Environmental Impact of the Industrial Revolution

Course Details

• Course title: ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
• Course code: ENVS1003

Course Educational Objectives

• Develop expertise related to the historical context of human interaction with environment
• Make students aware of natural resources and their need for protection
• Highlight the role of environmental legislation in protecting the environment
• Provide comprehensive knowledge of climate change and sustainable development goals

Course Outcomes

• Gain insights into international efforts to protect the Earth's environment, resources, ecosystems, biodiversity, and conservation
• Identify types of natural resources, their distribution, and use specifically in India
• Discuss factors affecting the availability of natural resources and their conservation
• Overview of national and global efforts to address climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts
• Understand different approaches to assessing environmental quality and associated risks

Module 1: Humans and the Environment

• Man-environment interaction: Humans' role as hunter-gatherers, mastery of fire, origin of agriculture, emergence of city-states, ancient civilizations and the environment, Indic knowledge and culture of sustainability, Middle Ages, Renaissance, Industrial revolution and its impact, population growth and natural resource exploitation, global environmental change
• Environmental ethics and emergence of environmentalism: Focuses on anthropocentric and ecocentric perspectives, the Club of Rome - Limits to Growth, UN Conference on Human Environment (1972), World Commission on environment and development and the concept of sustainable development, the Rio Summit and subsequent international efforts

The Man-Environment Interaction

• It describes how humans interact with the environment to fulfill their needs, such as cutting down a tree.
• It also explains how humans have adapted to their environments for survival.
• Human social systems and environments are adaptive systems due to feedback systems and an ability to support survival under changing conditions.
• Although a lot of attention is placed on the negative impacts like deforestation, there are also many positive interactions such as recycling.

The 3 Types of Human Environmental Interactions

• Dependence on the environment: Humans depend on the environment for survival, such as air, water, food, and shelter.
• Modification of the environment: Humans modify the environment to meet goals and needs in both positive and negative ways, impacting the physical environment through actions like agriculture, industrialization and home development.
• Adaptation to the environment: Humans adapt to various environmental conditions to meet their needs.

How Humans Can Have Positive Environmental Interactions

• Renewable energy: solar, wind, and geothermal energy resources
• Urban green projects: planting trees and urban gardens
• Eco-tourism: purchasing carbon credits for air travel or engaging in activities that reduce environmental impact
• Protection of natural parks and areas: preserving areas and ecosystems
• Waste management: recycling and composting

Humans as Hunter-Gatherers

• Hunter-gatherer culture is a subsistence lifestyle that depends on hunting, fishing and foraging.
• Anthropologists have found evidence that modern humans' distant ancestors and Homo sapiens practiced this type of activity for approximately 2 million years.
• Before hunter-gatherer cultures, human groups relied on scavenging animal remains that predators left behind.
• To survive, hunter-gatherers had to move frequently, establishing long-term settlements was impractical.
• Groups were in sizes that ranged from an extended family to 100 people.

Mastery of Fire

• Early humans discovered how to control fire, based on archeological evidence occurred between 700,000 and 120,000 years ago.
• Evidence of fire being used was the existence of tools that could only have been made using fire.
• Early humans discovered fire multiple times in various locations worldwide.
• Fire played a crucial role in evolution; it is the only animal that knows how to control and create fire.
• Fire transformed human diets, provided protection from predators, and became a key tool in technological evolution with religious significance.
• Exposure to artificial light impacted circadian rhythms, increasing the human waking day.

Origin of Agriculture

• Agriculture began independently in various parts of the globe, including diverse taxonomic groups (taxa).
• At least eleven different regions were involved as independent centers of origin.
• Evidence of agriculture developed about 12,000 years ago, transitioning humans from nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyles to permanent settlements and farming.
• Agricultural development transformed the manner humans live.
• Examples of the earliest crops: Emmer wheat, Einkorn wheat, Hulled barley and Peas - discovered in the Levant around 9500 BCE. Lentils, Bitter Vetch and flax were also discovered around the same time.
• Evidence of cattle herding about 8000 BCE in the Fertile Crescent with Bos Primigenius Taurus.
• The development of barley cultivation by 7000 BCE was discovered in Mehrgarh in the Kachi plain of Baluchistan.

Evidence for Domestication of Chicken

• Domestication of chickens (Gallus domesticus) was from a wild form of red jungle fowl that still inhabits Southeast Asia.
• Evidence suggests domestication began around 8,000 years ago in Thailand.
• Recent studies suggest possible multiple origins of chickens in the South and Southeast Asia.

Linearbandkeramik Culture in Europe

• This group were the first true farming communities in Central Europe (LBK dating between 5400 and 4900 BCE.
• The LBK people are considered importers of agricultural products, and methods, and the first domesticated animals and plants that were brought into Europe from other parts of Central and Near Asia.

Africa grows rice and sorghum

• Around 5000 BCE, rice and millet were independently domesticated in China by 8000 BC, followed by mung, soy and azuki beans.
• Local rice and sorghum were domesticated in 5000 BCE in the Sahel region of Africa
• Local crops were also developed independently in West Africa and New Guinea and Ethiopia.

Ploughs make an appearance

• The plough (plow) was likely invented by the Sumerians in Mesopotamia around 4000 BC.
• Jethro Tull is attributed to inventing the seed drill (although evidence shows the Sumerians had a comparable device).
• Evidence suggests the horse was domesticated in Ukraine by 4000 BCE, with its use by Sumerians recorded from around 2000 BCE

Maize Domestication in the Americas

• Maize was domesticated from Teosinte in the Americas approximately from 3000 to 2700 BCE.
• Archaeological evidence suggests an older development.
• Other plants discovered in the New World such as potato, tomato, peppers, squash, varieties of beans, and others were also developed in South America.
• An extensive agricultural development was independently developed on the island of New Guinea.

Turmeric harvested in Indus Valley

• Turmeric, cardamom, pepper, and mustard were harvested in the Indus Valley by 3000 BCE.

Tea discovered

• Tea was discovered by the Chinese Emperor Shennong in 2737 BCE.
• Tea has been an important part of Chinese culture for millennia with scholars perceiving it as a cure for ailments; the nobility considers it as a mark of their status, and people enjoy its flavor.

First Windmill in Babylon

• Evidence suggests the first windmill was built in Babylon around 2000 BCE to grind grain in the area now known as eastern Iran and Afghanistan.

Sugar Processing in India

• Sugarcane originated in New Guinea, with cultivation spreading to Southeast Asia and India.
• By 1000 BCE sugarcane was cultivated in India.

Row Cultivation in China

• A new farming technique, row cultivation replaced scatter seed farming as a result of improved seed planting and reduced seed loss.

Multi-tube seed drill invented in China

• The seed drill allowed for more precise seed planting which improved the productivity of agriculture because sowing had been imprecise.

Arab Agricultural Revolution

• The Islamic Golden Age (8th-13th century) led to a transformation in agriculture referred to as the Arab agricultural revolution and the Medieval Green Revolution.

Coffee originates in Arabia

• Coffee's origin was in Arabia and its popularity grew by the 13th century.
• Coffee became a staple in Muslim societies and spread into secular life

Columbian Exchange Changes Agriculture

• The Columbian Exchange (1492) was a significant global transfer of plants, animals, disease, people and ideas between the Eastern and Western hemispheres.
• This led to a significant impact on the world's ecology, agriculture and culture.

First Practical Green House

• The first practical greenhouse was created in 1599.

First British Agricultural Revolution

• The first British Agricultural Revolution occurred between the 18th and 19th centuries.
• Agricultural developments saw a major increase in productivity and net output.
• The changes were directly impacted by increasing population growth and freeing up a significant percentage of the workforce which was a major factor for the Industrial Revolution.

John Deere invents steel plough

• The steel plow was an invention by John Deere in 1837 that was more efficient in Midwest soil.

Hay Cultivation Changes

• Hay cultivation technologies improved drastically in the 1860s.

Gregor Mendel Describes Mendelian Inheritance

• The concept of Mendelian inheritance (or Mendelism) and genetics in 1866 was developed by Gregor Mendel.

Milking machine replaces hand milking

• Milking machine invented by Anna Baldwin in 1879.

First practical gasoline-powered tractor

• John Froelich constructed the first practical petrol-powered tractor in Clayton County, Iowa, in 1892.

Birth of industrial agriculture

• The identification of nitrogen and phosphorus as factors in plant growth led to synthetic fertilizer creation, which drastically improved agriculture efficiency.
• The advancements in machinery, farming methods, and genetic technologies during the industrial era created new markets for products.
• Increased use of these techniques and the adoption of patent protection saw increased consumption.

Aerial photos for agriculture

• Aerial surveys were first used in the 1930s to enhance soil conservation and forest management programs.

First Plant patent

• Henry F. Bosenberg was granted the first plant patent in 1930 for a climbing/trailing rose.

DDT becomes a rage

• Paul Muller discovered DDT as an effective insecticide in 1939.
• Its use increased significantly during the 1940s, with manufacturers producing large amounts of synthetic pesticides that later became widespread.

Green Revolution begins in Mexico

• The Green Revolution in the 1940s and 50s involved increased food production.
• The revolution had important factors for development, including organizations such as the Gates Foundation.

Organic Movement Starts Taking Roots

• In 1972 the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) was formed as a result of increased environmental awareness.
• The organic movement promotes organic farming globally, believed to be a more sustainable agricultural practice.

Commercial cultivation of genetically modified plants

• Transgenic plants were developed from the 1990s for a variety of purposes and increased food production, including disease resistance, herbicide tolerance, enhanced nutrition, shelf life extension.
• Bt toxin, from genetically engineered organisms, and other herbicide-tolerant crops are the most prevalent products in the market with widespread use since 1996.

Emergence of City-States

• A city-state is an independent sovereign city that acts as a center of political, economic, and cultural life over its contiguous territory.
• Cities such as Rome, Carthage, Athens and Sparta were prominent city-states during the Middle Ages and Renaissance.

Farming generated more complex societies

• Settlements expanded as people began being part of communities larger than families.
• Surpluses and increased populations led to villages transforming into cities.
• The first cities formed the foundation for states, trade networks, writing, states, and trade network development.

Urbanization and the First Cities

• Settled life with increasing population transformed to prosperous towns.
• Centers of long distance trade, such as Central Turkey, with mud brick buildings, plastered walls, bakeries and breweries allowed cities to effectively control adjacent farmlands which helped sustain city dwellers.
• Increasing efficiency of farming also contributed to urbanization, and this promoted the development of communication and trade networks.

Catallhöyük

• Proto-city settlement in southern Anatolia, existed around 7500 to 6400 BC with peak period around 7000 BC.

The Rise of States, Economies and Record-Keeping

• The need to govern urban populations and control surplus-producing farmlands led to development of the first governments.
• Extensive trade networks led to a need for record-keeping leading to writing.
• Urban societies allowed for division of labour (social, cultural, and religious hierarchies.

The Rise of Pastoral Nomadism

• Nomadic communities who raise livestock often have a strong influence on societies with greater populations (farmers and herders).
• Pastoral cultures often feature egalitarianism within their social structures

Great Ancient Civilization and the Environment

• A civilization refers to a group of sovereign places united by a common culture (7 Greatest Ancient Civilizations).
• Sumerian Civilization: One of the greatest, lived in Mesopotamia, contributed to the world's religion and cultural thought.
• Indus Valley Civilization developed feats of architecture and advanced sewer and water systems (3300-1300 BC).
• Egyptian Civilization found success in exploiting the Nile River.
• Ancient and Early Imperial China (2070 BC-AD 220): The infamous Terracotta Army is part of this civilization.
• Ancient Maya Civilization (1000 BC-AD 1520): Native Americans developed intricate and impactful astronomy understanding by 9,000 years ago.

The Ancient Greek Civilization

• Settlers began farming in nutrient-rich soils, paving the way for major contributions to modern literature and philosophy.
• Great philosophers including Homer, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and others established the foundations for Western philosophy, math, medicine, and science.

The Ancient Roman Civilization

• The Romans inherited ideas from others, but developed and improved upon the concepts of others (bridges, aqueducts, roads).
• Their civilization expanded across the known world and incorporated the culture and religions into their society.

India's knowledge and culture on sustainability

• Crop rotation and mixed cropping maintain fertile soil.
• Uses natural fertilizers in their farming practices (organic farming) rather than chemical fertilizers
• Water management techniques such as step wells (baoris) and tanks (kunds)
• Rainwater harvesting

Forest Conservation

• Protected forest areas are sometimes considered sacred by local communities to preserve biodiversity.
• Community-based management of forests.

Sustainable Architecture

• Traditional Indian principles of architecture (Vastu Shastra) emphasize harmony and use of locally sourced building materials (mud, bamboo and stone) to reduce environmental impact

Cultural practices

• Many Indian festivals and rituals are connected with nature and agricultural cycles, fostering respect and awareness of the environment.
• Ayurveda, a traditional medicine system, uses natural resources for health and well-being.

Knowledge Transmission

• Oral traditions play a crucial role in knowledge transmission (stories, songs, and rituals).
• Important role of elders and women in transmitting traditional knowledge to emphasize the sustainable use of natural resources

Middle Ages and Renaissance

• Two distinct periods in European history with unique characteristics.
• The Middle Ages (5th–14th century): The Catholic Church was a significant force, and feudalism was the dominant social system. The period had many challenges (wars, famines, and the Black Death).
• The period of Renaissance (14th–17th century) was a significant period in intellectual and cultural development: there were many significant artistic and/or scientific figures during this period, and communication and international trade significantly advanced during the Renaissance.

Industrial Revolution and its impact on the Environment

• The iron and steel industry expanded in Britain through importing iron from Sweden and Russia.
• Increases in population increased the demand for resources such as coal, which resulted in a lot of pollution in the environment.
• Increased production led to a rise of chemical production (like sulphuric acid, etc.).

History of the Industrial Revolution

• The Industrial Revolution began in Britain in the late 18th century and expanded into the 19th century until around 1840.
• The shift was from human and animal labour to machinery.
• New chemical manufacturing, iron production and high steam power were new processes as well as improved water energy and machine tools.
• The steam engine, invented by Thomas Newcomen, was improved by James Watt in 1776.

Environmental Impact of Industrialization

• Pollution problems (air and water pollution), impacting people as well as the environment.
• Increased demand led to a depletion of natural resources.
• Industrial waste polluted soil and water resulting in toxicity, cancer, and gene mutations.

Global Warming

• Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, caused by increased industrial machinery run on fossil fuels
• Global warming resulted in widespread changes to the weather patterns.

Habitat Destruction

• The Industrial Revolution drastically changed the environment and destroyed animal habitats, resulting in the extinction of several species.
• Deforestation has also resulted in the loss of diverse species.
• Mining, industrial activities and overfishing are significant contributing factors to marine ecosystems declining.

Unethical Labor

• Unethical labor was common during the early years of the Industrial Revolution, including child labour, improper treatment of workers and sometimes even enslavement.
• Child labour was widespread in many agricultural and mining industries.

Conclusion

• The industrial revolution, while providing many benefits had also devastating and irreversible impacts on the environment.
• The use of fossil fuels contributes significantly to environmental problems.
• Environmental regulations and policies are crucial to reducing the impact of industrial activities.
• Sustainability must be in mind during all industrial activities and future developments of the world.

Population Growth and Natural Resource Exploitation

• Increased human population growth has resulted in the depletion of various natural resources, including minerals, energy, soil, water, and biological resources.

Climate Change

• Climate change refers to climate alterations caused by anthropogenic (human) activities
• Global warming is the long term increase in Earth's average surface temperature, primarily due to increased human activity.
• Climate change impacts ecosystems and biodiversity.
• Changes in temperature and precipitation
• Increased frequency of extreme weather events.

Global Environmental Change

• Global environmental change refers to a broad set of alterations in the climate, ecosystems and geology
• Human activities have significantly increased these changes.

Anthropocentric and Ecocentric Perspectives

• Anthropocentrism places humans as the most important entities in the world, with nature existing to serve human needs.
• Ecocentrism places intrinsic value on all living organisms and abiotic aspects of the environment.

Club of Rome – Limits to Growth

• The Club of Rome was an international organization that initiated a study of global environmental problems and their significance for the long term future of humanity.
• The group created computer models of five basic factors that influence our planet: population, industrial output, pollution, food production and the use of natural resources

UN Conference on the Human Environment 1972 (Stockholm)

• The 1972 Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment was the first global conference to make the environment a major issue.
• The participants adopted a series of principles for sound environmental management, including the Stockholm Declaration and a plan of action.

World Commission on Environment and Development

• The World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) was established to promote sustainable development.
• Its main objective was to develop a report on the global problematique and provide strategies for sustainable development to the year 2000 and beyond.
• Proposals on various strategies, including the management and conservation of forests, were also part of the report which was transmitted to the Assembly to be used for consideration on sustainable development.

Concept of Sustainable Development

• Sustainable development is about meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
• It's about linking social and environmental issues.

Role of Agriculture in Global Environmental Change

• Agricultural practices have a significant impact on deforestation, water resources, and biodiversity;
• Deforestation for expansion of agriculture is a challenge for loss of habitat and biodiversity loss.
• Agricultural practices impact the environment regarding soil health and pollution.
• Use of fertilizers and pesticides can lead to soil and water quality degradation beyond agricultural fields.

Water Use in Agriculture

• Agriculture is a significant consumer of freshwater resources, often exceeding 70%, with irrigation a necessary practice for feeding the growing population.
• Sustainable water management is vital to balancing agricultural needs with environmental needs.

Climate Change Mitigation

• Climate change, a major threat to the planet, is associated with poor air and water quality, widespread tree cutting, and widespread animal/plant loss.
• The Paris Agreement, as well as other agreements, are important steps in the fight against climate change.
• Ways to mitigate climate change can include stopping deforestation, using renewable energy sources, controlling greenhouse gas emissions, and supporting sustainable practices.

Various Forms of Environmentalism

• Liberal environmentalism: Often focuses on government regulations to lessen harm to the planet and encourage cooperation.
• Radical environmentalism: Aims to cause significant changes in how people treat Earth, frequently advocating for societal changes.
• Political Ecology: Focuses on the relationship between humans and nature by analyzing environmental challenges, considering human activities and societal processes leading to these challenges.

Anthropocentric and Ecocentric Perspectives

• Anthropocentrism: Views humans as the most important beings in the world, with a focus on the needs and welfare of humans. Nature is to serve this purpose.
• Ecocentrism: Sees humans as one part of nature and sees intrinsic value in all living things and the environment as wholes, regardless of its value to humans.

The Club of Rome – Limits to Growth

• The Club of Rome, a group of international experts, initiated a study on global environmental problems to address the long-term future of humanity.
• The published report, titled "Limits to Growth," used computer models focusing on five basic factors leading to environmental limitations including population growth, industrial output, pollution, food production, and resource use.

UN Conference on the Human Environment, 1972

• The first world conference dedicated to the environment, which raised awareness of environmental problems and highlighted the need for inter-country collaboration and cooperation.
• A declaration (called the Stockholm Declaration) and a plan of action were established to address and manage environmental considerations.

World Commission on Environment and Development

• A special commission tasked with developing strategies for sustainable development.
• The report was published addressing the global problematique for the environment with strategies to manage our environment and the world to the year 2000 and beyond.

Concept of Sustainable Development

• Sustainable development seeks to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
• The concept of sustainable development emphasizes identifying the issues and the need to link together the various social, environmental and economic systems.

This quiz explores the ethical and environmental issues that arose during the Industrial Revolution. It covers topics such as population growth, fossil fuel consumption, and child labor. Test your knowledge on how historical practices influence modern environmental challenges.