Environment and Sustainable Development

Environment and Sustainable Development

• The chapter discusses the significance and contribution of the environment to economic development.
• It explores environmental challenges facing India and relates environmental issues to sustainable development.
• The chapter is structured into three sections: functions and role of the environment, the state of India's environment and strategies for sustainable development.

Environment – Definition and Functions

• Environment is defined as the total planetary inheritance and totality of all resources, encompassing biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors.
• Biotic elements include birds, animals, plants, forests and fisheries.
• Abiotic elements include air, water, land, rocks and sunlight.
• Studying the environment involves analyzing the inter-relationship between biotic and abiotic components.
• The environment performs four vital functions:
• Supplying resources, including renewable resources and non-renewable resources.
• Assimilating waste.
• Sustaining life by providing genetic and biodiversity.
• Providing aesthetic services.
• Renewable resources can be used without depletion (e.g., trees in forests, fishes in the ocean).
• Non-renewable resources are exhausted with extraction and use (e.g., fossil fuels).
• Environmental crisis occurs when resource extraction exceeds the rate of regeneration and waste generation exceeds the assimilating capacity.
• Rising populations and affluent consumption patterns have strained the environment, leading to resource extinction and exceeding absorptive capacity.
• Absorptive capacity refers to the environment's ability to absorb degradation.

Global Warming

• Global warming is a gradual increase in Earth's average temperature due to increased greenhouse gases since the Industrial Revolution.
• Human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation are the primary causes.
• Increased atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide and methane have been observed since 1750.
• Global warming's long-term effects include melting polar ice, rising sea levels, disrupted water supplies, species extinction and increased tropical storms/diseases.
• Factors contributing to global warming include the burning of coal and petroleum products, deforestation, methane from animal waste and increased cattle production.
• A UN Conference on Climate Change in Kyoto (1997) resulted in an international agreement for industrialized nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Ozone Depletion

• Ozone depletion refers to a reduction in the amount of ozone in the stratosphere.

• High levels of chlorine and bromine compounds, mainly from chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), cause ozone depletion.

• CFCs are used in air conditioners, refrigerators, aerosol propellants and fire extinguishers.

• Ozone layer depletion increases the amount of ultraviolet (UV) radiation reaching Earth, which can harm living organisms.

• UV radiation exposure is linked to skin cancer, reduced phytoplankton production and impacts on terrestrial plant growth.

• The Montreal Protocol banned the use of CFC compounds to prevent ozone depletion.

• Environmental problems are more prevalent now due to increased demand for resources and services exceeding their supply.

• In earlier times, the rate of resource extraction was less than the rate of regeneration so environmental problems did not arise.

State of India's Environment

• India possesses abundant natural resources; however, developmental activities have put pressure on these, impacting human health.
• India faces a dichotomy: poverty-induced environmental degradation and pollution from affluence.
• Pressing environmental concerns in India include air and water pollution, soil erosion, deforestation and wildlife extinction.
• Main priority issues identified are land degradation, biodiversity loss, air pollution (especially vehicular in urban areas), freshwater management and solid waste management.
• Land degradation is mainly due to unstable use and inappropriate management practices.
• Factors responsible for land degradation include deforestation, unsustainable fuel wood extraction, shifting cultivation, non-adoption of soil conservation, overgrazing, improper water management and overuse of agro-chemicals.
• The per capita forest land is only 0.06 hectare which is less than the required amount.
• India accounts for 17% of the world's human population and 20% of livestock, but has only 2.5% of the world's geographical area.
• Soil erosion rates are high, resulting in significant nutrient losses.
• The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), established in 1974, addresses water and air pollution.
• State-level boards investigate pollution, set standards, monitor water quality and provide technical assistance for pollution control.
• High vehicular emissions are a particular concern because they have a significant impact on the general population.
• India is among the top 10 industrialized nations, leading to unplanned urbanization and pollution.
• The CPCB has identified 17 categories of industries as significantly polluting.

Sustainable Development

• Sustainable development aims to balance environmental protection and economic advancement.
• The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) defines sustainable development as meeting present needs without compromising future generations.
• The concept of "needs" is linked to resource distribution.
• Our Common Future report defines sustainable development as 'meeting the basic needs of all and extending to all the opportunity to satisfy their aspirations for a better life'.
• The definition also speaks of redistribution of resources.
• Edward Barbier defines it as increasing the material standard of living of the poor
• Sustainable development involves decreasing poverty, securing livelihoods, minimizing resource depletion, mitigating environmental degradation, and preventing social instability.
• The Brundtland Commission emphasizes handing over the planet Earth in good order to the future generation.
• Hermann Daly suggests limiting human population, promoting input-efficient technologies, using renewable resources sustainably, creating renewable substitutes for non-renewable resources and correcting pollution inefficiencies.
• In 2015, the UN formulated 17 Sustainable Development Goals to be achieved by 2030.

Strategies for Sustainable Development

• Use Non-conventional Sources of Energy because both have adverse environmental impacts.
• Use wind and solar power which are good examples of non-conventional sources of energy.
• LPG, Gobar Gas in Rural Areas can be use as fuel.
• Subsidized LPG reduces household pollution.
• Gobar gas plants can also function using cattle dung and produce gas.
• CNG in Urban Areas such as Delhi has significantly lowered air pollution as well as other Indian cities.
• Wind Power can provide electricity without adverse environmental impact.
• Solar Power through Photovoltaic Cells can be used now that with the help of photovoltaic cells, solar energy can be converted into electricity.
• Mini-hydel Plants are environment-friendly generate enough power to meet local demands.
• Traditional Knowledge and Practices such as healthcare and agriculture were all practiced with environment friendly systems.
• Biocomposting is when farmers, in large numbers all over the country, have again started using compost made from organic wastes of different types.
• Biopest Control helps to meet challenges now.
• Neem trees are proving to be quite useful
• Mixed cropping and growing different crops in consecutive years on the same land have also helped farmers.
• Spread awareness of animals and birds which help in controlling pests.

Conclusion

• Economic development can unintentionally lead to environmental problems.
• Sustainable development aims to minimize environmental problems while securing the needs of present and future generations.