Unit-4: Environmental Pollution

NOTES BY:
Ms. Rashmi Shrivastava
Assistant Professor,
PSIT College of Higher Education,
Kanpur, Up, India.

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Environmental pollution is defined as "the contamination of the physical and biological
components of the earth/atmosphere system to such an extent that normal environmental
processes are adversely affected.

“Pollution, also called environmental pollution, the addition of any substance (solid, liquid,
or gas) or any form of energy (such as heat, sound, or radioactivity) to the environment at a
rate faster than it can be dispersed, diluted, decomposed, recycled, or stored in some harmless
form.”

Although environmental pollution can be caused by natural events such as forest fires and
active volcanoes, use of the word pollution generally implies that the contaminants have
an anthropogenic source—that is, a source created by human activities. Pollution has
accompanied humankind ever since groups of people first congregated and remained for a long
time in any one place. Indeed, ancient human settlements are frequently recognized by their
wastes—shell mounds and rubble heaps, for instance. Pollution was not a serious problem as
long as there was enough space available for each individual or group. However, with the
establishment of permanent settlements by great numbers of people, pollution became a
problem, and it has remained one ever since.

Causes of environmental pollution

Industry

Industry have been polluting our environment, especially since the beginning of the industrial
revolution, notably due to increasing use of fossil fuel which is becoming a cause of air, water,
and soil pollution.

Transportation

Pollution caused by transport can mainly be attributed to fossil fuels. Since, traffic is increasing
day by day, pollution is also following the evolution.

Agricultural activities

Agriculture is mainly responsible for the contamination of the soil and water. This is caused
by the increased use of pesticides, as well as by the intensive character of its production.
Furthermore, as agriculture gets more and more intensive to feed the increasing world
population, more environment and ecosystem are destroyed to make space for the crops.

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Trading activities

Trading activity include the production and exchange of goods and services. As regards goods,
pollution can be caused by packaging or transport mainly.

Residences

To be able to build homes, the natural environment has to be destroyed in one way or another.
Wildlife and plants are driven away and replaced by human constructions. Following that,
when people settle in they will produce waste every day, including a part that cannot be
processed by the environment.

Effects of environmental pollution

Effect on humans

The effect of pollution on humans are mainly physical, but can also turn into neuro-affections
in the long run. The best known troubles to humans are respiratory, in the form of allergies,
asthma, irritation of the eyes and nasal passages, or other forms of respiratory infections.

Effect on animals

Pollution mainly affects animals by causing harm to their living environment, making it toxic
for them to live in. Acid rain can change the composition of rivers and seas, making them
toxic for fishes; an essential quantity of ozone in the lower parts of the atmosphere can cause
lung problems to all animals. Nitrogen and phosphates in water will cause the overgrowth of
toxic algae, preventing other forms of life to follow their normal course.

Effects on plants

As for animals, plants, and especially trees, can be destroyed by acid rain, ozone in the lower
atmosphere block the plant respiration, and harmful pollutants can be absorbed from the
water or soil.

Types of environmental pollution

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Depending upon the nature of pollutants and also subsequent pollution of environmental
components, the pollution may be categorized as follows:

 Air Pollution
 Water Pollution
 Soil Pollution
 Noise Pollution
 Light Pollution
 Plastic Pollution

Let us now understand in detail the above mentioned types of pollution.

Air Pollution

“Air Pollution is the release of pollutants such as gases, particles, biological molecules, etc.
into the air that is harmful to human health and the environment.”

Air pollution refers to any physical, chemical or biological change in the air. It is the
contamination of air by harmful gases, dust and smoke which affects plants, animals and
humans drastically.

There is a certain percentage of gases present in the atmosphere. An increase or decrease in

the composition of these gases is harmful to survival. This imbalance in the gaseous
composition has resulted in an increase in earth’s temperature, which is known as global
warming.

Types of Air Pollutants

There are two types of air pollutants:

Primary Pollutants

The pollutants that directly cause air pollution are known as primary pollutants. Sulphur-
dioxide emitted from factories is a primary pollutant.

Secondary Pollutants

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The pollutants formed by the intermingling and reaction of primary pollutants are known as
secondary pollutants. Smog, formed by the intermingling of smoke and fog, is a secondary
pollutant.

Causes of Air Pollution

Following are the important causes of air pollution:

Burning of Fossil Fuels

The combustion of fossil fuels emits a large amount of sulphur dioxide. Carbon monoxide
released by incomplete combustion of fossil fuels also results in air pollution.

Automobiles

The gases emitted from vehicles such as jeeps, trucks, cars, buses, etc. pollute the
environment. These are the major sources of greenhouse gases and also result in diseases
among individuals.

Agricultural Activities

Ammonia is one of the most hazardous gases emitted during agricultural activities. The
insecticides, pesticides and fertilizers emit harmful chemicals in the atmosphere and
contaminate it.

Factories and Industries

Factories and industries are the main source of carbon monoxide, organic compounds,
hydrocarbons and chemicals. These are released into the air, degrading its quality.

Mining Activities

In the mining process, the minerals below the earth are extracted using large pieces of
equipment. The dust and chemicals released during the process not only pollute the air, but
also deteriorate the health of the workers and people living in the nearby areas.

Domestic Sources

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The household cleaning products and paints contain toxic chemicals that are released in the
air. The smell from the newly painted walls is the smell of the chemicals present in the paints.
It not only pollutes the air but also affects breathing.

Effects of Air Pollution

The hazardous effects of air pollution on the environment include:

Diseases

Air pollution has resulted in several respiratory disorders and heart diseases among humans.
The cases of lung cancer have increased in the last few decades. Children living near polluted
areas are more prone to pneumonia and asthma. Many people die every year due to the direct
or indirect effects of air pollution.

Global Warming

Due to the emission of greenhouse gases, there is an imbalance in the gaseous composition of
the air. This has led to an increase in the temperature of the earth. This increase in earth’s
temperature is known as global warming. This has resulted in the melting of glaciers and an
increase in sea levels. Many areas are submerged underwater.

Acid Rain

The burning of fossil fuels releases harmful gases such as nitrogen oxides and sulphur oxides
in the air. The water droplets combine with these pollutants, become acidic and fall as acid
rain which damages human, animal and plant life.

Ozone Layer Depletion

The release of chlorofluorocarbons, halons, and hydro chlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere

is the major cause of depletion of the ozone layer. The depleting ozone layer does not prevent
the harmful ultraviolet rays coming from the sun and causes skin diseases and eye problems
among individuals.

Effect on Animals

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The air pollutants suspend on the water bodies and affect the aquatic life. Pollution also
compels the animals to leave their habitat and shift to a new place. This renders them stray
and has also led to the extinction of a large number of animal species.

Air Pollution Control

Following are the measures one should adopt, to control air pollution:

Avoid Using Vehicles

People should avoid using vehicles for shorter distances. Rather, they should prefer public
modes of transport to travel from one place to another. This not only prevents pollution, but
also conserves energy.

Energy Conservation

A large number of fossil fuels are burnt to generate electricity. Therefore, do not forget to
switch off the electrical appliances when not in use. Thus, you can save the environment at
the individual level. Use of energy-efficient devices such CFLs also controls pollution to a
greater level.

Use of Clean Energy Resources

The use of solar, wind and geothermal energies reduce air pollution at a larger level. Various
countries, including India, have implemented the use of these resources as a step towards a
cleaner environment.

Other air pollution control measures include:

1. By minimizing and reducing the use of fire and fire products.

2. Since industrial emissions are one of the major causes of air pollution, the pollutants
can be controlled or treated at the source itself to reduce its effects. For example, if
the reactions of a certain raw material yield a pollutant, then the raw materials can be
substituted with other less polluting materials.
3. Fuel substitution is another way of controlling air pollution. In many parts of India,
petrol and diesel are being replaced by CNG – Compressed Natural Gas fueled
vehicles. These are mostly adopted by vehicles that aren’t fully operating with ideal
emission engines.

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 4. Although there are many practices in India, which focus on repairing the quality of
air, most of them are either forgotten or not being enforced properly. There are still a
lot of vehicles on roads which haven’t been tested for vehicle emissions.
5. Another way of controlling air pollution caused by industries is to modify and
maintain existing pieces of equipment so that the emission of pollutants is minimized.
6. Sometimes controlling pollutants at the source is not possible. In that case, we can
have process control equipment to control the pollution.
7. A very effective way of controlling air pollution is by diluting the air pollutants.
8. The last and the best way of reducing the ill effects of air pollution is tree plantation.
Plants and trees reduce a large number of pollutants in the air. Ideally, planting trees
in areas of high pollution levels will be extremely effective.

Steps taken in India to combat Air Pollution

The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 is an Act of the Parliament of
India to control and prevent air pollution in India. The law was amended in 1987. This was
the first attempt by the government of India to combat air pollution.

Further, National Air Quality Index (AQI) was launched on 17 October 2014 to disseminate
information on air quality in an easily understandable form for the general public.

The Odd-even rule in Delhi was implemented for the first time from January 1-15 and then
from April 15-30 in 2016. Under the 'odd-even scheme', vehicles with odd registration
number were allowed on odd days. And on even days, only vehicles with even number were
allowed.

National clean air programme was again a pollution control initiative that was launched by
the ministry of environment in January, 2019 with the intention to cut the concentration of
coarse and fine particles by at least 20%.

Water Pollution

Water pollution occurs when harmful substances—often chemicals or microorganisms—

contaminate a stream, river, lake, ocean, aquifer, or other body of water, degrading water
quality and rendering it toxic to humans or the environment.

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Water pollution can be defined as the contamination of water bodies. Water pollution is
caused when water bodies such as rivers, lakes, oceans, groundwater and aquifers get
contaminated with industrial and agricultural effluents.

The key causatives of water pollution in India are:

 Urbanization.

 Deforestation.

 Industrial effluents.

 Social and Religious Practices.

 Use of Detergents and Fertilizers.

 Agricultural run-offs- Use of insecticides and pesticides.

Effect of water pollution

The effect of water pollution depends upon the type of pollutants and its concentration. Also,
the location of water bodies is an important factor to determine the levels of pollution.

 Water bodies in the vicinity of urban areas are extremely polluted. This is the result of
dumping garbage and toxic chemicals by industrial and commercial establishments.

 Water pollution drastically affects aquatic life. It affects their metabolism, behaviour,
causes illness and eventual death. Dioxin is a chemical that causes a lot of problems
from reproduction to uncontrolled cell growth or cancer. This chemical is
bioaccumulated in fish, chicken and meat. Chemicals such as this travel up the food
chain before entering the human body.

 The effect of water pollution can have a huge impact on the food chain. It disrupts the
food-chain. Cadmium and lead are some toxic substances, these pollutants upon
entering the food chain through animals (fish when consumed by animals, humans)
can continue to disrupt at higher levels.

 Humans are affected by pollution and can contract diseases such as hepatitis through
faecal matter in water sources. Poor drinking water treatment and unfit water can
always cause an outbreak of infectious diseases such as cholera, etc.

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  The ecosystem can be critically affected, modified and destructured because of water
pollution.

Control measures of water pollution

Water pollution, to a larger extent, can be controlled by a variety of methods. Rather than
releasing sewage waste into water bodies, it is better to treat them before discharge.
Practising this can reduce the initial toxicity and the remaining substances can be degraded
and rendered harmless by the water body itself. If the secondary treatment of water has been
carried out, then this can be reused in sanitary systems and agricultural fields.

A very special plant, the Water Hyacinth can absorb dissolved toxic chemicals such as
cadmium and other such elements. Establishing these in regions prone to such kinds of
pollutants will reduce the adverse effects to a large extent.

Some chemical methods that help in the control of water pollution are precipitation, the ion
exchange process, reverse osmosis, and coagulation. As an individual, reusing, reducing, and
recycling wherever possible will advance a long way in overcoming the effects of water
pollution.

Soil Pollution

Soil pollution refers to the contamination of soil with anomalous concentrations of toxic
substances. It is a serious environmental concern since it harbours many health hazards. For
example, exposure to soil containing high concentrations of benzene increases the risk of
contracting leukaemia.

It is important to understand that all soils contain compounds that are harmful/toxic to human
beings and other living organisms. However, the concentration of such substances in
unpolluted soil is low enough that they do not pose any threat to the surrounding ecosystem.
When the concentration of one or more such toxic substances is high enough to cause damage
to living organisms, the soil is said to be contaminated.

The root cause of soil pollution is often one of the following:

 Agriculture (excessive/improper use of pesticides)

 Excessive industrial activity

 Poor management or inefficient disposal of waste

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Some of the most hazardous soil pollutants are xenobiotics – substances that are not naturally
found in nature and are synthesized by human beings. The term ‘xenobiotic’ has Greek roots
– ‘Xenos’ (foreigner), and ‘Bios’ (life). Several xenobiotics are known to be carcinogens.

The presence of heavy metals (such as lead and mercury, in abnormally high concentrations)
in soils can cause it to become highly toxic to human beings.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (often abbreviated to PAHs) are organic compounds that:

1. Contain only carbon and hydrogen atoms.

2. Contain more than one aromatic ring in their chemical structures.

Common examples of PAHs include naphthalene, anthracene, and phenalene. Exposure to

polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons has been linked to several forms of cancer. These organic
compounds can also cause cardiovascular diseases in humans.

Soil pollution due to PAHs can be sourced to coke (coal) processing, vehicle emissions,
cigarette smoke, and the extraction of shale oil.

Industrial waste

The discharge of industrial waste into soils can result in soil pollution. Some common soil
pollutants that can be sourced to industrial waste are listed below.

 Chlorinated industrial solvents

 Dioxins produced from the manufacture of pesticides and the incineration of waste.

 Plasticizers/dispersants

 Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

The petroleum industry creates many petroleum hydrocarbon waste products. Some of these
wastes, such as benzene and methylbenzene, are known to be carcinogenic in nature.

Pesticides are substances (or mixtures of substances) that are used to kill or inhibit the growth
of pests. Common types of pesticides used in agriculture include:

 Herbicides – used to kill/control weeds and other unwanted plants.

 Insecticides – used to kill insects.

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  Fungicides – used to kill parasitic fungi or inhibit their growth.

However, the unintentional diffusion of pesticides into the environment (commonly known as
‘pesticide drift’) poses a variety of environmental concerns such as water pollution and soil
pollution.

Soil pollution can be broadly classified into two categories –

 Naturally caused soil pollution

 Anthropogenic soil pollution (caused by human activity)

Natural pollution of soil

In some extremely rare processes, some pollutants are naturally accumulated in soils. This
can occur due to the differential deposition of soil by the atmosphere. Another manner in
which this type of soil pollution can occur is via the transportation of soil pollutants with
precipitation water.

An example of natural soil pollution is the accumulation of compounds containing the

perchlorate anion (ClO4–) in some dry, arid ecosystems. It is important to note that some
contaminants can be naturally produced in the soil under the effect of certain environmental
conditions. For example, perchlorates can be formed in soils containing chlorine and certain
metals during a thunderstorm.

Anthropogenic soil pollution

Almost all cases of soil pollution are anthropogenic in nature. A variety of human activities
can lead to the contamination of soil. Some such processes are listed below.

 The demolition of old buildings can involve the contamination of nearby soil with
asbestos.

 Usage of lead-based paint during construction activities can also pollute the soil with
hazardous concentrations of lead.

 Spillage of petrol and diesel during transportation can contaminate soils with the
hydrocarbons found in petroleum.

 Activities associated with metal casting factories (foundries) often cause the
dispersion of metallic contaminants into the nearby soils.

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  Underground mining activities can cause the contamination of land with heavy
metals.

 Improper disposal of highly toxic industrial/chemical waste can severely pollute the
soil. For example, the storage of toxic wastes in landfills can result in the seepage of
the waste into the soil. This waste can go on to pollute groundwater as well.

 Chemical pesticides contain several hazardous substances. Excessive and inefficient

use of chemical pesticides can result in severe soil pollution.

 Sewage produced in urbanized areas can also contaminate soil (if not disposed of
correctly). These wastes may also contain several carcinogenic substances.

Consequences of soil pollution

-Effect on human being

Soil contaminants can exist in all three phases (solid, liquid, and gaseous). Therefore, these
contaminants can find their way into the human body via several channels such as direct
contact with the skin or through the inhalation of contaminated soil dust.

The short term effects of human exposure to polluted soil include:

 Headaches, nausea, and vomiting.

 Coughing, pain in the chest, and wheezing.

 Irritation of the skin and the eyes.

 Fatigue and weakness.

A variety of long-term ailments have been linked to soil pollution. Some such diseases are
listed below.

 Exposure to high levels of lead can result in permanent damage to the nervous system.
Children are particularly vulnerable to lead.

 Depression of the CNS (Central Nervous System).

 Damage to vital organs such as the kidney and the liver.

 Higher risk of developing cancer.

-Effect on plants and animals

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Since soil pollution is often accompanied by a decrease in the availability of nutrients, plant
life ceases to thrive in such soils. Soils contaminated with inorganic aluminium can prove
toxic to plants. Also, this type of pollution often increases the salinity of the soil, making it
inhospitable for the growth of plant life.

Plants that are grown in polluted soil may accumulate high concentrations of soil pollutants
through a process known as bioaccumulation. When these plants are consumed by herbivores,
all the accumulated pollutants are passed up the food chain. This can result in the
loss/extinction of many desirable animal species. Also, these pollutants can eventually make
their way to the top of the food chain and manifest as diseases in human beings.

-Effect on ecosystem

 Since the volatile contaminants in the soil can be carried away into the atmosphere by
winds or can seep into underground water reserves, soil pollution can be a direct
contributor to air and water pollution.

 It can also contribute towards acid rain (by releasing huge quantities of ammonia into
the atmosphere).

 Acidic soils are inhospitable to several microorganisms that improve soil texture and
help in the decomposition of organic matter. Thus, the negative effects of soil
pollution also impact soil quality and texture.

 Crop yield is greatly affected by this form of pollution. In China, over 12 million tons
of grain (worth approximately 2.6 billion USD) is found to be unfit for human
consumption due to contamination with heavy metals (as per studies conducted by the
China Dialogue).

Several technologies have been developed to tackle soil remediation. Some important
strategies followed for the decontamination of polluted soil are listed below.

 Excavation and subsequent transportation of polluted soils to remote, uninhabited

locations.

 Extraction of pollutants via thermal remediation – the temperature is raised in order to

force the contaminants into the vapour phase, after which they can be collected
through vapour extraction.

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  Bioremediation or phytoremediation involves the use of microorganisms and plants
for the decontamination of soil.

 Mycoremediation involves the use of fungi for the accumulation of heavy metal
contaminants.

Solid Waste Management

Solid waste means any garbage, refuse, sludge from a wastewater treatment plant, water
supply treatment plant, or air pollution control facility and other discarded materials
including solid, liquid, semi-solid, or contained gaseous material, resulting from industrial,
commercial, mining and agricultural operations, and from community activities.

Solid-waste management is the collecting, treating, and disposing of solid material that is
discarded because it has served its purpose or is no longer useful. Improper disposal of
municipal solid waste can create unsanitary conditions, and these conditions in turn can lead
to pollution of the environment and to outbreaks of vector-borne disease—that is, diseases
spread by rodents and insects.

Categories of waste

• Domestic waste

• Factory waste

• Waste from the oil industry

• Construction waste

• Waste from extractive industries

• Plastic waste

• Agricultural waste

• Biomedical waste

• E-waste

• Nuclear waste

• Waste from natural disaster

• Waste from war and conflicts

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Effect of poor solid waste management

• Litter Surroundings

• Impact on human health (cancer, visibility problem, respiratory illness)

• Disease causing pests

• Environmental problems

• Soil and groundwater pollution

• Emission of toxic gases (dioxins, furans, polychlorinated biphenyls, etc.)

• Impact on aquatic animals (consuming Styrofoam and other chemicals causes death)

Methods of solid waste management

• Sanitary landfills- Modern landfills are designed in such a way that the bottom of the
landfill is covered with an impervious liner, which is usually made of several layers of
thick plastic and sand. This liner protects the groundwater from being
contaminated because of leaching or percolation.

• Incinerations- This method involves the burning of solid wastes at high temperatures
until the wastes are turned into ashes. Incinerators are made in such a way that they do
not give off extreme amounts of heat when burning solid wastes. The good thing
about this method is the fact that it reduces the volume of waste up to 20 or 30% of
the original volume.

• Recycling and Recovery- Recycling or recovery of resources is the process of taking

useful but discarded items for the next use. Plastic bags, tins, glass and containers are
often recycled automatically.

• Composting- Due to a lack of adequate space for landfills, biodegradable yard waste
is allowed to decompose in a medium designed for the purpose. Good
quality environmentally friendly manure is formed from the compost that is an
excellent medium for growing plants and can be used for agricultural purposes.

• Pyrolysis- This is a method of solid waste management whereby solid wastes are
chemically decomposed by heat without the presence of oxygen. It usually occurs
under pressure and at temperatures of up to 430 degrees Celsius.

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Climate Change

Climate change refers to the shifts in things like precipitation, wind patterns, and
temperatures over a given period.

While global warming focuses on the rising average temperature of the planet, climate
change usually refers to the shifts in things like precipitation, wind patterns, and temperatures
over a given period. Measured changes in climate could last a few years, decades, or even
millions of years.
Climate change has occurred for as long as the earth has existed. It happens anytime earth’s
climate patterns change and remain in place for a measurable amount of time. This has
notably manifested itself in natural cycles of cooling and warming. Before human causes
started to shift the global climate, five main factors interacted with one another as climate
changes occurred. These five factors include: [1]
 Atmosphere (air)
 Biosphere (living things)
 Cryosphere (ice and permafrost)
 Hydrosphere (water)
 Lithosphere (earth’s crust and upper mantle)

The American Association for the Advancement of Science has stated, “The scientific
evidence is clear: global climate change caused by human activities is occurring now, and it
is a growing threat to society.”

Causes of climate change

Greenhouse gases

Greenhouse gases play a vital role in the earth’s climate cycles. As the planet gets hit with the
sun’s rays, some of the energy is absorbed, and the rest of that energy and heat gets reflected
into space. Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere trap the reflected energy, redirecting it back

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down to the earth and eventually contributing to global warming. Various gases play this role,
including:
 Water vapour
 Carbon dioxide (CO2)
 Methane
 Nitrous oxide
 Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
While some of these greenhouse gases, such as water vapor, are naturally occurring, others,
such as CFCs, are synthetic. CO2 is released into the atmosphere from both natural and
human-made causes and is one of the leading contributors to climate change. CO2 has been
increasing at an alarming rate and has the potential to stay in the earth’s atmosphere for
thousands of years unless it gets absorbed by the ocean, land, trees, and other sources. [4]
However, as CO2 production has steadily risen, the earth’s natural resources to absorb it has
also been diminished. This is already occurring in many ways as earth’s resources are
disappearing from things like deforestation. Some studies even predict that plants and soil
will be able to absorb less CO2 as the earth continues to warm—possibly accelerating climate
change even further.
Solar Activity
Solar activity, as mentioned above, does play a role in the earth’s climate. While the sun does
go through natural cycles, increasing and decreasing the amount of energy that it emits to the
earth, it is unlikely that solar activity is a major contributor to global warming or climate
change. Since scientists began to measure the sun’s energy hitting our atmosphere, there has
not been a measurable upward trend.
Agriculture
There are many significant ways in which agriculture impacts climate change. From
deforestation in places like the Amazon to the transportation and livestock that it takes to
support agricultural efforts around the world, agriculture is responsible for a significant
portion of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. However, agriculture is also an area that is
making tremendous strides to become more sustainable. As productivity increases, less
carbon is being emitted to produce more food. Agriculture also has the potential to act as a
carbon sink, and could eventually absorb nearly the same amount of CO2 it emits.
Deforestation

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Deforestation and climate change often go hand in hand. Not only does climate change
increase deforestation by way of wildfires and other extreme weather, but deforestation is
also a major contributor to global warming. According to the Earth Day Network,
deforestation is the second leading contributor to global greenhouse gasses. Many people and
organizations fighting against climate change point to reducing deforestation as one of, if not
the most, important issues that must be addressed to slow or prevent climate change.
Human Activity
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the most significant contributor to
climate change in the United States is the burning of fossil fuels for electricity, heat, and
transportation. Of these factors, transportation in the form of cars, trucks, ships, trains, and
planes emits the largest percentage of CO2–speeding up global warming and remaining a
significant cause of climate change.
Livestock
While interconnected to many of the agricultural and deforestation issues we have already
touched on, livestock in the form of cattle, sheep, pigs, and poultry play a significant role in
climate change. According to one study, “Livestock and Climate Change,” livestock around
the world is responsible for 51% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions.
Immediate Effects of Climate Change
From melting glaciers to more extreme weather patterns, people everywhere are beginning to
take notice of the real impacts of climate change. While some nations around the world are
taking action with initiatives such as the Paris Climate Agreement, others are continuing
business as usual–pumping millions of tons of carbon into the atmosphere year after year.
While the long-term consequences are still to be seen, for now, climate change continues to
cause extreme weather as well as safety and economic challenges on a global scale.
Extreme Weather
Changes to weather are perhaps the most noticeable effect of climate change for the average
person. One reason for this is the financial impact severe weather events can have. Extreme
weather influenced by climate change includes:
 Stronger storms & hurricanes
 Heatwaves
 Wildfires
 More flooding
 Heavier droughts

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Safety & Economic Challenges
Rising global temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, climbing sea levels, and more
extreme weather events will intensify the challenges of global instability, hunger, poverty,
and conflict. Furthermore, climate change is likely to cause economic challenges in many
parts of the world.
Long Term Impact of Climate Change
The long term impact of climate change could be absolutely devastating to the planet and
everyone and everything living on it. If the world continues on its current trajectory, then we
will likely continue to see increasing effects on everyday life.
Health
There are many ways in which climate change could impact people’s health. Depending on
age, location, and economic status, climate change is already affecting the health of many and
has the potential to impact millions more. According to the Center for Disease Control and
Prevention, climate change-related health risks may include:
 Heat-related illness
 Injuries and fatalities from severe weather
 Asthma & cardiovascular disease from air pollution
 Respiratory problems from increased allergens
 Diseases from poor water quality
 Water & food supply insecurities
Negative Impact in Ecosystems
Ecosystems are interconnected webs of living organisms that help support all kinds of plant
and biological life. Climate change is already changing seasonal weather patterns and
disrupting food distribution for plants and animals throughout the world, potentially causing
mass extinction events. Some studies estimate that nearly 30% of plant and animal species
are at risk of extinction if global temperatures continue to rise.
Water & Food Resources
Climate change could have a significant impact on food and water supplies. Severe weather
and increased temperatures will continue to limit crop productivity and increase the demand
for water. With food demand expected to increase by nearly 70% by 2050, the problem will
likely only get worse.
Sea Levels Rising

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Rising sea levels could have far-reaching effects on coastal cities and habitats. Increasing
ocean temperatures and melting ice sheets have steadily contributed to the rise of sea levels
on a global scale. At current rates the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
estimate sea levels to rise by at least 8 inches by 2100, potentially causing increased flooding
and decrease in ocean and wetland habitats.
Shrinking Ice Sheets
While contributing to rising sea levels, shrinking ice sheets present their own set of unique
problems, including increased global temperatures and greenhouse gas emissions. Climate
change has driven summer melt of the ice sheets covering Greenland and Antarctica to
increase by nearly 30% since 1979.
Ocean Acidification
The ocean is one of the main ways in which CO2 gets absorbed. While at first glance that
may sound like a net positive, the increasingly human-caused CO2 is pushing the world’s
oceans to their limits and causing increased acidity. As pH levels in the ocean decrease,
shellfish have difficulty reproducing, and much of the oceans’ food cycle becomes disrupted.
Solutions for Climate Change
While the effects of climate change can seem bleak, there is still hope. By taking immediate
action to curb climate change, we may never see the worst consequences. Likewise, as the
world adopts cleaner, more sustainable energy solutions, there may be millions of new jobs
created and billions of dollars of economic benefits. Below are some practical ways you can
battle climate change, including:
 Purchase Renewable Energy Certificate for your home power needs
 Make your home energy efficient
 Buy carbon offsets
 Adopt a plant-based diet
 Reduce food waste
 Recycle
 Stop using fossil fuels
 Stop deforestation

Global Warming
“Global warming is a gradual increase in the earth’s temperature generally due to the
greenhouse effect caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide, CFCs, and other pollutants. “

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There are several causes of global warming, which have a negative effect on humans, plants
and animals. These causes may be natural or might be the outcome of human activities. In
order to curb the issues, it is very important to understand the negative impacts of global
warming.
Following are the major causes of global warming:

Man-made Causes of Global Warming

Deforestation

Plants are the main source of oxygen. They take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen
thereby maintaining environmental balance. Forests are being depleted for many domestic
and commercial purposes. This has led to an environmental imbalance, thereby giving rise to
global warming.

Use of Vehicles

The use of vehicles, even for a very short distance results in various gaseous emissions.
Vehicles burn fossil fuels which emit a large amount of carbon dioxide and other toxins into
the atmosphere resulting in a temperature increase.

Chlorofluorocarbon

With the excessive use of air conditioners and refrigerators, humans have been adding CFCs
into the environment which affects the atmospheric ozone layer. The ozone layer protects the
earth surface from the harmful ultraviolet rays emitted by the sun. The CFCs has led to ozone
layer depletion making way for the ultraviolet rays, thereby increasing the temperature of the
earth.

Industrial Development

With the advent of industrialization, the temperature of the earth has been increasing rapidly.
The harmful emissions from the factories add to the increasing temperature of the earth.

In 2013, the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change reported that the increase in the
global temperature between 1880 and 2012 has been 0.9 degrees Celsius. The increase is 1.1
degrees Celsius when compared to the pre-industrial mean temperature.

Agriculture

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Various farming activities produce carbon dioxide and methane gas. These add to the
greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and increase the temperature of the earth.

Overpopulation

Increase in population means more people breathing. This leads to an increase in the level of
carbon dioxide, the primary gas causing global warming, in the atmosphere.

Natural Causes of Global Warming

Volcanoes

Volcanoes are one of the largest natural contributors to global warming. The ash and smoke
emitted during volcanic eruptions goes out into the atmosphere and affects the climate.

Water Vapour

Water vapour is a kind of greenhouse gas. Due to the increase in the earth’s temperature more
water gets evaporated from the water bodies and stays in the atmosphere adding to global
warming.

Melting Permafrost

Permafrost is there where glaciers are present. It is a frozen soil that has environmental gases
trapped in it for several years. As the permafrost melts, it releases the gases back into the
atmosphere increasing the earth’s temperature.

Forest Blazes

Forest blazes or forest fires emit a large amount of carbon-containing smoke. These gases are
released into the atmosphere and increase the earth’s temperature resulting in global
warming.

Effects of Global Warming

Following are the major effects of global warming:

Rise in Temperature

Global warming has led to an incredible increase in earth’s temperature. Since 1880, the
earth’s temperature has increased by ~1 degrees. This has resulted in an increase in the

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melting of glaciers, which have led to an increase in the sea level. This could have
devastating effects on coastal regions.

Threats to the Ecosystem

Global warming has affected the coral reefs that can lead to a loss of plant and animal lives.
Increase in global temperatures has made the fragility of coral reefs even worse.

Climate Change

Global warming has led to a change in climatic conditions. There are droughts at some places
and floods at some. This climatic imbalance is the result of global warming.

Spread of Diseases

Global warming leads to a change in the patterns of heat and humidity. This has led to the
movement of mosquitoes that carry and spread diseases.

High Mortality Rates

Due to an increase in floods, tsunamis and other natural calamities, the average death toll
usually increases. Also, such events can bring about the spread of diseases that can hamper
human life.

Loss of Natural Habitat

A global shift in the climate leads to the loss of habitats of several plants and animals. In this
case, the animals need to migrate from their natural habitat and many of them even become
extinct. This is yet another major impact of global warming on biodiversity.

Following few steps can be taken to reduce global warming:

• Reduction in use of fossil fuels
• Afforestation
• Using renewable energy
• Recycling
• Buying energy efficient products

Acid Rain

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Acid Rain as the name suggests can be said to be the precipitation of acid in the form of rain
in the simplest manner. When atmospheric pollutants like oxides of nitrogen and sulphur
react with rainwater and come down with the rain, then this results in Acid Rain.
Acid rain is made up of highly acidic water droplets due to air emissions, most specifically
the disproportionate levels of sulphur and nitrogen emitted by vehicles and manufacturing
processes. Often called acid rain as this concept contains many types of acidic precipitation.

The acidic deposition takes place in two ways: wet, and dry. Wet deposition is any form of
precipitation which removes acids from the atmosphere and places them on the surface of the
earth. In the absence of precipitation, dry deposition of polluting particles and gases sticks to
the ground through dust and smoke.

Causes of acid rain

The causes of acid rain are Sulphur and Nitrogen particles which get mixed with the wet
components of rain. Sulphur and Nitrogen particles which get mixed with water are found in
two ways either man-made i.e as the emissions are given out from industries or by natural
causes like how a lightning strike in the atmosphere releases nitrogen ions and sulphur is
released from volcanic eruptions.

According to the Royal Society of Chemistry, which considers him the “father of acid rain,”
the word acid rain was invented in 1852 by Scottish chemist Robert Angus Smith. Smith
decided on the word while studying rainwater chemistry near industrial towns in England and
Scotland.

The regular clean rain we experience, even though it is not clean i.e water and carbon dioxide
react together to form weak carbonic acid which essentially by itself is not extremely harmful.
The reaction occurring is:

H2O (l) + CO2 (g) ⇌ H2CO3 (aq)

The pH value of regular rainwater is around 5.7, giving it an acidic nature. The oxides of
nitrogen and sulphur are blown away by the wind along with the dust particles. They settle on
the earth’s surface after coming down in the form of precipitation. Acid rain is essentially a by-
product of human activities which emit oxides of nitrogen and sulphur in the
atmosphere. Example – the burning of fossil fuels, unethical waste emission disposal
techniques.

Effects of acid rain

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  Acid rain is very harmful to agriculture, plants, and animals. It washes away all
nutrients which are required for the growth and survival of plants. Acid rain affects
agriculture by the way how it alters the composition of the soil.

 It causes respiratory issues in animals and humans.

 When acid rain falls down and flows into the rivers and ponds it affects the aquatic
ecosystem. As it alters the chemical composition of the water, to a form which is
actually harmful to the aquatic ecosystem to survive and causes water pollution.

 Acid rain also causes the corrosion of water pipes. Which further results in leaching of
heavy metals such as iron, lead and copper into drinking water.

 It damages the buildings and monuments made up of stones and metals.

Prevention of acid rain

 The only precaution that we can take against acid rain is having a check at the emission
of oxides of nitrogen and sulphur.

 We have so far seen the details of acid rain and its harmful effect on animals, plants
and the monuments.

 Being responsible citizens, one should be aware of the harmful effects they cause and
of the industries which give out nitrogen and sulphur compound wastes unethically.

Ozone layer Depletion

“The ozone layer is a region in the earth’s stratosphere that contains high concentrations of
ozone and protects the earth from the harmful ultraviolet radiations of the sun.”
The ozone layer is found in the lower portion of the earth’s atmosphere. It has the potential to
absorb around 97-99% of the harmful ultraviolet radiations coming from the sun that can
damage life on earth. If the ozone layer was absent, millions of people would develop skin
diseases and may have weakened immune systems.

However, scientists have discovered a hole in the ozone layer over the Antarctic. This has
focussed their concern on various environmental issues and steps to control them. The main
reasons for the ozone hole are chlorofluorocarbons, carbon tetrachloride, methyl bromide and
hydrochlorofluorocarbons.

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“Ozone layer depletion is the gradual thinning of the earth’s ozone layer in the upper
atmosphere caused due to the release of chemical compounds containing gaseous bromine or
chlorine from industries or other human activities.”
Ozone layer depletion is the thinning of the ozone layer present in the upper atmosphere. This
happens when the chlorine and bromine atoms in the atmosphere come in contact with ozone
and destroy the ozone molecules. One chlorine can destroy 100,000 molecules of ozone. It is
destroyed more quickly than it is created.

Some compounds release chlorine and bromine on exposure to high ultraviolet light, which
then contributes to the ozone layer depletion. Such compounds are known as Ozone
Depleting Substances (ODS).

The ozone-depleting substances that contain chlorine include chlorofluorocarbon, carbon

tetrachloride, hydrochlorofluorocarbons, and methyl chloroform. Whereas, the ozone-
depleting substances that contain bromine are halons, methyl bromide, and hydro
bromofluorocarbons.

Chlorofluorocarbons are the most abundant ozone-depleting substance. It is only when the
chlorine atom reacts with some other molecule, it does not react with ozone.

Montreal Protocol was proposed in 1987 to stop the use, production and import of ozone-
depleting substances and minimize their concentration in the atmosphere to protect the ozone
layer of the earth.

Causes of ozone layer depletion

The ozone layer depletion is a major concern and is associated with a number of factors. The
main causes responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer are listed below:

Chlorofluorocarbons

Chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs are the main cause of ozone layer depletion. These are released
by solvents, spray aerosols, refrigerators, air-conditioners, etc.

The molecules of chlorofluorocarbons in the stratosphere are broken down by the ultraviolet
radiations and release chlorine atoms. These atoms react with ozone and destroy it.

Unregulated Rocket Launches

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Researches say that the unregulated launching of rockets result in much more depletion of
ozone layer than the CFCs do. If not controlled, this might result in a huge loss of the ozone
layer by the year 2050.

Nitrogenous Compounds

The nitrogenous compounds such as NO2, NO, N2O are highly responsible for the depletion
of the ozone layer.

Natural Causes

The ozone layer has been found to be depleted by certain natural processes such as Sun-spots
and stratospheric winds. But it does not cause more than 1-2% of the ozone layer depletion.

The volcanic eruptions are also responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer.

Effects of ozone layer depletion

The depletion of the ozone layer has harmful effects on the environment. Let us see the major
effects of ozone layer depletion on man and environment.

Effects on Human Health

The humans will be directly exposed to the harmful ultraviolet radiations of the sun due to the
depletion of the ozone layer. This might result in serious health issues among humans, such
as skin diseases, cancer, sunburns, cataract, quick ageing and an weakend immune system.

Effects on Animals

Direct exposure to ultraviolet radiations leads to skin and eye cancer in animals.

Effects on the Environment

Strong ultraviolet rays may lead to minimal growth, flowering and photosynthesis in plants.
The forests also have to bear the harmful effects of the ultraviolet rays.

Effects on Marine Life

Planktons are greatly affected by the exposure to harmful ultraviolet rays. These are higher in
the aquatic food chain. If the planktons are destroyed, the organisms present in the lower food
chain are also affected.

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Solution to control ozone layer depletion

The depletion of the ozone layer is a serious issue and various programmes have been
launched by the government of various countries to prevent it. However, steps should be
taken at the individual level as well to prevent the depletion of the ozone layer.

Following are some points that would help in preventing this problem at a global level:

Avoid Using Pesticides

Natural methods should be implemented to get rid of pests and weeds instead of using
chemicals. One can use eco-friendly chemicals to remove the pests or remove the weeds
manually.

Minimize the Use of Vehicles

The vehicles emit a large amount of greenhouse gases that lead to global warming as well as
ozone depletion. Therefore, the use of vehicles should be minimized as much as possible.

Use Eco-friendly Cleaning Products

Most of the cleaning products have chlorine and bromine releasing chemicals that find a way
into the atmosphere and affect the ozone layer. These should be substituted with natural
products to protect the environment.

Use of Nitrous Oxide should be prohibited

The government should take actions and prohibit the use of harmful nitrous oxide that is
adversely affecting the ozone layer. People should be made aware of the harmful effects of
nitrous oxide and the products emitting the gas so that its use is minimized at the individual
level as well.

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