MODULE 1:

ENVIRONMENTAL
DEGRADATION
 CONCEPT OF ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION
• Environmental degradation is just like an umbrella concept as it includes a variety of issues like pollution, biodiversity loss, deforestation, land
disturbance, and a lot more. It is a problem through which the natural environment deteriorates and depletes biological diversity and reduces the
general health of the environment, which can be natural, or human-made.
• Environmental degradation is harming our ecosystem. It is a distinct unit including both living and non-living elements that lives within it. Plants,
animals, and we humans depend on the environment for survival directly or indirectly.
• We can broadly understand our ecosystem, through the food chain and food web process. These living and non-living things are depends upon the
other environmental components like ponds, streams, lakes, etc.
• Therefore, a minor change in the environment can affect the whole system. Our environment has deteriorated for last two centuries. Sometime,
human disturbance is the primary cause of this. The ‘want’ from nature turns into ‘greed,’ which causes our mother nature to deplete and destroy.
• Degradation of environment is one of the essential subjects where our mother earth is dying because of its hazardous, irresponsible, unthinkable,
and permanent cause in this present era. Mindless consumerism and the hunger for more economic development or growth started its dreadful
effect on Mother Nature. In the present case, sustainable development becomes a meaningless word.
• It happens in several ways, such as the extinction of species, pollution of common assets, deforestation, and most rapidly by population growth.
Other causes include urbanization, increase in energy consumption, economic growth, and agriculture intensification
TYPES OF ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION

1) Land Degradation
2) Water Degradation
3) Air Degradation
 NATURAL RESOURCES

RENEWABLE NATURAL NON-RENEWABLE

RESOURCES NATURAL RESOURCES
RENEWABLE NATURAL RESOURCES
• A renewable resource is one that can be used repeatedly and does not run out because it is naturally replaced. Examples of renewable
resources include solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and biomass energy. Their supply replenishes naturally or can be sustained. The sunlight
used in solar energy and the wind used to power wind turbines replenish themselves. Timber reserves can be sustained through replanting.
• Renewable resource is important for sustainable development and environment protection of a nation. There are main two types of
renewable resources i.e. biotic and abiotic. Animals, fish, plants are the biotic renewable resources whereas air, water, wind energy and
solar energy are the examples of abiotic renewable resources. These two types of renewable resources stock don’t diminish completely.
But it is highly impossible to introduce exclusion principle for renewable resources. Nowa-days we are using all these renewable natural
resource son large scale. So, in future we may face the problem of sustainable development and environment protection.
• Biofuel is popular renewable source nowadays. Biofuel, or energy made from renewable organic products, has gained prevalence in
recent years as an alternative energy source to exhaustible resources such as coal, oil, and natural gas. Although prices are still higher for
biofuel, some experts project that, due to increasing scarcity and the forces of supply and demand, the prices of fossil fuels will grow
higher, making the price of biofuel more competitive. Types of biofuel include biodiesel, an alternative to oil, and green diesel, which is
made from algae and other plants. Other renewable resources include oxygen and solar energy. Wind and water are also used to create
renewable energy. For example, windmills harness the wind's natural power and turn it into energy.
NON-RENEWABLE NATURAL RESOURCES
• Exhaustible resources are also known as Non-renewable resource. Such resources are natural substances which are not replenished with the
speed at which they are consumed. It is a finite resource. Fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas, and coal are examples of Exhaustible resources.
Humans constantly draw on the reserves of these substances while the formation of new supplies takes ages.
• Exhaustible resources come from the Earth. Humans extract them in gas, liquid, or solid form and then convert them for their use, mainly
related to energy. The reserves of these substances took billions of years to form, and it will take billions of years to replace the supplies used.
• There are four major types of Exhaustible resources: Oil, Natural gas, Coal, and Nuclear energy. Oil, natural gas, and coal are collectively called
fossil fuels. Fossil fuels were formed within the Earth from dead plants and animals over millions of years—hence the name “fossil” fuels. They
are found in underground layers of rock and sediment. Pressure and heat worked together to transform the plant and animal remains into crude
oil (also known as petroleum), coal, and natural gas.
• All of these Exhaustible or Non-renewable resources have proved historically to be valuable energy sources that are inexpensive to extract.
• Storage, conversion, and shipping are easy and cheap. Fuels created from non-renewable resources are still the primary source of all the power
generated in the world due to their affordability and high energy content.
SOME OTHER TYPES OF NON-RENEWABLE RESOURCES
• Most non-renewable resources are formed from organic carbon material which is heated
and compressed over time, changing their form into crude oil or natural gas. However, the
term non-renewable resource also refers to minerals and metals from the earth, such as gold,
silver, and iron. These are similarly formed by a long-term geological process. They are
often costly to mine, as they are usually deep within the Earth's crust. But they are much
more abundant than fossil fuels. Some types of groundwater are considered non-renewable
resources if the aquifer is unable to be replenished at the same rate at which it's drained.
• The problem of pollution and environmental degradation arise due the maximum and
continuous use of exhaustible or Non-renewable resources.
TYPES OF POLLUTION
1) Land Pollution
2) Air Pollution
3) Water Pollution
4) Noise Pollution
CAUSES OF LAND POLLUTION
1) Deforestation and soil erosion
2) Agricultural Chemicals
3) Industrialization
4) Mining
5) Landfills
6) Human Sewage
7) Construction activities
8) Nuclear waste
EFFECTS OF LAND POLLUTION
1) Ground water poisoning
2) Water nutrient enrichment
3) Soil pollution
4) Air pollution
5) Shifting habitat
6) Environmental impact
7) Distraction for tourists
8) Effect on wildlife
9) Effect on humans
MEASURES TO CONTROL LAND POLLUTION
• There are several possible solutions to land pollution, including conservation. Conservation focuses on preserving natural resources,
such as soil and plants. The efforts to conserve resources can start with utilizing sustainable practices.
• For instance, leaving some of the trees in a forest to naturally die and decay. This not only leaves the cover needed for the soil and other
vegetation, but it helps to provide the nutrients that the soil needs to remain fertile.
• Other solutions include:

1) Proper waste disposal that focuses on treating waste and disposing it in the safest manner possible.
2) Reusing materials to reduce the need for harvesting of resources. Products that are not reusable can likely be recycled.
3) Reducing the usage of non-biodegradable materials, such as plastic shopping bags. The simple act of switching to a reusable cloth bag
for groceries can help cut down on the need for non- biodegradable materials.
4) Organic gardening can reduce the usage of pesticides and insecticides. Non-gardeners can help by buying organic food. Create dumping
ground away from residential areas. The negative consequences of land pollution can be greatly reduced with the cooperation of
everyone. By making a conscious effort to contribute to a safer environment, the health and well-being of all can be protected.
CAUSES OF AIR POLLUTION
1) Oxides of Carbon
2) Oxides of Sulphur
3) Oxides of Nitrogen
4) Industry
5) Vehicle Emissions
6) Household and Farming Chemicals
7) Deforestation
8) Smoking
9) Indoor Air Pollution
10) Microbial Decaying Process
11) Open Burning of Garbage Waste
12) Agricultural Activities
13) Use of chemical and synthetic products
EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION
1) Accelerated Global Warming
2) Human Respiratory and Heart Concerns
3) Wildlife Endangerment
4) Acid Rain
5) Child Health Problems
6) Eutrophication
7) Effect on Wildlife
8) Depletion of the Ozone Layer
MEASURES TO CONTROL AIR POLLUTION
1) Use of Public Mode of Transportation
2) Better Household Practices
3) Conserve Energy
4) Understand the concept of Reuse, Reduce and Recycle
5) Emphasis on Clean Energy Resources
6) Use of Energy-Efficient Devices
7) Become an Advocate for Clean Energy
CAUSES OF WATER POLLUTION
1) Industrial Waste
2) Marine Dumping
3) Sewage and Wastewater
4) Oil Leaks and Spills
5) Agriculture
6) Global Warming
7) Radioactive Waste
8) Mining Activities
9) Chemical Fertilizers and Pesticides
10) Urban Development
EFFECTS OF WATER POLLUTION
1) Affects Aquatic Life
2) Affects Food chain
3) Groundwater contamination
4) Affects Human Health
5) High TDS in water
MEASURES TO CONTROL WATER POLLUTION
1) Wastewater treatment
2) Green agriculture
3) Storm water management
4) Air pollution prevention
5) Plastic waste reduction
6) Water conservation
CAUSES OF NOISE POLLUTION
1) Industrialization
2) Poor Urban Planning
3) Social Events
4) Transportation
5) Construction Activities
6) Household Chores
7) Noise from Air Traffic
8) Catering and Nightlife
EFFECTS OF NOISE POLLUTION
1) Hearing Problems
2) Psychological Issues
3) Physical Problems
4) Cognitive Issues and Behavioral Changes
5) Sleeping Disorders
6) Cardiovascular Issues
7) Effect on Wildlife
MEASURES TO CONTROL NOISE POLLUTION
World Health Organization agrees that awareness of noise pollution is essential to beat this invisible enemy. As of now, there are not many
solutions to reduce sound pollution. However, governments can help in the following ways:
1) Establishing regulations that include preventive and corrective measures.
2) Governments can take measures such as protecting certain areas, parts of the countryside, areas of natural interest, city parks, etc. to
ensure noise management and reduce noise pollution.
3) The mandatory separation between residential zones and sources of noise, like airports.
4) Creating pedestrian areas where traffic is not allowed to enter other than offload goods at certain times.
5) Fines for exceeding noise limits.
6) Other ways to battle noise pollution are by controlling the sound levels in clubs, bars, parties, and discos.
7) Removal of public loudspeakers is another way in which pollution can be countered.
8) Again, better urban planning can help create ‘No-Noise’ zones, where honking and industrial noise is not tolerated.
9) Replacing traditional asphalt with more efficient options can also help reduce traffic noise by up to 3 dB.
MODULE 1 IS
COMPLETED