Environment and Sustainable Development
Environment and Sustainable Development — Study Notes
NCERT-aligned · 8 notes · 3 shown free
ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
ExplanationENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
This chapter introduces the concept of environment and sustainable development, focusing on the critical relationship between economic development and environmental quality. It highlights the adverse consequences of past developmental paths on the environment and stresses the need to consciously choose sustainable development in the era of globalisation. The chapter is structured into three main parts: the functions and role of the environment, the state of India's environment, and strategies for sustainable development. The environment is defined as the total planetary inheritance, including all biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors that influence each other. Human beings, with their advanced technology, have become the most disruptive element, capable of causing irreversible environmental changes. The chapter aims to help learners understand environmental degradation, resource depletion, and the challenges India faces in balancing development with environmental sustainability.
- Environment includes all biotic and abiotic factors influencing each other.
- Economic development has often come at the cost of environmental quality.
- Human activities can cause far-reaching and irreversible environmental changes.
- Sustainable development seeks to balance present needs without compromising future generations.
- The chapter is divided into environment functions, India's environmental state, and sustainable development strategies.
- Globalisation increases the urgency of adopting sustainable development paths.
- 📌 Environment: The total planetary inheritance including all living and non-living elements.
- 📌 Sustainable Development: Development meeting present needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet theirs.
7.1 INTRODUCTION
Explanation7.1 INTRODUCTION
The introduction sets the stage by explaining that while economic development is essential, it has often been achieved at the expense of environmental quality. It points out that as India embraces globalisation and aims for higher economic growth, it must be mindful of the environmental damage caused by previous development paths. The section stresses the importance of understanding the environment's role in economic development and the need for sustainable development. It explains that the chapter will first discuss the environment's functions, then the current state of India's environment, and finally strategies for sustainable development. The introduction also quotes an anonymous source highlighting that the environment can support life for millions of years if left undisturbed, but humans are the most unstable element capable of causing disruption.
- Economic development has often degraded environmental quality.
- Globalisation promises growth but requires sustainable development choices.
- Understanding environment's role is key to addressing sustainability.
- The chapter is structured into environment functions, India's environment, and sustainable development strategies.
- Human beings are the most disruptive element in the environment.
- The environment can sustain life if not disturbed beyond its capacity.
- 📌 Economic Development: Process of increasing production and consumption to meet human needs.
- 📌 Globalisation: Increasing interconnectedness and integration of economies worldwide.
7.2 ENVIRONMENT — DEFINITION AND FUNCTIONS
Explanation7.2 ENVIRONMENT — DEFINITION AND FUNCTIONS
Environment is defined as the total planetary inheritance, encompassing all biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors that influence each other. Biotic elements include birds, animals, plants, forests, fisheries, etc., while abiotic elements i
Practice Questions — Environment and Sustainable Development
Includes NCERT exercise questions with answers
Q1.1. What is meant by environment?
Answer:
Environment refers to the surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates. It includes all living and non-living things occurring naturally, such as air, water, soil, plants, animals, and humans, and their interactions.
Explanation:
The environment encompasses all external factors affecting an organism. It includes biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components that influence life.
Q2.2. What happens when the rate of resource extraction exceeds that of their regeneration?
Answer:
When the rate of resource extraction exceeds the rate of their regeneration, the resources become depleted and may eventually be exhausted. This leads to environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity, and unsustainable use of natural resources.
Explanation:
Resources such as forests, water, and soil regenerate naturally over time. Over-extraction disrupts this balance, causing scarcity and ecological imbalance.
Q3.3. Classify the following into renewable and non-renewable resources (i) trees (ii) fish (iii) petroleum (iv) coal (v) iron-ore (vi) water.
Answer:
Renewable resources: (i) trees, (ii) fish, (vi) water Non-renewable resources: (iii) petroleum, (iv) coal, (v) iron-ore
Explanation:
Renewable resources are those that can be replenished naturally over a short period, such as trees, fish, and water. Non-renewable resources are finite and take millions of years to form, such as petroleum, coal, and iron-ore.
Q4.4. Two major environmental issues facing the world today are ______ and ______.
Answer:
Two major environmental issues facing the world today are pollution and global warming.
Explanation:
Pollution (air, water, soil) and global warming due to greenhouse gas emissions are the most pressing environmental challenges globally.
Q5.5. How do the following factors contribute to the environmental crisis in India? What problem do they pose for the government? (i) Rising population (ii) Air pollution (iii) Water contamination (iv) Affluent consumption standards (v) Illiteracy (vi) Industrialisation (vii) Urbanisation (viii) Reduction of forest coverage (ix) Poaching, and (x) Global warming.
Answer:
(i) Rising population: Increases demand for resources, leading to overuse and depletion; challenges government in providing services and managing resources sustainably. (ii) Air pollution: Causes health problems and environmental degradation; government must regulate emissions and promote clean technologies. (iii) Water contamination: Affects health and ecosystems; government faces challenges in ensuring clean water supply and waste management. (iv) Affluent consumption standards: Leads to higher resource use and waste generation; government needs to promote sustainable consumption. (v) Illiteracy: Limits awareness about environmental issues; government must invest in education and awareness programs. (vi) Industrialisation: Causes pollution and resource depletion; government must enforce environmental regulations. (vii) Urbanisation: Leads to habitat loss and increased waste; government must plan sustainable urban development. (viii) Reduction of forest coverage: Causes biodiversity loss and climate impacts; government must implement afforestation and conservation policies. (ix) Poaching: Threatens wildlife; government must strengthen wildlife protection laws. (x) Global warming: Causes climate change impacts; government must participate in global efforts and adopt mitigation strategies.
Explanation:
Each factor contributes to environmental degradation by increasing pressure on natural resources or causing pollution. The government faces challenges in regulation, enforcement, awareness, and sustainable planning.
Q6.6. What are the functions of the environment?
Answer:
The functions of the environment include: - Providing natural resources such as air, water, soil, and minerals. - Supporting life by maintaining ecological balance. - Regulating climate and weather patterns. - Offering recreational and aesthetic benefits. - Acting as a sink for waste and pollutants. - Supporting biodiversity and habitats.
Explanation:
Environment sustains life by supplying resources and maintaining conditions necessary for survival and well-being.
Q7.7. Identify six factors contributing to land degradation in India.
Answer:
Six factors contributing to land degradation in India are: 1. Deforestation 2. Overgrazing 3. Mining activities 4. Industrial pollution 5. Unsustainable agricultural practices 6. Urbanisation and infrastructure development
Explanation:
These factors lead to soil erosion, loss of fertility, and degradation of land quality, affecting agricultural productivity and ecosystem health.
Q8.8. Explain how the opportunity costs of negative environmental impact are high.
Answer:
Opportunity cost refers to the value of the next best alternative foregone. Negative environmental impacts such as pollution, deforestation, and resource depletion reduce the availability of natural resources and ecosystem services. This leads to loss of income, health costs, and reduced quality of life. The cost of restoring the environment or adapting to its degradation is often very high, making the opportunity cost of environmental damage significant.
Explanation:
When environmental damage occurs, society loses benefits that could have been derived from sustainable use of resources. For example, deforestation may provide short-term economic gain but results in loss of biodiversity, climate regulation, and soil fertility, which have long-term economic costs.
All 8 Chapters in Indian Economic Development
Economics · Class 11