At Bonn, Germany, the UNO asked 66 nations on May 7, 2007 to combat climatic and environmental changes. The nations were asked to assess the pollution and control them as well as formulate the policy and rules against the countries that are more responsible for it. The temperature is on the rise, the frequency of hurricanes, tsunamis, droughts and floods are on rising trends. The sea level is on the rise. If it rises just by 1 metre, it shall affect more than 60 million people in the world. The rise of green house gases i.e. Carbon dioxide, Methane, Ozone, Nitrous oxide, Sulphur hexafluoride, hydrofluoric carbon, Phosphor cholorocarbons and water vapour is making a cover over the globe and is responsible for the calamities. The glaciers are becoming extinct, the icebergs and the snow capped mountains are seeing their death. The population rise and the needs of the people are enforcing us to exploit nature and in turn we are spoiling the environment and ecology.
For the last two decades the seriousness for the awareness and study of various aspects of environment has increased. Still it is not at the level where it should have been. The rich countries are trying to earn more by selling their weapons of destruction at exorbitant rates so that they continue to dictate terms to the poor nations and make them their slaves. At this onset we have to formulate as to what should be studied in reference to environment.
Basically the Environment comprises Water, Land, Air, Sky and Fire.
THE COMPONENTS
A biotic or non-living component
Biotic or living component
Energy component
Quality of environment
Ecological imbalance
Environmental degradation
Disruption of earth’s nature ecosystem
Health and Environment
Sick Environment
Human population explosion and environment
Rapid Industrialisation
Deforestation
Unplanned urbanisation
Rise of Smoke & Fog or Smog
Rise of Sea level – just 1 M. shall make more than 60 millions homeless
THE SEGMENTS
Atmosphere – Land, Air, Water or Quality of Air
Hydrosphere – Water bodies
Lithosphere – Rigid upper layer of earth.
Biosphere – Parts of earth occupied by living organism.
WATER
We are made of water and it constitutes 71% in our body, which is one of most important elements of environment. We have to study its
Characteristics
Resources
Availability
Quality
Pollution
Pollution is the prime factor of spoiling of environment.
Physical pollution of water – Heavy metals, changing the proportion.
Chemical pollution of water – Lethal agents.
Biological pollution – which contains germs.
Physiological pollution of water – Functioning of living organism.
Surface water pollution – Mixing due to ignorance and deliberate actions.
Ground water – Mixing due to ignorance and deliberate actions.
River Water – Mixing due to ignorance and deliberate actions.
Lake water – Mixing due to ignorance and deliberate actions.
Sea water – Mixing due to ignorance and deliberate actions.
SOURCES OF WATER POLLUTION
Domestic waste – Population rise and deliberate action.
Industrial waste – To earn at the cost of others.
Agricultural waste – Ignorance and greed.
HARMFUL EFFECTS OF GROUND WATER POLLUTION ON SOIL AND MAN
Harmful effect of sewage and domestic waste – diseases
Harmful effect of agricultural discharges – diseases and waste land.
Harmful effect of chemical fertilizers – losses to generations and useless land.
Harmful effect of radioactive pollutants – easy penetration of flora and fauna.
Control of water pollution – study and implementation
ACID RAIN
Effects of acid rains on aquatic ecosystem
Effects of acid rains on Terrestrial Ecosystem
Effects of acid rains on Buildings
Effects of acid rains on Human Beings.
Control of acid rains.
EUTROPHICATION
Effect of Eutrophication – Lagoons, All sides water
Control of Eutrophication
AIR AND SKY
We are born of water but cannot survive for more than three minutes without Air. The sky constitutes various types of gases and various barriers. These can be troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, ionosphere, exospheres which are at a distance of 10, 50,100, 500, and more than 700 kilometres from the surface of the earth respectively. There is also magnetosphere and the gravitational barrier. Between troposphere and stratosphere there exists a layer of ozone gas which prevents ultraviolet traditions coming to earth. It is a unique boon to earth by nature.
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES OF OZONE
Greenhouse gasses
Depletion of protective Ozone umbrella
Ozone hole
Ozone depleting substances (ODS)
Effects of Ozone depletion on human beings
Effect of Ozone on plants on climate
Ecological disturbance due to zone depletion
Impact of U.B. on plants and animals and human beings.
Control of Ozone depletion
Substitutes of Ozone depleting substances.
Global warming – reasons and control
Control of greenhouse gases.
Industrial Problem – Sulphuric Nitric fluoride, Chloroalkali, Iron and Steel, Combustion engine, Incinteration of solid waste.
Control of all above.
AIR POLLUTION
Major air pollutants – C, CO, CO2, Fl, Cl, S, HFCl, NO
Emerging source – Industrial, vehicular and domestic
Air pollution: health problems
Types of Air Pollutants – Gaseous, Particulate, Aerosol, Metallic contamintes, Paints, Radioactive Materials, Pesticides, Biological Contaminants
Control of all above
NOISE POLLUTION
It should be 50-60 decibels but is generally at 80-90 db. The sources of Noise Pollution are
Industrial
Transport
Neighbourhood noise
Permissible noise level
Effect of Noise pollution
Control of Noise pollution
FIRE
The present world is more keen to provide more fire in the environment. However its sources –
Fire Arms Fire works
Gun Powder
Rockets & Missiles
Uranium & Thorium
Burning of coal & Fossil Fuels.
NATURE HELPS MAN
The study of various fields where Nature is helping us.
Trees still give oxygen and absorb CO2.
The vapour from dirty water gives clean water.
The broken Ozone layer is uniting the gap by itself.
The change of climate eradicates diseases and makes it again pollution free.
The seas are salty. Salt is preventive. These absorb all problems and give such water vapour which yields clean water of pH value 7 through rains.
We have divided the land but nature does not accept this division.
Land gives less water vapour as compared to sea but receives more rains.
The sun still provides enough energy in 1 sqm area which is sufficient for man to sustain.
SOLUTION
Conservation of Natural Resources
Rain water Harvesting
Techniques, resources and importance of availability of water
Importance of Sun, Wind and Magnetic Energy.
Quality of water for drinking and irrigation
Significance of Biodiversity.
Control of biodiversity damages.
Alternate sources of fossil fuel energy.
Control for exploitation of natural resources.
Control for quality of environment.
Sustainable use of natural resources.
Use eco-friendly, be eco-friendly.
Making use of gravitational force.
Growing more useful plants.
Control of population.
Avoiding wars.
Boycotting the warring people.
Environmental awareness necessary for everyone.
Love for nature.