Earth as a living planet
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Transcript of Earth as a living planet
Humans have brought Earth to brink of biotic crisis
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES GLOBAL, NATIONAL AND STATE LEVELSOCIO-ECONOMIC & CALTURAL IMPECT THROUGH THESE ISSUES
-DR.ANILKUMAR PANDYA
For us only planet to live is the Earth
EARTH AS A LIVING PLANET
EARTH AS A LIVING PLANET
Slide 4
What is the Environment? The environment encompasses the whole
of life on earth and the complex interactions that link the living world with the physical world
In a general sense, this covers everything contained within the air, land and water
Time also is a key factor as historic issues have an influence on the status of the environment - locally and globally, both now and in the future.
Natural, Man-made & Social environment .
Structure and function of an ecosystem
Functional unit : a.) Biotic (producers & consumers) b.) Abiotic (climate & Inorganic salts )
a.) Biotic : 1) Autotrophic 2) Heterotrophic
ABIOTIC COMPONANTS
Minerals
LifeMantle
Biotic Components
Change in any component causes discomfort to all & affect normal life
Five mass extinctions End Ordovician (~445 Ma)
Late Devonian (~365 Ma)
End Permian (~250 Ma) End Triassic (~210 Ma)
End Cretaceous (65 Ma)
And we are moving towards the
SIXTH……
Habitat fragmentation
Emergence of discontinuities in organism’s preferred environment.
Fragmentation and destruction of Great Ape habitat in Central Africa.
The 34 Terrestrial Hotspots
The 11 Marine Hotspots
Global Environmental Issues
Slide 15
Environmental Change Sudden and dramatic natural changes to the environment
have occurred in the distant past, but only relatively recently has one species had the potential to upset the whole balance of the Earth's ecosystem
The global population growth The rise of industry and its rapid
expansion has been a major source of pollution.
This has caused changes in the balance of our environment
Slide 16
Global Environmental Issues
From http://www.pref.kyoto.jp/intro/21cent/kankyo/contents_e/globe_prob/index.html
Global Warming Ozone Layer Depletion Acid Rain Deforestation Loss of Biodiversity Pollution Desertification Waste disposal
Slide 17
• Human activities are increasing the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which cause more heat to be trapped
Global Warming
• Predicted effects of global warming include:
– Higher sea levels– Higher temperatures– Variable climatic conditions – These changes are expected
to cause a significant impact on agriculture and ecosystems.
Greenhouse gases help to maintain the earth’s temperature at a level suitable to support life
Photo © Gary Braasch
Photo courtesy of Richard Wilson,Bangladesh Maps, Harvard University
Slide 20
Ozone Layer Depletion The ozone layer protects the earth from harmful ultraviolet (UV)
light The use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other ozone depleting
substances as refrigerants, solvents and insulation is destroying the ozone layer
A ‘hole’ is observed over Antarctica every autumn Depleted ozone levels cause the following impacts:
Increased penetration of UV light to earth Increased risks of skin cancer and eye diseases Damage to agricultural crops Disruption to marine food chains
Ozone layer thickness measured in Dobson Units
Animation sourced from:
Prepared June 2004 Slide 21
Acid Rain The burning of fossil fuels leads to atmospheric emissions of NO2
and SO2
These gases react with water and oxygen to make sulfuric and nitric acids. Sunlight increases the rate of these reactions
Rain, snow and fog can be polluted with these acidic compounds, which is then deposited at the earths surface
The deposition of acids can: Damage forests and soils Causes acidification of lakes and other water bodies Disturb wildlife Cause the decay of building and other structures Impact on human health
Slide 22
Deforestation The deforestation of tropical rainforests is a major global problem-
each year millions of hectares are lost Deforestation rates in some countries continue to increase despite
worldwide pressures Rainforests are destroyed for wood products, and to make way for
agricultural activities, mining and dams.
The impacts of deforestation include: Loss of livelihood for local inhabitants Variable environmental conditions (susceptibility to flood,
aggravated droughts, soil erosion etc) Loss of biodiversity and disturbance to ecosystems Loss of carbon sink
ABOUT 22 HECTARES OF FORESTLAND ARE CUT DOWN
EVERY MINUTE ALL OVER THE WORLD.
Slide 25
Loss of Biodiversity Biodiversity has three key components:
Genetic diversity Species diversity Ecological diversity
Approximately 2.1 million species are known to exist, but up to 50 million still to be discovered Biodiversity is important for food, drugs, maintaining ecological
stability, aesthetic and cultural benefits Natural causes and human activity can threaten biodiversity The loss of biodiversity means ecosystems are destabilized, vital
resources are lost and genetic variation is reduced
Types of Pollution
Water Pollution Air Pollution Soil Pollution Noise Pollution Thermal Pollution Marine Pollution Nuclear Pollution
Slide 27
Water Pollution
A change in water quality that impacts on living organisms
Types and effects of water pollution include: Infectious agents, such as typhoid, cholera Nutrients and eutrophication Toxic materials, through mining Organic chemicals Sediments can disrupt
aquatic ecosystems
Causes of water pollution Caused through sewage and other wastes Caused through industrial discharges Caused through agricultural discharges Caused through solid waste of industries
Measure to control water pollution Disinfection of water Sedimentation Filtration Softening of water
Each liter of wastewater pollutes at least eight liter of freshwater
Air PollutionAir pollution occurs due to the presence of undesirable solid or gaseous particles in the air, in quantities that are harmful to human health and the environment
Effects of Air Pollution
Effect on human healthEffect on vegetationEffect on animalsEffect on non-livingsEffect on climate
Measures to control Air pollution
Controlling pollution at the source Construction of tall chimneys Development of green belt around
industrial areas Use of better quality fuel and use of
catalytic converters Sprinkling water in mining areas to
reduce the dust particles Air quality monitoring
Soil Pollution It is the contamination caused by
chemicals and other subsistence's resulting in the loss of the fertility of the production of soil.
Causes of Soil Degradation Humans, Insecticides, Industrial wastes,
Radioactive waste, Nitrification Methods of controlling the soil
degradation1. By making vegetation cover2. By terrace or contour bonding3. By controlling the grazing4. By applying water infiltration measures
for soil and moisture conservation
Noise Pollution A sound of unpleasant and annoying nature• Greater than 140 dB causes noise pollution• Normal talk 40 dB shouting is 60 dB• Big auto machines 90 dB• Traffic 70 dB• Lightening 120 dB• Airplanes 150 dB• Rocket engines 190 dB
Slide 34
Desertification Removing ground cover and degrading fertile land
initiates desertification Water washes away nutrients, the land becomes
inhospitable The process is accelerated by expanding populations
and the need to overuse fragile areas of land
Slide 35
Waste Disposal Waste disposal methods include:
Open dumping and landfill Ocean dumping Exporting waste Waste to energy plants
Minimizing the waste stream: 3R’s: reduce, reuse, recycle Composting Waste to energy
Hazardous waste disposal Needs to be safely handled and disposed of to minimize
threats to the environment and human health
Threats to Biodiversity
1. Loss/degradation of habitat2. Overexploitation of resources3. Pollution4. Extinction of species due to aggressive non-native species5. Global environmental changes
Disaster management Floods, Earthquakes, Cyclones, Landslides, Droughts, Tsunami Public awareness training Institutional mechanisms Incentives &resources for mitigation Land use planning & regulation Hazard resistant design &construction Structural and constructional reinforcement of existing buildings Dams, Reservoirs, Maintaining Wetland Early warning system Public Health System
Social Issues & the Environment
From Unsustainable to Sustainable development Urban problems related to energy (energy
efficiency) Water conservation, rain water harvesting Resettlement & Rehabilitation of people
Social Issues & the Environment Environmental ethics: Resource consumption pattern & the need for equitable
utilization: Urban-Rural; Rich-Poor; Religious faith; man-Woman; Professional-
Non-Professional; Educated-Uneducated; Sense of use-overuse-misuse by individual, especially between Eastern Western countries.
Preserving resources for future generation. Ethical basis of environment education & awareness. -The gandhian way of life. -Education in nature-:Shantiniketan model
The conservation ethic& traditional value system of India Hindu-God & Goddess. Animals as `VAHAN’. Plants &Flowers as symbols: ( Ficus, Tulsi, Bilipatra, Lotus etc.)
Way of conserving nature and living sustainable life style.
The Solutions are Simple
CARBON FOOTPRINT Ecological Footprint (EF)
46
ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT
IS A MEASURE OF THE
‘LOAD’ IMPOSED BY A GIVEN POPULATION ON NATURE.
IT REPRESENTS THE LAND AREA NECESSARY TO SUSTAIN CURRENT LEVELS OF RESOURSES CONSUMPTION AND WASTE DISCHARGE BY THAT POPULATION.
ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINTAS AN INDIVIDUAL WE REQUIRE
CERTAIN AMOUNT OF LAND AND WASTE PRODUCTION ; THIS IMPACT ON THE EARTH – OUR ECO-FOOTPRINT
1.8 HECTARES X 10 BILLION =18 BILLION HECTARES
◘ 1.8 hectares of productive land is available for each person. But every human uses 2.3 hectares
Today humanity’s eco-footprint is 40 % larger than what the planet can regenerate.That is, it take about a year and five month (17 months) for earth to regrow what we use in a single year.
◘ To save the environment and ensure socio-equity, rich nations need to cut down consumption by 90 per cent
Ecological Footprints
This is one of indicator of sustainability
This is widely used now a day in all forums
The Ecological Footprint is usually measured in global hectares.
Because trade is global, an individual or country's Footprint includes land or sea from all over in the world.
Ecological Footprint is often referred to in short form as Footprint (not footprint).
4 planets needed by 2050
1900 21002002 2050
If we all keep / adopt the western patterns of production & consumption
Technology
Enforcement
Policy
Financial mechanisms
Education &
Communication
Legal
Systems
Drivers of Change
Handprint
It is vital that we instigate change in order to improve living standards of all and reduce the impact on planet.
Choices that we make now will shape our opportunities in future and those of future generations.
But availability of alternative models and vision for sustainable future is not enough, what we need is ‘action’.
Decrease your Footprint
Increase your Handprint
Handprint is a new tool being developed by Centre for Environment Education (CEE), India to help measure action at different levels.
One needs to ask what one does at individual,
community, national and
global level.
The Concept of Sustainable Development
“Taking care of the needs of the present generation without compromising on the capabilities of future generation.”
World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987
THANKS