ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

GROUP MEMBERS :

GRESHMA TRISSA ABRAHAM

SRUTHY S. KUMAR
AMAL K PLAKKAT
AISHWARYA BABU
ANJANA ANIL
HRISHIKESH R NAIR
ANJU SURESH
PRAJITH K. PRADEEP
 MODULE 1
TOPICS TO BE COVERED :

DEFINITION OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

GRESHMA
ITS SCOPE AND IMPORTANCE

NEED FOR PUBLIC AWARENESS

NATURAL RESOURCES :
SRUTHY
RENEWABLE
NON RENEWABLE

NATURAL RESOURCES AND ASSOCIATED PROBLEMS :

FOREST RESOURCES - AMAL

WATER RESOURCES - AISHWARYA
MINERAL RESOURCES - ANJANA
FOOD RESOURCES - HRISHIKESH
ENERGY RESOURCES - ANJU
LAND RESOURCES - PRAJITH
 THE EARTH PROVIDES ENOUGH TO SATISFY EVERY PERSONS NEED BUT
NOT EVERY PERSONS GREED . MAHATMA GANDHI

THE WORD ENVIRONMENT IS DERIVED FROM THE FRENCH WORD 'ENVIRON' MEANING
SURROUNDINGS. HENCE, EVERYTHING SURROUNDING US IS CALLED
"ENVIRONMENT".

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES / SCIENCE DEALS WITH EVERY ISSUE THAT AFFECTS AN ORGANISM .

IT IS ESSENTIALLY A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY APPROACH THAT BRINGS ABOUT AN APPRECIATION

OF OUR NATURAL WORLD AND HUMAN IMPACTS ON ITS INTEGRITY.

IT IS AN APPLIED SCIENCE AS ITS SEEKS PRACTICAL ANSWERS TO MAKING HUMAN CIVILIZATION

SUSTAINABLE ON THE EARTHS FINITE RESOURCES.

ITS COMPONENTS INCLUDE BIOLOGY, GEOLOGY, CHEMISTRY, PHYSICS, ENGINEERING,

SOCIOLOGY, HEALTH, ANTHROPOLOGY, ECONOMICS, STATISTICS, COMPUTERS AND
PHILOSOPHY.

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES INVOLVES EDUCATING THE PEOPLE FOR PRESERVING THE QUALITY
OF ENVIRONMENT.
 EVERY ORGANISM IS SURROUNDED BY MATERIALS AND FORCES THAT CONSTITUTE ITS
ENVIRONMENT.

IT IS THE ENVIRONMENT FROM WHERE EVERY ORGANISM MUST DERIVE ITS

REQUIREMENT.

THE ENVIRONMENT CREATES FAVOURABLE CONDITIONS FOR THE EXISTENCE AND

DEVELOPMENT OF LIVING ORGANISMS.

THE SURVIVAL OF ANY ORGANISM REQUIRES A STEADY SUPPLY OF MATERIALS AND

REMOVAL OF WATE PRODUCTS FROM ITS ENVIRONMENT.

THE DEGRADATION OF THE ENVIRONMENT HAS BECOME A SERIOUS PROBLEM FOR THE
EXISTENCE OF HUMAN BEINGS.

POLLUTION OF SOIL, WATER AND AIR CAUSES HARM TO LIVING ORGANISMS AS WELL AS
LOSS TO VALUABLE NATURAL RESOURCES.
 THE SCOPE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

DEVELOPING AN AWARENESS AND SENSITIVITY TO THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT AND ITS

RELATED PROBLEMS .

MOTIVATING PEOPLE FOR ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND

IMPROVEMENT .

DEVELOPING SKILLS FOR ACTIVE IDENTIFICATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF SOLUTIONS TO

ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS .

IMBIBE AND INCULCATE THE NECESSITY FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES .

EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMMES IN TERMS OF SOCIAL, ECONOMIC,

ECOLOGICAL AND AESTHETIC FACTORS.
 IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

IN THE INDUSTRIALIZED ERA THAT WE LIVE TODAY, EVERY COMPONENT THAT WE

INTAKE - BE IT, AIR, WATER OR FOOD ARE CONTAMINATED BY INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES.

THERE IS NO ZERO POLLUTION.

TO MINIMIZE THIS PROBLEM, KNOWLEDGE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES IS ESSENTIAL.

AN IN-DEPT STUDY OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES WILL HELP US IN THE FOLLOWING

WAYS:

1. WE WILL BEGIN TO APPRECIATE AND ADOPT THE IDEA OF "DEVELOPMENT WITHOUT

DESTRUCTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT .

2. KNOWLEDGE ABOUT "VARIOUS TYPES OF ENVIRONMENTS & DIFFERENT

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS .

3. PLAYING AN EFFECTIVE ROLE IN PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT BY "DEMANDING

CHANGES IN LAW AND ENFORCEMENT SYSTEMS".

4. HAVING A "POSITIVE IMPACT" ON "QUALITY OF LIFE".

5. CREATING A "CONCERN AND RESPECT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT".

 WHAT IS NEED OF PUBLIC AWARENESS ABOUT
ENVIRONMENT
AS THE EARTHS NATURAL RESOURCES ARE DECREASING AND OUR ENVIRONMENT IS BEING
INCREASINGLY DEGRADED BY HUMAN ACTIVITIES, IT IS EVIDENT THAT SOMETHING NEEDS TO
BE DONE.

IT IS THE PREVENTION OF ENVIRONMENT DEGRADATION IN WHICH WE MUST ALL TAKE PART

THAT MUST BECOME A PART OF ALL OUR LIVES

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION (EE) IS A PROCESS OF LEARNING BY GIVING AN OVERALL

PERSPECTIVE OF KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS OF THE ENVIRONMENT.

IT SENSITIZES THE SOCIETY ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND CHALLENGES INTERESTED

INDIVIDUALS TO DEVELOP SKILLS AND EXPERTISE THEREBY PROVIDING APPROPRIATE
SOLUTIONS.
 IT IS NOT ONLY THE DUTY OF GOVERNMENT BUT ALSO THE PEOPLE TO TAKE ACTIVE ROLE
FOR PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT, SO PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT IS
ECONOMICALLY MORE VIABLE THAN CLEANING IT UP ONCE, IT IS DAMAGED.

THE ROLE OF MASS MEDIA SUCH AS NEWSPAPERS, RADIO, TELEVISION, ETC IS ALSO VERY
IMPORTANT TO MAKE PEOPLE AWARE REGARDING ENVIRONMENT. THERE ARE VARIOUS
INSTITUTIONS, WHICH ARE PLAYING POSITIVE ROLE TOWARDS ENVIRONMENT TO MAKE
PEOPLE AWARE REGARDING ENVIRONMENT LIKE BSI (BOTANICAL SURVEY OF INDIA, 1890),
ZSI (ZOOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA, 1916), WII (WILD LIFE INSTITUTE OF INDIA, 1982) ETC.

INCREASING POPULATION, URBANIZATION AND POVERTY HAVE GENERATED PRESSURE ON

THE NATURAL RESOURCES AND LEAD TO A DEGRADATION OF THE ENVIRONMENT. TO
PREVENT THE ENVIRONMENT FROM FURTHER DEGRADATION, THE SUPREME COURT HAS
ORDERED AND INITIATED ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AWARENESS THROUGH
GOVERNMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO TAKE PART IN PROTECTING OUR
ENVIRONMENT.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT (1986) DEFINED ENVIRONMENT AS THE SUM TOTAL

OF WATER, AIR AND LAND, THEIR INTERRELATIONSHIP AMONG THEMSELVES AND WITH THE
HUMAN BEINGS, OTHER LIVING BEINGS AND PROPERTY.
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION CANNOT PREVENTED BY LAWS ALONE. PUBLIC
PARTICIPATION IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT WITH REGARD TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

REALIZING THE URGENT NEED FOR ARRESTING THE TREND OF INCREASING

POLLUTION IN VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL MEDIA , MINISTRY ADOPTED POLICY FOR
ABATEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION. BUT THIS IS ONLY AN APPROACH AND NOT
A MOVEMENT.

TILL MOVEMENT IS NOT EFFECTED, APPROACH SHALL STAND NULL AND VOID. TO MAKE
MOVEMENT EFFECTIVE PUBLIC SUPPORT IS VERY NECESSARY. THERE IS AN URGENT
NEED FOR PUBLIC AWARENESS ABOUT CLEANER ENVIRONMENT.

IT IS, THEREFORE, SUGGESTED THAT WHILE IMPARTING ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

SPECIAL ATTENTION MUST BE PAID TO SCHOOL GOING CHILDREN AND WOMEN
BECAUSE THEY ALONE CONSTITUTE ABOUT 50% OF THE POPULATION. THEY SHOULD BE
MADE AWARE OF HEALTH, NUTRITION, SANITATION, HYGIENE, AND WATER AND FOOD
CONTAMINATION.

THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION SHOULD BE :

(I) IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF ENVIRONMENT (II) CREATING AN AWARENESS AMONG
PEOPLE ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS AND CONSERVATION (III) CREATING SUCH AN
ATMOSPHERE SO THAT PEOPLE FIND THEMSELVES FIT ENOUGH TO PARTICIPATE IN
DECISION MAKING SO THAT DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAMME ARE PRESENTED AFTER
 VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES

1.GROWING POPULATION 6.DEGRADATION OF LAND 10. AIR AND WATER POPULATION .

2. POVERTY
. 7. REORIENTATION OF INSTITUTIONS.
3. AGRICULTURAL GROWTH
ACTS ARE ENFORCED IN THE
4. NEED TO GROUND WATER 8. REDUCTION OF GENETIC COUNTRY, BUT THEIR
DIVERSITY . IMPLEMENT IS NOT SO EASY.
5. DEVELOPMENT OF FORESTS 9. EVIL CONSEQUENCES OF THE REASON IS THEIR
URBANISATION . IMPLEMENTATION NEEDS
THE MODERN KNOWLEDGE GREAT RESOURCES,
AND SKILLS OF THE FOREST TECHNICAL EXPERTISE,
DEPTT. SHOULD BE POLITICAL AND SOCIAL WILL.
INTEGRATED WITH THE AGAIN THE PEOPLE ARE TO BE
TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE MADE AWARE OF THESE
AND EXPERIENCE OF THE RULES. THEIR SUPPORT IS
LOCAL COMMUNITIES. INDISPENSABLE TO
IMPLEMENT THESE RULES.
 NATURAL RESOURCES
ANYTHING PEOPLE CAN USE WHICH COMES FROM NATURE ARE KNOWN AS NATURAL
RESOURCES.
EXAMPLES OF - NATURAL RESOURCES ARE AIR, WATER, COAL, ETC.
 TYPES OF NATURAL RESOURCES:
RENEWABLE RESOURCES.
NON-RENEWABLE RESOURCES.
 RENEWABLE RESOURCES

RENEWABLE RESOURCES ARE THOSE THAT ARE CONSTANTLY AVAILABLE (LIKE WATER) OR
CAN BE REASONABLY REPLACED OR RECOVERED, LIKE VEGETATIVE LANDS .

IF RENEWABLE RESOURCES COME FROM LIVING THINGS, (SUCH AS TREES AND ANIMALS)
THEY CAN BE CALLED ORGANIC RENEWABLE RESOURCES.

IF RENEWABLE RESOURCES COME FROM NON-LIVING THINGS, (SUCH AS WATER, SUN AND
WIND) THEY CAN BE CALLED INORGANIC RENEWABLE RESOURCES.
 NON-RENEWABLE RESOURCES

NON-RENEWABLE RESOURCES ARE THOSE THAT CANNOT EASILY BE REPLACED ONCE THEY
ARE DESTROYED.

NON-RENEWABLE RESOURCES CAN BE CALLED INORGANIC RESOURCES IF THEY COME FROM

NON-LIVING THINGS. EXAMPLES INCLUDE INCLUDE, MINERALS, WIND, LAND, SOIL AND ROCKS.

SOME NON-RENEWABLE RESOURCES COME FROM LIVING THINGS SUCH AS FOSSIL FUELS.
THEY CAN BE CALLED ORGANIC NON-RENEWABLE RESOURCES.
 METALLIC AND NON-METALLIC RESOURCES

INORGANIC RESOURCES MAY BE METALLIC OR NON-METALLIC. METALLIC MINERALS ARE THOSE

THAT HAVE METALS IN THEM. THEY ARE HARDER, SHINY, AND CAN BE MELTED TO FORM NEW
PRODUCTS. EXAMPLES ARE IRON, COPPER AND TIN. NON-METALLIC MINERALS HAVE NO METALS
IN THEM. THEY ARE SOFTER AND DO NOT SHINE. EXAMPLES INCLUDE CLAY AND COAL.
 FOREST

HIGHLY COMPLEX CONSTANTLY CHANGING

SIGNIFICANCE : AESTHETIC RECREATIONAL ECONOMICAL HISTORICAL CULTURAL RELIGIOUS

COVERAGE
 CLEAN WATER

TREES INTERCEPT RAINWATER AND SLOWS IT DOWN BY AIDING SOIL ABSORPTION FOR GRADUAL
RELEASE INTO STREAMS AT A SLOW AND EVEN RATE WHICH IN TURN PREVENTS FLOODING , FILTERS
TOXINS AND IMPURITIES & FACILITATES WATER AVAILABILITY IN SUMMER
TREES CLEANSE GROUND WATER AS IT FILTERS THROUGH THEIR ROOT SYSTEM.

HOME TO UNIQUE PLANTS AND ANIMALS

URBAN AND RURAL FOREST ARE HOME TO A WEALTH OF WILDLIFE WHICH DEPENDS ON TREES FOR
SURVIVAL, THUS IT TO BE PROTECTED FOR THEIR SURVIVAL.

SOURCE OF ECONOMIC GROWTH

TIMBER & PAPER PRODUCTION AND OTHER WOOD BASED INDUSTRIES ARE IMPORTANT TO A NATURES
ECONOMY.
RECREATION BASED TOURISM PROVIDES ENORMOUS EMPLOYMENT POTENTIAL.

CLEAN AIR

HELPS TO COOL AND REFRESH THE AIR WE BREATHE , MODERATE AIR TEMPERATURE , THE LEAVES
TAKE IN CO2 AND RELAPSE O2 TO BREATHE
 ECOLOGICAL BENEFITS

PROVIDES CLEAN AIR , MAINTAINS CLEAN WATER , TAKES OUT CO2 FROM ATMOSPHERE CARBON
SEQUESTRATION.
MATURE TREES IMPROVES AESTHETIC ENVIRONMENT , ABSORB NOISE , REDUCE STRESS , CREATES
PEACEFUL PLACE TO RELAX.
TREES PROVIDE POSITIVE MENTAL BENEFITS AND HEALING QUALITIES , REDUCE SOIL EROSION RISK
OF LAND SLIDE AND AVALANCHES.

DEFORESTATION
LOSS OF FOREST COVER OR LAND I.E. CONVERTED PERMANENTLY FROM FOREST TO AGRICULTURAL
LAND OR DESERTS ETC.
CAUSES :
AGRICULTURE
POOR FARMERS CLEAR SMALL AREAS , BURN TREES & PROCEED WITH AGRICULTURE. INTENSIVE OR
MODERN AGRICULTURE DESTROYS FOREST ON LARGER SCALE.
COMMERCIAL LOGGING
CUTTING TREES FOR SALE AS TIMBER & PULP EMPLOYS HEAVY MACHINERY TO REMOVE CUT TREES
AND BUILD ROADS.
THE CASH CROP ECONOMY
THE BEST LAND IS TAKEN TO EARN EXPORT INCOME , WHICH IS VERY OFTEN USED TO PAY FOREIGN
DEPT.
IN MALAYSIA OVER 3.5MILLION HECTARES OF FOREST HAVE BEEN CLEARED FOR OIL AND PALM
PLANTATIONS.
 EFFECTS OF DEFORESTATION

SOCIAL ECONOMIC ECOLOGICAL

INSECURE WORKING FOR FOREST WORKERS

HEAVY RAINFALL , HIGH SUNLIGHT DAMAGES TOPSOIL REGENERATION OF THIS IS LONG PROCESS
AND THE LAND IS NOT SUITABLE FOR AGRICULTURE FOR QUITE SOME TIME.
REPLANTED FORESTS , MEANS A LOSS OF QUALITY.
LOSS OF FUTURE MARKETS FOR ECOTOURISM WHEN IT IS KEPT AS IT IS, BECOMES MORE VALUABLE
THAN HARVESTED LAND.
WAY OF LIFE & SURVIVAL OF INDIGENOUS PLANTS THREATENED.
STAKEHOLDERS ASSOCIATED WITH FOREST AREAS ARE NOT ALWAYS CONSULTED BEFORE CLEAR-
CUTTING LEADING TO VIOLENT AND NON-VIOLENT RIVALRIES BETWEEN AREA RESIDENTS , THE FOREST
SECTOR AND ENVIRONMENTALISTS.
CLIMATE BECOMES EXTREME IN THE NATURE FLOODS & DROUGHTS
FOREEST STORE LARGE AMOUNT OF CARBON WHICH IS REALSED DURING DEFORESTATION
RESPONSIBLE FOR 15% INCREASE IN GREEN
WATER RESOURCES
 INTRODUCTION

THE WORLDS SUPPLY OF FRESH WATER IS RUNNING OUT. ALREADY 1 IN 5 HAS NO ACCESS
TO SAFE DRINKING WATER.
EVEN THOUGH WATER COVERS ABOUT 2/3 OF EARTHS SURFACE MOST OF IT IS TOO SALTY
TO USE.
ONLY 2.5% OF WORLD WATER IS NOT SALTY AND 2/3 OF IT IS LOCKED UP IN ICECAPS AND
GLACIERS.
OUT OF REMAINING ABOUT 20% IS IN REMOTE AREAS AND MUCH OF THE REST ARRIVES AT
THE WRONG TIME AND PLACE, AS MONSOON AND FLOODS.
LESS THAN 0.08% OF ALL EARTH WATER IS AVAILABLE TO HUMANS FOR REAL USE.
OVER NEXT TWO DECADES OUR USE IS ESTIMATED TO INCREASE BY 40%.
70% OF WATER IS USED IN AGRICULTURE. ACCORDING TO WORLD WATER COUNCIL (WWC)
17% MORE WATER IS REQUIRED TO FEED THE WORLD IN FUTURE.

FACTORS WORSENING THE PRESENT WATER CRISES :

1. GROWING POPULATION
2. INEFFICIENT IRRIGATION
3. POLLUTION
WATER IS THE MOST ABUNDANT, INEXHAUSTIBLE RENEWABLE RESOURCE. IT COVERS 70%
OF THE GLOBE IN THE FORM OF OCEANS, RIVERS, LAKES, ETC. OF THIS 70%, ONLY 3% IS
AVAILABLE AS FRESHWATER. FROM THIS 3%, ROUGHLY 2% IS FROZEN IN POLAR ICECAPS
AND ONLY A FRACTION OF THE REMAINING 1% IS USED AS DRINKING WATER (POTABLE). 90%
OF THE WATER IS UTILIZED FOR AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES IN INDIA.

USE OF SURFACE AND GROUND WATER

CONSUMPTIVE USE: IN SUCH USES, WATER IS COMPLETELY UTILIZED AND CANNOT BE

REUSED.
EX: DOMESTIC, INDUSTRIAL AND IRRIGATION

NON-CONSUMPTIVE USE:IN SUCH USES,WATER IS NOT COMPLETELY UTILIZED AND IS REUSED

EX: HYDROPOWER PLANT

OTHER USES :
WATER IS USED FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSES LIKE DRINKING, BATHING, COOKING, WASHING. ETC.

WATER IS USED IN COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS LIKE HOTELS, THEATERS, EDUCATIONAL

INSTITUTIONS, OFFICES, ETC.

ALMOST 60-70% OF FRESH WATER IS USED FOR IRRIGATION .

20-30% OF WATER IS USED FOR INDUSTRIAL OPERATIONS BY REFINERIES, IRON & STEEL
INDUSTRIES, PAPER & PULP INDUSTRIES, ETC.
OVER-UTILIZATION OF SURFACE & GROUND WATER

THE INCREASED EXTRACTION OF GROUNDWATER FAR IN EXCESS OF THE NATURAL RECHARGE LED TO
DECREASED GROUNDWATER LEVEL. THE ERRATIC AND INADEQUATE RAINFALL CAUSED REDUCTION IN
STORAGE OF WATER IN RESERVOIRS. THIS ALSO LED TO DECREASE OF GROUNDWATER.

IF GROUNDWATER WITHDRAWAL RATE IS HIGHER THAN RECHARGE RATE, SEDIMENTS IN AQUIFERS

GET COMPACTED RESULTING IN SINKING OF OVERLAYING LAND SURFACE. THIS IS CALLED LAND
SUBSIDENCE WHICH LEADS TO STRUCTURAL DAMAGE IN BUILDINGS, FRACTURE IN PIPES AND
REVERSES THE FLOW OF CANALS LEADING TO TIDAL FLOODING.

OVER-UTILIZATION OF GROUNDWATER IN ARID AND SEMI-ARID REGIONS FOR AGRICULTURE DISTURBS

EQUILIBRIUM OF RESERVOIR IN THE REGION CAUSING PROBLEMS LIKE LOWERING OF WATER TABLE
AND DECREASED PRESSURE IN AQUIFERS COUPLED WITH CHANGES IN SPEED AND DIRECTION OF
WATER FLOW.

OVER UTILIZATION OF GROUNDWATER IN COASTAL AREAS LEADS TO RAPID INTRUSION OF SALT WATER
FROM THE SEA THEREBY RENDERING IT UNUSABLE FOR DRINKING AND AGRICULTURE.

OVER-UTILIZATION OF GROUNDWATER LEADS TO DECREASE IN WATER LEVEL THEREBY CAUSING

EARTHQUAKE, LANDSLIDES AND FAMINE.
 DROUGH
T
COMPLEX PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL PROCESS OF WIDESPREAD SIGNIFICANCE.
ITS NOT USUALLY A COUNTRYWIDE PHENOMENON, WITH DIFFERING CONDITION IN COUNTRY
OFTEN MAKING DROUGHT A REGIONAL ISSUE.
IT HAS NO UNIVERSALLY ACCEPTED DEFINITION BECAUSE :
1. DROUGHT UNLIKE FLOODS IS NOT A DISTINCT EVENT.
2. DROUGHT IS RESULT OF MANY COMPLEX FACTORS, IT HAS NO WELL DEFINED START OR END.
3. IMPACT OF DROUGHT VARY BY AFFECTED SECTOR.
THE MOST COMMONLY USED DEFINITION OF DROUGHT ARE BASED ON METROLOGICAL,
AGRICULTURAL, HYDROLOGICAL, AND SOCIOECONOMIC EFFECTS.
 METEOROLOGICA
L
METEOROLOGICAL DROUGHT IS OFTEN DEMARKED BY PERIOD OF SUBSTANTIALLY
DIMINISHED PRECIPITATION DURATION OR INTENSITY.

IT IS AN INTERVAL OF TIME, GENERALLY IN ORDER OF MONTHS OR YEARS, DURING WHICH

THE ACTUAL MOISTURE SUPPLY AT A GIVEN PLACE CONSISTENTLY FALLS BELOW THE
CLIMATICALLY APPROPRIATE MOISTURE SUPPLY.
 HYDROLOGICAL
REFERS TO D LESS MEASUREABLE EFFICIENCIES IN SURFACE AND SUBSURFACE WATER
SUPPLIES. IT IS MEASURED AS
STREAM FLOW, SNOWPACK, AND AS LAKE, RESERVOIR AND GROUNDWATER LEVELS.
ITS A DELAY BETWEEN LACK OF RAIN AND LESS MEASUREABLE WATER IN STREAMS, LAKES
AND RESERVOIR. THEREFORE HYDROLOGICAL MEASUREMENT TEND TO LAG OTHER
DROUGHT MEASUREMENTS.
THIS DROUGHT DEALS MORE WITH LACK OF MOISTURE HAS ON HYDROLOGICAL SYSTEM AS
A WHOLE.
CLIMATE/ WEATHER IS MAIN CONTRIBUTOR TO HYDROLOGICAL DROUGHT ,THINGS SUCH AS
CHANGES IN LANDSCAPE, LAND USE, DAM CONSTRUCTION ALSO EFFECT THE IMMEDIATE
REGION WITH DOWNSTREAM FROM THE MOISTURE.
ALSO TRUE WITH METEOROLOGICAL DROUGHT .
 AGRICULTURAL
OCCURS WHEN THERE IS INADEQUATE SOIL MOISTURE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF A PARTICULAR
CROP AT A PARTICULAR TIME.
OCCURS AFTER OR DURING METEOROLOGICAL DROUGHT BUT BEFORE HYDROLOGICAL
DROUGHT.
WHEN SOIL MOISTURE IS LACKING IT MAY HINDER PROPER DEVELOPMENT ,LEADING TO LOW
PLANT NOS. AND LOW FINAL YIELD.
IF SOIL MOISTURE IS HIGH ENOUGH TO ALLOW PROPER DEVELOPMENT LACKING MOISTURE
MAY NO DEPLETE FINAL YIELD.
 SOCIO-ECONOMIC
OCCURS WHEN PHYSICAL WATER STORAGE STARTS TO AFFECT HEALTH, WELL-BEING AND
QUALITY OF LIFE OF PEOPLE .
OR
WHEN THE DROUGHT AFFECTS THE SUPPLY AND DEMAND OF AN ECONOMIC PRODUCT.
IT ASSOCIATES ECONOMIC GOOD WITH THE ELEMENTS OF METEOROLOGICAL,
AGRICULTURE OR HYDROLOGICAL DROUGHT.
THIS DROUGHT TAKES PLACE WHEN THE SUPPLY OF AN ECONOMIC GOOD CANNOT MEET
THE DEMAND FOR THAT PRODUCT, AND THE CAUSES OF THIS IS WEATHER RELATED.
IF DEMAND IS INCREASING FASTER THAN THE SUPPLY, THE IMPACT OF A DROUGHT WILL BE
MUCH MORE SIGNIFICANT ON THE AREA IT AFFECTS.
HOW SEVERE A DROUGHT IS DEPENDS MOSTLY ON THE DEGREE OF DEFICIENCY, THE TIME
PERIOD, AND THE SIZE OF AREA AFFECTED. THE TIMING IS ALSO IMPORTANT FACTOR WITH
THE ONSET/DURATION OF DROUGHT.
 CONFLICTS OVER
WATER
THE CONFLICTS OVER WATER CAN BE CLASSIFIED INTO FOLLOWING CATEGORIES:

1. CONTROL OF WATER RESOURCES : WHERE WATER SUPPLIES OR ACCESS TO WATER IS AT

ROOT OF TENSIONS.

2. MILITARY TOOL :WHERE WATER RESOURCES OR WATER SYSTEMS THEMSELVES ARE USED
BY A NATION, STATE AS A WEAPON DURING A MILITARY ACTION.

3. POLITICAL TOOL: WHERE WATER RESOURCES OR WATER SYSTEMS THEMSELVES ARE USED
BY A NATION, STATE, OR A GROUP FOR A POLITICAL GOAL.

4. TERRORISM : WHERE WATER RESOURCES OR WATER SYSTEMS ,ARE EITHER TARGETS OR

TOOLS OF VIOLENCE OR CORRECTION BY TERRORISTS.

5. MILITARY TARGET :WHERE RESOURCES SYSTEM ARE TARGETS OF MILITARY ACTIONS BY

NATION.

6. DEVELOPMENT DISPUTES: WHERE WATER RESOURCES OR WATER SYSTEM ARE MAJOR

SOURCE OF CONTENTION AND DISPUTE IN THE CONTEXT OF ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL
DEVELOPMENT .
MINERAL RESOURCES
MINERALS ARE NON-RENEWABLE SOURCES OF ENERGY AND ARE DISTRIBUTED UNEVENLY ON THE
EARTHS CRUST.
MINERAL DEPOSIT CONCENTRATED, NATURAL OCCURRENCE OF ONE OR MORE MINERALS.

METTALIC
NON METTALIC
AN ORE IS A MINERAL OR COMBINATION OF MINERALS FROM WHICH A USEFUL SUBSTANCE, SUCH
AS A METAL, CAN BE EXTRACTED AND USED TO MANUFACTURE A USEFUL PRODUCT.
MINERALS ARE FORMED OVER A PERIOD OF MILLIONS OF YEARS IN THE EARTHS CRUST.
IRON, ALUMINUM, ZINC, MANGANESE AND COPPER ARE IMPORTANT RAW MATERIALS FOR
INDUSTRIAL USE.

EG : STONE USED FOR BUILDING MATERIAL, SUCH AS GRANITE, MARBLE, LIMESTONE, CONSTITUTE
ANOTHER CATEGORY OF MINERALS.MINERALS WITH SPECIAL PROPERTIES THAT HUMANS VALUE
FOR THEIR AESTHETIC AND ORNAMENTAL VALUE ARE GEMS SUCH AS DIAMONDS, EMERALDS,
RUBIES.

THE LUSTER OF GOLD, SILVER AND PLATINUM IS USED FOR ORNAMENTS.

MINERALS IN THE FORM OF OIL, GAS AND COAL WERE FORMED WHEN ANCIENT PLANTS AND
ANIMALS WERE CONVERTED INTO UNDERGROUND FOSSIL FUELS.

MINERALS AND THEIR ORES NEED TO BE EXTRACTED FROM THE EARTHS INTERIOR SO THAT THEY
CAN BE USED. THIS PROCESS IS KNOWN AS MINING.
 MINERALS AREAS
IRON ORE MAJOR IRON ORE BELT IN INDIA
BASIC MINERAL & ORISSA-JHARKHAND BELT:
BACKBONE OF ORISSA HIGH GRADE HEMATITE ORE IS FOUND IN BADAMPUR MINES IN THE
INDUSTRIAL MAYURBHANJ AND KENDHURJHAR DISTRICTS
DEVELOPMENT. JHARKHAND- HEMATITE IRON ORE IS MINED FROM THE SINGBHUM DISTRICT IN
INDIA IS ENDOWED GUA AND NOAMUNDI
WITH FAIRLY DURG- BASTAR-CHANDRAPUR BELT IN CHHATTISGARH AND
ABUNDANT & GOOD MAHARASHTRA:
QUALITY RESOURCES CHATTISGARH- VERY HIGH GRADE HEMATITE FOUND IN THE BAILDILA RANGE
OF IRON ORE. OF HILLS IN THE BASTAR DISTRICT OF CHATTISGARH. { BAILDILA RANGE OF
MAGNETITE 70% HILLS COMPRISE OF 14 DEPOSITS OF SUPER HIGH GRADE HEMATITE IRON ORE
IRON CONTENT THAT HAS THE BEST PHYSICAL PROPERTIES NEEDED FOR STEEL MAKING}
FINEST IRON ORE, IRON ORE EXPORTED FROM THESE MINES IS EXPORTED TO JAPAN AND
EXCELLENT MAGNETIC SOUTH KOREA VIA VISHAKAPATNAM PORT.
QUALITY, AND BELLARY-CHITRADURGA-CHIKMAGLUR-TUMKUR BELT IN KARNATAKA
VALUABLE IN THE KUDREMUKH MINES IN THE WESTERN GHATS ARE A 100% EXPORT UNIT.
ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY. KUDREMUKH DEPOSITS ARE KNOWN TO BE ONE OF THE LARGEST IN THE
HEMATITE 50 -60% WORLD.
MAHARASHTRA GOA BELT:
IRON ORE MINED FROM THE STATES OF GOA AND RATNAGIRI DISTRICT OF
MAHARASHTRA.
 ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF EXTRACTING AND USING
MINERAL RESOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS: MINING OPERATIONS ARE CONSIDERED
ONE OF THE MAIN SOURCES OF ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION.

THE EXTRACTION OF ALL THESE PRODUCTS FROM THE LITHOSPHERE HAS

A VARIETY OF SIDE EFFECTS. DEPLETION OF AVAILABLE LAND DUE TO
MINING, WASTE FROM INDUSTRIES, CONVERSION OF LAND TO INDUSTRY
AND POLLUTION OF LAND, WATER AND AIR BY INDUSTRIAL WASTES, ARE
ENVIRONMENTAL SIDE EFFECTS OF THE USE OF THESE NON-RENEWABLE
RESOURCES.

PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THIS CASE STUDY SARISKA TIGER RESERVE,

RAJASTHAN THE FOREST DEPARTMENT HAS LEASED LAND FOR MINING IN
THE SARISKA TIGER RESERVE AREA BY DENOTIFYING FOREST AREAS.
MINE SAFETY: MINING IS A HAZARDOUS OCCUPATION, AND THE SAFETY OF
MINE WORKERS IS AN IMPORTANT ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATION OF THE
INDUSTRY. SURFACE MINING IS LESS HAZARDOUS THAN UNDERGROUND
MINING.

METAL MINING IS LESS HAZARDOUS THAN COAL MINING. IN ALL

UNDERGROUND MINES, ROCK AND ROOF FALLS, FLOODING, AND INADEQUATE
VENTILATION ARE THE GREATEST HAZARDS
LARGE EXPLOSIONS HAVE OCCURED IN COAL MINES, KILLING MANY MINERS. MORE MINERS
HAVE SUFFERED FROM DISASTERS DUE TO THE USE OF EXPLOSIVES IN METAL MINES. MINING
POSES SEVERAL LONG-TERM OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS TO THE MINERS. DUST PRODUCED
DURING MINING OPERATIONS IS INJURIOUS TO HEALTH AND CAUSES A LUNG DISEASE KNOWN AS
BLACK LUNG, OR PNEUMOCONIOSIS. FUMES GENERATED BY INCOMPLETE DYNAMITE
EXPLOSIONS ARE EXTREMELY POISONOUS.

METHANE GAS, EMANATING FROM COAL STRATA, IS HAZARDOUS TO HEALTH ALTHOUGH NOT
POISONOUS IN THE CONCENTRATIONS USUALLY ENCOUNTERED IN MINE AIR. RADIATION IS A
HAZARD IN URANIUM MINES.

CASE STUDY
CASE STUDY SARISKA TIGER RESERVE, RAJASTHAN THE FOREST DEPARTMENT HAS
LEASED LAND FOR MINING IN THE SARISKA TIGER RESERVE AREA BY DENOTIFYING
FOREST AREAS.

THE LOCAL PEOPLE HAVE FOUGHT AGAINST THE MINING LOBBY, AND HAVE FILED A
PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION IN THE SUPREME COURT IN 1991.

RAJENDRA SINGH, SECRETARY OF TBS, POINTS OUT THAT AS MANY AS 70 MINES

OPERATE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE FOREST.
FOOD RESO
 FOOD RESOURCES

-THE MULTITUDE OF SPECIES PLANTS AND ANIMALS PROVIDE US WITH FOOD ARE AN
IMPORTANT PART OF THE PLANETS BIODIVERSITY.
- BIOLOGISTS ESTIMATES THAT ALTHOUGH THE EARTH HAS PERHAPS 30,000 PLANT
SPECIES WITH PARTS THAT PEOPLE CAN EAT,ONLY 15 PLANT AND 8 ANIMAL SPECIES
SUPPLY 90% OF OUR FOOD.
- JUST THREE-GRAIN CROPS-WHEAT,RICE AND MAIZE PROVIDE ALMOST HALF OF THE
CALORIES THAT PEOPLE CONSUME.
- TWO OUT OF THREE OF THE WORLDS PEOPLE SURVIVE PRIMARILY ON GRAIN (MAINLY RICE,
WHEAT AND MAIZE),MOSTLY BECAUSE THEY CANT AFFORD MEAT.
- AS INCOMES RISE, PEOPLE CONSUME EVEN MORE GRAIN,BUT INDIRECTLY IN THE FORM OF
MEAT (MOSTLY BEEF,PORK AND CHICKEN),EGGS,MILK,CHEESE,AND OTHER PRODUCTS OF
GRAIN-EATING DOMESTICATED LIVESTOCK.
WORLD FOOD PROBLEMS
-ACCORDING TO FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION(FAO) ESTIMATES, ON AN
OVERAGE THE MINIMUM CALORIE REQUIREMENT OF A HEALTHY MAN IS 3000 Kcal/day AND OF
A HEALTHY WOMAN IS 2200 Kcal/day.

A) UNDER NOURISHMENT IF A PERSON RECEIVES LESS THAN 90% OF THIS MINIMUM

CALORIE REQUIREMENT THEN THE PERSON IS UNDER NOURISHED. IT MEANS TO
RECIEVE LESS CALORIES THAN NEEDED.AS PER WHO,ALMOST ONE-THIRD OF ALL
CHILDREN UNDER FIVE YEARS OF AGE ARWE UNDER NOURISHED.

B) MAL NOURISHMENT IT MEANS LACK OF ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS (LIKE

PROTEINS,VITAMINS,LIPIDS,MINERALS,ETC) IS THE DIET.
LEADS TO ABNORMAL GROWTH, ACCORDING TO WHO,MORE THAN THREE BILLION ARE
MALNOURISHED.
C) OVER NOURISHMENT IT IS DUE TO OVERCONSUMPTION OF SATURATED (ANIMAL)
FATS,SUGAR AND SALT IN DIET
TYPES OF FOOD PRODUCTION
MAJOR TYPES OF FOOD PRODUCTION

1. INDUSTRIALIZED AGRICULTURE

2. TRADITIONAL AGRICULTURE SUBSISTENCE

INTENSIE

INDUSTRALIZED AGRICULTURE

- LARGE AMOUNT OF FOSSIL FUEL ENERGY,WATER,COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS AND

PESTICIDES TO PRODUCE HUGE QUANTITIES OF ONE CROP.
TRADITIONAL AGRICULTURE

-SUBSISTENCE AGRICULTURE - PRODUCE ENOUGH CROPS OR LIVE STOCK FOR A FARM

FAMILYS SURVIVAL AND IN GOOD YEARS, A SURPLUS TO SELL OR PUT ASIDE FOR HARD
TIMES.
- INTENSIVE AGRICULTURE FARMERS INCREASE THEIR INPUTS OF HUMAN AND DRAFT
LABOUR,FERTILIZER AND WATER TO GET A HIGHER YIELD PER AREA OF CULTIVATED LAND TO
PRODUCE ENOUGH FOOD.
 IMPACTS OF INDUSTRIAL AGRICULTURE: ENVIRONMENTAL
DAMAGE AND EVOLUTIONARY WARS
IT DAMAGES THE SOIL, WATER, AND EVEN THE CLIMATE ON AN UNPRECEDENTED
SCALE.
INTENSIVE MONOCULTURE DEPLETES SOIL AND LEAVES IT VULNERABLE TO EROSION.

CHEMICAL FERTILIZER RUNOFF AND CAFO

WASTES ADD TO GLOBAL WARMING EMISSIONS
AND CREATE OXYGEN-DEPRIVED "DEAD ZONES" AT
THE MOUTHS OF MAJOR WATERWAYS.

HERBICIDES AND INSECTICIDES HARM WILDLIFE AND CAN POSE HUMAN HEALTH
RISKS AS WELL. BIODIVERSITY IN AND NEAR MONOCULTURE FIELDS TAKES A HIT, AS
POPULATIONS OF BIRDS AND BENEFICIAL INSECTS DECLINE.

WHENEVER WE ATTACK A POPULATION OF UNWANTED ORGANISMS (SUCH AS WEEDS

OR BACTERIA) REPEATEDLY WITH THE SAME WEAPON, WE GIVE AN EVOLUTIONARY
ADVANTAGE TO GENES THAT MAKE THE ORGANISM LESS VULNERABLE TO THAT
WEAPON.
 IMPACTS OF INDUSTRIAL AGRICULTURE: ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE
AND EVOLUTIONARY WARS

OVER TIME, THOSE GENES BECOME MORE WIDESPREAD, AND THE WEAPON BECOMES
LESS USEFULA PHENOMENON CALLED RESISTANCE. INDUSTRIAL AGRICULTURE HAS
ACCELERATED RESISTANCE PROBLEMS ON AT LEAST TWO FRONTS.

.
 TRADITIONAL AGRICULTURE

CHARACTERISTICS OF TRADITIONAL
AGRICULTURE :

SUBSISTENCE INTENSIVE -EXTENSIVE FARMING WITH SIMPLE TOOLS AND

CROPS
-BASIC INSTRUMENTS: AXE, HOE, STICK.
-METHODS: BURN THE PLANTS IN A FIELD AND
SOW IN THE ASHES.
-CATTLE RAISIN HELPS TO CREATE FALLOW LAND.
-IN THE ABSENCE OF PRIVATE PROPERTY, PUBLIC
OR COMMUNAL LAND PREDOMINATES.
-THERE IS NO SURPLUS PRODUCTION.

.
 CASE STUDY
THE FOOD CRISIS IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

SOME 30 MILLION PEOPLE IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA TYPICALLY SUFFER FROM FAMINE,AND

THERE ARE 1 MILLION MORE MOUTHS TO FEED EVERY 3 WEEKS.THOUSANDS DIE EACH DAY
FROM MALNUTRITION OF HUNGER-RELATED DISEASES.ALMOST HALF OF THE POPULATION
DOESNT HAVE ACCESS TO SAFE DRINKING WATER,WHICH GREATLY INCREASES THE
INCIDENCE OF WATERBORNE INFECTIONS,DISEASES SUCH AS CHOLERA AND
DYSENTRY.INFECTIOUS DISEASES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MORE THAN HALF OF THE ANNUAL
DEATHS IN THIS REGION.

(A MALNOURISHED BOY AT A (30-60MILLION PEOPLE RISK

FEEDING CENTRE IN ETHIOPIA. OF ACUTE HUNGER)
SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA AND
SOUTH)
ENERGY RESOURCES
ENERGY SOURCES

ENERGY DRIVES FROM THE FOLLOWING:

THE GLOBAL CLIMATIC SYSTEMS WHICH GIVE US WIND POWER
WAVE POWER
HYDROELECTRIC POWER
SOLAR HEATING AND SOLAR LIGHTING
THE GLOBAL ECOSYSTEMS WHICH GIVE US BIOMASS POWER SUCH AS WOOD
THE ANCIENT ECOSYSTEMS WHOSE ENERGY IS NOT STORED AS FOSSIL FUEL
THE AVERAGE HUMAN BEING GIVES OFF 60 WATT S OF HEAT BY SIMPLY STANDING IN A
ROOM.WITH EFFECTIVE INSULATION AND VENTILATION IT IS POSSIBLE TO HEAT MANY
BUILDING TYPES BY THE HEAT ENERGY OF THEIR OCCUPANTS ALONE.
TYPES OF ENERGY
IT CAN BE DESCRIBED AS RENEWABLE, NON RENEWABLE AND SUSTAINABLE.

RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES INCLUDES :

I. WIND POWER
II. WAVE POWER
III. OCEAN THERMAL EXCHANGE CAPACITY (OTEC) BASED ON TEMPERATURE DIFFERENCES
IN OCEAN LAYERS.
IV. SOLAR POWER
V. HYDRO POWER
VI. FUEL CELLS
VII. BIO FUELS

KEY CHARACTERISTIC :

I. CONTINUALLY AVAILABLE
II. IT REQUIRES GOOD MANAGEMENT.
 NON RENEWABLE TYPES OF ENERGY INCLUDES ALL FOSSIL FUELS.

THEY ARE INFINITE IN SUPPLY AS THEIR RATE OF FORMATION IS SO SLOW.

SUSTAINABLE ENERGY WILL LAST FOR A LONG TIME BECAUSE A GREAT DEAL OF
ELECTRICITY IS PRODUCED FROM A SMALL AMOUNT OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL.

THE RANGE OF ENERGY SOURCE THEY CHOOSE IS KNOWN AS ENERGY

MIX.

IT CAN BE DETERMINED BY MANY FACTORS. THESE INCLUDE:

ECONOMICS
POLITICAL AND SOCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS .
ENERGY ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
TYPE
RENEWABLE WIDE AVAILABILITY UNRELIABLE SUPPLY
LOWER RUNNING COST USUALLY PRODUCED IN SMALL
DECENTRALIZED POWER QUANTITIES
PRODUCTION OFTEN DIFFICULT TO STORE
LOW POLLUTION CURRENTLY PER UNIT COST OF
AVAILABLE FOR THE FORESEEABLE ENERGY IS MORE COMPARED TO
FUTURE OTHER TYPES
NON AVAILABLE IN HIGHLY CONCENTRATED HIGHLY POLLUTING
RENEWABLE FORM AVAILABLE ONLY IN FEW PLACES
EASY TO STORE HIGH RUNNING COST
RELIABLE SUPPLY LIMITED SUPPLY
LOWER COST PER UNIT OF ENERGY
IS PRODUCED AS TECHNOLOGY IS
MATURED
SUSTAINABLE HIGHLY RELIABLE RISK OF RADIOACTIVITY
PRODUCES LARGE AMOUNT OF HIGH WASTE DISPOSAL COSTS
ENERGY WITH LITTLE CO2 EMISSIONS HIGH CAPITAL INVESTMENT AND
USE SMALL AMOUNT OF RAW MAINTANANCE COST
MATERIAL PER UNIT ENERGY
PRODUCTION
 ENERGY CHARACTERISTICS
ENERGY IS RELATED TO POWER .
MANY GLOBAL INDUSTRIES HAVE VESTED INTEREST IN ENERGY SUPPLY AND ARE PUSHING TO
EXPLOIT NEW TECHNOLOGIES.
MOST CONCENTRATED FORMS OF ENERGY ARE FOSSIL FUELS BY NATURE THESE ARE THE
LEAST LONG LASTING AND MOST ENVIRONMENTALLY DAMAGING.

IMPACTS
THE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION OF ENERGY IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST CAUSES
OF ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE. IT HAS LEAD TO LARGE AMOUNTS OF DESTRUCTION OF
NATURAL LANDSCAPES AND HABITATS THROUGH THE PROCESS OF FUEL EXTRACTION,
POLLUTION OF SOIL, WATER, AIR ETC. WHICH INTURN CAUSES CLIMATE CHANGE.
 INCREASE IN POPULATION DENSITIES, INDUSTRIALIZATION, CONSUMERISM OVER THE PAST
CENT, FOLLOWING THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION , HAVE LEAD TO DRAMATIC RISES IN
ENERGY DEMANDS FOR BOTH INDUSTRIAL AND DOMESTIC PURPOSES.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH ENERGY CAN BE SPLIT INTO 2 MAIN AREAS:
IMPACTS THAT ARISE DUE TO ENERGY PRODUCTION
IMPACTS THAT ARISE DUE TO ENERGY USE

IMPACTS ARE VARYING ACCORDING TO THE TYPE OF FUEL, METHOD OF USE AND THE WAY IT
RELEASES ENERGY.

EG: FOSSIL FUELS LIKE COAL AND OIL ARE ASSOCIATED WITH HIGH LEVELS OF GASIOUS
EMISSIONS DURING THE ENERGY PRODUCTION PROCESS,
LIKE CO2 AND OTHER GREEN HOUSE GASES THAT HAVE
LINKED WITH CLIMATE CHANGE.THIS CONTRASTS WITH
NUCLEAR FUEL, WHICH PRODUCES NO GREEN GAS
EMISSIONS , BUTUSES URANIUM AND RESULTS IN THE
PRODUCTION OF RADIOACTIVE WASTES THAT ARE
DANGEROUS AND TAKES A LONG TIME TO DECAY.
 A SERIES OF WORLD CONFERENCES ON CLIMATE CHANGE COMMENCING WITH THE RIO
CONFERENCE IN 1922 HAVE LED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF GLOBAL AGREEMENTS SUCH
AS THE KYOTO PROTOCOL TO ADRESS ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH GAS EMISSIONS AND
GLOBAL WARMING.

IT HAS BEEN RECOGNISED THAT ENERGY PRODUCTION AT PRESENT IS UNSUSTAINABLE AND

HAS BOTH DIRECT IMPACTS ON ENVIRONMENT AS WELL AS MANY ASOCIATED SOCIAL AND
ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS.

ENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES HAVE LOW IMPACTS COMPARED TO NON RENEWABLE

ENERGY SOURCES
 CHERNOBYL : THE WORLDS WORST NUCLEAR POWER PLANT

APRIL 26,1986 ONE OF THE REACTORS IN A NUCLEAR POWER PLANT IN UKRAINE .

THE REACTOR MELTED DOWN AND ITS GRAPHITE MODERATOR CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED FOR
10 DAYS , RELEASING OVER 100 TIMES MORE RADIATION INTO THE ATMOSPHERE.

THE INITIAL EXPLOSION AND PROLONGED FIRES RELEASED A HUGE RADIOACTIVE CLOUD THAT
SPREAD OVER BELARUS, RUSSIA, UKRAINE AND EUROPE AND EVENTUALLY ENCIRCLED THE
PLANET.

DISASTER WAS CAUSED BY POOR REACTOR DESIGN AND HUMAN ERROR

BY 2005, 56 PEOPLE HAD DIED FROM RADIATION RELEASED BY THE ACCIDENT AND 4000
PEOPLE DIE FROM CANCERS CAUSED BY RADIATION EXPOSURE.

GOVERNMENT AGENCIES IN BELARUS, RUSSIA AND UKRAINE AND OTHER RESEARCHERS PUT
THE EVENTUAL DEATH TOLL TO 250000 TO 60000 .

350000 PEOPLE HAD TO ABANDON THEIR HOMES BECAUSE OF CONTAMINATION BY

RADIOACTIVE FALLOUT.
 RADIOACTIVE WASTES IN UNITED STATES

IN 1985, THE DOE PLANS TO BUILD A RESPIRATORY FOR UNDERGROUND STORAGE OF HIGH
LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM COMMERCIAL NUCLEAR REACTORS.

THE PROPOSED SITE IS IN YUCCA MOUNTAIN DESERT REGION.

ARGUMENT: THE SITE SHOULD NEVER BE ALLOWED TO OPEN, BECAUSE ROCK FEATURES
AND TINY CRACKS MAY ALLOW WATER TO LEAK INTO THE SITE AND CORRODE RADIO ACTIVE
WASTE STORAGE CASKS AND ALSO ON THE MOST SEISMECIALLY ACTIVE REGION IN US.

ACCORDING TO 2004 REVIEW PANEL, RAIN THAT PERCOLATES INTO THE MOUNTAIN COULD
CARRY RADIOACTIVE WASTES LEAKING FROM CORRODED CONTAINERS INTO GROUND
WATER, IRRIGATION SYSTEMS AND DRINKING WATER WELLS.

IN 2002 US NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES CONTEND THAT STORING SPENT FUEL RODS
IN DRY STORAGE CASKS IN WELL PROTECTED BUILDINGS AT NUCLEAR PLANT SITES IS AN
ADEQUATE SOLUTION FOR 100 YEARS.

THE PLAN CALLS FOR WASTES TO BE PUT IN SPECIALLY DESIGNED CASKS SHIPPED TO
NEVADA SITES.
LAND RESOURCES
 LAND AS A RESOURCE
LAND RESOURCES ARE NATURAL RESOURCES IN THE FORM OF
PRODUCTIVE LAND. WHICH SUPPORTS THE SURVIVAL AND
SUPPORTING FACTOR FOR THE ECOSYSTEM. THE BELOW
GIVEN ARE THE BASIC FUNCTIONS OF LAND IN SUPPORTING
HUMAN AND OTHER TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEM.

IT IS A STOREHOUSE OF MINERALS AD RAW MATERIAL.

LAND HELPS IN THE CULTIVATION OF FOOD, FIBRE AND FUEL
ETC.
IT IS THE BIOLOGICAL HABITAT FOR ALL FLORA, FAUNA AND
OTHER ORGANISMS.
LAND REGULATES THE FLOW OF SURFACE WATER AND
STORES GROUND WATER.
LAND ENABLES THE MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE AND ANIMALS.
LAND ALSO ACTS AS A BUFFER FOR CHEMICAL POLLUTANTS.
LAND IS CO-DETERMINANT IN THE GLOBAL ENERGY BALANCE
AND GLOBAL HYDROLOGICAL CYCLE WHICH PROVIDES A
SOURCE AND SINK OF GREENHOUSE GASES.
LAND IS THE PHYSICAL SPACE FOR SETTLEMENTS , INDUSTRY
AND RECREATION.
LAND STORES AND PROTECTS EVIDENCE OF THE PAST CLIMATES,
ARCHAEOLOGICAL REMAINS FROM THE PRE-HISTORICAL RECORD.
 TEXTURE, STRUCTURE AND COMPOSITION OF SOIL
SOIL IS AN UNCEMENTED AGGREGATE OF MINERAL GRAINS AND DECAYED ORGANIC
MATTER WITH WATER AND AIR OCCUPYING THE VOID SPACE BETWEEN THE PARTICLES.
SOIL TEXTURE REFERS TO THE SIZE OF DISTRIBUTION OF THE SOIL PARTICLES AND THE
RELATIVE PERCENTAGE OF SAND, SILT AND CLAY IN SOIL.

SOIL TEXTURE CONTROLS THE FOLLOWING PROPERTIES WITH RESPECT TO PLANT

GROWTH.:
AERATION
AVAILABILITY AND MOVEMENT OF WATER
CONTENT OF THE PLANT NUTRIENTS/ FERTILITY
WORKABILITY
 SOIL
STRUCTURE
SOIL STRUCTURE REFERS TO THE ARRANGEMENT OF SOIL PARTICLES INTO
GROUPS OR AGGREGATES.
THE PEDS ARE NATURAL, FAIRLY WATER STABLE AGGREGATES; THE CLODS
ARE ARTIFICIAL, WATER UNSTABLE AGGREGATES. PLOUGHING OF THE WET
CLAY SOIL MAKES THE SOIL CLODDY.

SOIL STRUCTURE IS DIVIDED INTO THE FOLLOWING GROUPS;

TYPES OF SOILD STRUCTURE. (EX. PLATY. SPHEROIDAL, ETC)
CLASS OF SOIL STRUCTURE. (EX. FINE, MEDIUM, COARSE)
GRADES OF SOIL STRUCTURE. (EX. WEAK, STRONG, ETC)
SOIL COMPOSITION
FOUR MAJOR COMPONENTS OF SOILS ARE MINERALS, ORGANIC
MATTER, WATER AND AIR. APPROXIMATE COMPOSITION OF SOIL IS
GIVEN BELOW :
MINERAL MATERIALS

a) MINERAL MATERIALS ARE ELEMENTS (SI, FE, O, MG, AL, CA, NA, AND K), FINELY
DIVIDED QUARTZ(SIO2), IRON-SILICATES AND ALUMINUM SILICATES.
b) DERIVED FROM THE UNDERLYING BEDROCK OR FROM MATERIAL TRANSPORTED
AND DEPOSITED BY THE SURFACE.
c) SECONDARY MINERALS( NA+, K+, CA2+, MG2+, H+, NH+4) ARE HELD AT THE SURFACE
OF ALL THE SILICATE CLAYS. THESE ARE NOT LEACHED BY WATER AND ARE
EXCHANGED. THUS, THEY ARE AVAILABLE AS PLANT NUTRIENTS.

ORGANIC MATTER

d) THESE ARE THE CROP RESIDUES, WEEDS, GRASSES, BACTERIA, FUNGI, OTHER
MICROORGANISMS AND ANIMAL MANURES.
e) THEIR FUNCTION ARE AS FOLLOWS;
I. THEY PROVIDE FOOD FOR MICRO ORGANISMS, OTHER NUTRIENTS TO PLANTS.
II. THEY PROVIDE AS THE STORE HOUSE FOR NUTRIENTS.
III. THEY INCREASE WATER HOLDING CAPACITY OF THE SOIL.
WATER: IS A GOOD SOLVENT FOR MANY NUTRIENTS WHICH MOVE INTO PLANT
ROOTS. WATER IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER FORM AND
POSITION OF LEAVES AND NEW SHOOTS FOR CAPTURING SUNLIGHT AND
SATISFACTORY GROWTH.
AIR: SOIL AIR ENCOURAGES OPTIMUM RATE OF THE ESSENTIAL METABOLIC
LAND DEGRADATION
IN THE FACE OF THE RAPIDLY CHANGING GLOBAL SITUATION, HUMANITY US NOT PAYING
ATTENTION TO MANAGE RESOURCES EFFICIENTLY FOR SUSTAINABLE FUTURE. BECAUSE
OF THIS LAND RESOURCES ARE UNDER STRESS AND THE WOLD IS FACING OUTCOMES OF
DECLINING CROP PRODUCTION, INCREASED LAND DEGRADATION, INCREASED
COMPETITION FOR LAND.

MOST PERSONS ARE TRAPPED IN THE DOWNWARD SPIRAL IN WHICH RESOURCE-LIMITED

FARMER HAVE SHORTAGE OF LAND RESOURCES. THEY ARE EVEN FURTHER DEGRADING
THESE LIMITED RESOURCES BY INAPPROPRIATE FARMING PRACTICES IN ORDER TO
SATISFY IMMEDIATE SUBSISTENCE NEEDS.
 LANDSLIDES
A LANDSLIDE MEANS GROUND MOVEMENT IN OFFSHORE, COASTAL AND ONSHORE
ENVIRONMENTS, THESE GEOLOGICAL PHENOMENON INCLUDES DEEP FAILURE OF SLOPES
ROCK FALLS AND SHALLOW DEBRIS FLOWS.

A. NATURAL LANDSLIDE: CAUSES INCLUDE GROUNDWATER PRESSURE ACTING TO

DESTABILIZE THE SLOPE, EARTHQUAKES ADDING WEIGHT TO BARELY STABLE
SLOPES.
B. HUMAN INDUCED LANDSLIDES: HUMAN ACTIVITIES AGGRAVATE LANDSLIDES BY
DESTABILIZING THE ALREADY FRAGILE SLOPES. HUMAN CAUSES INCLUDE
VIBRATIONS FROM MACHINERY OR TRAFFIC. THE REMOVAL OF DEEP ROOTED
VEGETATION THAT BINDS COLLUVIUMS TO BED ROCK IN SHALLOW SOILS.
 SOIL EROSION
IT IS THE WEARING AWAY OF SOIL OR GEOLOGICAL MATERIAL FROM ONE POINT ON THE EARTHS
SURFACE TO BE DEPOSITED ELSEWHERE. NORMALLY SOIL EROSION OCCURS AS A NATURAL
PROCESS WHICH HAPPENS OVER A GEOLOGICAL TIME SCALES.

BY ANTHROPOGENIC ACTIVITY, RATE OF SOIL EROSION SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASES COMPARED

TO THE NATURAL RATE AND IT BECOMES A PROCESS OF DEGRADATION.

THE NATURAL FACTORS OF SOIL EROSION ARE WIND AND WATER. WIND VELOCITY AND RAIN-
SPLASH DISLODGES SOIL PARTICLES THAT INITIALLY FLY THROUGH AIR.
 DESERTIFICATION
DESERTIFICATION IS A TYPE OF LAND DEGRADATION IN WHICH RELATIVELY DRY AREA OF
LAND BECOMES INCREASINGLY ARID, TYPICALLY LOSING ITS BODIES OF WATER AS WELL
AS VEGETATION AND WILDLIFE.

IT IS CAUSED BY A VARIETY OF FACTORS, SUCH AS THROUGH CLIMATE

CHANGE AND THROUGH THE OVEREXPLOITATION OF SOIL THROUGH HUMAN
ACTIVITY. WHEN DESERTS APPEAR AUTOMATICALLY OVER THE NATURAL COURSE OF A
PLANET'S LIFE CYCLE, THEN IT CAN BE CALLED A NATURAL PHENOMENON.

HOWEVER, WHEN DESERTS EMERGE DUE TO THE RAMPANT AND UNCHECKED DEPLETION
OF NUTRIENTS IN SOIL THAT ARE ESSENTIAL FOR IT TO REMAIN ARABLE, THEN A
VIRTUAL "SOIL DEATH" CAN BE SPOKEN OF, WHICH TRACES ITS CAUSE BACK TO HUMAN
OVEREXPLOITATION. DESERTIFICATION IS A SIGNIFICANT GLOBAL ECOLOGICAL
AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM
INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO PREVENT DESERTIFICATION

INTEGRATING LAND AND WATER MANAGEMENT TO PROTECT SOILS FROM

EROSION, SALINIZATION, AND OTHER FORMS OF DEGRADATION.
PROTECTING THE VEGETATIVE COVER, WHICH CAN BE A MAJOR INSTRUMENT FOR
SOIL CONSERVATION AGAINST WIND AND WATER EROSION.
INTEGRATING THE USE OF LAND FOR GRAZING AND FARMING WHERE CONDITIONS
ARE FAVOURABLE, ALLOWING FOR A MORE EFFICIENT CYCLING
OF NUTRIENTS WITHIN THE AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS.
APPLYING A COMBINATION OF TRADITIONAL PRACTICES WITH LOCALLY
ACCEPTABLE AND LOCALLY ADAPTED LAND USE TECHNOLOGIES.
GIVING LOCAL COMMUNITIES THE CAPACITY TO PREVENT DESERTIFICATION AND TO
MANAGE DRYLAND RESOURCES EFFECTIVELY.
TURNING TO ALTERNATIVE LIVELIHOODS THAT DO NOT DEPEND ON TRADITIONAL
LAND USES, SUCH AS DRYLAND AQUACULTURE, GREENHOUSE AGRICULTURE AND
TOURISM-RELATED ACTIVITIES, IS LESS DEMANDING ON LOCAL LAND AND NATURAL
RESOURCES, AND YET PROVIDES SUSTAINABLE INCOME.
CREATING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES IN DRYLAND URBAN CENTERS AND IN AREAS
OUTSIDE OF DRYLANDS.