Sustainable Development Flashcards
Why do we need to choose sustainable development?
- The economic development that we have achieved so far has come at a very heavy price - environmental quality.
- As we step into a globalized era promising more economic growth, we have to bear in mind the adverse effects of past development on the planet and choose a path of sustainable development.
Define environment.
The environment can be defined as the total planetary inheritance and the totality of all resources. It includes biotic (living - ex. birds, animals and plants) and abiotic (non-living - ex. air, water, sunlight, rocks) factors that influence each other.
What are the 4 vital functions of the environment?
- It supplies renewable (resources that can be used without the possibility of being depleted - ex. wind, solar) and non-renewable (finite, may be depleted - ex. coal, oil) resources.
- It assimilates waste (absorbs degradation).
- It sustains life by providing genetic and bio diversity.
- It provides aesthetic services like scenery.
What is meant by the carrying capacity of the environment?
The environment can only perform its functions as long as their demand lies within the carrying capacity (the rate of extraction compared to regeneration) of the environment. This implies that the resource extraction is not above the rate of regeneration of the resource and the wastes generated are within the assimilating capacity of the environment.
What is the assimilating capacity of the enviornment?
Assimilating capacity refers to the rate at which the environment can absorb (without harm) any waste generated by the ecosystem.
What would happen if the rate of extraction is more than the rate of regeneration and the waste generated is more than the assimilating capacity of the environment?
If this situation were to occur, the environment would longer be able to sustain life and this would result in an environmental crisis.
How are the developing and rich nations contributing to the environmental crisis?
- Developing countries: The rising population is placing a huge burden on the environment.
- Rich countries: The affluent lifestyle of people in rich countries and their highly polluting production standards are also causing harm to the environment.
Both rich and poor countries are placing strain on the environment’s ability to perform its first 2 functions - provide resources and assimilate waste.
Define absorptive capacity.
Absorptive capacity refers to the environment’s ability to absorb degradation.
The opportunity costs of negative environmental impacts are high. Comment.
As a result of our past development, we are at the threshold of environmental crisis.
- Water crisis: Due our activities, we have polluted and dried up our water sources making water an economic good.
- Depletion: Our intensive extraction has to led to the depletion of vital resources.
- Expenditure on R&D: We are now compelled to spend large sums of money on technology and research to explore new alternatives.
- Health costs: Due to air and water pollution there is an increase in the incidences of respiratory and water-borne diseases.
- Increased financial commitment: Global environmental issues such as global warming and ozone depletion also contribute to the increased financial commitments of the government.
Thus, it is clear that the opportunity costs of negative environmental impacts are high.
Write a note on 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 since the Industrial Revolution. It is caused by man-made increases in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases through the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation.
Causes: Burning of coal and other fossil fuels, deforestation, methane gas released in animal waste, etc.
Effects: Rise is temperature, melting of polar ice caps leading to rise in sea level, extinction of various species, more frequent tropical storms, increased incidence of tropical diseases.
Are environmental problems new to this century? If so, why? (Explain demand-supply reversal)
Environmental problems have been caused due to the reversal of demand and supply relationship as a result of industrialization and an increase in population.
- In the early days, before industrialization and the population explosion, the demand for environmental resources was much lesser than their supply. i.e. Our demand was within the carrying capacity and pollution was within the absorptive capacity of the environment. Hence environmental problems did not arise.
- After the industrial revolution and population explosion, the demand for resources for both production and consumption went beyond the rate of regeneration of the resources. The pressure on the absorptive capacity of the environment grew and continues to grow.
- This is known as a demand-supply reversal. Earlier, our demand was lesser than the supply and so, the environment was able to perform its functions. That is no longer the case. Now, demand is high, but the supply of environmental resources and services is limited due to overuse and misuse. Demand is now more than supply leading to an environmental crisis.
Write a note on ozone depletion.
- Ozone depletion refers to the phenomenon of reduction in the amount of ozone present in the stratosphere. A reduction of approximately 5 per cent in the ozone layer was detected from 1979 to 1990.
- It is caused by an increased number of chlorine and bromine compounds in the air.
- These chlorine and bromine compounds are a result of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in cooling substances like air conditioners and refrigerators, or as aerosol repellants, and bromofluorocarbons (halons) used in fire extinguishers.
- As a result of the depletion of the ozone, more Ultraviolet (UV) radiation can reach the earth’s surface and cause damage to living organisms. (Skin cancer in humans and reduced phytoplankton causing damage to aquatic organisms)
- This led to worldwide concern and the adoption of the Montreal Protocol banning the use of chlorofluorocarbons as well as other ozone-depleting chemicals.
The environmental issues of waste generation and pollution have become critical today. Justify.
- Explain demand and supply reversal
2. Negative impacts / High opportunity costs points.
Comment on India’s abundant natural resources.
India’s abundant natural resources: (Any 4)
- Rich quality soil
- Hundreds of rivers and tributaries
- Lush green forests
- Mineral deposits beneath the land surface
- Vast stretch of the Indian Ocean
- Mountain ranges
- We are blessed with black solid in the Deccan plateau that is used for the cultivation of cotton and sugarcane.
- The Indo-Gangetic planes are one of the most fertile and densely cultivated areas in the world.
- Our forests provide shelter to wildlife.
- Roughly 8% of the world’s iron ore reserves are in India.
The threat to India’s environment poses a dichotomy. Comment.
- Poverty-induced environemental degradation: People stuck in poverty cannot practice modern methods of farming and thus rely on methods like shifting agriculture or slash-and-burn which is bad for the environment. They also burn wood for fuel which causes deforestation and air pollution.
- The rich: Their affluent lifestyles and a rapidly growing industrial sector pose a massive burden of demand on the environment. They generate more waste and degradation than the environment can absorb. Moreover, vehicles used for transport are also responsible for a large amount of air pollution.
