<–2/”>a >Environmental influences are important both at the prenatal and postnatal stages of Human Development. At the prenatal stage, when a fetus is in the mother’s womb, internal or external harmful agents, such as certain legal or illegal drugs, alcohol, lead and pollutants can harm the unborn baby’s development. The mother’s Nutrition, diseases and emotional Stress can also affect the development of the fetus.
The Environment provides various Resources to man-both renewable and nonrenewable. Renewable resources are those resources which are replenished easily over time, and hence can be used without the possibility of the resource becoming depleted or exhausted. Examples of renewable resources include trees in the forests, fishes in the ocean, etc. Non-renewable resources, on the other hand, are those resources which can get exhausted or depleted over time as they are used up. Examples of non-renewable resources include fossil fuels and Minerals like petroleum,natural gas, coal, etc. Thus these resources need to be used carefully, while keeping in mind the requirements of the future generations.
Economic Growth and Sustainability
- Over-consumption has led to depletion of resources
- Main environmental threats
- Depletion of resources
- Global Warming
- Expansion of waste arising from production and consumption
- Population pressure
- Pollution
- Loss of Biodiversity-2/”>Biodiversity and extinction of species.
- Green NATIONAL INCOME Account
- Conventional National Income Accounting does not capture the Environmental Degradation due to production and consumption
- This omission leads to misrepresentation of improvements in social welfare
- Since there is no market for many environmental resources, it is difficult to place monetary values on them
- Index of Sustainable Economic Welfare: adjusts the national income to make an allowance for defensive spending (i.e. that incurred in cleaning up for pollution and other forms of environmental damage)
- Economic Sustainability
- Calls for reforms in the manner that we conduct our economic activity
- Removing unfair trade barriers and subsidies that harm the environment
- Upholding the polluter pays principle
- Tax not on labour but on consumption <already there in the form of indirect taxes>
- Pricing products in terms of value they have deducted from the common natural base
- Increase resource productivity
- Sustainable agriculture
- Use of practices and methods to maintain/enhance the economic viability of agricultural production, natural resource base, and other Ecosystems which are influenced by agricultural activities
- Minimizing the adverse impact on the Natural Resources base
- Flexible Farming Systems to manage the risks associated with Climate and markets
Ecological Sustainability
- Sustainable forest management
- ‘Forest Principle’ adopted at the 1992 Rio Summit
- In 2007, GA adopted the Non Legally Binding Instrument on All Types of Forests. The instrument is the first of its kind and is committed to promote SFM by bringing all stakeholders together
- Ministerial Conference on Protection of Forests in Europe defined SFM as the attainment of balance between Society’s increasing demands for forest products and benefits, and the preservation of forest Health and diversity.
- Forest managers must assess and integrate a wide array of sometimes conflicting factors to produce Sound forest plans
- Ecosystems approachhas been adopted by the CBD. The CBD definition of Ecosystems Approach is known as the Malawi Principles.
- Ecosystems Approach is a strategy of management of land, water and living resources in a way that promotes conservation and sustainable use in an equitable way. Focused on use of scientific methodologies for each level of biological organisation and their interaction.
- SFM was recognised by the parties to CBD in 2004 to be a concrete means of applying the Ecosystems Approach to forest ecosystems
- Objectives of SFM
- Maintain environmental stability through preservation of ecological balance that has been adversely affected due to the depletion of forest cover
- Preserve the natural heritage of the country
- Improve productivity of forests
- Protecting through cooperation with local communities on the principle of Joint Forest Management
- India
- One of the 12 mega biodiversity countries of the world
- National Forest Policy 1988emphasizes environmental stability and maintenance of ecological balance
- Existing Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE for forest protection is inadequate
- Surveys not carried out in many areas. Question of tribal rights
- Protect from forest fires
- Integrated Forest Protection Scheme
- 10thFYP. In all States and UTs
- Formed by merger of two 9thFYP schemes: ‘Forest Fire Control and Management’ and ‘Bridging of Infrastructure Gaps in the Forestry Sector in the North Eastern Region and Sikkim’
- Components
- Infrastructure Development: survey and demarcation, strengthening the infrastructure for Forest Protection Division
- Forest fire control and management
- Implementing agencies
- Central Component: Forest Protection Division, MoEF; Forest Survey of India, Dehradun; Central institutions like Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (Dehradun), IIFM (Bhopal) etc shall be involved
- State Component: Forest dept of the concerned state/UT
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Development and Environment
The environment is the natural world that surrounds us. It includes the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, and the land we live on. The environment is essential for our survival, and it is important to protect it.
One of the biggest threats to the environment is Climate Change. Climate change is caused by the release of greenhouse gases into the Atmosphere. These gases trap heat, which causes the Earth’s temperature to rise. Climate change is already having a significant impact on the environment, and it is expected to get worse in the future.
Deforestation is another major threat to the environment. Deforestation is the clearing of forests for other uses, such as agriculture or development. Deforestation destroys habitats for wildlife, and it contributes to climate change.
Environmental degradation is the deterioration of the environment. This can be caused by pollution, deforestation, or other human activities. Environmental degradation can have a negative impact on human health, and it can also damage ecosystems.
Environmental sustainability is the ability to meet our own needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable Development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Pollution is the contamination of the environment with harmful substances. Pollution can come from a variety of sources, including factories, vehicles, and agriculture. Pollution can have a negative impact on human health, and it can also damage ecosystems.
RENEWABLE ENERGY is energy that comes from sources that are naturally replenished, such as sunlight, wind, and water. Renewable energy is a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, which are non-renewable and contribute to climate change.
Sustainable forestry is the management of forests in a way that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable forestry practices include replanting trees after they are harvested, and protecting forests from fire and pests.
Sustainable Agriculture is the practice of farming in a way that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable agriculture practices include using less water and pesticides, and rotating crops.
Water management is the process of managing Water Resources in a way that meets the needs of people and the environment. Water management includes activities such as water conservation, water treatment, and flood control.
Waste Management is the process of managing waste in a way that protects human health and the environment. Waste management includes activities such as recycling, composting, and waste disposal.
Wildlife conservation is the protection of wildlife and their habitats. Wildlife conservation includes activities such as habitat protection, species reintroduction, and education about wildlife.
The environment is a complex and important issue. It is important to understand the threats to the environment, and to take steps to protect it. We can all do our part to protect the environment by making sustainable choices in our daily lives.
Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about the following topics:
- What is Artificial Intelligence?
Artificial intelligence (AI) is the ability of a computer or machine to mimic the capabilities of a human brain. This includes Learning from experience, solving problems, and making decisions.
- What is machine learning?
Machine learning is a type of AI that allows computers to learn without being explicitly programmed. This is done by feeding the computer large amounts of data and allowing it to find patterns on its own.
- What is deep learning?
Deep learning is a type of machine learning that uses artificial neural networks to learn from data. Neural networks are inspired by the human brain, and they can be used to solve complex problems that traditional machine learning algorithms cannot.
- What are the benefits of AI?
AI has the potential to revolutionize many industries, including healthcare, transportation, and manufacturing. It can also be used to solve some of the world’s most pressing problems, such as climate change and POVERTY.
- What are the risks of AI?
AI could be used to create autonomous weapons that could kill without human intervention. It could also be used to create systems that are biased against certain groups of people.
- How can we ensure that AI is used for good?
It is important to develop AI in a responsible way that ensures that it is used for good. This means developing ethical guidelines for the development and use of AI, and ensuring that AI systems are transparent and accountable.
- What is the future of AI?
The future of AI is uncertain, but it is clear that AI has the potential to change the world in profound ways. It is important to start thinking about how we can ensure that AI is used for good, and to develop ethical guidelines for its development and use.
- What is the difference between AI and machine learning?
AI is a broad term that refers to any technology that allows computers to mimic the capabilities of a human brain. Machine learning is a type of AI that allows computers to learn without being explicitly programmed.
- What is the difference between deep learning and machine learning?
Deep learning is a type of machine learning that uses artificial neural networks to learn from data. Neural networks are inspired by the human brain, and they can be used to solve complex problems that traditional machine learning algorithms cannot.
- What are some examples of AI?
Some examples of AI include facial recognition, natural language processing, and self-driving cars.
- What are some of the challenges of AI?
Some of the challenges of AI include bias, explainability, and safety.
- What are some of the ethical issues of AI?
Some of the ethical issues of AI include privacy, discrimination, and job displacement.
- What is the future of AI?
The future of AI is uncertain, but it is clear that AI has the potential to change the world in profound ways. It is important to start thinking about how we can ensure that AI is used for good, and to develop ethical guidelines for its development and use.
Sure, here are some MCQs without mentioning the topic Development and environment:
Which of the following is not a type of renewable energy?
(A) Solar Energy
(B) Wind Energy
(C) Nuclear Energy
(D) Hydroelectric energyWhich of the following is not a greenhouse gas?
(A) Carbon dioxide
(B) Methane
(C) Water vapor
(D) OxygenWhich of the following is not a major cause of Air Pollution?
(A) Vehicle emissions
(B) Industrial emissions
(C) Forest fires
(D) Volcanic eruptionsWhich of the following is not a major cause of Water Pollution?
(A) Agricultural runoff
(B) Industrial waste
(C) Sewage
(D) RainwaterWhich of the following is not a major cause of land pollution?
(A) Mining
(B) Construction
(C) Agriculture
(D) DeforestationWhich of the following is not a major cause of Noise Pollution?
(A) Traffic
(B) Construction
(C) Industrial machinery
(D) MusicWhich of the following is not a major cause of Light pollution?
(A) Streetlights
(B) Advertisements
(C) Airports
(D) HomesWhich of the following is not a major cause of solid waste?
(A) Food waste
(B) Paper waste
(C) Plastic waste
(D) Metal wasteWhich of the following is not a major cause of hazardous waste?
(A) Chemical waste
(B) Nuclear waste
(C) Medical waste
(D) Industrial wasteWhich of the following is not a major cause of biological waste?
(A) Agricultural waste
(B) Industrial waste
(C) Sewage
(D) Medical waste
I hope these MCQs are helpful!