Deforestation and Its Effects

Over-exploitation of Forests (Deforestation)

• Threatens wildlife species, leading to potential extinction.
• Causes loss of biodiversity, disrupting ecosystems.
• Affects the hydrological cycle, resulting in altered water patterns.
• Increases soil erosion and loss of soil fertility.
• Leads to siltation in rivers and lakes, degrading water quality.
• Heightens risk of landslides due to destabilized soil.
• Contributes to global warming through carbon release.
• Increases flood risks due to decreased vegetation.
• Results in loss of revenue from timber and ecosystem services.
• Creates socio-economic problems, including forced relocation and cultural threats.

Control Measures for Deforestation

• Prohibition of mining activities in protected forests to safeguard ecosystems.
• Implement massive tree plantation initiatives following tree cutting.
• Strict adherence to environmental laws and legal provisions.
• Promote social forestry, agro-forestry, and recreational forestry as sustainable practices.
• Foster public awareness and encourage participation in forest conservation efforts.

Reforestation and Afforestation

• Reforestation: Restoring forest cover in deforested areas through natural or artificial means.
• Afforestation: Establishing new forests in areas previously devoid of tree cover.

Energy Resources Overview

• Energy defined as the capacity to do work.
• The Sun is a primary source of energy.

Renewable vs. Non-renewable Energy Sources

• Non-renewable sources include coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear energy.

  • Coal types include:
    • Anthracite: Hard, high carbon content.
    • Bituminous: Commonly used for electricity; has layers.
    • Subbituminous: Dull, higher heating value than lignite.
    • Lignite: Lowest grade, brown coal.
  • Environmental issues: Leakage causes water pollution; accidental fires contribute to air pollution.

• Renewable sources include solar, wind, hydro, tidal, ocean thermal, geothermal, biomass, biogas, biofuels, and hydrogen.

Petroleum

• OPEC: Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, comprising 13 countries with 67% of global reserves.
• Petroleum is a complex alkane hydrocarbon mixture, cleaner than coal.
• Common products include petroleum gas, kerosene, petrol, diesel, and plastics.

Natural Gas

• The cleanest fossil fuel, primarily composed of methane.
• High calorific value, used increasingly as an alternative fuel (CNG).
• Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG) is produced from low-grade coal.

Nuclear Energy

• Types of nuclear reactions:
  • Fission: Splitting of large nuclei.
  • Fusion: Joining of small nuclei.
• Key elements: Uranium, Thorium, Plutonium.
• Advantages include low fuel costs and continuous energy production; disadvantages involve nuclear accidents and waste management.

Geothermal Energy

• Harvested from the Earth’s hot rocks, utilizing natural geysers or drilled holes.
• Advantages: No emissions, reliable, low operating costs; disadvantages involve potential emissions and high investment requirements.

Ocean-Thermal Energy

• Based on temperature differences in ocean water layers.
• Requires a minimum temperature difference of 20°C.
• Continuous energy source with minimal seasonal variation, yet entails high costs and potential ecological impacts.

Biomass Energy

• Major sources include wood and energy crops (e.g., Jatropha, Sunflower) used for biofuels.
• Types of biofuels include biodiesel, biogas, bio-ethanol, and bio-methanol.

Energy Recovery

• Involves burning waste for energy, leading to reduced reliance on coal and reduced pollution.
• Benefits include improved air quality and reduced landfill needs; however, may release toxic substances and produce residual ash.

Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF)

• Composed mainly of combustible waste components like plastics and cardboard, processed to create a substitute fuel for fossil fuels.