Unit 5: Global Environmental Issues and Policies

Introduction

• Continuation of EVS: This unit is the first of the second year, following four units from the first year.
• Focuses on global environmental issues and policies.

Understanding Development

• Development cannot solely be for the rich or based on high living standards.
• Many in developing countries still live in extreme poverty.
• Key statistics:
  • 47 least developed countries have less than 0.5% of world's income.
  • Over 2 billion lack access to adequate sanitation.
  • 1 billion lack access to clean water.
  • 1.3 billion breathe air below WHO air quality standards.

Social Issues and Sustainability

• Poverty and socio-economic inequality challenge sustainability.
• High poverty rates correlate with social problems: diseases, crime, drug use.
• Need for a holistic approach linking social aspects with development and environment.

Human Activities and Their Results

Intended Results

• Human activities: Land clearing, agriculture, fisheries, grazing, water diversion, etc.
• Benefits:
  • Food production and quality of life improvements.
  • Construction of shelters and water supply.
  • Cultural enrichment and consumer goods.

Unintended Results and Environmental Costs

• Negative Outcomes:
  • Habitat destruction, social degradation, pollution, desertification, climate change.
• Many environmental issues are interconnected, leading to a decline in nature's services.

Global Environmental Challenges

• Declining Resources:
  • Overfishing, food system stress, freshwater scarcity, loss of forests and biodiversity.
• Altered Biogeochemistry:
  • Elevated carbon dioxide, global warming, nitrogen loading, eutrophication.
• Social Impacts:
  • Unemployment, health crises, family breakdown, armed conflicts, income inequality.

Sustainable Development Concepts

• Brundtland Commission (1983):
  • Proposed a global agenda addressing environmental issues.
  • Definition: Development meeting present needs without compromising future generations.
• Earth Summit (1992):
  • Resulted in five significant agreements:
    1. Agenda 21
    2. Rio Declaration
    3. Statement of Forest Principles
    4. UNFCCC
    5. Biodiversity Convention

Key Aspects of Sustainable Development

• Intergenerational Equity: Maintain ecological balance for future generations.
• Intragenerational Equity: Minimize gaps between countries, support poorer nations.
• Measurement: Use eco-friendly technology, promote environmental education.
• Resource Utilization: Based on carrying capacity to ensure long-term sustainability.

Climate Change

Understanding Climate

• Climate vs. Weather:
  • Climate: Long-term average weather (≥30 years)
  • Weather: Short-term atmospheric conditions
• Global Temperature Increase: +0.6°C; significant changes in weather patterns observed.

Impacts of Climate Change

• Global warming: Caused by human activities leading to greenhouse gas emissions.
• Expected Changes:
  • Intensified global water cycle, altered rainfall patterns, increased severity of weather events.
• Consequences:
  • Health impacts, agricultural productivity changes, water resource impacts, habitat loss.

Greenhouse Gases

• Natural vs. Human-Induced Effects:
  • Natural: Water vapor, carbon dioxide.
  • Human: Increased greenhouse gases from fossil fuels, agriculture.
• Key Gases and Sources:
  • Carbon Dioxide: Fossil fuel combustion, deforestation.
  • Methane: Decay of organic matter, livestock.
  • Nitrous Oxide: Agriculture, industry.

Acid Rain

• Definition: Precipitation with higher than normal amounts of nitric and sulfuric acid, pH < 5.6.
• Causes: Emissions from power plants and industrial sources.
• Effects:
  • Aquatic systems, forest damage, infrastructure deterioration.

Ozone Layer Depletion

• Importance: Protects from harmful UV radiation.
• Main Causes: CFCs and other industrial chemicals.
• Consequences:
  • Mutation, increased cancer risk, reduced crop yields.

International Agreements

• Vienna Convention (1985): Global effort to protect the ozone layer.
• Montreal Protocol (1987): Agreement to phase out ozone-depleting substances.
• India ratified these agreements in 1991 and 1992.

Environmental Ethics

• Shift from human-centric to earth-centric thinking.
• Guidelines for sustainable living:
  • Respect nature, avoid overconsumption, and protect future generations.

Conclusion

• Emphasis on integrating social, economic, and environmental aspects for sustainable development.
• Continuous education and awareness are crucial.