Chapter 9

Environment and Sustainable Development

Environment
 Environment is defined as the total planetary inheritance, and the totality of all resources.
 It includes all the biotic and abiotic factors that influence each other.
 Living elements such as birds, animals and plants, etc., arc biotic elements while abiotic elements
include air, water, land etc.
 In other words, all those conditions and their effects which influence human life is environment.
 Functions of environment are
i. It supplies resources
ii. It absorbs waste
iii. It sustains life by providing genetic and bio-diversity
iv. It provides aesthetic services.
Try It Yourself
1. What is meant by environment?

Resources Extraction and Environmental Crises

 Environment performs four functions of supplying resources: assimilating waste, sustaining life by
providing genetic and bio diversity and providing aesthetic service.
 When the rate of resource extraction is above the rate of regeneration of the resource and the
wastes generated are outside the assimilating capacity of the environment, the environment fails
to perform its third and vital function of life sustenance and this result in an environmental crisis.
 But today, environment fails to perform its third and vital function of life sustenance resulting in an
environmental crisis.
 This is the situation where, rising population or developing countries, affluent consumption and
production standards have placed a huge stress on the environment.
 Many resources have become extinct and the wastes generated are beyond the absorptive capacity
of the environment.
 As a result, we are today at the threshold of environmental crisis.
 Developmental activities in India have put immense pressure on its finite natural resources, besides
creating impact on human health and well-being.
 The current environmental crisis manifests itself in land degradation, global warming, ozone
depletion, falling of water levels, and loss of biodiversity and health problems due to pollution.
 Sustainable development is the only remedy to this crisis.
Try It Yourself
1. What happens when the rate of resource extraction, exceeds that of their regeneration?
2. Is environmental crisis a recent phenomenon? If so, why?
3. Account for the current environmental crisis.

Renewable and Non-Renewable Resources

 Renewable resources are those resources which are inexhaustible and capable of being replenished
easily.
 Non-Renewable resources are those resources which are exhaustible and are not capable of being
replenished easily.
i. Trees =Renewable Resources
ii. Fish = Renewable Resources
iii. Petroleum = Non-Renewable Resources
iv. Coal =Non-Renewable Resources
v. Iron-ore =Non-Renewable Resources
vi. Water = Renewable Resources
Try It Yourself
1. Classify the following into renewable and non-renewable resources (i) trees (ii) fish (iii) petroleum (iv) coal
(v) iron-ore (vi) water

Major Environmental Issues

i. Global Warming
 Global warming is a gradual increase in the average temperature of the
Earth's lower atmosphere as a result of the increase in greenhouse gases.
ii. Ozone Depletion
 Ozone Depletion refers to the phenomenon of reduction in the amount of
ozone in the stratosphere.
Try It Yourself
1. Two major environmental issues facing the world today are ………………….. and …………………….

Factors Contribute to the Environmental Crisis

i. Rising Population
 With population explosion the growing needs of the expanding
population, have to be met and due to this the demand for resources for
both production and consumption have gone beyond the fats of
regeneration of the resources.
 The pressure on the absorptive capacity of the environment has increased
and sustainable development does not seem possible.
ii. Air Pollution
 Air pollution is widespread in urban areas of India where vehicles are the
major contributors and in few oilier areas which have a high concentration of
Industries and thermal power plants.
 Smoke omissions are of particular concern since these are having the
maximum impact on the general population.
 The carbon emissions into air are causing global warming and respiratory
diseases are increasing among the population.
iii. Water Contamination
 Water bodies (e.g., lakes, rivers, oceans, aquifers and groundwater) are
contaminated when pollutants are discharged directly or indirectly into
water bodies without adequate treatment to remove harmful
compounds.
 Water contamination affects plants and organisms living in these bodies
of water.
 The effect is damaging not only to individual species and populations, but
also lo the natural biological communities.
iv. Affluent Consumption Standards
 The recent influence of the West and a rise in purchasing power of the
middle class has led to affluent consumption standards and unnecessary
luxuries with a lifestyle of conspicuous consumption have increased.
 This has resulted into pressure on resources like petroleum, electricity etc,
needed to fulfill the demand for such lifestyle.
 Equipments such as air conditioners are contributing to global warming
due to the carbon emissions from them.
v. Illiteracy
 It is a social problem leading to the lack of awareness about environment
and the harmful effects of various practices or products on the
environment.
  An illiterate person does not understand the importance of conservation
of natural resources and is not aware of the practices which may save the
environment from degrading.
vi. Industrialization
 With rapid industrialization for meeting the growing needs of population,
the resources being used as inputs in the industrialization process are
depleting at a fast pace. Many of those resources are exhaustible and
cannot be replenished easily.
vii. Urbanization
 Rural population has started migrating to urban areas in search of jobs
and even in rural areas urban lifestyle is being copied by the younger
generation.
 This has led to rise in power consumption, vehicle traffic, etc.
 This in turn has resulted into taster depletion of resources and air
pollution.
viii. Deforestation
 Growing population needs for housing and industrialization has led to a
reduction in forest cover frees in the forest help in binding soil and
holding water level.
 Rainfall is also affected due to reduction in forest cover along with lesser
absorption of carbon dioxide which has resulted in global warming.
ix. Poaching
 Poaching is the Illegal taking of wild plants or animals.
 Violations of hunting laws and regulations are normally punishable by law
and, collectively, such violations arc known as poaching.
 Poaching is generally done of wild species which are endangered leading
to the danger of them becoming extinct.
 Thus, poaching is harmful for the bio diversity of the planet.
x. Global Warming
 Global warming is a gradual increase in the average temperature of the
earth’s lower atmosphere as a result of the increase in greenhouse gases.
 It is caused by increases in emission of carbon dioxide and other
greenhouse gases through the burning of fossil fuels and due to
deforestation.
 The atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide and methane have
increased by 31% and 49% respectively since 1750 and as a result, during
the past century, the atmospheric temperature has risen by 0.6°C and sea
level has risen several inches.
 In the long term global warming can cause melting of polar ice with a
resulting rise in sea level and coastal flooding, disruption of drinking water
supplies dependent on snow melts, extinction of spades as ecological
niches disappear; more frequent tropical storms; and an increased
incidence of tropical diseases.
Try It Yourself
1. How do the following factors contribute to the environmental crisis in India? What problem do they pose
for the government? (i) Rising population (ii) Air pollution (iii) Water contamination (iv) Affluent
consumption standards (v) Illiteracy (vi) Industrialization (vii) Urbanization (viii) Reduction of forest
coverage (ix) Poaching (x) Global warming

Functions of the Environment

i. Offer Resources for Production
 All the resources which are like as a free gift to us e.g., wind, water, sunlight,
land are available because of environment.
ii. Sustains Life
  All essential ingredients which we are receiving from environment are
necessary for the sustenance of human life.
iii. Assimilates Waste
 Environment absorbs the waste automatically which is produced by the
production and consumption activities.
iv. Quality of Life
 Water, mountains, deserts are enjoying by the human and adding quality lo
his life.
Try It Yourself
1. What are the functions of the environment?

Land Degradation
 Land degradation means loss of fertility of land.
Try It Yourself
1. Define Land Degradation.

Factors Contributing to Land Degradation

i. Loss of vegetation occurring due to deforestation.
ii. Unsustainable fuel wood and fodder extraction.
iii. Extraction of around water in excess of the recharge capacity.
iv. Non-adoption of adequate soil conservation measures.
v. Improper crop rotation.
vi. Indiscriminate use of agro-chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides.
Try It Yourself
1. Identify six factors contributing to land degradation in India.

Environmental Concerns of India

(i) Land degradation
(ii) Biodiversity loss
(iii) Air population with special reference to vehicular pollution in urban cities
(iv) Management of fresh water and solid waste management
Try It Yourself
1. State any four pressing environmental concerns of India.

Opportunity Costs of Negative Environmental

 Opportunity cost is the cost in terms of foregone opportunities of doing things.
 There has been a reversal of supply-demand relationship for environmental quality.
 We are now faced with increased demand for environmental resources and services but
their supply is limited due to overuse resulting from rise in population, affluent
consumption patterns and industrialization.
 Many resources have become extinct and the wastes generated are beyond the
absorptive capacity of the environment.
 This negative environmental Impact has high opportunity costs as explained below
i. Huge Investment to clean water resources
 The industrial development in past has polluted and dried up
rivers.
 Cleaning up of polluted rivers and replenishing water
resources require huge investments.
ii. Upgraded Technologies to protect natural resources
 The intensive and extensive extractions of both renewable
and non-renewable resources are exhausted.
  Some of these vital resources and huge amount of funds
need to be spent on technology and research to explore new
resources.
iii. High Health Costs
 The health costs of degraded environmental quality are also
present as decline in air and water quality have resulted in
increased incidence of respiratory and water-borne diseases.
iv. Financial Commitments to government
 Global environmental issues such as global warming and
ozone depletion also contribute to increased financial
commitments for the government.
 Thus, it is clear that the opportunity costs of negative environmental impacts are high.
Try It Yourself
1. Explain how the opportunity costs of negative environmental impact are high.
2. State any four pressing environmental concerns of India. Correction for environmental damages
involves opportunity costs. Explain.

Steps Involved in Attaining Sustainable Development

i. Population Control
 Limiting the human population to a level within the carrying capacity of the
environment is the first step to be followed for attaining sustainable
development.
 As population is exerting tremendous pressure in terms of demand for resources
which is more than the absorptive capacity of the environment leading to
environmental crisis.
ii. Efficient Utilization of Resources
 Technological progress and industrialization should be input efficient and
wastage of resources should be minimized by proper utilization.
 This will help to produce more with lesser amount of resources and thus
depletion of resources will be slower.
iii. Control of Over Extraction Rate
 Extraction of renewable resources should not be exceeding the rate of
regeneration so that they are extracted on a sustainable basis.
iv. Control of Depletion Rate
 Depletion of non-renewable resources should not exceed the rate of creation of
renewable substitutes so that environmental crisis does not emerge and
resources are available for the future generations.
v. Pollution Control
 Pollution in all forms has a negative environmental impact which has high
opportunity cost.
 Hence, control of pollution is a must to maintain the quality of natural resources
such as air and water for sustainable development.
vi. Use of Non-Conventional Energy
 India is hugely dependent on thermal and hydro power plants to meet its power
needs which have adverse environment impacts.
 Wind power and solar power are cleaner and greener energy sources which
should be explored on a large scale by developing technological devices along
with non-conventional sources like nuclear energy.
Try It Yourself
1. Outline the steps involved in attaining sustainable development in India.
Natural Resources in India
 India has abundant natural resources including rich quality soil, various rivers and tributaries, green
forests, mineral deposits, vast stretch of the Indian Ocean, mountain ranges, etc.
1) Soil
 The black soil of the Deccan Plateau is particularly suitable for cultivation of cotton,
leading to concentration of textile industries in this region.
 The Indo Genetic plains spread from the Arabian Sea to the Bay of Bengal are highly
fertile, intensively cultivated and densely populated regions in the World.
2) Forests
 India's forests, though unevenly distributed, provide green cover for a majority of
its population and natural cover for its wildlife.
3) Minerals
 Large deposits of iron-ore, coal and natural gas are found in the country.
 India alone accounts for nearly 20% of the world's total iron-ore reserves Bauxite,
copper, chromate, diamonds, gold, lead, lignite, manganese, zinc, uranium, etc are
also available in different parts of the country.
Try It Yourself
1. India has abundant natural resources—substantiate the statement.

Instances of Overuse of Environmental Resources

I. Soil degradation due to improper crop rotation and crop shifting.
II. Drying up of fivers due to overuse of water from them through dams and reservoirs.

Misuse of Environmental Resources

I. Excess use of electricity leads lo depletion of resources like coal and water from which
electricity is generated.
II. Excess use of petrol and diesel in vehicles.
Try It Yourself
1. Give two instances of (a) Overuse of environmental resources. (b) Misuse of environmental resources.

Supply-Demand Reversal of Environmental Resources

 Before the advent of industrial revolution, the rate of resource extraction was less than the rate of
regeneration of these resources.
 But with expanding population and its growing needs the demand for resources for both
production and consumption went beyond the rate of regeneration of the resources.
 This has resulted in a reversal of supply-demand relationship for environmental resources as now
there is very high demand for environmental resources and services but their supply is limited due
to overuse and misuse.
Try It Yourself
1. Explain the supply-demand reversal of environmental resources.

Adverse Environmental Consequences

1. Land Degradation
 Land in India has suffered degradation- stemming mainly from unstable use and
inappropriate management practices during the development, process.
 The factors responsible for land degradation are
i. Loss of vegetation occurring due to deforestation
ii. Unsustainable fuel, wood and Fodder exaction.
iii. Extraction of ground water in excess of the recharge capacity
iv. Non-adoption of adequate soil conservation measures
v. Improper crop rotation
vi. Indiscriminate use of chemicals such as fertilizers and
'Pesticides.
 2. Air and Water Pollution
 Air pollution is widespread in urban areas where vehicles are the major
contributors and in a few other areas which have a high concentration of
industries and thermal power plants.
 In 2003, personal, transport vehicles (two-wheeled vehicles and cars only)
constituted about 80% of the total number of registered vehicles.
 Thus contributing significantly to total air pollution load. Water bodies (e.g.,
lakes, rivers, oceans aquifers and groundwater) are contaminated when
pollutants are discharged from industries directly or indirectly into water bodies
without adequate treatment to remove harmful compounds.
 Water contamination affects plants and organisms living in these bodies of
water.
 The effect is damaging not only to individual species and populations, but also to
the natural biological communities.

Environmental Problems Pose a Dichotomy-they are Poverty Induced and, at the same time due to
Affluence in Living Standards
 Population explosion and widespread poverty has led to deforestation in India as the poor people
in the rural areas.
 They are compelled to destroy trees for earning their livelihood and for use as fuel.
 On the other hand, the growing demand for natural resources due to affluence in living standards
in the urban areas is also equally responsible for the present environmental degradation.
 There have been rise in pollution due to-rapidly growing industrial sector and the expansion of
vehicular traffic as a result of high conspicuous consumption.
Try It Yourself
1. Highlight any two serious adverse environmental consequences of development in India India's
environmental problems pose a dichotomy – they are poverty induced and at the same time due to
affluence in living standards - Is this true?

Sustainable Development
 The concept of sustainable development was emphasized by the United Nations Conference on
Environment and Development (UNCED), which defined it as ‘Development that meets the need of
the present generation without compromising the ability of the future generation to meet their
own needs’.
 Thus, sustainable development ensures a potential average quality of life for future generations
that is at least as high as that of the current generation.
 In short, sustainable development is that process of economic development which aims raising the
quality of life of both present and future generation.
Try It Yourself
1. What is sustainable development?

Four Strategies of Sustainable Development

i. Use of Eco-Friendly Fuel
 Fuels such as petrol and diesel emit huge amount of carbon dioxide that add to
the Green House impact.
 In order to control pollution, the use of CNG and LPG should be promoted.
 These fuels are cleaner and eco-friendly. Also pooling of vehicles in the locality
should be promoted.
ii. Use of Renewable Resources
 India being a tropical country is well endowed with sunlight, water and wind
energy.
  These natural resources are renewable and pollution free.
 Thus, attempts should be made to harness solar and wind energy by employing
different technologies and to go for rain water harvesting.
 It would help in sustainable economic development.
iii. Use of Recyclable Products
 The household waste materials like newspapers, old bottles, used batteries; etc
should be accumulated and should be distinguished as bio-degradable and non-
bio degradable wastes.
 The bio-degradable wastes are those wastes that can be decomposed and can
be used as manure for organic farming.
 The non-biodegradable wastes like plastic, etc should be recycled and re-used.
 Use of polytene bags should be discouraged.
iv. Judicious Use of Electricity
 Electricity is a resource which is used in all households in our locality.
 It is one such resource which is already in short supply and may not be available
to future generations if we do not start using it judiciously.
 Therefore, the easiest strategy for sustainable development is to use power in
an efficient mariner without wasting it.
 This can be done by using energy efficient equipments.
Try It Yourself
1. Keeping in view your locality, describe any four strategies of sustainable development.

InterGenerational Equity
 Sustainable development in itself makes it obligatory for the development process to be such that
the basic needs of not only the present generation but also of the future generations are taken care
of.
 It becomes the moral duty of this generation to hand over the earth to the future generation in
good form.
 Therefore, it the resources are overused or misused, they will extinguish so fast that the production
capacity of the future generations would not be sustainable.
 Sustainable development aims at maximizing the welfare of both present and future generations.
 It does not mean hindering the existing pace of economic growth, but refers to a judicious or
optimum utilization of resources in such a manner that pace of economic growth sustains with
inter-generational equity.
Try It Yourself
1. Explain the relevance of intergenerational equity in the definition of sustainable development.