Education Journalist | Study Abroad Lead
Environmental issues can be defined as disruptions in usual functions of ecosystems. It can be caused by both humans and nature. The harmful effects to the Earth lead to various environmental issues.
- Environment is the whole living and nonliving elements of Earth.
- Biotics (plants, animals,microbes) and abiotic factors (land, water,air) make up the environment.
- It is simply the surrounding where we live.
- Any harmful effects in these factors of surrounding is termed as an environmental issues
| Table of Content |
Key terms: Environment, Environmental issues, Global warming, Pollution, Ecosystems.
What is the Environmental Issue?
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Environmental issues are any harmful effects of biotic and abiotic factors present in the environment. For example, human activities like cutting down trees affects the environment negatively. This negative or harmful or disruptive effect becomes an environmental issue.
- Environmental issues can have a huge impact on both biotic and abiotic factors
- Water, air, land etc can be affected by any environmental issues.
- Ecosystem destruction, habitat destruction, extinction of wildlife, pollution etc can be caused by disruptive activities of humans or even by harmful effects of natural activity.
- Climate change, global warming, air and water pollution, Deforestation, Acid rain, Smog, Ozone depletion etc are considered as major environmental issues either due to natural or man-made harmful effects.
Also Read:
| Topic Related Concepts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Four Spheres of Earth | Components of Ecosystem | Biome |
| Aquatic Ecosystem | Terrestrial Ecosystem | Forests |
Major Environmental Issues in India and Causes
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In India, many environmental issues are observed that affect the biotic as well as abiotic factors of the environment. Few of them are discussed below.
1. Global warming
It refers to a long-term rise in temperature of the Earth. It is caused by the increased greenhouse effect in the atmosphere. This mainly occurs due to human activities like burning fossil fuels, industrialization and farming.
Global warming leads to serious effects such as heat waves, storms, drought, rising sea levels, melting glaciers etc. All of these effects are harmful for plants, animals, humans and habitats.
2. Climate change
It is defined as a long-term change in the temperature and weather patterns. These shifts may be natural due to variation in the solar cycle. However, for many years, human activities became a main driving cause of climate change.
Climate change leads to disturbed farming, shortage in food, rising the temperature, storms etc.
3. Deforestation
It is an issue that is entirely caused by human activities to satisfy their needs and greediness. Deforestation simply means the removal of green forests and trees to make the land available for civilization and industrialization. To use the green lands for residential and commercial purposes is the main cause of wildlife extinction, loss of trees and rare species etc. Sometimes deforestation is also caused by fires.
4. Ozone depletion
Thinning or weakening of the ozone layer in the higher atmosphere is caused by deposition of chemicals and gasses into the atmosphere. Chlorine and bromine when enters into the stratosphere, destroy the ozone molecules. Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) is the main cause for ozone depletion. Some electronic appliances like refrigerators, air conditioners etc release CFC in the atmosphere.
Weakening of the ozone layer directly impacts humans. The ozone layer protects humans from the direct contact of UV rays emitted from the sun. Depletion of the ozone layer loses its ability to prevent the direct contact of these harmful rays. Higher exposure of UV radiations can cause skin cancer.
5. Pollution
Air and water pollution are another biggest environmental issues faced by Indian citizens. However, these issues are caused solely by humans only. Careless attitude towards water sources, Release of harmful gasses directly in air, excessive use of fuels etc are the causes of air and water pollution. This results in health problems and also affects plants, farming, birds as every living entity requires air and water for survival.
6. Overpopulation
India has now surpassed China in terms of population. According to 2023 reports, India is the most populated country in the world. Overpopulation causes shortage of resources that are essential for human survival. For example, to accommodate the population, more residential space is required. This need is satisfied by converting the forests into residential and commercial land-causes deforestation. Overuse of water sources ends up lacking sufficient resources.High demand of food, electricity, employment etc are other problems that impacts the environment and eventually leads to suffering of all living entities on the Earth.
Solution for Environmental Issues
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As the majority of environmental issues are known to be caused by human activities, solutions to those issues are possible. A better and healthy Earth environment can be achieved by some simple strategy or habits.
- Go-Green strategy- Most significant solution for environmental issues. This concept refers to changing the lifestyle and living more eco-friendly to avoid issues like pollution.
- 3R strategy- Reduce, Reuse and Recycle concept is the solution to save resources and makes the environment less polluted in terms of waste disposal and also reduces the need of cutting down the trees for making papers.
- Save water and other energy- Changing human behavior and habits can save a large amount of water and electricity.
- Awareness and education- Making people aware and educated about the environmental issues and its impact can help to reduce the level of issues.
- Biodegradable plastics, decreased use of plastics and papers are now in common practise to avoid pollution issues.
- Tree plantation and maintenance should be a compulsion and not just a hobby for people of the country.
- Less use of private vehicles and using electricity instead of petrol, diesel, gasses for transportation can be a good alternative.
- Proper disposal system of wastewater and drainage of industries.
- Treatment and maximum use of treated wastewater is possible.
Also Read:
| Chapter Related Concepts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Tundra Ecosystem | Effects of Climate Chnage | Deforestation and Afforestation |
| Biotic Factors | Abiotic Factors | Biomass |
Things to Remember
- Environmental issues are generally caused by human activities but in some cases it can be natural too.
- Any harmful effect caused by natural or human activities can affect the environment.
- Major issues in India are global warming, pollution, overpopulation, deforestation and ozone depletion.
- These issues can be solved by some sort of strategies and awareness.
- Possible strategies involve Go-Green, 3R, wastewater treatment, better alternative source of fuel and electricity, proper management of waste disposal etc.
Sample Questions
Ques. Write the major environmental problems faced by the Indian population. (5 marks)
Ans. In India, some major environmental issues that are the matter of concern are global warming, pollution, overpopulation, ozone depletion, climate change and deforestation.
- Global warming: Long-term heating of earth’s surface that results in rising in sea levels, storms, drought, melting glaciers etc.
- Climate change: Shifts in temperature and weather are called climate change. Such shifts change the weather pattern and result in storms, rising the temperatures, impacts farming and also causes health issues in humans.
- Pollution: Water and air pollution are two major pollution that affects all biotic factors of the environment. It causes health problems and impacts animals, plants, farming etc.
- Overpopulation: High population demands more resources and lands that causes deforestation and pollution issues.
- Ozone depletion: Weakening of ozone layer is caused by release of chemical and gasses in the atmosphere that destroys ozone molecules and its ability to prevent UV radiations. It may increase the chance of skin cancer in humans.
- Deforestation: Removal of green land for getting more residential and commercial land is called deforestation. This leads to wildlife extinction and rise in temperature due to less green trees.
Ques. What can be possible solutions for environmental pollution? (4 marks)
Ans. Possible solutions for environmental issues which are caused by human activities are listed below.
- Go-Green strategy- Changing lifestyle and adapting eco-friendly habits.
- 3R strategy-Reduce,Reuse and Recycle concept can decrease the need of cutting down trees for making papers.
- Wastewater treatment and maximum use of treated wastewater.
- Proper disposal of waste from industries and households.
- Biodegradable plastic and less use of plastic is a good initiative to avoid pollution.
- Less use of private vehicles and alternative sources of petroleum.
- Awareness and education regarding pollution and its effect on animals, plants and humans can make new generations think about the resources they have. It will develop an attitude for saving the resources and environment.
- Planting trees and maintaining them should be a compulsion for people in the country to achieve maximum greenery in the environment.
Ques. Define environment and environmental issues. (2 marks)
Ans. Environment is the surrounding where one lives. It includes all biotic and abiotic factors within it.
Environmental issues are the problems caused by any human or natural activities that affect the biotic and abiotic factors present in the environment. Any disruptive activity that disturbs an ecosystem function is referred to as an environmental issue.
Ques. Write about causes of different environmental issues. (2 marks)
Ans. Environmental issues are mostly caused by human activities such as greediness for more land and money. Overpopulation, careless attitude towards the water sources, no well managed system for waste disposal in industries, more greenhouse effects, overuse of available resources etc.
Ques. What among the following is not caused by human activities? (1 mark)
(a) Climate change
(b) Global warming
(c) Air pollution
(d) Deforestation
(e) Ozone depletion
(f) Earthquake
Ans. f. Earthquake
Explanation: Climate change, global warming, ozone depletion, deforestation, air pollution are all caused by human activities and earthquakes are not caused directly by human activity. Therefore the correct answer is option f.
Ques. How does global warming affect the environment? (1 mark)
Ans. Global warming means the long term heating of earth’s surface that affects the environment by causing rise in the sea levels, drought, storms, melting the glaciers and heat waves.
Ques. Write a note on 3R strategy. (3 marks)
Ans. The 3R strategy is applied to avoid the pollution and decrease the need of cutting down the trees for the paper making process.
It involves the Reduce, Reuse and Recycle concept.
- Reduce- it stands for reducing the utilization of specific materials
- Reuse-it stands for reusing the used materials when possible.
- Recycle-refers to recycling the material for making it available again for use.
For example, For the use of paper, People can reduce using paper unnecessarily and can have an alternative to excessive use of paper. Reuse of paper that has space left for utilization and recycling of used papers can decrease the need of cutting trees.
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