SUSTAINABLE ENGINEERING

Module 2

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Air Pollution

Air pollution is the presence of substances in the atmosphere that are harmful to the
health of humans and other living beings or cause damage to the climate or to
materials. There are different types of air pollutants, such as gases, particulates, and
biological molecules.

Types of Pollutants

In order to understand the causes of Air pollution, several divisions can be made.
Primarily air pollutants can be caused by primary sources or secondary sources.
The pollutants that are a directresult of the process can be called primary
pollutants. A classic example of a primary pollutant would be the sulfur dioxide
Emission from factories Secondary pollutants are the ones that are caused by the
intermingling and reactions of primary pollutants. Smog created by the interactions
of several primary pollutants is known to be a secondary pollutant.

Causes of Air pollution

Burning of Fossil Fuels: Sulfur dioxide emitted from the combustion of fossil fuels like coal, petroleum and
other factory combustibles is one of the major causes of air pollution. Pollution emitting from vehicles including
trucks, jeeps, cars, trains, airplanes cause an immense amount of pollution. We rely on them to fulfill our dailybasic
needs of transportation. But their overuse is killing our environment as dangerous gases are polluting the
environment. Carbon Monoxide caused by improper or incomplete combustion and generally emitted from
vehicles is another major pollutant along with Nitrogen Oxides, which is produced from both natural and man-
made processes.

Agricultural activities: Ammonia is a very common by-product of agriculture-related activities and is one of the most
hazardous gases in the atmosphere. The use of insecticides, pesticides, and fertilizers in agricultural activitieshas
grown quite a lot. They emit harmful chemicals into the air and can also cause water pollution.

Exhaust from factories and industries: Manufacturing industries release a large amount of carbon monoxide,
hydrocarbons, organic compounds, and chemicals into the air thereby depleting the quality of air. Manufacturingindustries
can be found at every corner of the earth and there is no area that has not been affected by it.
Petroleum refineries also release hydrocarbons and various other chemicals that pollute the air and also causeland
pollution.

Mining operations: Mining is a process wherein minerals below the earth are extracted using large
equipment. During the process dust and chemicals are released in the air causing massive air pollution.This
is one of the reasons which is responsible for the deteriorating health conditions of workers and nearby
residents.

Indoor air pollution: Household cleaning products, painting supplies emit toxic chemicals in the air and cause air
pollution. Suspended particulate matter popular by its acronym SPM, is another cause of pollution. Referring to
the particles afloat in the air, SPM is usually caused by dust, combustion etc.

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Effects of Air pollution

Respiratory and heart problems: The effects of Air pollution are alarming. They are known
tocreate several respiratory and heart conditions along with Cancer, among other
threats to the body. Several million are known to have died due to direct or indirect
effects of Air pollution. Children in areas exposed to air pollutants are said to commonly
suffer from pneumonia and asthma.

Global warming: Another direct effect is the immediate alterations that the world is
witnessingdue to Global warming. With increased temperatures worldwide, increase
in sea levels and melting of ice
from colder regions and icebergs, displacement and loss of habitat have already signaled
an impending
disaster if actions for preservation and normalization aren’t undertaken soon.

Acid Rain: Harmful gases like nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides are released into the
atmosphere during the burning of fossil fuels. When it rains, the water droplets
combine with these air pollutants,
become acidic, and then fall on the ground in the form of acid rain. Acid rain
can cause greatdamage
to humans, animals, and crops.

Effect on Wildlife: Just like humans, animals also face some devastating effects of air pollution.
Toxic
chemicals present in the air can force wildlife species to move to new places and
change theirhabitat.
The toxic pollutants deposit over the surface of the water and can also affect aquatic
organisms.

Depletion of the Ozone layer: Ozone exists in the earth’s stratosphere and is
responsible for protecting humans from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Earth’s
ozone layer is depleting due to thepresence of
chlorofluorocarbons, hydrochlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere. A thin ozone layer
allows the passage of harmful UV rays onto the earth and can cause skin and eye-
related problems. UV rays also have the capability to affect crops

Methods to reduce Air Pollution

Use the public mode of transportation: Encourage people to use more and more public
modes of
transportation to reduce pollution. Also, try to make use of carpooling. If you and your
colleaguescome
from the same locality and have the same timings you can use the same vehicle at a
time to saveenergy and money.

Conserve energy: Switch off fans and lights when you are going out. A large number of
fossil fuels
are
burnt to produce electricity. We can save the environment from degradation by
reducing the number of
fossil fuels to be burned.

Understand the concept of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle: Do not throw away items that
are of no use.
In fact, reuse them for some other purpose or recycle them to produce new products.
Emphasis on clean energy resources: clean energy technologies like solar, wind, and
geothermal are utilized effectively these days. Governments of various countries have
been providing grants to consumers who are interested in installing solar panels for
their homes. This will go a long way to curb
air pollution.

Use energy-efficient devices: CFL lights consume less electricity than their counterparts.
They live longer, consume less electricity, lower electricity bills and also help you to
reduce pollution by consuming less energy.

Monitor Air quality in industry periodically to identify irregularities in pollutants

level in the air and keep pollutant level within limits.
Water Pollution

Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies (e.g., lakes, rivers, oceans,
aquifers, and groundwater). This form of environmental degradation occurs when
pollutants are directly or indirectly discharged into water bodies without adequate
treatment to remove harmful compounds.
Sources of Water Pollution

There are various classifications of water pollution. The two chief sources of water
pollution can be seen as Point and Non-Point. Point refers to the pollutants that belong
to a single source. An example of this would be emissions from factories into the water.
Non-Point on the other hand means pollutants emitted from multiple sources.
Contaminated water after rains that has travelled through several regions may also be
considered as a Nonpoint source of pollution.
Causes of Water Pollution

Industrial waste: Industries produce a huge amount of waste that contains toxic
chemicals and pollutants which can cause air pollution and damage to us and
our environment. They contain pollutants such as lead, mercury, sulfur,
nitrates, and many other harmful chemicals. Many industries do not have a
proper waste management system and drain the waste in the fresh water
which goes into rivers,canals, and later into the sea. The toxic chemicals have
the capability to change the color of water,increase the number of minerals,
also known as Eutrophication, change the temperature of the water, and pose
a serious hazard to water organisms.

harmf
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Sewage and wastewater: The sewage and wastewater that is produced by each household
are chemically treated and released into the sea. The sewage water carries

harmf
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bacteria and chemicals that can cause serious health problems. Pathogens are known as
common water pollutants. Microorganisms in water are known to be causes of some
very deadly diseases and become the breeding grounds for other creatures that act as
carriers. These carriers inflict these diseases via various forms of contact onto an
individual. Eg:- Malaria.

Mining activities: Mining is the process of crushing rock and extracting coal and
other minerals from underground. These elements when extracted in the raw form
contain harmful chemicals and can
increase the number of toxic elements when mixed up with water which may
result in health problems.
Mining activities emit many metal waste and sulfides from the rocks and get mixed with
water.

Marine dumping: The garbage produce by each household in the form

of paper, aluminum,rubber,glass, plastic, food, etc are sometimes
deposited into water bodies.. These items take 2 weeks to 200 years to
decompose. When such items enter the sea, they not only cause
water pollution but also harm
aquatic organisms.

Accidental Oil leakage: Oil spill pose a huge concern as a large amount of oil enters the
sea and does not dissolve with water; thereby opens problem for local marine wildlife
such as fish, birds, and sea otters. For e.g.: a ship carrying a large quantity of oil may
spill oil if met with an accident and can cause varying damage to species in the ocean
depending on the quantity of oil spill, size ofthe ocean, the toxicity of pollutant.

Burning of fossil fuels: Fossil fuels like coal and oil when burnt produce a substantial
amount of ash in
the atmosphere. The particles which contain toxic chemicals when mixed with
water vapor result in acid rain.

Chemical fertilizers and pesticides: Chemical fertilizers and pesticides are used by farmers
to protect
crops from insects and bacterias. They are useful for the plant's growth. However, when
these chemicals
are mixed up with water produce harmful for plants and animals. Also, when it
rains, the chemicals
mix up with rainwater and slow down into rivers and canals which pose serious damages
foraquatic animals.

Leakage from sewer lines: A small leakage from the sewer lines can contaminate the
underground
water and make it unfit for people to drink. Also, when not repaired on time, the
leaking water can come onto the surface and become a breeding ground for
insects and mosquitoes.

Radioactive waste: Nuclear energy is produced using nuclear fission or fusion. The
element that is used in the production of nuclear energy is Uranium which is a highly
toxic chemical. The nuclear waste that is produced by radioactive material needs to be
disposed of to prevent anynuclear accident. Nuclear waste can have serious
environmental hazards if not disposed of properly. Few major accidents have already
taken place in Russia and Japan.

Urban development: As the population has grown, so has the demand for housing, food,
and cloth. As more cities and towns are developed, they have resulted in increased
use of fertilizers to produce more food, soil erosion due to deforestation, increase in
construction activities, inadequate sewer collection and treatment, landfills as more
garbage is produced, increase in chemicals from industries to produce more materials.

Leakage from the landfills: Landfills are nothing but a huge pile of garbage that produces
an awful smell and can be seen across the city. When it rains, the landfills may leak
and the leakinglandfills can pollute the underground water with a large variety of
contaminants.

Animal waste: The waste produce by animals has washed away into the rivers when it
rains. It gets mixed up with other harmful chemicals and causes various water-borne
diseases like cholera, diarrhea, jaundice, dysentery, and typhoid.

Underground storage leakage: Transportation of coal and other petroleum products

through underground pipes is well known. Accidentals leakage may happen anytime
and may cause damage to
the environment and result in soil erosion.
Methods to reduce water pollution

Sewage treatments: The household water should be treated properly so that they
become environmentally safe. Adequate care should be taken to ensure that an effective
sewage treatment process is in place and that contaminated water does not get mixed
with the environment. in order to prevent water pollution, human and animal excreta
should be prevented from mixing with its sources. Construction of pit toilets and proper
sewage treatments can offer some solution to this problem.

Prevent river water to get polluted: The flowing water of the river cannot be cleaned
easily by natural process. Since a large number of external substances are
discharged into the water, the river water becomes polluted. This may cause
diseases to the people using river water. Thus, every effort should be made to
prevent the river water to get contaminated. People should not be allowed to
throw wastes into the river water.
Treatment of wastes before discharge: Factories are expected to treat their effluent
wastes prior to
discharge. Toxic material must be treated chemically and converted into harmless
materials. If possible,
factories should try to recycle the treated water. Strict adherence to water laws:
Laws and legislation relating to pollution should be strictly followed
by all.

Treatment of drainage water: In cities, a huge amount of water is put into drains every
day.
The water that flows through the city drainage system should be properly treated.
Harmful pollutants mustbe removed before they are introduced into reservoirs.

Treatment plants: Big cities and towns usually have effluent treatment plants. These plants
filterout undissolved materials. Chemical treatment is also given to separate out
unwanted dissolved chemicals.
The treated water is either allowed to go into the water reservoirs or refused in
houses. Occasionally, the treated water is used for farming if the fields to be irrigated
lie in the vicinity of the water treatment
plants.

Routine cleaning: Ponds, lakes, and wells meant for human use should be routinely
cleaned and treated, so that it remains fit for human use. It is an essential step that
should not be avoided. A system of regular testing of pond and lake water can be
introduced to ensure the safety of the water.

Self-hygiene: Sanitation refers to the practices and systems in place to keep our
environment clean and protect public health. Improving the sanitation system is
important because it helps prevent the spread of diseases and promotes overall well-
being. People need to understand how maintaining cleanliness can positively impact
their health

Public Awareness: Common public should be aware of the effect of water pollution.
Voluntary organizations should go door-to-door to educate people about environmental
problems. They should perform street plays for creating awareness about the
environment. They should runenvironmental
education centers. Students can impart health education to enable people to
prevent waterpollution
Solid waste management

Zero Waste Concept

Zero Waste Concept is a philosophy that encourages the redesign of resource life cycles
so that all products are reused and no wastes will be produced. The process
recommended is similar to the way that resources are reused in nature.

Zero Waste concept requires:-

Designing and managing products and processes to systematically avoid and

eliminate the volume and toxicity of waste and materials,
conserving and recovering all resources,
investment in community waste reduction and recovery
systems Public participation in recycling.
Eliminate all discharges to land, water, or air that are a threat to planetary, human,
animal, or plant health.
Adopting 3R concepts (reduce, reuse,
recycle) Acquiring waste to energy
technologies.

Zero waste is more of a goal or ideal rather than a hard target. Zero Waste provides
guiding principles for continually working towards eliminating wastes. Zero waste
promotes not only reuse and recycling but, more importantly, promotes prevention
and product designs that consider the entire product life cycle.

Benefits proposed include:

Saving money---Since waste is a sign of inefficiency, the reduction of waste can reduce
costs.
 Faster Progress-- A zero waste strategy improves upon production processes and
improving environmental prevention strategies which can lead to taking larger,
more innovative steps.
Supports sustainability---A zero waste strategy supports all three of the generally
accepted goals of sustainability - economic well-being, environmental protection, and
social well-being.
Improved material flows-- A zero waste strategy would use far fewer new raw
materials and send no waste materials to landfills. Any material waste would either
return as reusable or recycled materials or would be suitable for use as compost.
3R Concept of waste management

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (R3) are the three essential components of
environmentally-responsible consumer behavior.

The 3R Concept of Waste Management stands for Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. It's a foundational
principle aimed at minimizing waste and conserving resources.

Reduce:
o Objective:
o To minimize the amount of waste we produce.

 Use fewer resources by choosing products with minimal packaging.

 Purchase only what is necessary to avoid excess waste.
 Opt for durable, long-lasting goods instead of disposable items.
Reuse:
o Objective: To extend the life of products and materials.

 Reuse items as much as possible before discarding them.

 Donate or sell items that are no longer needed but can still be useful to others.
 Repair and repurpose objects rather than throwing them away.
Recycle:
o Objective: To convert waste materials into new products.
 Sort and separate recyclable materials such as paper, glass, plastics, and metals from
regular waste.
 Participate in local recycling programs.
 Purchase products made from recycled materials.

Here’s how the 3Rs apply to computers:

1. Reduce: Try to limit the number of computers you buy. For example, you might choose to have
just one computer for your household instead of multiple.
2. Reuse: Use your computer for as long as possible before getting a new one. If you do replace
it, consider donating it to a charity that can reuse it or its parts.
3. Recycle: If your computer can’t be reused, make sure it’s recycled. Some organizations can
refurbish or recycle its parts to make new electronic devices.
Advantages of 3R
Protects the environment and natural
resources. Reduces energy consumption
Reduces pollution, global
warming, etc Reduces waste
generation
 Creates jobs at recycling sites.

Waste Management Hierarchy:

The waste management hierarchy is a nationally and internationally accepted guide

for prioritizing waste management practices.
Green House Effect
The greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms the Earth. It happens because certain
gases in the atmosphere, like water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, trap
heat. These gases allow sunlight to enter the Earth’s atmosphere, but they keep some of the
heat from escaping back into space. Without these gases, the Earth would be much colder,
with an average temperature of -18°C instead of the current 15°C. However, too many
greenhouse gases can cause the Earth to become too hot, leading to problems like global
warming.

Global Warming

Global Warming is the increase of Earth's average surface temperature due to the presence
of the excess amount of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, etc which
trap heat that would otherwise escape from Earth. Greenhouse gases include carbon
dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulfur hexafluoride, hydrofluorocarbons, and
perfluorocarbons.

Global Warming is caused by:

Burning of fossil fuels

 Refrigerants and air conditioners release chlorofluorocarbons (CFC)
Deforestation – carbon dioxide intake is reduced when forests are
cutdown.

Methane is emitted from large landfills due to the anaerobic

decomposition of organic waste.

Methane is also released from livestock, particularly from the

digestive processes of animals on farms.

Impacts of Global Warming

1. Rising Sea Levels:
o Coastal areas, freshwater marshlands like the Everglades, low-lying cities, and islands are at
risk of being submerged by seawater due to rising sea levels.
2. Changes in Rainfall Patterns:
o Some regions may experience severe droughts and wildfires, while others may face increased
flooding due to shifts in rainfall patterns.
3. Increased Frequency of Weather Events:
o The frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and floods, are likely
to increase.
4. Melting Ice Caps:
o Impact: The loss of polar ice caps leads to the destruction of habitats near the poles. Polar
bears, in particular, are endangered due to the shrinking ice, which shortens their feeding
season.
5. Melting Glaciers:
o There has been a significant and observable melting of ancient glaciers(slow-moving masses of
ice ), which contributes to rising sea levels and affects freshwater supplies.
6. Widespread Vanishing of Animal Populations:
o Many species are losing their habitats due to climate change, leading to a decline in animal
populations and even extinctions.
7. Spread of Diseases:
o As temperatures rise, diseases like malaria are spreading to new regions that were previously
too cold for these pathogens.
8. Coral Reef Bleaching and Acidification:
o Warmer seas and ocean acidification due to increased carbon dioxide levels have caused
significant damage to coral reefs. Approximately one-third of the world’s coral reefs have been
severely impacted.

Measures to control global warming

1. Promote renewable energy usage (solar energy, wind energy, etc)
2. Depend more on public transport system to reduce the use of fossil fuels.
3. Afforestation and reforestation
4. Adopt the 3R concept whenever possible.
5. Reduce energy consumption at the home, office, etc

Climate Change
Climate change refers to a change in average weather conditions, that exists for an
extended period of time. Many frequent changes in climate had occurred on our
earth. A number of natural factors like continental drift, earth’s tilt, ocean currents,
etc were responsible for such climatic changes. Recently, many anthropogenic
(originating in human activity) causes have led to alarming variations in climatic
patterns all over the world.

These include:-

Increase in the usage of fossil fuels: Fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas ) are
used as energy sources all over the world. The burning of fossil fuels produces CO
2, which spreads into the atmosphere leading to global warming and an increase
in temperature.
Deforestation: When trees are cut down on a large scale, the amount of
atmospheric CO 2 increases, leading to global warming and an increase in
temperature.
Population growth, urbanization, and the industrial revolution: More and more
needs of the people have to be satisfied for which cities were developed and
industries were set up on a large scale. All these have led to an increase in the
number of greenhouse gases resulting in global climatic changes.

Effects of climatic change

 Increase in global surface temperature: climatic changes lead to an increase in
temperature levels all over the world and thereby disturbing the balance of the
whole ecosystem.
Changes in climate can put pressure on the whole natural system, leading to
ecological imbalance.
Melting of glaciers: It leads to a rise in sea levels
Ocean acidification: oceans absorb CO 2 into the atmosphere, making them more
acidic. Availability of freshwater decreases.
Changes in rainfall patterns (high and low rainfall) may
occur. Occurrence of drought, heatwaves, and flood.
Breeding patterns, migration patterns, and the entire life cycle of plants and
animals are disturbed due to climatic change.
Climatic change will increase the distribution of mosquitoes, bugs, etc leading to
diseases like malaria, dengue fever, etc

Control measures

Promote renewable energy usage(solar energy, wind energy etc)

Depend more on public transport system to reduce the use of fossil fuels.
Afforestation and reforestation
Adopt the 3R concept whenever possible.
Reduce energy consumption at the home, office, etc

Ozone Layer Depletion

Ozone layer is a deep layer in earth’s atmosphere that contains ozone which is a
naturally occurring molecule containing three oxygen atoms. These ozone molecules
form a gaseous layer in the Earth’s upper atmosphere called stratosphere. This
lower region of stratosphere containing relatively higher concentration of ozone is
called Ozonosphere. The ozonosphere is found 15-35 km (9 to 22 miles) above the
surface of the earth. The ozone layer forms a thick layer in stratosphere, encircling
the earth, which has large amount of ozone in it. It protects our planet from the
harmful UV radiations. The ozone layer was discovered in 1913 by the French
physicistsCharles Fabry and Henri Buisson. The ozone layer has the capability to
absorb almost 97-99% of the harmful ultraviolet radiations that sun emits and which
can produce long term devastating effects on human beings as well as plants and
animals.

Ultraviolet radiation can destroy organic matter. For humans, excessive exposure to
ultraviolet radiation leads to higher risks of cancer (especially skin cancer) and
cataracts. It is calculated that every 1 percent decrease in the ozone layer results in
a 2-5 percent increase in the occurrence of skin cancer. Other ill-effects of the
reduction of the protective ozone layer include – increase in the incidence of cataracts,
sunburns, and suppression of the immune system.

Human activities had resulted in a considerable reduction in the ozone layer of the
atmosphere. Ozone depletion occurs when the destruction of the stratospheric
ozone is more than the production of the molecule. Scientists have observed a
reduction in stratospheric ozone since theearly 1970s. It was found to be more
prominent in Polar Regions.

Man-made causes for ozone layer depletion:

The main reason for the depletion of ozone is determined as excessive release of
chlorine and bromine from man-made compounds such as chlorofluorocarbons
(CFCs). CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons), halons, CH3CCl3 (Methyl chloroform), CCl4 (Carbon
tetrachloride), HCFCs(hydro- chlorofluorocarbons), hydro Bromo fluorocarbons, and
methyl bromide are found to have a direct impact on the depletion of the ozone layer.
These are categorized as ozone-depleting substances (ODS). Chlorofluorocarbons are
released into the atmosphere from:

Cleaning
Agents Air
conditioning
Coolants in refrigerators
Aerosol spray cans etc.

The problem with the Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS) is that they are not washed
back in the form of rain on the earth and in fact remain in the atmosphere for quite a
long time. With so much stability, they are transported into the stratosphere. The
emission of ODS accounts for roughly90% of the total depletion of the ozone layer in
the stratosphere. These gases are carried to the stratosphere layer of the atmosphere
where ultraviolet radiations from the sun break them to release chlorine (from CFCs) and
bromine (from methyl bromide and halons). The chlorine and bromine free radicals
react with ozone molecules and destroy their molecular structure, thus
depleting the ozone layer.

-Chlorine again reacts with ozone and this cycle continues. One chlorine atom can
break more than 1, 00,000 molecules of ozone. Bromine atom is believed to be 40
times more destructive than chlorine molecules. The implementation of the Montreal
Protocol in the year 1987 has helped to reduce the presence of ODS in the
atmosphere. Montreal Protocol is an international treaty designed to protect the
ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances that are
responsible for ozone depletion.
Carbon credit

A carbon credit (often called a carbon offset) is a financial instrument or permit

representing the right to emit one tonne of CO 2 (carbon dioxide) or CO2 e (carbon
dioxide equivalent gases) into the atmosphere. It represents the amount of GHG s
removed or reduced from the atmosphere from an emission reduction project. This
carbon credit can be used by governments, industries, or private individuals to offset
the damaging carbon emissions that they are generating. Thus carbon credits are
used as a permit to emit a certain amount of CO 2 into the atmosphere. So, in a
nutshell, carbon credit (often called carbon offset) is a credit for greenhouse
emissions reduced or removed from the atmosphere from an emission reduction
project, which can be used, by governments, industry, or private individuals to
compensate for the emissions they are generating.One carbon credit corresponds to
one tonne of CO 2.

Carbon credits are acquired through: -

Project-based transactions--- credits are acquired as a result of successful
implementation of carbon reduction projects. For eg:- If a private organization has
successfully implemented an afforestation project and if it is found to have
reduced carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, then that private company can
acquire carbon credits equivalent to their reduction levels.

Allowance based transactions ---Regulatory authority issues allowances or

permits to industries. If one carbon credit is issued to an industry, it means that
they can emit one tonne ofcarbon dioxide or equivalent.

Carbon trading:
It refers to buying and selling of carbon credits that have been either distributed by
a regulatory authority or generated by GHG emissions reduction projects. In cap &
trade mechanism, a regulatory authority limits (cap) the amount of GHG to be
released over a period of time. If organizations have a shortfall or surplus in GHG
allowances, they can engage in trade with each other.

Carbon credits are typically measured in tonnes of CO 2 -equivalents (or CO 2 e)

and are bought and sold through a number of international brokers, online retailers, and
trading platforms. Businesses that find it hard to comply with the carbon emissions,
purchase carbon credits to offset their emissions by making finance readily available to
renewable energy projects, forest protection, and reforestation projects around the
world. These renewable energy and energy efficiency projects replace fossil fuel and
industrial processes.

This all helps businesses in mitigating their emissions and compliance with
global standards. Offsetting one tonne of carbon means there will be one less tonne of
carbon dioxide in the atmosphere than there would otherwise have been. For e.g.:
when solar energy companies sell carbon offsets, this helps them as these projects become
more viable. The buyers of the credits benefit as they can use these credits to overcome
their greenhouse gas emissions. Many types of activities can generate carbon offsets.
Projects which acquire carbon credits include wind, solar, geothermal, biomass projects
which replace fossil fuel-powered plants, low-cost household device projects that can
eliminate the need for extra energy, methane capture from landfill gas and agriculture,
different afforestation projects, forest protection from illegal logging, destruction of
heat-trapping greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and many more.

Carbon Tax

A carbon dioxide tax is a tax on businesses and industries that produce carbon
dioxide throughtheir operations.

The tax is designed to reduce the output of greenhouse gases and carbon dioxide.
The tax isimposed with the goal of environmental protection.

Carbon footprint
It is a measure of the total amount of carbon dioxide
emissions that are directly and indirectly caused by an activity,
individual, organization, etc.

In other words: When you drive a car, the engine burns fuel
which creates a certain amount of CO 2, depending on its fuel
consumption and the driving distance. When you heat your
house with oil, gas, or coal, thenyou also generate CO 2. Even
if you use electricity, the generation of the
electrical power may also have emitted a certain amount of CO
2 (thermal power plants). When you buy food and goods, the
production of the food and goods also emitted some quantities
of CO 2. Your carbon footprint is the sum of all emissions of CO
2 (carbon dioxide), which were induced by your activities in a
given time frame.

Each of us contributes to the greenhouse gas emissions either

by the way we travel, the food we eat, the amount of electricity
we consume, and many more. Every individual, organization,
business unit, etc should focus to reduce their carbon footprints.
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Main Contributors to Carbon Footprint

Population – more people lead to more carbon emission

Energy – Here, carbon footprint emissions are collective, coming from a variety
of sources, namely industrial processes, transport, and electricity and fuel
emissions.
Industrialization – Since the industrial revolution began during the middle of the
twentieth century, CO2 has continued to rise unchecked and at alarming rates.
Agriculture – Most agricultural processes within developed and developing
nations are still being carried out commercially with the result that mass
production of livestock has led to largelevels of methane gas being released
into the atmosphere.
Human action (and inaction) – Ultimately, the way humankind has become
accustomed to doing things every day, keeping pace with the need to do things
more quickly and with more convenience, has contributed towards the
exponential increase in carbon footprints on an annual basis.

Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Energy efficiency at home – All appliances that are not being used must be switched
off immediately. And all electrical outlets not in use must also be switched off. Hot-
water geysersshould be switched off for the entire day and only turned on when
needed. These are simple, yet practical lifestyle habits that are easy to adopt.
Buy renewable energy – It is quite possible to power your own home with
environmentally- sustainable alternatives of energy production without
compromising your lifestyle and waiting for national grids to be connected via
green energy supply sources. For instance, technology is now available for you to
install your own solar power panels.
Recycle and re-use – Vegetable produce can be converted into compost (or
manure) for gardens, even vegetable gardens. Instead of buying more food
containers, plastic containers sourced from the supermarket can be refashioned as
ideal kitchen utensils. Also, where plastic waste is no longer required, seek out
recycling depots rather than relying on your supplied garbage disposal units.
Plant a Tree – One of the best ways to give it back to the environment is to plant
trees. Plantsabsorb CO 2 and release oxygen that is then used by humans and
animals. According to the Urban Forestry Network, a single young tree absorbs 13
pounds of carbon dioxide each year.
Buy local – Adding to the above remark, buying local, organic produce effectively
counters mass-produced agricultural outcomes. There is a dramatic reduction in
the amount of plastic being used to package products and fuel usage during long
road transits is also reduced.

Legal Provisions for Environmental Protection

Some of the important legislations for environmental protection are

as follows: The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010

The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act,
1981 The Water (Prevention and Control of
Pollution) Act, 1974 The Environment Protection
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The Hazardous Waste Management Regulations, etc.

The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010

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The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 (No. 19 of 2010) (NGT Act) has been enacted with
the objectives to provide for the establishment of a National Green Tribunal (NGT) for the
effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and
conservation of forests and other natural resources including enforcement of any legal
right relating to the environment and giving relief and compensation for damages to
persons and property
and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981

The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 (the "Air Act") is an act to
provide for the prevention, control, and abatement of air pollution and for the
establishment of Boards at the Central and State levels with a view to carrying out
the aforesaid purposes.

The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974

The Water Prevention and Control of Pollution Act, 1974 (the "Water Act") has been
enacted to provide for the prevention and control of water pollution and to maintain
or restore the wholesomeness of water in the country. It further provides for the
establishment of Boards for the prevention and control of water pollution with a
view to carrying out the aforesaid purposes.
The Water Act prohibits the discharge of pollutants into water
bodies beyond a given standard, and lays down penalties for non-
compliance.

The Environment Protection Act, 1986

The Environment Protection Act, 1986 (the "Environment Act") provides for the
protection and improvement of the environment. The Environment Protection Act
establishes the framework for studying, planning, and implementing long-term
requirements of environmental safety and laying down a system of speedy and
adequate response to situations threatening the environment. It is an umbrella
legislation designed to provide a framework for the coordination of central and state
authorities established under the Water Act, 1974, and the Air Act. T

Hazardous Wastes Management Regulations

Hazardous waste means any waste which, by reason of any of its physical, chemical,
reactive, toxic, flammable, explosive, or corrosive characteristics causes danger or is
likely to cause danger to health or environment, whether alone or when in contact with
other wastes or substances.

Some of the rules dealing with hazardous waste management are discussed below:

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Hazardous Wastes (Management, Handling and Transboundary) Rules, 2008, brought out a guide for manufactu