will reduce fuel consumption.

In the Kitchen :

• Use fresh, seasonal, locally produced, organic foods.
• Avoid red meat like beef and lamb.
• Cut down on eating at restaurants.
• Reduce food waste
• Use a pressure cooker to cook food
• Soak rice and other ingredients like pulses at least half an hour before cooking.

Water Consumption :

• Harvest Rain Water
• Conserve water by using improved taps and faucets
• The capacity of flush tanks may be reduced and two-stage flush tanks may be used.

Telangana TSBIE TS Inter 1st Year Environmental Education Study Material 18th Lesson Environmental Audit (E.A) Textbook Questions and Answers.

TS Inter 1st Year Environmental Education Study Material 18th Environmental Audit (E.A)

Essay Questions

Question 1.
Write an essay on Environmental Audit.
Answer:
An environment audit is an evaluation of an organization’s environmental controls conducted by an independent third party. It defines the inputs (raw materials, energy) and outputs (waste streams, products, emissions etc.) for the system. This mass balance approach allows the inefficiencies within the system that have environmental impact to be identified.

An environmental audit helps in pollution control, improved production, safety, health and conservation of natural resources. Hence its overall objective can be stated as achievement of sustainable development.

Types of Environmental Audit :
The following are various types of environmental audits practised,

1. Waste audit
2. Energy audit
3. Health and safety audit
4. Compliance audit
5. Management
6. Liabilities definition audit
7. Property transfer audit.

1. Waste audit :
In a waste audit, quantities and types of wastes generated from different sources are identified and the optimum methods to minimize the quantities of wastes are evolved. Waste audit is a technical tool meant for waste reduction from all possible sources. It examines the waste generated by a facility with the objective of identifying viable actions to reuse, recycle or otherwise reduce the quality and toxicity of each waste stream.

2. Energy audit :
In an energy audit, the quantities and types of fuels consumed at different stages are identified and means to minimize consumption to eliminate the losses of fuels are suggested.

3. Health and Safety audit :
It is the collection of independent information on the efficiency, effectiveness and reliability of the total health and safety management system and drawing up plans for corrective action. A safety audit identifies different levels of risk in each work area of an organization. It ensures the continued welfare, health and safety of employees within an organization, via the systematic appraisal of on-site procedures and processes.

4. Compliance audit :
A compliance audit is a comprehensive review of an organization’s adherence to regulatory guidelines. The strength and thoroughness of compliance preparations are reviewed.

5. Management audit :
A management audit is an analysis and assessment of competencies and capabilities of a company’s management to carry out corporate objectives. The purpose of a management audit is not to appraise individual executive performance, but to evaluate the management team in its effectiveness to work in the interests of shareholders, maintain good relations with employees and uphold the reputation of the company.

6. Liabilities definition audit :
It is typically done for prospective buyers of real estate and for proposed mergers and acquisitions. Such audits identify the environmental problems that could reduce the value of a property or expose the buyer to liability.

7. Property Transfer Audit :
Transactions involving real property can convey to the buyer the liabilities associated with contamination present in the soil or groundwater. Lenders of loans, too, place their secured capital at risk if the collateralized property is contaminated.

Telangana TSBIE TS Inter 1st Year Environmental Education Study Material 17th Lesson Pollution Control Textbook Questions and Answers.

TS Inter 1st Year Environmental Education Study Material 17th Pollution Control

Essay Questions

Question 1.
Describe Air pollution control.
Answer:
A number of pollution control technologies have been developed. Pollution is regulated by various environmental agencies that establish limits for the discharge of pollutants. As the cost of pollution control may be prohibitive, attention was drawn towards reuse and recovery of value added products in the design of industrial processes with the objective of eliminating harmful environmental effects while promoting the competitiveness of industries.

Air Pollution Control :
The sources of air pollution include the burning of wood, charcoal and other biomass fuel, industries and vehicles. Air pollution control methodologies includes control of particulate emissions and the control of gaseous emissions. The term ‘particulate’ refers to tiny particles of matter such as smoke, soot and dust that are released during industrial, agricultural, or other activities. Gaseous emissions include sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen.

Particulate control :
Particulate matter emitted from industrial sources is controlled through cyclone separators, fabric filter collectors, wet scrubbers, and electrostatic precipitators.

Particulate matter controlling equipment
a) Cyclone separators use centrifugal forces for separating particulates from stack gases. When the stack gas is fed into the cyclone separator, centrifugal forces cause particulates in the gas to move outwards against the walls of the container. Then the particulate matter falls to the bottom of the container and the gases escape from the top of the container.

b) Fabric Filters are used for removing particles from the gas stream by collecting smaller particles on the surface of filter bags. The larger particles drop out into the hopper. Clean gas passes through the filter media.

c) Wet scrubber are used for collecting both particulate matter and gases from industrial emissions by using scrubbing liquid for the same. Generally water is used for collecting particulate matter.

d) Electrostatic precipitators work by applying a high voltage to create an electrical field which ionizes the particulate matter in the gas around the discharge wires. When the gas that contains particulate matter flows between the collecting plates and the discharge wires, the aerosol particles in the gas are charged and collected on the collecting plates.

Gaseous emissions control :
Scrubbers that contain a moist chemical such as lime, magnesium oxide or sodium hydroxide are used for the control of unwanted gases from industrial stacks. When the gases escape from a factory and pass through a scrubber, they react with the moist chemical and are removed. Activated charcoal is also used to absorb the unwanted gases from industrial emissions.

Vehicular pollution control :
Using of unleaded petrol, low sulphur diesel and alternative fuels such as CNG, LPG, Hydrogen, Battery driven and Biodiesel can reduce pollution from vehicles.

Vehicular emission control methods include air injection, exhaust gas recirculation and using of a catalytic converter.
a) Air injection into the engine’s exhaust ports provides oxygen, so unbumed and partially burned hydrocarbons in the exhaust will finish burning.

b) Exhaust gas recirculation dilutes the air/fuel charge to reduce peak combustion chamber temperatures. This, in turn, reduces the formation of NOx (oxides of nitrogen).

c) Catalytic converters are placed in the exhaust pipe. Hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and NOx are converted into less harmful gases by the use of a combination of platinum, palladium and rhodium as catalysts.

Question 2.
Describe water pollution control.
Answer:
Water Pollution Control :
Domestic sewage, industrial effluents and agricultural fields are the main sources of water pollution. Large-scale water and waste water treatment is typically carried out by municipalities and industries.

Sewage waste water contains carbohydrates, fats, proteins, metals, salts, pathogens and sediments. The characteristics of industrial waste water vary greatly in composition from industry to industry and may be highly acidic or alkaline and may also, contain soluble toxic organics, suspended solids, trace organics, heavy metals, cyanide, sulphides, oil and floating material.

Waste water treatment processes can be classified into physical, chemical or biological treatments. One or more of the following methods may be employed to achieve the treatment:

Sewage treatment :
Sewage is the waste water from households. It needs to be treated for the removal of contaminants. The treatment requires physical, chemical and biological processes which remove physical, chemical and biological contaminants in order to achieve an environmentally safe fluid waste stream.

Question 3.
Write an essay on Solid Waste Management (SWM).
Answer:
Municipal Solid Waste Management : (MSWM) :
Accumulation of municipal solid wastes in urban areas is posing environmental hazards. The disposal of MSW is a challenge for India.

Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) aims to reduce the amount of waste being disposed, while maximizing resource recovery and efficiency. The preferred waste management strategies include : Source reduction and reuse, recycling, waste to composting, waste to energy and finally waste disposal in landfill.

i) Source reduction and reuse :
The most preferred option for waste management is to prevent the generation of waste at various stages including at product design stage, production, packaging, use and reuse stages of a product.

ii) Waste recycling :
Segregation of recyclables and sending them for recycling.

iii) Waste to composting :
The organic fraction of waste can be composted through microbial or vermi composting.

iv) Waste to Energy :
When material recovery is not possible, energy from waste (Efw) can be recovered through bio- methanation, waste incineration, production of Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) and co-processing of the sorted dry rejects from MSW in cement kilns.

v) Waste Disposal :
Inerts (A category of waste that includes concrete, asphalt, brick, rubble and soil) need to be disposed in sanitary landfills, which are constructed in accordance with the regulations of the MSW Management and Handling Rules.

Hazardous Waste Management :
Any waste which exhibits ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity and toxicity, is combustible or has a flash point less than 60°C (140°F) is considered as a hazardous substance. Hazardous wastes are generated from petrochemical drug and metallurgical industries.

Household hazardous waste includes cleaners, stain removers, varnishes, batteries, automotive fluids, pesticides herbicides and certain paints.

Hazardous waste generated requires transport to an approved treatment, storage or disposal facility (TSDF) due to the potential threats to public safety and the environment.

Hazardous Waste Treatment :
Secured Land Fill disposal and incineration are the two main disposal methods for the disposal of hazardous wastes. Types of hazardous waste treatment include physical, biological and chemical neutralization or stabilization. Some treated hazardous wastes can even be reclaimed or recycled.

Secure landfills :
A secure landfill has two impermeable liners and leachate collection systems. The double leachate collection system consists of a network of perforated pipes placed above each liner. The upper system prevents the accumulation of leachate trapped in the fill and the lower layer acts as a backup. Collected leachate is pumped to a treatment plant. To reduce the amount of leachate and to minimize the potential for environmental damage, an impermeable cap or cover is placed over a finished landfill.

Question 4.
Write about Biomedical waste management, E-waste management and Radio active waste Management.
Answer:
Biomedical Waste Management :
Biomedical waste refers to waste generated during the diagnosis, treatment or immunization of human beings or animals, or in research activities. It is generated by clinics, ‘ hospitals and pathological laboratories. It requires treatment to reduce adverse effects due to the infectious nature of the waste. Without treatment it may spread infectious diseases like tuberculosis, hepatitis, enteric fever, HIV infection or even AIDS.

A common biomedical waste treatment facility (CBWTF) is used by several hospitals as individual treatment facility for small hospitals is not cost effective.

Segregation of biomedical waste is necessary as different types of treatment are required for different category of wastes. The relevant treatment methods are Incineration, Autoclaving, Shredding and Disposal.

E-Waste Management :
Discarded electrical and electronic goods are considered as e-waste. Most electronic goods contain hazardous constituents. For example, cathode ray tubes (CRTs) of computer monitors contain heavy metals such as lead barium and cadmium, which can be very toxic to human health if they enter the water system. Flame-retardant plastics, used in electronics casings, release particles that can damage human endocrine functions.

Discarded electronic items are dismantled by hand and batteries are separated. The items are shredded into pieces to prepare the e-waste for sorting. Steel and iron are removed from the debris through magnets. Aluminum, copper, and brass are separated from the non-metallic content. The metals can then be reused and resold as raw materials. Water is used to separate plastic from the glass content. The sorted materials can be reused.

Radioactive Waste Management :
Radioactive wastes are generated from nuclear reactors, nuclear medicine and the manufacture of nuclear weapons. Depending on the waste source, radioactivity may last from a few hours to thousands of years. Disposal of radioactive wastes requires pre-treatment and storage in shielded containers. The containers are buried about 500m deep below the Earth’s surface.

Telangana TSBIE TS Inter 1st Year Environmental Education Study Material 16th Lesson Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Textbook Questions and Answers.

TS Inter 1st Year Environmental Education Study Material 16th Lesson Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

Essay Questions

Question 1.
Write an essay on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
Answer:
Environmental management is the process of improving the relationship between human beings and the environment through a check on the developmental activities of man and by practising environmental protection, conservation and regulation. A multidisciplinary approach is required for understanding environmental problems and finding solutions.

In India the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) implements environmental policies and programs through Central and State pollution control boards.

Environmental management includes :

1. Environmental impact assessment (EIA)
2. Pollution control
3. Environmental audit (EA).

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is the assessment of the environmental consequences (positive and negative) of a plan, policy, program, or actual projects prior to the decision to move forward with the proposed action. It isa tool to identify possible environmental impacts of developmental ‘ activities. It is designed to predict the impacts of any project on environmental indices and thereby helps in decision making about -the project acceptance.

If the EIA indicates that no significant impact is likely, then the agency can release a finding of no significant impact (FONSI) and carry on with the proposed action. Otherwise, the agency must then conduct a full-scale Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is a document required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for certain actions “significantly affecting the quality of the human environment”. An EIS is a tool for decision making. It describes the positive and negative environmental effects of a proposed action and it usually also lists one or more alternative actions that may be chosen. The statement should use an interdisciplinary approach so that it accurately assesses both the physical and social impacts of the proposed development. It provides documentation of the information related to :

1. Description of proposed project.
2. Nature and magnitude of the likely environmental effects
3. Possibility of natural disasters.
4. Possible effects on surface and ground water quality, soil and air quality.
5. Effects on vegetation, wild life and endangered species.
6. Social environment such as impact on tribes, villagers who reside there.
7. Risk analysis and disaster management.

A draft EIS is published for public review and comment for a minimum of 45 days. At the end of the period, agencies consider all substantive comments and if necessary, conduct further analyses. A final EIS is then published, which provides responses to substantive comments.

EIA Methodology :

1. The first step in EIA method is to determine whether the project under consideration follows the jurisdiction of the relevant acts and regulations and if so, whether it is likely, to create a significant environmental disruption.
2. If so, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is prepared.
3. EIS is reviewed at public-hearings.
4. Finally, a decision is taken. The development project may be
   (i) accepted, or
   (ii) accepted with amendments, or
   (iii) an alternative proposal is accepted, or
   (iv) rejected.

The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) Govt, of India issued a Notification in 2006 for all developmental activities falling under sectors such as industries, v mining, irrigation, power and transport etc!, and categorised them as category A and category B projects based on the nature and size of the project.

Category A Projects include all physical infrastructure whose size and cost is greater than certain minimum levels as defined in the Schedule. Environmental Clearances for these projects are granted at the Central level. Physical infrastructure includes projects in ports, highways, water and sanitation, urban transport and solid waste management- sectors.

All new National Highways are classified as Category A. In addition, expansion of National Highways greater than 30 KM, involving additional Right of Way (ROW) greater than 20m, involving land acquisition and passing through more than one State are categorized as Category A.

Category B Covers projects with lesser size or capacity and smaller impacts than Category A. Environmental Clearances for Category B projects are granted at the State level. Each State has a dedicated department or Board, which would grant the Clearance. .

The actual size definitions depend on the sector or project type. For example in the case of ports, projects with handling capacity of more than 5 MTPA (metric tonnes per annum) come under Category A, while those with less than 5 MTPA are Category B.

An important nation wide environmental programme is the Clean India Mission.

Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA) or Swachh Bharat Misson (SBM) or Clean India Mission is a campaign in India and run by Government of India that aims to clean up the streets, roads and infrastructure of India’s cities, smaller towns and rural areas. The objectives of Swachh Bharat include eliminating open defecation through the construction of household-owned and community-owned toilets and establishing an accountable mechanism of monitoring toilet use.

Run by the Government of India, the Mission aims to achieve an Open-Defecation Free (ODF) India by 2 October 2019, the 150^th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, by constructing 90 million toilets in rural India. It is India’s largest cleanliness drive to data with 3 million government employees, school students and college students from all parts of India participating in over 4,000 cities, towns and villages.

Swachh Sarvekshan, commissioned by the Ministry of Urban Development is an extensive sanitation survey across several hundred cities to check the progress and impact of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and to foster a spirit of competition among the cities.

Telangana TSBIE TS Inter 1st Year Environmental Education Study Material 15th Lesson Conservation of Biodiversity Textbook Questions and Answers.

TS Inter 1st Year Environmental Education Study Material 15th Lesson Conservation of Biodiversity

Essay Questions

Question 1.
Explain the measures to be taken to conserve Biodiversity.
Answer:
We read in the earlier chapters about how various human activities are damaging biodiversity. If we do not act immediately to protect biodiversity, life will cease on earth. Conservation of Biodiversity comprises the measures man should take to protect biodiversity and prevent damage to its components. The objective of such conservation is to protect species, their habitats and their ecosystems from excessive rates of extinction and the erosion of biotic interactions. The conservation of ecosystems saves large numbers of species which might otherwise, be endangered and also preserves the support systems that maintain life.

Global, national and local efforts are needed to achieve conservation of biodiversity. Conservation can be of two types a) in-situ conservation b) ex-situ conservation.

I. In Situ Conservation :
‘In-situ’ is a Latin phrase which means’ in the original palce or arrangement’. The conservation of species in their natural habitat or natural ecosystem is known as in situ conservation. In this process, the natural surroundings or ecosystems are protected and maintained so that all the constituent species (known or unknown) are conserved and benefited. The factors which are detrimental to the existence of species concerned are eliminated by suitable mechanisms.

There are different types of protected areas and sites of conservation in India, based on the level of protection provided and the amount of human intervention allowed.

Modes of In situ Conservation :
Types :

1. National Parks
2. Wild Life Sanctuaries
3. Conservation and Community Reserves
4. Marine Protected Areas Sanctuary
5. Biodiversity Heritage Sites
6. Biosphere Reserves
7. Sacred grooves
8. Ramsar sites.

1) National Parks :
A National park is a protected area aimed at betterment of wild life. There are 103 National parks in India 5 are situated in Telangana. Important national parks in Telangana-(l) Kasu Brahnandareddy National Park (HYD), (2)MahaveerVanasthali (Deer) (HYD), (3) Murgavani National Park (HYD).

2) Wild Life Sanctuaries :
Several forests have been declared as reserve forests and protected. Several lakes where birds migrate have been recognised as birds, sanctuaries. In these areas, natural habitat of birds has been preserved. Poaching of Birds hunting their eggs are prohibited. In India there are 543 wild life sanctuaries. Out of this, 9 are situated in Telangana.

1. Nagarjuna Sagar – Srisailam Sanctuary.
2. Etuari Nagaram Sancturary – near Warangal.
3. Kinnerasani Sanctuary – near Khammam.

3) Conservation and Community Reserves :
Conservation reserves and community reserves in India are terms denoting protected areas of India which typically act as buffer zones to or connectors and migration corridors between established national parks, wild life sanctuaries, protected and reserved forests in India.

Important Community Reserves in India :
Thungabhadra otter Reserves – Karnataka, Jower Tunnel – Jammu and Kashmir.

4) Marine protected areas :
Marine Protected Area (MPA) is essentially a space in the ocean where human activities are more strictly regulated than in the surrounding waters- similar to parks we have on land. These places are given special protection for natural or historic marine resources. There are 25 in peninsular India and 106 in the islands of India.

Some marine protected areas in India are :

• Coringa Sanctuary near Kakinada, A.P
• Krishna Sanctuary, near Machilipatnam, A.P

5) Biodiversity Heritage Sites : These are well defined areas that are unique, ecologically fragile ecosystems – terrestrial, fresh water or marine, having rich biodiversity and comprising any one or more of the components such as

• Species richness.
• High endemism.
• Rare, endemic (which exist only in one particular region) and threatened species.
• Keystone species (they play a crucial and unique role in the ecosystem).
• Species of evolutionary significance.
• Wild ancestors of domestic /cultivated species or land races or their varieties.
• Areas of fossil beds having cultural, ethical or aesthetic values. These are important for the maintenance of cultural diversity, with or without a long history of human association with them.

Examples :
Ameenpur lake on the outskirts of Hyderabad. Ameenpur Lake becomes the first Biodiversity Heritage site in the country. Fish and birds return : On the western fringes of Hyderabad is a sprawling and ancient man-made lake.

The lake brims with life :
bar-headed geese, flamingos, pelicans, cormorants, ruddy shelducks, and grey herons, checkered keelback snake and fish. It was because of the biodiversity tag that the government was granted Rs. 3.72 crore to improve the weir, open up inlets and clean up the lake, which has resulted in cleanup and the resultant increase in biodiversity.

6. Biosphere Reserves :
Biosphere reserves or natural reserves are multipurpose protected areas with boundaries circumscribed by legislation. The main aim of a biosphere reserve is to preserve genetic diversity in representative ecosystems by protecting wild animals, traditional life style of inhabitants and domesticated plant/animal genetic resources. These reserves are larger areas of natural habitat than a National Park or Animal Sanctuary, and often include one or more National Parks. Some important biosphere reserves are :

• Simlipal (Orissa)
• Sunderbans (West Bengal)
• Nilgiris (Tamilnadu)
• Kaziranga (Assam)
• Gulf of Mannar (Tamilnadu).

7. Sacred Grooves :
A Sacred Grooves or sacred woods are any groove of trees that are of special religious importance to a particular culture.

Example :

• Pavitraskhetralu (dense, well managed plantations on outskirts of village) in Andhra Pradesh.
• Kovilkadu sacred grove of Tamilnadu.

8. Ramsar Sites :
These are wetlands considered to be of international importance. The international convention which forms the basis for their identification is commonly referred to as the “Ramsar Convention” after the city in Iran where the convention was signed in 1971.

Example :
• Kolleru and Pulikat lakes in Andhra Pradesh.

Haritha Haaram :
Haritha Haaram is a large-scale treeplanting program implemented by the Government of Telangana to increase the amount of tree cover in the state from 24% to 33%. This flagship programme of government of Telangana is aimed at rejuvenating degraded forests, protecting these forests from threats such as smuggling encroachment, fire and grazing. It adopted intensive soil and moisture conservation measures based on a wateished approach in the areas outside the existing forest, massive planting activities were to be taken up in areas such as, roadside avenues, river and canal banks, barren hills, tank bunds and fore shore areas institutional premises, religious places housing colonies, community lands, municipalities and industrial parks.

Vanajeevi (Forester) Ramaiah’ ‘Chettu (Tree) Ramaiah* is a 70 year old man in Reddipalle village, Khammam district, who was awarded Padmasree in 2017. Thanks to the active support of his wife Janamma Mr. Ramaiah spearheaded a tree plantation drive for the past several decades across the district with a thrust on shady trees, fruit bearing and bio-diesel plants with assured environmental and economic benefits to society.

II. 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 zoos, gardens, nurseries etc. It is the conservation of selected plants and animals in selected areas outside their natural habitat.

The stresses on living organisms due to competition for food, water and space can be avoided by ex-situ conservation, thereby providing conditions necessary for secure life and breeding.

Modes of Ex Situ Conservation :

1. Gene Banks
2. Seed Banks
3. Botanical Gardens and Zoos
4. Field Gene Banks
5. Microbial Cultural Collection Centres.

1. Gene Banks :
Gene banks are a type of bio-repository which preserve genetic material. For plants, this could be by freezing cuttings from the plant, or stocking the seeds (e.g. in a seedbank). For animals, this is the freezing of sperm and eggs and also embryos in zoological freezers until further need.

2. Seed Banks :
A seed bank preserves dried seeds by storing them at a very low temperature. It the most cost-effective method of providing plant genetic resources for long-term exsitu conservation. The main advantage of seed banking is that it allows large populations to be preserved and genetic erosion to be minimised by providing optimum conditions and reducing the need for regeneration.
Examples :
Navdariya Conservation Farm Uttarakhand, Seed bank at ICRISAT Hyderabad.

3. Botanical Gardens and Zoos :
Botanical gardens and zoos are the most conventional methods of ex-situ conservation, all of which house protected specimens for breeding and reintroduction into the wild when necessary and possible. These facilities provide not only housing and care for specimens of endangered species, but also have an educational value. They inform the public of the threatened status of endangered species and of those factors which cause the threat, with the hope of creating public interest in stopping and reversing thsoe factors which jeopardize a species’ survival in the first place. They are the most publicly visited ex-situ conservation sites.
Example :

• Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad
• Hyderabad Botanical Garden.

4. Field Gene Banks :
This is a method of planting plants for the conservation of genes. For this purpose, an ecosystem is created artifically. Through this method one can compare the differences among plants of different species and study them in detail. It needs large tracts of land, adequate soil, conductive weather, etc. Germ plasmas of important crops are conserved through this method. 42,000 varieties of rice are conserved in the Central Rice Research Institute in Orissa.

5. Microbial Cultural Collection Centres :
These are organizations which collect, store and distribute standard reference microorganisms, cell lines and other materials for research and development. Culture collections are valuable resources for the sustainable use of microbial diversity and its conservation.
Examples :

• Microbial Type Culture Collection & Gene Bank (MTCC) – Chandigarh, India.
• National Collection of Industrial Microorganisms (NCM) – Pune, India.

Question 6.
Write the acts of Biodiversity.
Answer:
Convention on Biological Diversity :
The Convention on Biodiversity was held at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as a comprehensive strategy for “sustainable development”. It establishes three main goals:

1. the conservation of biological diversity.
2. the sustainable use of its components.
3. the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits from the use of genetic resources.

Under the Convention, governments are required to develop. national biodiversity strategies and action plans, and to integrate these into broader national plans for environment and development. This is particularly important for such sectors as forestry, agriculture, fisheries, energy, transportation and urban planning.

The Biological Diversity Act 2002 of India :
The Act covers conservation, use of biological resources and associated knowledge occurring in India for commercial or research purposes or for the purposes of bio – survey and bio-utilisation. It provides a frame work for access to biological resources and sharing the benefits arising out of such access and use.

State biodiversity Boards are statutory and autonomous bodies constituted by the Government. Their main function is to

Advise the State Government subject to any guidelines issued by the Central Government on matters relating to conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of its components and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of biological resources.

Biodiversity Management Committee :
Every local body shall constitute a Biodiversity Management Committee within its area, which is the best example of taking the practice of science right down to the grass-roots. The roles of BMCs are

• Promoting conservation of biological diversity.
• Sustainable use and documentation of biological diversity.
• Preservation of habitats.
• Conservation of Landraces (domesticated, locally adapted traditional varieties of a species of animal or plant), folk varieties and cultivars (Plant varieties produced in cultivation by selective breeding), domesticated stocks & breeds of animals and microorganisms.
• Chronicling of knowledge relating to biodiversity.
• Facilitating preparation of people’s biodiversity registers (PBRs)

People’s Biodiversity Register :
It is a document that contains comprehensive information on locally available Bioresources, their medicinal or any other use, or any other traditional knowledge associated with them. This is an innovative decentralized approach to knowing, us,ing and safeguarding our biodiversity and traditional knowledge. This helps in the conservation of biodiversity. It also supports claims of local ownership of biodiversity and traditional knowledge. The PBR process creates a mass awareness and knowledge flow, which is important for biodiversity conservation.

Telangana TSBIE TS Inter 1st Year Environmental Education Study Material 14th Lesson Significance of Biodiversity Textbook Questions and Answers.

TS Inter 1st Year Environmental Education Study Material 14th Lesson Significance of Biodiversity

Essay Questions

Question 1.
Write an essay on benefits or significance of Biodiversity.
Answer:
Biodiversity provides the fundamental building blocks for the many goods and services man derives from the environment. These include things that are essential to health, like clean air, fresh water, and food products. Our clothes, medicines, fuels and homes are dependent on the resources of the biosphere. When ecosystems are intact, biological processes are preserved. These processes include the nutrient and water cycles, photosynthesis and the food chain, all of which are necessary for the sustenance of life. The more the microbe, plant, insect and animal species there are in an area, the greater the biodiversity and the healthier the ecosystem. Conversely, it would not be an exaggeration to say that the loss of biodiversity would result in the loss of all forms of life.

Given below are some of the ways in which man benefits from biodiversity :

Benefits of Biodiversity :
i. Consumptive Use Value :
This refers to the value that can be assigned to natural products that are directly used for food, fodder, timber, fuel woods etc. They are consumed in small amounts to meet daily needs. Many people around the world still depend on wild species to fulfill their needs such as food, shelter and clothing. Forest products, vegetables and fruits are consumed by many tribes.

ii. Productive Use Value :
This refers to the value that can be assigned to commercially harvested and marketed ‘produce’ of plants and animals. Almost all the present agricultural crops have originated from wild varieties. Wild species of plants are used to develop new, better yielding varieties of plants which are cultivated on a commercial scale. Large scale cultivation and marketing of rice, wheat, maize, vegetables and fruits are examples of the productive use value of biodiversity.

Animal foods like milk, meat and eggs are consumed by people throughout the world. Other animal products, such as tusks of elephants, are used for decorative purposes, while wool from sheep and silk from silkworms are used to clothe the body.

iii. Economic Value :
Plants and animals are useful, not only as food, but in several other ways too. Many industries such as the paper industry, textile industry, leather industry and pearl industry are dependent on the commercial values of plants, trees, animals and marine life. Fuel sources like coal, oil and natural gas have their origin due to biodiversity. Many important chemicals and dyes are extracted from various plants and animals.

Many medicines, such as quinine, opium, codeine and cortisone are derived from plants and animal by – products. Some are recreational drugs like marijuana. It is quite likely that several new medicines will be derived from plants and animals in the future too.

iv. Educational and Scientific Value :
Our understanding of life is greatly enhanced by the study of living organisms, their interactions with each other and the environment. We have gained much insight about various human systems and their functioning by studying other organisms, both in their natural habitat as well as in controlled conditions in the laboratory. Fruit flies, worms, frogs, dogs and monkeys are routinely used in biological experiments. Guinea pigs have been largely replaced by mice in laboratories but they are still used to study diseases like diabetes, T.B and scurvy, v.

v. Aesthetic and recreational value :
The majesty of the mountains, the refreshing fragrance of flowers, the softness of moss, and the melodious songs of birds are some of the things in nature which soothe the senses and uplift the spirit. Human beings derive great joy from various forms of biodiversity. Botanical and zoological gardens are means of biodiversity conservation and are of aesthetic value.

Biodiversity is also a significant source of leisure activities. It is a focal point for tourism and all kinds of recreational’ activities. People enjoy going for a holiday to a sea resort or a mountain resort. They take delight in rock climbing, sea surfing, river rafting, jungle safaris and ocean cruises. Bird watching, having pets and keeping an aquarium are other expressions of the aesthetic value we derive from biodiversity.

vi. Ethical value :
Biodiversity must be seen in the light of ethical values. Since man is the most intelligent living organism, it should be his prime responsibility and moral obligation to protect other organisms. Biodiversity encourages man to adopt the attitude ‘Live and Let Live’ and to accept that every species of life,, whether useful or not to man, has the right to exist. Laws are being framed to protect man from destroying biodiversity. For instance there are No – Construction Zones, protected forest areas, and wild life sanctuaries.

vii. Inspiration for Scientific Inventions / Biomimicry :
Living organisms provide inspiration for engineers seeking better and more efficient products. This field, known as biomimicry, involves the design and production of materials and systems that are modelled on biological processes. For example, shark skin provided the model for hydrodynamic swimming suits. The glue used by sandcastle worms (Phra- gmatopomacalifornica) to cement together their sand particle shells was the inspiration for a glue that mends fractured bones in the aqueous internal environment of the body. Scientists are using the chemical nature of spider’s silk to design strong, lightweight fibre.

viii. Ecosystem Service Value :
Biodiversity is indispensable for the maintenance of ecological balance. Ecosystems in nature sustain soil fertility, cycle nutrients, prevent soil erosion, fix nitrogen and serve several such functions which are vital for the existence of life. Without the water cycle, for instance, there would be no rains and, consequently, no crops or drinking water. Life itself would come to an end. Any disturbance in the delicately fabricated ecological balance maintained by different organisms can lead to calamities like drought, floods and famine and may threaten the survival of life on the planet.

ix. Cultural and Spiritual Value :
Many cultural practices and ceremonies in India are associated with biodiversity. For example, the tulasi plant and banyan tree are venerated in India. Mango leaves are used for decoration on auspicious occasions, Mehandi is applied by ladies on their palms and hands during social ceremonies. Animals like the cow, snake, bull and owl hold a special place in Indian socio-cultural life, religion and mythology.

Telangana TSBIE TS Inter 1st Year Environmental Education Study Material 13th Lesson Concept, Types and Threats to Biodiversity Textbook Questions and Answers.

TS Inter 1st Year Environmental Education Study Material 13th Lesson Concept, Types and Threats to Biodiversity

Essay Questions

Question 1.
Define biodiversity and explain the levels or types of Biodiversity.
Answer:
The term biodiversity was introduced by Walter Rosen in 1986. Biodiversity is the shortened form of two words “biological” and ” diversity.” It refers to all the variety of life that can be found on Earth (plants, animals, fungi and micro-organisms) as well as to the communities that they form and the habitats in which they live.

An ecosystem includes all the living things (plants, animals and other organisms) in a given area, interacting with each other, and also with their non-living environments, such as weather, Sun and soil. It is, thus, the interaction of living and non-living things in a particular environment. A biome is a specific geographic area notable for the large community of plants and animals that live there. For example, tropical rainforests, deserts and grasslands.

Biodiversity is not merely the sum of all ecosystems, species and genetic material. Rather, it represents the variability within and among them. It can be distinguished from the expression “biological resources”, which refer to the tangible components of ecosystems. Biological resources are real entities (a particular species of bird, a wheat variety growing in a field, oak wood, etc.) while biological diversity is an attribute of life (the variety of bird species, the genetic variability of wheat around the world, forest types, etc.)

It has been estimated that more than 50 million species of plants, animals and micro – organisms exist in the world. Out of these, about 1.4 million species have been identified so far.
Each species is adapted to live in a specific environment, whether it is the mountain peaks or the depths of the seas, the polar ice caps or the tropical rain forests and deserts. All this diversity of life is confined to a one kilometre thick layer of lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere which forms the biosphere.

Biodiversity Concepts
All life forms that make up biodiversity, including humans, are ultimately connected to all other life forms, and to their physical environment.

• No one living element of any ecosystem can survive independent of the others.
• Connections among living and non-living elements keep the environment functioning and healthy.
• Because biodiversity represents the inter-connectedness of all things, the effects of some causes can be surprising.
• Human impact on the environment, therefore, difectly or indirectly affects the function of other living things, and, by extension, ourselves.

Types of biodiversity :
Biodiversity includes four main types : They are :

1. Species Diversity
2. Genetic Diversity
3. Ecosystem or Community Diversity
4. Functional Diversity.

LEVELS OF BIODIVERSITY
Species Diversity :
Refers to the number of different species of plants, animals, fungi and micro-organisms that are represented in a given community. For example palm trees, elephants or bacteria. The number of species that live in a particular location is called species richness. Abundance is defined as the number of individuals of each species.

Genetic Diversity :
Refers to the total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species. The more genetic diversity a population has, the more likelihood the population will be able to adapt and survive. For example, poodles, german shepherds and golden retrievers are all dogs, but they all look different as they have different genes.

Ecosystem or Community Diversity :
Refers to a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment. Each ecosystem corresponds to a series of complex relationships between biotic (living) components such as plants and animals, and abiotic (non-living) components which include sunlight, air, water, minerals and nutrients such as air, water, and mineral soil. Examples : tropical or temperate forests, hot and cold deserts, wetlands, rivers, mountains, coral reefs, etc.

Functional Diversity :
Refers to the way species behave, obtain, food and use the natural resources of an ecosystem. In general a species rich ecosystem is presumed to have high functional divesity, because there are many species with many different behaviours. Functional diversity can be useful to ecologists trying to conserve an ecosystem or restore it when it is damaged, because knowing the behaviours and roles of species can point to gaps in a food cycle or ecological niches that ‘ack species.

Question 2.
Explain Bio-geo-graphical classification of India.
Answer:
India is a mega biodiverse country. In Greek language Mega means ‘Large’. In 1998, India has been recognised as one of the Mega bio – diversity country out of 17 countries in the world. India has been divided into 10 Bio – geographical realms and 26 Bio provinces. India is a land of forests, grasslands,, oceans, wet lands, coastal regions, marine eco system etc.

India is a land of 167 plant species of millets, fruits, vegetables, pulses etc. There are nearly about or more than 100 domestic species, 5, 000 flowering plants, 62% of amphibians. Totally there are 46,000 flora and 81,000 fauna species.

Question 3.
Describe the threats of Biodiversity.
Answer:
Consequences of loss of Biodiversity :
Biodiversity is under serious threat. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) estimates that 22% of known mammals, 32% of amphibians, 14% of birds, and 32% of gymnosperms (plants that do not bear flowers or fruit, e.g. : ferns and moss) are threatened with extinction. Species that were abundant within the last 200 years have gone extinct. For example, passenger pigeons, which numbered more than three billion in the mid 1800s are now extinct. Animals like the polar bear, leopard, tiger, orangutan, otter and pangolin are shrinking in numbers.

Species extinction and loss of biodiversity can be as devastating for the earth as climate change and water pollution. Each species, no matter how small, may have an important role to play in the ecosystem. If there is a drastic increase or decrease in the population of a particular species, it can cause an imbalance in the ecosystem and have unforeseen, cascading effects that cannot be reversed. For instance, the loss of elephants in an area can cause the population of deer to multiply. As the number of deer increases, the available vegetation there decreases. Grass eating animals are affected adversely and may die. The cycle does not stop there. Carnivorous animals which feed on herbivores are, in turn, deprived of prey. Another example is the decline of the honey bee population which is adversely affecting the production of several crops, as pollination fails to take place in the absence of bees.

Causes of loss of Biodiversity / Threats to Biodiversity :
The primary cause of loss of biodiversity is habitat alteration caused by human activities which directly or indirectly affect the ecosystems. These dangers to biodiversity include: population growth and resource consumption, climate change and global warming, habitat conversion and urbanization, invasive alien species, over exploitation of natural resources and environmental degradation.

The table below summarizes the main threats to biodiversity in India

Threats to Marine Water

Telangana TSBIE TS Inter 1st Year Environmental Education Study Material 12th Lesson Energy Conservation Textbook Questions and Answers.

TS Inter 1st Year Environmental Education Study Material 12th Lesson Energy Conservation

Essay Questions

Question 1.
Explain the need for Energy Conservation.
Answer:
The Need for Energy Conservation :
Carbon Footprint :
It is possible to calculate the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that individual or group activities produce. This measure is called the carbon footprint. For instance, approximately one kg of carbon is added to our personal carbon footprint when we drive a car for a distance of about 6km or when we operate a computer for 32 hours. The more the emission of carbon, the more the environment gets polluted. Today there is greater awareness about the need to reduce our carbon footprint and thereby protect the environment. Energy conservation is one of the methods to reduce damage to the environment.

Energy conservation refers to the effort made to reduce the consumption of energy by using less of an energy service. Energy conservation differs from efficient energy use, which refers to using less energy for a constant service. For example, driving less is an example of energy conservation. Driving the same amount with a higher mileage vehicle is an example of energy efficiency. Energy conservation and efficiency are both energy reduction techniques. Energy conservation leads to enhanced environmental quality and greater personal savings. Energy Conservation is one of the most important steps towards building a sustainable energy system. If a country is self-sufficient in energy, it need not bow down to the pressure tactics of other countries to meet its energy needs.

While the government can formulate policies and frame laws which ensure energy conservation, there are many small steps that can be taken by individuals to conserve energy. Given below are energy conservation techniques that you can follow in your daily life to reduce your overall carbon footprint and save money in the long run. Long term solutions for energy conservation too are listed.

I. Energy conservation at the individual level :
1. Install CFL and LED lights :
Incandescent bulbs should be replaced with CFL (compact fluorescent lamp) or LED (light emitting diode) bulbs. CFL and LED bulbs cost more upfront but last 12 times longer than incandescent bulbs. CFL and LED bulbs save not only energy but also money over a period of time.

2. Optimise the Room Temperature :
Heaters, coolers and air conditioners are commonly used to regulate the temperature indoors. The more the difference between indoor and outdoor temperature, the more the energy consumed to maintain room temperature. The temperature indoors should be kept as close as possible to the outside temperature for energy conservation. Programmable thermostats can be used for this purpose.

3. Insulate your house :
Insulation gives cool air in summer and winter.

Energy-Saving Tips

1. Replace light bulbs with CFLs
2. Unplug electronics when not in use
3. Adjust your thermostat 5* higher
4. Load up dishwasher until full
5. Keep cool with ceiling fans
6. Power down your computer
7. Wash clothes in cold water

4. Maximize the use of natural light :
Switch Off lights during day time will reduce current bill.

5. Get an Energy Audit Done :
Take advice from expert energy saver to save current bill.

6. Use Energy Efficient Appliances :
Buy star products to save electricity bill.

Concept
The Green Building concept is gaining importance in various countries including India. These are building that ensure that were is minized that every stage including the construction and operation of the building resulting low costs, according to experts in the technology.

7. Drive Less, Walk More and Carpool :
Sharing Transport Vehicles will save energy.

8. Switch Off Appliances when Not in Use :
Save energy by switching off computer, Electric devices etc., when not in use.

9. Grow trees :
Plant more trees to provide cool air

II. Long term solutions for energy conservation :
1. Education :
Educate the people to create awareness on Energy Saving.

2. Availability of Eco friendly Alternatives :
Eco friendly alternatives should be available to reduce the carbon footprint. Energy saving bulbs like LED, CFL should be supplied as subsidized for consumers.

3. Zero Energy Balance Construction :
New methods are being used to construct buildings in such a way that there is minimum emission of green house gases.

4. Alternative Sources of Energy :
The use of alternative sources like solar energy and wind energy, is a key energy conservation technique.

5. Cap and Trade Agreements :
There are agreement between Government and Person concerned who establish industry. He will record minimum pollutant limits.

6. Reduced Demand :
With the emergence of specific economy and social conditions Vehicles and Hydride Cars, including in India – the demand has increased and reduce manifold.

7. Research & Development :
Continued funding of research should be done to solve the problem of Fuel.

Telangana TSBIE TS Inter 1st Year Environmental Education Study Material 11th Lesson Conventional and non-Conventional Sources of Energy Textbook Questions and Answers.

TS Inter 1st Year Environmental Education Study Material 11th Lesson Conventional and non-Conventional Sources of Energy

Essay Questions

Question 1.
Explain the sources of energy.
Answer:
I. Conventional Sources of Energy :
(Non-Renewable) Conventional Energy refers to energy that is obtained from any source that has been in widespread use for a long time. Fossil fuels and traditional biomass are the most widely used conventional source of energy. Coal, petroleum and natural gas are examples of fossil fuels. Kerosene and propane are derivatives of fossil fuels. Traditional biomass refers to wood and other organic matter.

Till the beginning of the nineteenth century nearly all the energy in the world was produced by the burning of wood. Less than 2% was derived from coal, produced and used mostly in the U.K. Oil consumption began in the 1870s. By the end of the nineteenth century, coal consumption increased greatly. It accounted for half the global energy.

Fossil fuels are formed from the fossilized remains of dead plants and animals by exposure to heat and pressure in the Earths crust over millions of years. When fossil fuels are burnt they produce a lot of energy. Although human beings used fossil fuels in ancient times, the large scale extraction of these fuels began only during the Industrial Revolution. Within a short period of two hundred years we have consumed so much fossil fuel that the available deposits have been practically exhausted.

It is estimated that we will run out of oil, gas and coal by the end of this century. New reserves of fossil fuels are difficult to find and are much smaller than the ones found in ihe past. For this reason fossil fuels are considered Non Renewable sources of energy. They are a finite resource and cannot be replenished as they take millions of years to be formed.

Advantages of Conventional Sources of Energy :

1. The technology to harness energy from fossil fuels is well developed.
2. Fossil fuels are cheap and reliable sources of energy.

Disadvantages of Conventional Sources of Energy :

1. Fossil fuels contain large amounts of carbon and contribute to global warming. They are not green sources of energy and so, pollute the environment.
2. Fossil fuels are nomrenewable sources of energy. The existing reserves will almost certainly be exhausted well before the turn of this century.

II. Non-Conventional Sources of energy (Renewable) :
As conventional sources of energy are exhaustible and also cause pollution, scientists have been trying to find alternative sources of energy which can be easily replenished and do not pollute the environment. Many non conventional sources of energy have been developed during the last few decades. Solar energy, wind energy, nuclear energy, biomass energy, geothermal energy and tidal energy are examples of non conventional energy. While it is true that some of these sources, such as wind energy and biomass energy, were harnessed even in ancient times, the large scale exploitation of these resources in a systematic manner started only towards the end of the nineteenth century.

Advantages of Non – Conventional Sources of Energy :
a) Renewable Resources :
The most promising aspect of non – conventional sources of energy is that they are inexhaustible. Solar energy and wind energy can be harnessed as long as the Sun exists. The vast oceans are a perennial source of wave and tide energy. Uranium, needed for nuclear energy, may be exhausted in 200 years but if extracted from sea water, will last for 60,000 years. Non conventional sources of energy are, therefore, called Renewable sources of energy as they are constantly being replenished and will never get depleted.

b) Non Polluting :
Another remarkable feature of non conventional sources of energy is that they are clean and do not pollute the environment. No waste is produced. Biomass energy releases carbon, no doubt, but the carbon is already present in the organic waste that is burnt to get energy.

c) Cost Effective :
Non-conventional sources of energy are becoming increasingly cost effective with each passing day. Rapid improvements in technology are enabling developing countries to leapfrog and remain on a par with developed countries.

Disadvantages of Non – Conventional Sources of Energy :
a) Safety issues :
Accidents in nuclear power plants can cause leakage of radioactive material. This can have disastrous consequences not only for the workers involved but for residents living several miles away from the plant. The effects of radioactivity on human beings can linger for decades, affecting future generations. The ecosystem too is destroyed.

b) Initial costs of installation of power plants may be high.

Question 2.
Explain the types of Non – Conventional sources of energy.
Answer:
1. Solar Energy :
The Sun is a powerful source of energy. The energy provided by the Sun to the Earth in one hour can meet the energy needs of the entire globe for a year. At present we are able to harness only .0001 % of that energy. Rapid strides in technology are enabling us to transform solar power into thermal and electrical energy efficiently and at reduced costs. The International Energy Agency estimates that by 2050 the production of solar energy will account for nearly a quarter of the world’s total energy use.

Solar power harvests the energy of the Sun by using collector panels to create conditions that can then be turned into a kind of power. Large solar panel fields are often used to gather enough power to charge small substations. Many people use solar systems for heating their house in winter and cooling it in summer. Hot water too is easily obtained.

Advantages of Solar Energy :

1. Solar energy is a clean and renewable energy source.
2. Once a solar panel is installed, solar energy can be produced free of charge.
3. The Sun is practically an infinite source of energy as it will exist for another 5 billion years. In contrast, it is estimated that the world’s oil reserves will last only for another 30 to 40 years.
4. Solar energy causes no pollution. Solar cells do not produce emissions or noise.
5. Very little maintenance is needed to keep solar cells running.

Disadvantages of Solar Energy :

1. The initial cost of setting up solar panels is quite high.
2. Solar cells can generate electricity only during daylight hours.
3. Solar energy production is not feasible in geographical areas which receive less sunlight.
4. Pollution levels in the air can affect the efficiency of solar panels.
5. Solar panels are heavy, so roofs of houses where they are being installed must be strong.

India has set a target of achieving 100 GW of solar power by 2022. Four of the largest solar plants in the world are in India, including the second largest solar park in the world at Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. The world’s largest solar power plant, Bhadla Solar Park, is being constructed in Rajasthan.

2. Wind Energy :
Wind energy is a form of solar energy. Wind turbines, like windmills, are mounted on towers and convert the kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical power. A generator then converts the mechanical power into electricity. Wind energy harvesting has grown by 25% every year over the last two decades. By 2030 wind power is expected to supply nearly 20% of the world’s electricity.

Advantages of Wind Energy :

1. Wind is a clean, non polluting source of energy.
2. It is an inexhaustible source of energy as it originates in the Sun.
3. It is cheap. The cost of wind power is rapidly decreasing and has fallen by more than 50% over the last few years. In 2018 it fell to a record low of ₹ 2.43 per unit in India.
4. Wind turbines are space efficient. As they do not occupy much space, there is practically no disruption in the usage of the open land in which they are located.
5. Maintenance costs are low.

Disadvantages of Wind Energy :

1. Wind energy is a fluctuating or intermittent source of energy as wind conditions do not remain steady in a place. Wind energy needs to be stored for full utilization.
2. Initial building and installation costs of wind turbines are high.
3. Wind turbines generate noise though newer technology is making them much quieter. A wind turbine located 300 meters from a house generates just about the noise of an air conditioner.
4. It has been claimed that wind turbines are a threat to wild life, especially bats, but these claims are not substantiated.

Denmark is regarded as the birthplace of wind energy harvesting. The Gansu wind farm in China is the world’s largest wind farm, with a target of 20000 MW by 2020. Today wind energy is India’s biggest source of renewable electricity, accounting for nearly three times as much generating capacity as solar. The Muppandal wind farm in Tamilnadu is the largest wind farm in India.

3. Geothermal Energy :
Geothermal energy is the energy that is produced from beneath the Earth. It is clean, sustainable and environment friendly. High temperatures are produced continuously inside the Earth’s crust by the slow delay of radioactive particles. Hot rocks present below the Earth heat up the water that produces steam. The steam is then captured and is used to move turbines. The rotating turbines power the generators.

Geothermal energy can be used by a residential unit or on a large scale by an industrial application. It was used during ancient times for bathing and space heating. The biggest drawback in using geothermal energy is that it can be produced only at select sites throughout the world. The largest group of geothermal power plants in the world is located at The Geysers, a geothermal field in California, United States. Indonesia, Iceland, and Philippines are countries which have very large geothermal plants. The first geothermal plant of India is located in Balrampur district in Chhattisgarh and will become operational shortly.

4. Hydrogen Energy :
Hydrogen is one of the most common elements available on Earth. It is an energy carrier, not an energy source. Hydrogen can store and deliver usable energy, but it does not typically exist by itself in nature and must be produced from compounds that contain it. Once hydrogen is separated from compounds such as water, it can be used as a fuel for generating electricity. Hydrogen is a tremendous source of energy and can be used as a source of fuel to power ships, vehicles, homes, industries, and rockets. It is completely renewable, can be produced on demand from organic waste or water and does not leave any toxic emissions in the atmosphere. However, the cost of producing hydrogen energy is very high. Japan, Germany, Iceland, and U.S.A are countries which are in the forefront in the field of hydrogen energy.

5. Tidal Energy :
Tidal energy uses the rise and fall of tides to convert kinetic energy of incoming and outgoing tides into electrical energy. It is dependent on the gravitational force of the Earth and the moon. Tides are produced when there is increased height of water levels in the ocean. The generation of energy through tidal power is mostly prevalent in coastal areas. Huge investment and limited availability of sites are the major drawbacks of tidal energy. Tidal energy is one of the renewable sources of energy. Large amounts of energy are produced even when tides move at a low speed. South Korea has the largest tidal power plant in the world. France, U.K. and Belgium are other countries which have such plants.

6. Wave Energy :
Wave energy is produced from the movement of waves that are produced in the oceans. Wave energy is renewable, environment friendly and causes no harm to the atmosphere. It can be harnessed along the coastal regions of many countries and can help a country to reduce its dependence on foreign countries for fuel. However, wave energy has its disadvantages. It can damage the marine ecosystem and can also be a source of disturbance to private and commercial vessels. It is highly dependent on wavelength and can also be a source of visual and noise pollution. Sweden, Portugal, Spain and U.K. are some countries which produce wave energy.

7. Hydroelectric Energy :
Hydroelectric energy is produced when the power of moving water is harnessed to produce electricity. The power of moving water has been harnessed for centuries. Initially it was used to run grain mills. Today hydroelectric power is the most widely used non conventional type of energy in the world. It represents about 17% of total electricity production. China is the largest producer of hydroelectricity, loilowed by Canada, Brazil and the united States.

Advantages of Hydroelectric Energy :

1. Hydroelectric energy is a clean fuel source as it is produced from water.
2. Hydropower plants do not pollute the air, unlike power plants that burn fossil fuel.
3. These plants are safe when compared to nuclear plants.
4. They are renewable sources of energy as electricity can be produced as long as water is available.

Disadvantages of Hydroelectric Energy :

1. Hydroelectric energy can be produced only in regions where there is ample water.
2. It is not possible to generate hydroelectricity in the event of drought.
3. The initial cost of building dams and hydroelectric power plants is high.
4. The construction of dams can have a negative impact on the ecology. Thousands of people are displaced and lose their livelihood. The breeding and migratory patterns of fish, like salmon, are affected. Sediments that would go down-stream and replenish the soil are held back by dams. Now-a-days, therefore, environmentalists put up stiff opposition when hydroelectric projects, such as the Narmada Valley Project, are constructed.

8. Biomass Energy :
Biomass energy is produced from organic material that comes from plants and animals. Biomass includes crops, plants, trees, yard clippings, wood chips and animal wastes. Wood accounts for 44% of biomass energy. Chlorophyll present in plants captures the Sun’s energy by converting carbondioxide from the air and water from the ground into carbohydrates through the process of photosynthesis. When the plants are burned, the water and carbondioxide are again released back into the atmosphere. Biomass energy is used for heating and cooking in homes and as fuel in industrial production.

Advantages of Biomass Energy :

1. Biomass energy is a renewable source of energy as biomass plants utilize leftover wood.
2. It is an alternative to fossil fuels.
3. It does not produce carbon. It merely releases the carbon that is already there in the plant or animal waste. In that respect it differs from fossil fuels which generate carbon when burnt.
4. Organic waste of plants and animals is readily available in abundance.
5. Instead of being thrown in landfills and polluting the environment, organic waste is utilized to get energy.
6. Different products can be created from different kinds of organic matter. Methane, biodiesel and other biofuels can be produced. Heat and electricity can be generated with the help of turbines.

Disadvantages of Biomass Energy :

1. Biomass energy is not a clean energy as pollution is created from the burning organic waste. The pollution may be as bad as that caused by the burning of coal.
2. In addition to plant and animal waste, healthy trees are often cut and used for the purpose of producing biomass energy. This can lead to deforestation, displacement of people and destruction of the habitat.
3. Biodiesel products like ethanol are inefficient fuels compared to gasoline. The long term use of ethanol may be harmful to combustion engines.
4. Biomass plants require a lot of space and add to urban congestion when located in cities.
5. The cost of setting up biomass plants is very high.

9. Nuclear Energy :
Nuclear energy is power released through specific nuclear reactions. This power is then converted to electrical power. There are about 30 countries which produce nuclear power. U.S.A produces more electricity through the use of nuclear power than any other nation. It is followed by France, Russia, South Korea, Germany and China. France derives more than 75% of its energy needs from nuclear power.

Advantages of Nuclear Energy :

1. Nuclear energy is cheap.
2. It is a source of clean energy as relatively low amounts of carbon dioxide are released during the nuclear reactions.
3. The technology is readily available.

Disadvantages of Nuclear Energy :

1. There are major concerns about safety. An accident in a nuclear plant can cause leakage of radioactive material which would have disastrous and long-lasting consequences on human beings as well as on the environment. The nuclear plant accident in Fukushima, Japan in 2011 is one such example.
2. Nuclear waste that is generated must be disposed of with extreme care.
3. Nuclear plants can become targets for terrorists.

Telangana TSBIE TS Inter 1st Year Environmental Education Study Material 10th Lesson Demand for Energy and Energy Consumption Patterns Textbook Questions and Answers.

TS Inter 1st Year Environmental Education Study Material 10th Lesson Demand for Energy and Energy Consumption Patterns

Essay Questions

Question 1.
Write an essay on energy consumption.
Answer:
Energy is defined as power derived from the utilization of physical or chemical resources, especially to provide light and heat or to work machines. The amount of energy consumed in a process or system, or by an organization or society is known as Energy Consumption. Energy consumption can be classified under four economic sectors: Residential, Commercial, Transportation and Industrial.

Energy Consumption Sectors :

1. Residential sector energy is the energy used for domestic purposes. Examples are the use of charcoal, wood, kerosene and LPG for cooking, use of electricity and batteries to run devices such as fans, lights, generators, T.Vs, refrigerators, coolers and computers.
2. Commercial sector energy is the energy used in businesses and organizations. It also includes energy used by municipalities for street lighting, disposal of garbage and supply of water.
3. Transportation sector energy consumption is the energy consumed, mostly as petrol and diesel, by various modes of transport which are used to carry passengers or move goods. Cars, buses, trucks, aeroplanes and ships are the most common modes of transport.
4. Industrial sector energy includes manufacturing, agriculture, construction, forestry and mining. Energy is used in industries for various purposes, such as to produce heat and steam in industrial processes, in brick kilns, to run machinery and for drilling. Every industry uses energy but the maxi-mum energy is consumed by the bulk chemicals industry, the refining industry and mining.

Global Energy Consumption is the total energy used by the entire human civilization at any given point of time. The consumption of energy worldwide has dramatically increased over the last few decades. Since 1800 it has increased by more than 25 times. It is closely associated with two factors :
a) Growth in Population :
As the population of the world increases, so do energy needs. Food production must keep pace with the burgeoning population. More houses, schools and hospitals need to be built. Adequate infrastructure like roads, sewerage and garbage disposal systems must be provided. Large amounts of energy are expended for all these activities.

b) Growth in Per Capita Income :
As standards of living improve, so does energy consumption. If a person’s income increases, he is likely to stop using public transport and will buy his own car. He may now live in a bigger house and buy several kinds of goods and gadgets to keep himself comfortable. His energy consumption, thus, increases.

Energy Scenario in the Future :
Based on current trends of energy consumption, scientists have made predictions about the likely scenario in the future. Some of the observations and predictions made by them are :

• Fast growth in developing economies will drive up global energy demand multifold.
• According to some estimates, the global energy mix basket will be much bigger by 2040 with oil, gas, coal and non-fossil fuels each contributing around a quarter.
• Renewable sources of energy are growing very fast, increasing five-fold and providing around 14% of primary energy.
• With ever-growing population, the demand for oil and natural gas is increasing. Efforts are being made worldwide to scale up the exploitation of the existing reserves.
• Oil and gas together account for over half of the world’s energy.
• Global coal consumption, however, is not increasing and it seems likely that Chinese coal consumption has plateaued.
• The number of electric cars will grow to around 15% of the total number of cars, but because of the much higher intensity with which they are used, they will account for 30% of passenger vehicle kilometers.
• Carbon emissions will continue to rise, signalling the need for a comprehensive set of actions to stem the damage to the environment.
• All of the growth in energy consumption is happening in the fastest emerging economies : China and India.
  • Renewable energy is the fastest-growing energy source, accounting for 40% of the increase in primary energy.
  Demand for oil and other liquid fuels will grow for some years but will gradually slow down and stabilize by the 2030s.
• The availability of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) will increase globally.

Energy Consumption in India :
Energy consumption is greatly increasing in developing countries like India which are experiencing good economic growth. India’s energy consumption is set to grow 4.2% a year by 2035, faster than that of all major economies in the world. India is Asia’s second biggest energy consumer since 2008. In 2015 it overtook Japan as the world’s third largest oil consuming country, after the U.S.A and China. India’s consumption growth of fossil fuels will be the highest by 2035 and it will overtake China as the largest growth market.