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ISSUES OF THE ENVIORNMENT ECOSYSTEM&ITS DESTRUCTION -; ECOSYSTEM IS THE SYSTEM CONSISTING OF LIVING &NON LIVING ORGANISMS. IT IS A PART OF BIOSPHERE. IT IS FEATURED BY ENERGY &MATTER FLOWING BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT ELEMENTS THAT COMPOSE IT.ECOSYSTEM MAY BE NATURAL OR ARTIFICIAL . ECOLOGY IS THE STUDY OF RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN LIVING ORGANISMS AND THEIR ENVIORNMENT. ENVIORNMENT IS A WIDER TERM THAT REFERS TO SUM TOTAL OF ALL LIVING AND NON LIVING COMPONENTS SURROUNDING US. DESTRUCTION OF ECOSYSTEM- IS MAINLY DUE TO; 1. POPULATION GROWTH- RAPID GROWTH OF POPULATION HAS CAUSED DESTRUCTION OF NATURAL RESOURCES,INCREASING EXTINCTION OF SPECIES,POLLUTION OF AIR&WATER.ETC. AND IS A MAJOR CAUSE OF ENVIORNMENTAL PROBLEMS.NEED FOR MORE LAND IS CAUSING DEFORESTATION. 2.INDUSTRIALISATION- SETTING UP MORE INDUSTRIES &INDUSTRIAL UNITS IS LEADING TO CLEARING OF FOREST LAND & AGRICULTURAL FERTILE LAND.BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITIES IS LOST FOREVER. IT ALSO RESULTS IN POLLUTION IN VARIOUS WAYS. BY VARIOUS HARMFUL POLLUTANTS REALESED FROM INDUSTRIES. 3.DWELLING OF BUISNESS UNITS- IN ORDER TO ACCOMMODATE THE MIGRATING POPULATION TO INDUSTRIES&COMMERCIAL CITIES,MORE DWELLING UNITS ARE BEING DEVELOPED. 4 TRANSPORT- FOR TRANSPORT FACILITIES NEW ROADS&RAILWAY LINNES ARE BEING CONSTRUCTED.IT CAUSES DESTRUCTION OF VAST LAND THAT WAS USED IN AGRICULTURE AND THAT ARE BEING CONVERTED INTO ROADS. EVEN IN VILLAGES SAME IS HAPPENING. 5 TOURISM THE DEVELOPMENT OF FACILITIES FOR TOURISM,PILGRIMAGE,RECREATION AND ADVENTURE ARE A MAJOR FACTOR RESPONSIBLE FOR DESTRUCTION OF ECOSYSTEM. 6 MINING- INVOLVES REMOVAL OF MINERALS FROM THE EARTH S CRUST FOR USE BY PEOPLE. IT LEADS TO; DISRUPTION OF SURFACE & GROUNDWATER CIRCULATION,RESHAPING OF TOPOGRAPHY,SOIL EROSION,LANDSLIDES,DEGRADATION OF LAND. EXCESSIVE CONSUMPTION OF RESOURCES-: RESOURCES INCLUDE AIR,WATER,SOIL,FUELS,ETC RENEWABLE RESOURCES- ARE REGULARLY REPLINISHED THROUGH NATURAL PROCESS.THEY LAST VERY LONG.EG WATER,WIND,SUNLIGHT ETC. NON RENEWABLE RESOURCES-THESE RESOURCES EXIST ON EARTH IN FAIRLY FIXED QUANTITIES. THEY ARE LIMITED.ONCE DEPLETED CANNOT BE REPLENISHED SOON.THEY ARE DEPLETED FAST DUE TO OVERUSE&IRRITATIONAL USE. 1.INDUSTRIAL&TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT-FAST PACE OF INDUSTRIALISATION & TECHNOLOGICAL PROGRESS CAUSES DEPLETION OF FOSSIL FUELS.COAL IS USED AS A SOURCE OF ENERGY FOR INDUSTRY.THE PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION OF ENERGY IS INCREASING. METHODS OF AVOIDING EXECISSIVE CONSUMPTION-REDUCE,REFUSE,REUSE,RECYCLE,REPAIR. 2. POPULATION GROWTH-THE CONSUMPTION OF RESOURCES IS INCREASING AT A FAST RATE DUE TO EVER INCREASING POPULATION. THIS WILL LEAD TO DECREASE IN NATURAL RESOURCES. 3.NON EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION- UNEVEN DISTRIBUTION OF NATURAL RESOURCES IS A MAJOR CAUSE OF DEPLETION OF SUCH RESOURCES.EG LACK OF COAL RESERVES IN MANY INDIAN STATES. ENERGY CRISIS-EARTH IS A STOREHOUSE OF ENERGY. THEREFORE MAN IS USING THIS ADVANTAGE AND IS CONTINUOSLY USING ALL ENERGIES LEADING TO DEPLETION OF ENERGY.SO WE FACE MANY ENERGY CRISIS. THERE IS A DEGRADATION OF EARTHS ENERGY.AN ENERGY CRISIS IS ANY GREAT BOTTLENECK IN THE SUPPLY OF ENERGY RESOURCES TO AN ECONOMY. RENEWABLE SOURCES OF ENERGY ENERGY WHICH CAN BE REPLENISHED IS KNOWN AS RENEWABLE ENERGY. EG S ARE -; 1.SOLAR ENERGY- ENERGY EMANATING FROM THE SUN IS CALLED SOLAR ENERGY.IT HAS GREATEST POTENTIAL. MERITS- IT IS NATURALLY & ABUNDANTLY AVAILABLE,CLEAN&POLLUTION FREE,AND IT IS A RENEWABLE SOURCE OF ENERGY. DEMERITS- LARGE AREA REQUIRED FOR ITS COLLECTION,NOT AVAILABLE@NIGHT. 2. HYDEL ENERGY- ENERGY CREATED BY RUNNING&FLOWING WATER IS CALLED HYDEL ENERGY. MERITS-IT IS CLEAN&RENEWABLE,ITS OPERATING COST IS LOW.DEMERITS-HIGH INITIAL COST FOR ITS CONSTRUCTION,DAMS BLOCK SPAWNING OR MOVING PATH OF FISH. 3.WIND ENERGY-ENERGY GENERATED BY MOVING WIND IS CALLED WIND ENERGY. MERITSAVAILABLE ABUNDANTLY IN NATURE,INEXPENSIVE&POLLUTION FREE. DEMERITS-WINDMILLS CREATE NOISE POLLUTION.WIND TURBINES CAN INTERFERE WITH TELECOMMUNICATION AND AEROPLANES. 4.BIOGAS ENERGY-IT IS A MIXTURE OF GASES PRODUCED BY BREAKDOWN OF ORGANIC MATTER IN ABSENCE OF OXYGEN.IT IS A RENEWABLE SOURCE OF ENERGY. MERITS-REQUIRES LESS CONSTRUCTION TIME,REDUCES DEPENDENCE ON FOSSIL FUELS,LESS COSTLY.DEMERITS-IF ORGANIC MATTER IS TO BE TRANSPORTED VERY FAR IT BECOMES VERY EXPENSIVE. 5.TIDAL ENERGY-IS THE ENERGY PRODUCED BY THE HIGH TIDES&LOW TIDES OF THE OCEAN OR SEA.THEY ARE DERIVED FROM THE TIDES OF OCEANS.MERITS-FREE&CONTINUOUS SOURCE OF ENERGY,RENEWABLE SOURCE.DEMERITS-HIGH INITIAL COST OF CONSTRUCTION OF TIDAL PLANTS,REQUIRES LONG GESTATION TIME. 6.GEOTHERMAL ENERGY- IS THE THERMAL ENERGY GENERATED&STORED IN EARTH.HOT SPOTS ARE ITS SOURCE. MERITS-RENEWABLE ENERGY,MASSIVE POTENTIAL,GREAT FOR HEATING&COOLING.DEMERITS-ENVIORNMENTAL ISSUES,SURFACE INSTABILITY,EXPENSIVE. 7.OCEAN THERMAL ENERGY-IS THE HEAT GENERATED FROM THE DIFFERENCE IN TEMPERATURE OF THE OCEAN WATER LAYER AT THE DIFFERENT DEPTH.MERITS-CLEAN&POLLUTION FREE,RENEWABLE SOURCE.DEMERITS-COST OF INSTALLATION&MAINTENANCE IS HIGH,IT CAUSES DISRUPTIONS IN THE AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM. 8.NUCLEAR ENERGY-ENERGY CONTAINED IN NUCLEUS OF AN ATOM WHICH BINDS SUBATOMIC PARTICLES TOGETHER IS CALLED NUCLEAR ENERGY.MERITS-IN SOME RESPECTS THE MOST CLEAN. SOURCE OF ENERGY,DOES NOT CAUSE ACID RAIN.DEMERITS-CAUSES HARMFUL RADIOACTIVE WASTE,CAN CAUSE SOMETIMES LEAKAGE IN NUCLEAR POWER PLANT WHICH IS VERY HARMFUL. NON RENEWABLE SOURCES OF ENERGY- SOURCES OF ENERGY WHICH ONCE USED ARE NOT AVAILABLE AGAIN ARE CALLED NON RENEWABLE DOURCES OF ENERGY. 1.COAL-IT IS SAYED THAT COAL WAS FORMED 300 MIILION YEARS AGO.THE INTENSE AND HEAT HIGH PRESSURE UNDER THE EARTH CONVERTED PLANTS INTO COAL.THAT IS WHY IT IS KNOWN AS FOSSIL FUEL.IT HAS BEEN A MAJOR SOURCE OF ENERGY TO THE WORLD S POPULATION.IN PAST COAL WAS AVAILABLE IN PLENTY BUT NOW AT PRESENT IT IS AVAILABLE IN VERY FEW QUANTITY BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE USE.IT MAY TAKE MANY YEARS TO REFORM COAL. 2 PETROLEUM- ALSO A NON RENEWABLE SOURCE OF ENERGY.PETROLEUM GAS IS OBTAINED AS A BYPRODUCT IN THE PROCESS OF PETROLEUM REFINING.CONSIST OF MAINLY BUTANEÐANE. 3 NATURAL GAS-IT IS ANOTHER FOSSIL FUEL THAT IS FOUND WITH PETROLEUM IN OIL WELLS.IT CONTAINS MAINLY METHANE WHICH BURNS EASILY TO PRODUCE HEAT.BURNS MORE CLEANLY THAN COAL OR OIL. ENERGY CRISIS IN URBAN&RURAL AREAS-;ENERGY IS A KEY INPUT IN ECONOMIC GROWTH OF A COUNTRY&IS CONSUMED IN VARIOUS FORMS.IN URBAN AREAS PEOPLE USE A LOT OF NON RENEWABLE ENERGY LIKE ELECTRICITY,LPG,CNG,PETROL.RURAL AREAS USE BOTH RENEWABLE& NON RENEWABLE ENERGIES.IN RURAL AREAS INCREASING USE OF FUEL WOOD IS CAUSING DEFORESTATION.SCARCITY OF FUEL WOOD IN RURAL AREAS IS LEADING TO HIGHPRICE OF FUEL WOOD.IN URBAN AREAS SHORTAGE OF ELECTRICAL POWER IS INCREASING DAY BY DAY. GREENHOUSE EFFECT-MEANS THE PROGRESSIVE WARMING UP OF THE EARTH S SURFACE DUE TO THE BLANKETING EFFECT OF MAN MADE CARBON DIOXIDE IN THE ATMOSPHERE.LIGHT ENERGY PENETRATES EARTH S ATMOSPHERE AS SHORT-WAVE RADIATION.THIS ENERGY IS ABSORBED BY EARTH S SURFACE &CHANGED INTO HEAT ENERGY.THE HEAT ENERGY IS RADIATED BACK INTO EARTH S ATMOSPHERE AS LONG WAVE RADIATION.GREENHOUSE GASES ABSORB THE HEAT RADIATION THAT STRIKES THEM ON ITS WAY BACK TO OUTER SPACE.THE GREENHOUSE GASES RELEASE THE CAPTURED HEAT ENERGY INTO THE ATMOSPHERE. IMPORTANCE-IN THE ABSENCE OF GREENHOUSE EFFECT THE TEMPERATURE OF EARTH WOULD BE VERY LOW ie BELOW THE FREEZING POINT WATER.THEREFORE THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT KEEPS THE EARTH SURFACE WARM.IT ACTS AS A THERMAL BLANKET ON EARTH SURFACE. CAUSES-THE CHIEF CAUSE OF GREENHOUSE EFFECT IS ENORMOUS QUANTITIES OF CARBON DIOXIDE GENERATED BY PEOPLE BY BURNING UP OF FOSSIL FUELS.WATER VAPOUR, CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS,NITROGEN OXIDES,METHANE,OZONE,ETC ARE OTHER CAUSES OF GREENHOUSE EFFECT. IMPACT-; GRADUAL INCREASE IN TEMPERATURE OF EARTH S SURFACE&LOWER ATMOSPHERE. FOOD SHORTAGES PHOTOSYNTHESIS,WATER USE EFFICIENCY&YIELD OF PLANTS. CAUSES CYCLONES DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE. RISE IN TEMPERATURE CAUSES MELTING OF ICE GLACIERS&RISE IN SEA LEVEL. GLOBAL WARMING&CLIMATIC CHANGES-GOBAL WARMING IS THE RISE IN EARTH S AVEREGE TEMPERATURE DUE TO THE CONCENTRATION OF GREENHOUSE GASES.CLIMATE CHANGES DUE TO RISE IN TEMPERATURE OR GLOBAL WARMING. THREATS OF GLOBAL WARMING-; EXTINCTION OF MANY ANIMALS&BIRDS INCREASE IN STORMS. RISE IN SEA LEVEL CAUSES DAMAGE TO COSTAL AREAS WHERE PEOPLE STATE DUE TO TSUNAMIS. HEAT WAVES LEADING TO HEAT STROKES,HEART ATTACKS. MELTING OF ICE RESERVES IMBALANCE IN GLACIER MEAN CAUSING GLACIER RETREAT AROUND THE WORLD. STEPS TO MINIMISE GLOBAL WARMING-; REDUCTION IN THE USE OF ENERGY SHIFTING TO NON CARBON BASED FUELS CAPTURE&STORAGE OF CARBON ACID RAIN-MEANS RAINFALLWITH A PH-LEVEL OF LESS THAN 5.6 CAUSES-FORESTFIRES,VOLCANIC ACTIVITIES,HUMAN ACTIVITIES. OXIDES OF SULPHUR&OTHER SULPHUR COMPOUNDS. CHLORINE&HYDROCHLORIC ACID. NITROGEN COMPOUNDS. FACTORIES IMPACT IMACT ON BUILDING & MONUMENTS-ACID RAIN IS CORROSIVE. IT CORRODES BUILDINGS&MONUMENTS. IMPACT ON HUMAN HEALTH-IT CAUSES IRRITATION TO EYES&SKIN.AFFECTS THROAT,RESPIRATORY SYSTEM.CAUSES VARIOUS CANCERS. IMPACT ON WILDLIFE-IT LEADS TO MANY DEATH OF ANIMALS&BIRDS IMPACT ON TREES-DESTROY PLANTS BY REDUCING FERTILITY OF SOIL. CONTROL-OVER AIR POLLUTION IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE MEASURE AGAINST ACID RAIN.GOVERNMENT CONTROL SHOULD BE DONE.PUBLIC AWARNESS SHOULD BE CREATED ABOUT DANGERS OF ACID RAIN. CONSUMER EDUCATION&RIGHTS-;CONSUMER EDUCATION MEANS MAKING THE CONSUMERS AWARE OF THEIR RIGHTS AND DUTIES. A CONSUMER IS A PERSON WHO PAYS PRICE FOR PRODUCT AND SERVICES TO THE SELLERS. THE AIMS OF CONSUMER EDUCATION ARE-; TO REDUCE WASTE OF NATURAL RESOURCES . TO ENCOURAGE REUSE/RECYCLING OF MATERIALS. TO CREATE WISE AND ECO FRIENDLY CONSUMERS NEED- PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN PROTECTING THE ENVIORNMENT.HELPS THE CONSUMER REALISE THAT THEIR ACTION CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO THE ENVIORNMENT BENEFITS OF CONSUMER EDUCATION- 1 ENCOURAGES CRITICAL THINKING SO THAT CONSUMERS CAN WORK EFFICIENTLY IN THE MARKET 2.PROMOTES SELF CONFIDENCE &INDEPENDENCE IN CONSUMERS 3.IMPROVES THE QUALITY OF LIFE&OF THE ENVIRONMENT. BENEFITS TO BUISNESSSATISFIES CONSUMERS,INCREASES SALES. BENEFITS TO SOCIETY-ENHANCES AWARENESS OF PUBLIC,PROMOTES STABILITY IN THE SOCIETY. CONSUMER RIGHTS-1. RIGHT TO SAFETY IT STATES THAT THE CONSUMER HAS THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE THE SAFE AND RIGHT PRODUCT.AND THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO THE GUARANTEE AND WARRANTY OF THE PRODUCTS. THE CONSUMER SHOULD INSIST OF BUYING THE RIGHT AND THE SAFE PRODUCT. 2.RIGHTS TO BE INFORMED IT MEANS THAT IT IS THE DUTY OF THE SELLER TO INFORM THE CONSUMER THE QUALITY,QUANTITY,PRICE,GUARANTEE ETC OF THE PRODUCT. 3.RIGHT TO CHOOSE- THE CONSUMER HAS THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE ANY PRODUCT OF HIS OR HER CHOICE NO ONE CAN STOP THEM FROM CHOOSING IT. 4.RIGHT TO COMPLAIN IT MEANS THAT IF THE CONSUMER IS HARASSED BY THE SELLER IN TERMS OF QUALITY,PRICE,QUANTITY OF THE PRODUCT THEN HE HAS THE RIGHT TO COMPLAIN. 5.RIGHT TO CONSUMER EDUCATION- THE CONSUMER EDUCATION IS MUST FOR THE PROGRESS AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE CONSUMERS. 6.RIGHT TO BE HEARED-MEANS CONSUMERS INTEREST MUST RECEIVE THE CONSIDERATION@APPROPRIATE FORUMS. DUTIES OF THE CONSUMERS-;1. WHILE BUYING GOODS AND SERVICES,CHECK THE QUALITY, QUANTITY,PRICE,SEAL& INSIST ON WARRANTY CARD.2. ASK FOR THE CASH MEMO FOR ITEMS PURCHASED.3.CONSUMERS MUST KNOW&EXERCISE THEIR RIGHTS. FOOD ADULTERATION-MEANS DELIBRATE MIXING OF LOW QUALITY,UNDESIRABLE,INEDIBLE& TOXIC MATERIALS IN FOOD ITEMS.MAGGI WAS BANNED BY THE GOVERNMENT RECENTLY DUE TO FOOD ADULTERATION IN IT.IT IS VERY HARMFUL TO HEALTH. EFFECTS OF POLLUTION ON ENVIORNMENT- POLLUTION IS REALESE OF HARMFUL THINGS IN AIR. 1 SHORT TERMS HEALTH HAZARDS-IT RESULTS IN TEMPORARY HEALTH PROBLEMS FROM TEMPORARY EXPOSURE TO HARMFUL SUBSTANCES. MAY LAST FOR FEW DAYS ONLY. 2 LONG TERM HEALTH HAZARDS-RESULT FROM CONTINUOUS EXPOSURE TO HARMFUL SUBSTANCES.MAY RESULT IN LONG TERM OR PERMANENT HEALTH PROBLEMS. 3 TRANSIENT HAZARDS-RESULT FROM SUDDEN&ACCIDENTIAL EXPOSURE TO HARMFUL SUBSTANCES.THESE OCCUR RARELY. EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION-1.DISORDERS OF RESPIRATORY SYSTEM,HEADACHE 2.LOSS OF MEMORY 3.ALLERGIES&WHEEZING 4.INSOMNIA,TREMOR,GINGIVITIS 5.IMPAIRMENT OF REFLEXES&VISION. BHOPAL GAS TRAGEDY-IN 1984 THERE WAS ACCIDENTIAL REALESE OF 40 TONNES OF METHYL ISOCYNATE FROM THE FACTORY OF UNION CARBIDE INDIA LIMITED@BHOPAL CITY IN MADHYA PRADESH.THIS WAS AN INDUSTRIAL DISASTER.IT CAUSED MORE THAN 15000 DEATHS&MORE THAN 6LAKHS INJURED.MAJIORITY OF DEATHS&INJURIES WERE RELATED TO PULMONARY EDEMA. EFFECTS OF WATER POLLUTION-1 INFECTIOUS DISEASES CAUSED BY MICRO-ORGANISMS THROUGH WATER.2. MANY WATER BORNE DISEASES OCCUR WHEN WATER IS CONTAMINATED THROUGH MOSQUITOES. EFFECTS OF SOIL POLLUTION-INFERIOR CROP QUALITY,HARMFUL EFFECT ON HUMAN HEALTH, NEGATIVE IMPACT ON ECOSYSTEM&BIODIVERSITY. CORRODING WEALTH- INDIA LOSES RUPEES 2 LAKHS CR A YEAR BEHIND HEALTH PROBLEMS. CHERNOBYL DISASTER- OCCURRED ON APRIL 26 1986@THE CHEROBYL NUCLEAR PLANT LOCATED IN CHERNOBYL CITY IN UKRAINE.IT IS CONSIDERED TO BE THE WORST ACCIDENT IN THE HISTORY OF NUCLEAR POWER GENERATION.A PLUME OF RADIOACTIVE FALL OUT DRIFTED OVER THE SURROUNDING AREA.LARGE AREAS OF UKRAINE,BELARUS&RUSSIA WERE BADLY CONTAMINATED. MORE THAN 9000 PEPLE DIED&80%DIRECT DEATHS FROM SOME FORM OF CANCER. ABOUT 6.6 MILLION PEOPLE WERE EXPOSED TO RADIATION. COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION&PUBLIC AWARENESS FOR ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION&CONSERVATION. 1 VAN MOHOTSAVA-IT IS A FESTIVAL FOR CELEBRATION OF PLANTATION OF TREES. MANY RURAL PEOPLE ARE INVOLVED IN PLANTING TREES. 2.CHIPKO ANDOLAN-IT WAS A FOREST CONSERVATION MOVEMENT IN INDIA.IT BEGAN IN 1974 IN RENI VILLAGE OF CHAMOLI DISTRICT,UTTRAKHAND.IT WAS LED BY SUNDERLAL BAHUGANA.IT MAINLY AIMED@ SAVING THE TREES.IN THIS MOVEMENT PEOPLE HUGGED THE TREES TO SAVE THEM TO BE CUT FROM WOOD CUTTERS.THEY MAINLY PROTESTED AGAINST CUTTING OF TREES. IT SAVED MANY TREES&PREVENTED DEFORESTATION.AND ALSO SPREAD THE MESSAGE OF GROWING MORE TREES,NIETHER CUTTING THE TREES NOR LET PEOPLE CUT TREES. 3. NARMADA BACHAO ANDOLAN-THIS WAS STARTED IN 1986 UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF MEDHA PATEKAR.IT AIMED PRIMARILY TO EDUCATE THOSE DIRECTLY AFFECTED ABOUT THE SOCIAL& ENVIORNMENTAL IMPACT OF LARGE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.IT BEGAN AS A PROTEST AGAINST CONSTRUCTION OF DAMS IN THE NARMADA VALLEY IN GENERAL.THE LEADERS OF THIS MOVEMENT ARE FIGHTING AGAINST THE DISPLACEMENT&DISREGARD OF THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE. THIS WAS MAINLY TO SAVE THE NARMADA RIVER FROM CONSTRUCTION OF BIG DAMS ON IT.
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