<–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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Environment and Sustainable Development are two of the most important issues facing our planet today. As the world’s population continues to grow, we are putting a strain on our natural resources and ecosystems. This is leading to a number of environmental problems, including Climate Change, Air Pollution, Water Pollution, and deforestation.
Climate change is one of the most serious environmental problems facing our planet. It is caused by the release of greenhouse gases into the Atmosphere, which trap heat and cause the Earth’s temperature to rise. Climate change is already having a number of negative effects on our planet, including rising sea levels, more extreme weather events, and changes in plant and animal life.
Air pollution is another serious environmental problem. It is caused by the release of pollutants into the air, such as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides. Air pollution can cause a number of health problems, including respiratory problems, heart disease, and cancer.
Water pollution is another serious environmental problem. It is caused by the release of pollutants into water bodies, such as rivers, lakes, and Oceans. Water pollution can cause a number of health problems, including gastrointestinal problems, reproductive problems, and neurological problems.
Deforestation is another serious environmental problem. It is the clearing of forests for other uses, such as agriculture, development, and mining. Deforestation can lead to a number of problems, including Soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and climate change.
All of these environmental problems are interconnected. For example, climate change can lead to more extreme weather events, which can cause flooding, droughts, and wildfires. These events can then lead to deforestation, which can further contribute to climate change.
It is clear that we need to take action to address these environmental problems. We need to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, invest in RENEWABLE ENERGY, and protect our natural resources. We also need to educate people about the importance of environmental protection and sustainable development.
Environmental protection and sustainable development are essential for the future of our planet. We need to work together to protect our environment and ensure a sustainable future for all.
Here are some specific actions that we can take to address environmental problems:
- Reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. We can do this by driving less, using public transportation, and investing in renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power.
- Invest in renewable energy. Renewable energy sources are becoming more affordable and efficient all the time. We need to invest in these technologies so that we can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
- Protect our natural resources. We need to protect our forests, oceans, and other natural resources. We can do this by supporting conservation efforts and reducing our consumption of resources.
- Educate people about environmental protection. We need to educate people about the importance of environmental protection and sustainable development. We can do this through schools, community groups, and the media.
By taking these actions, we can make a difference for the environment and ensure a sustainable future for all.
What is Artificial Intelligence?
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a branch of computer science that deals with the creation of intelligent agents, which are systems that can reason, learn, and act autonomously. AI research has been highly successful in developing effective techniques for solving a wide range of problems, from game playing to medical diagnosis. However, AI has also been the subject of much controversy, with some people expressing concerns about the potential dangers of intelligent machines.
What is machine Learning?
Machine learning is a subfield of AI that gives computers the ability to learn without being explicitly programmed. Machine learning algorithms are able to learn from data and improve their performance over time without human intervention. This makes them well-suited for solving complex problems that would be difficult or impossible to solve with traditional programming techniques.
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 are able to learn complex patterns in data that traditional machine learning algorithms cannot. Deep learning has been used to achieve state-of-the-art results in a wide range of fields, including computer vision, natural language processing, and speech recognition.
What is natural language processing?
Natural language processing (NLP) is a field of computer science that deals with the interaction between computers and human (natural) languages. NLP tasks include machine translation, text summarization, and question answering. NLP is a challenging field because human languages are complex and ambiguous. However, NLP has made significant progress in recent years, thanks to advances in machine learning and artificial intelligence.
What is computer vision?
Computer vision is a field of computer science that deals with the extraction of meaningful information from digital images or Videos. Computer vision tasks include object detection, face recognition, and scene understanding. Computer vision is a challenging field because images and videos are often noisy and ambiguous. However, computer vision has made significant progress in recent years, thanks to advances in machine learning and artificial intelligence.
What is Robotics?
Robotics is a field of engineering that deals with the design, construction, operation, and application of robots. Robots are machines that can be programmed to perform a variety of tasks, from simple tasks such as moving objects to complex tasks such as surgery. Robotics is a rapidly growing field, with applications in a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and defense.
What is big data?
Big data is a term used to describe the large and complex datasets that are generated by modern technology. Big data can be analyzed to reveal insights that would not be possible with smaller datasets. Big data is a challenge to store, manage, and analyze, but it also has the potential to revolutionize many industries.
What is the Internet of things?
The internet of things (IoT) is a Network of physical objects that are embedded with sensors, Software, and other technologies for the purpose of connecting and exchanging data with other devices and systems over the internet. The IoT has the potential to revolutionize many industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and transportation.
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a distributed Database that allows for secure, transparent, and tamper-proof transactions. Blockchain is the underlying technology behind Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Blockchain has the potential to revolutionize many industries, including finance, Supply Chain Management, and healthcare.
What is quantum computing?
Quantum computing is a type of computing that uses the principles of quantum mechanics to perform operations on data. Quantum computers are still in their early stages of development, but they have the potential to be much more powerful than traditional computers. Quantum computing could revolutionize many industries, including cryptography, drug discovery, and materials science.
What is 5G?
5G is the fifth generation of cellular network technology. 5G is designed to be much faster and more reliable than previous generations of cellular networks. 5G has the potential to revolutionize many industries, including mobile computing, healthcare, and transportation.
What is virtual reality?
Virtual reality (VR) is a computer-generated simulation that can be similar to or completely different from the real world. VR places the user inside an experience that allows them to interact with 3D content and other users. VR has the potential to revolutionize many industries, including gaming, education, and healthcare.
What is augmented reality?
Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that superimposes a computer-generated image on a user’s view of the real world, thus providing a composite view. AR is often used in mobile devices to provide information about the user’s surroundings. AR has the potential to revolutionize many industries, including retail, manufacturing, and healthcare.
Sure, here are some MCQs on the following topics:
Climate change
Which of the following is not a greenhouse gas?
- Carbon dioxide
- Methane
- Water vapor
- Oxygen
- Which of the following is the most important greenhouse gas?
- Carbon dioxide
- Methane
- Water vapor
- Oxygen
- What is the main cause of climate change?
- Human activities
- Natural processes
- Both human activities and natural processes
- None of the above
What are some of the effects of climate change?
- Rising sea levels
- More extreme weather events
- Changes in plant and animal life
- All of the above
Deforestation
What is deforestation?
- The clearing of forests for other uses
- The planting of trees
- The protection of forests
- None of the above
- What are some of the causes of deforestation?
- Agriculture
- Mining
- Logging
- All of the above
What are some of the effects of deforestation?
- Loss of biodiversity
- Soil erosion
- Climate change
- All of the above
Pollution
What is pollution?
- The contamination of the environment with harmful substances
- The protection of the environment from harmful substances
- The removal of harmful substances from the environment
- None of the above
- What are some of the sources of pollution?
- Factories
- Cars
- Farms
- All of the above
What are some of the effects of pollution?
- Air pollution
- Water pollution
- Land pollution
- All of the above
What is waste management?
- The collection, treatment, and disposal of waste
- The production of waste
- The prevention of waste
- None of the above
- What are some of the different types of waste?
- Municipal solid waste
- Industrial waste
- Hazardous waste
- All of the above
What are some of the methods of waste management?
- Recycling
- Composting
- Landfilling
- Incineration
Sustainable development
What is sustainable development?
- Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
- Development that does not meet the needs of the present
- Development that compromises the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
- None of the above
- What are some of the principles of sustainable development?
* Efficiency
* Sustainability
- What are some of the challenges to sustainable development?
- POVERTY
- Inequality
* Climate change
* Deforestation
I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.