UNIT 2 NOTES

*Define population - Population typically refers to the number of people in a

single area, whether it be a city or town, region, country, continent, or the
world. Governments typically quantify the size of the resident population within
their jurisdiction using a census, a process of collecting, analysing, compiling,
and publishing data regarding a population.

Q What are the main causes of population growth? how population growth
can be controlled?
Ans – Population growth:
Birth rate and death rate are the two parameters used to measure the population
growth of a country.
Population growth is determined by the difference between the birth and the
death rate.
causes of population growth:
i. Decrease in the death rate due to improved medical facilities with the
birth rate remaining the same is one of the major causes of population
growth in India.
ii. Illiteracy prevalent in major parts of India make people believe that
'children are god's blessings' hence making them against the concept
of ‘family planning’.
iii. People of India follow different religions of which some of them do
not advocate the concept of ‘family planning’.
iv. As most of the families in rural areas are below the poverty line, they
think having a large family will increase their source of income by
sending children to work.
v. Decrease in infant mortality rate due to improved medical facilities.
vi. Many of the Indian families are superstitious about the fact that
‘children are a sign of prosperity’.
vii. Indian families believe that a male child is responsible to continue
one's lineage and the constant attempt to have a male child results in
number of female children.
viii. Industrialization and growth of opportunities in urban areas have
increased the urban population.
 ix. Average life span of people has increased due to control of epidemics
by immunization programs.
x. In rural areas, children are considered a source of recreation, hence
giving birth to more children is a practice in rural areas.

measures to control population in India: -

India, with 1.37 billion people, is the second-most populous country in the
world.
A report from the United Nations released in June 20191 had said that around
2027 India is set to overtake China as the world’s most populous country.
Excessive population has various adverse effects including undue pressure on
natural resources. More people mean more consumption which in turn means
more exploitation of fixed and exhaustible resources. Also population is not a
universal challenge. It is specific to nations whose economies have yet not
achieved full potential and development. Along with China and India, the
African and some Latin countries also see an extremely high population growth
rate. Rather China, which is the most populated nation, has achieved a very
appreciative control over their growth of population though their ways are
highly autocratic and cannot be replicated in other countries.
We know that the birth rate is mainly responsible for rapid population growth.
Hence measures which can reduce the birth rate should be adopted. These
measures can be classified into 3 categories.
1. Social Measures

Minimum age of marriage: The problem of child marriage is highly

prominent in certain countries with high population like India, Pakistan or
Bangladesh. A marriage at a tender age leads to a long span for giving birth.
Also, young age marriage devoid people of the education and awareness
required to be sensitive towards and understand the consequences of raising
too many children.

Raising the status of women: There is still discrimination to the women.

They are confined to four walls of the house. They are still confined to
rearing and bearing children. So, women should be given opportunities to
develop socially and economically. Free education should be given to them.
Spread of Education: The spread of education changes the outlook of
people. The educated men prefer to delay marriage and adopt small family
norms. Educated women are health conscious and avoid frequent pregnancies
and thus help in lowering birth rate.

Adoption: Some parents do not have any child, despite costly medical
treatment. It is advisable that they should adopt orphan children. It will be
beneficial to orphan children and children couples. Government should also
provide incentives for adopting.

Social Security: More and more people should be covered under-social

security schemes. So that they do not depend upon others in the event of old
age, sickness, unemployment etc. with these facilities they will have no
desire for more children.

2.Economic Measures

More employment opportunities: The first and foremost measure is to raise

employment avenues in rural as well as urban areas. Generally, in rural areas
there is disguised unemployment. So, efforts should be made to migrate
unemployed persons from the rural side to the urban side. When their income
is increased, they would improve their standard of living and adopt small
family norms. Another method to check the population is to provide
employment to women. Women should be given incentive to give services in
different fields. Women are taking an active part in competitive
examinations. As a result, their number in teaching, medical and banking etc.
is increasing rapidly.

Providing incentives: Incentives have proved to be an efficient policy

measure in combating most development issues including population.
Providing a health, educational or even financial incentive can be a highly
effective population measure. There are certain incentive policies like paying
certain money to people with not more than two kids or free or discounted
education for single children etc. which are in place in most developing
countries facing population related challenges and has also proved to be a
useful measure.

3.Other Measures

Medical Facilities: One big drawback of developing countries is that of

limited and highly centric medical facilities. Because of the high rural-
urban divide in developing countries, availability of good hospitals and
doctors is limited to urban centers thus resulting in high infant mortality
rate in rural areas. Ruralpeople, in order to ensure that at least some of
their kids survive, give birth to more and more kids thus contributing to
the population growth. If provided with optimum medical facilities
population rate will almost certainly decline.

Legislative Actions: Not much result can be achieved from these if family
planning and use of contraception remains optional instead of mandatory.
Strict legal steps are required for child marriage, education, abolition of child
labor and beggary and family planning to reap significant benefits from it.
Proper enforcement of laws related to child labour, slavery and beggary will
ensure that parents don’t sell their children or send them out to work thus
forcing them to raise lesser number of kids.

Recreational Facilities: Birth rate will likely to fall if there are different
recreational facilities like cinema; theatre, sports and dance etc. are available
to the people.

Spreading awareness: People need to be told and made to understand the

consequences of having too many children. Government and non-government
institutions can carry awareness campaigns informing people how they will
be unable to provide good nutrition, education or medical facilities to their
children if they have too many. Population is also a reason for illiteracy and
diseases and malnutrition and the negative effects of it are required to be
communicated to the general public to expand their reasoning and
understanding.

Q. Define population and community. difference between population and

community?
Ans –
Population:
A population can be defined as a group of individuals of the same species
residing in a particular geographical area at a particular time and functioning as
a unit. For example, all human beings living at a particular place at a particular
time constitute the population of humans.
Community:
A community is defined as a group of individuals of different species, living
within a certain geographical area. Such individuals can be similar or dissimilar,
but cannot reproduce with the members of other species.
Difference Between Population and Community
i.Consequence
A group of populations make up a community in a particular ecosystem while a
community and the abiotic factors make up an ecosystem.
ii. Size of the Group
Furthermore, a population is a small group in an ecosystem while a community
is a large group when compared to a population.
iii.Number of Species Involved
Another major difference between population and community is that a
population consists of a single species while a community consists of several
species living together.
iv.Morphology and Behaviour
Because of the above, all the individuals in a population are morphologically
and behaviorally similar while the individuals in a community can be
categorized into groups in terms of morphology and behaviour.
v.interbreeding
Moreover, individuals in a population freely interbreed while interbreeding is
absent among the different individuals of a community. Thus, this is
another difference between population and community.
vi. Type of Competition
The type of competition attributes to another difference between population and
community. Intra-specific competition occurs among the individuals of a
population while inter-specific competition occurs among the individuals of a
community.

vii.Relationship Between Pray and Predator

There are no pray-predator relationships among individuals in a population
while pray-predator relationships occur among individuals in a community.
Q. What is Urbanization? What are the various causes of urbanization and
Its Effects on Society?
Ans-Urbanization is the movement of people from rural to urban regions,
allowing cities and towns to expand. It may also be described as a gradual
growth in the population of towns and cities. The idea that cities and towns have
accomplished better economic, social, and political achievements than rural
regions have a strong effect.
*Various Causes of Urbanization
I. Industrialization in Urbanization

Industrialization is a movement that represents a transition away from

traditional agricultural economics and toward a new non-agricultural
economy, resulting in a modernised society. Because of better job
possibilities, more individuals have been drawn to relocate from rural to
urban regions since the industrial revolution.

Industrialization has improved job prospects by allowing individuals to

work in contemporary sectors in occupations that contribute to economic
progress.

ii.Commercialization in Urbanization

In the process of urbanisation, commerce and trade play

a significant role. The contemporary era’s distribution of products and
services, as well as commercial transactions, has resulted in the
development of modern marketing organisations and exchange
techniques, which have accelerated the expansion of towns and cities.
Commercialization and commerce are associated with the belief that
towns and cities provide better business possibilities and returns than
rural regions.

iii.Social Benefits and Services in Urbanization

There are several social advantages to living in a city or town. Better

educational facilities, higher living standards, improved sanitation and
housing, improved health care, improved recreation facilities, and
improved social life are only a few examples.
As a result, an increasing number of individuals are being compelled to
relocate to cities and towns in order to access a wide range of social
benefits and services that are not available in rural regions.

iv.Employment Opportunities in Urbanization

There are plenty of work possibilities in cities and towns, attracting

individuals from rural regions in search of a better life.

As a result, the majority of people typically relocate to metropolitan

regions in search of well-paying work in a variety of development
sectors, including public health, education, transportation, sports and
leisure, industries, and business operations.

Higher-value-added occupations are created and increased by services

and industries, resulting in additional work possibilities.

v.modernization in Urbanization

In the course of urbanisation, modernization is extremely essential.

People feel they may have a happy life in cities as cities grow more
technologically advanced, with extremely sophisticated communication,
transportation, medical facilities, clothing code, enlightenment,
liberalism, and other social amenities available.

People in urban regions also accept changes in their lifestyles, such as

housing habits, attitudes, clothing, cuisine, and beliefs. As a
consequence, people migrate to cities, and cities expand as a result of the
daily influx of people.

vi.Rural-urban Transformation in Urbanization

Cities emerge as rural regions transition into urbanisation as places grow

more fertile and affluent as a result of mineral discoveries, resource
exploitation, or agricultural operations. Productivity growth boosts the
economy and more high-value-added job possibilities.

This necessitates the development of greater infrastructure, better

educational institutions, stronger health facilities, better transit networks,
banking institutions, improved governance, and good housing.
*Effects of Urbanization:

i. Positive Effects of Urbanization

If urbanisation occurs within reasonable bounds, it has a number of
beneficial consequences. As a result, some of the beneficial effects of
urbanisation include job development, technical and infrastructure
improvements, enhanced transportation and communication, high-quality
educational and medical facilities, and higher living standards. Extensive
urbanisation, on the other hand, almost always has negative
consequences.

ii.Housing Problems
People are drawn to cities and towns as a result of urbanisation, resulting
in rapid population growth. There is a continuous scarcity of housing as
the number of people living in metropolitan areas grows.

This is owing to a lack of expanding space for housing and public

services, as well as poverty, unemployment, and expensive building
materials that only a few people can afford.

iii.Overcrowding in Urbanization
Overcrowding occurs when a large number of individuals share a small
place. Because of overcrowding, urban congestion is a constant, and it is
an element that is growing day by day as more people and immigrants
migrate to cities and towns in quest of a better living.

Most individuals from rural or underdeveloped regions have a strong

desire to migrate to the city, which usually results in crowding in a small
space.

iv.Unemployment in Urbanization
Joblessness is most prevalent in metropolitan areas, and it is much more
prevalent among educated individuals. More than half of the world’s
unemployed youngsters are thought to dwell in urban areas.

And, while urban earnings are high, the living costs make them appear to
be tragically low. The primary reason for urban unemployment is the
rising migration of individuals from rural or developing areas to city
environments.
v.Development of Slums
The cost of living in cities is quite expensive. When this is paired with
unpredictably high growth and unemployment, the expansion of illegal
resident settlements such as slums and squatters occurs.

Fast-paced industrialisation, a shortage of developed land for housing, a

significant migration of rural immigrants to the city in pursuit of a better
life, and the inflated prices of land beyond the grasp of the urban poor all
contribute to the rise of slums and squatters in metropolitan areas.

vi.Water and Sanitation Problems

In most metropolitan areas, insufficient sewerage infrastructure is
widespread due to overcrowding and rapid population growth.

In the administration of sewage infrastructure, municipalities and local

governments are facing a significant resource issue. As a result,
sanitation suffers, sewage flows erratically, and sewage is discharged
into nearby streams, rivers, lakes, or oceans.

Communicable illnesses including typhoid, dysentery, plague, and

diarrhoea eventually spread rapidly, causing pain and even death. Water
shortage is exacerbated by overcrowding when supply falls short of what
is required.

Poor Health and Spread of Diseases

Access to and usage of public health care services in crowded

metropolitan regions is influenced by social, economic, and living
factors. Slum communities, in particular, suffer from inadequate
sanitation and a lack of water supply, making slum residents more
vulnerable to infectious illnesses.

Pollution in cities causes a variety of health issues, including allergies,

asthma, infertility, foodborne illness, cancer, and even early mortality.
Q. What is global warming? Causes and effect of global warming on
environment?

Ans- Global warming is the phenomenon of a gradual increase in the

temperature near the earth’s surface. This phenomenon has been observed over
the past one or two centuries. This change has disturbed the climatic pattern of
the earth. However, the concept of global warming is quite controversial but the
scientists have provided relevant data in support of the fact that the temperature
of the earth is rising constantly.
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.

*Causes 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 have 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
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
An 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 frozen soil that has environmental gases trapped in it for several
years and is present below Earth’s surface. It is present in glaciers. As the
permafrost melts, it releases the gases back into the atmosphere, increasing
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 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 the 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.
Q. Why environmental management is responsible and play important role
in environment protection?
ANS- Environmental management is described as a process to minimize waste
and maximize complian4ce. It is created to address the environmental issues
that have a direct and indirect impact on the globe and is affecting it adversely.
It deals in finding appropriate solutions to environmental crises and preventing
ecological disasters. Environmental management also investigates potential
sources of renewable energy(is energy that is collected from renewable
resources which are consumed from sunlight wind the movement of water) that
so that fossil fuel does not become depleted.
Importance of environmental management
Environmental management is the tool with which we can promote
environmental protection and take care of public health from the toxicity
produced by harmful human activities with different resources of the
environment.
Many business companies worldwide are coming forward with many
environmental management systems and plans and adding them to their
business agendas for environmental protection.

 Environmental management reduces the chances of risks of

environmental incidents like oil spills in oceans or forest fires, or the
blowing up of coal mines, thereby ensuring environmental protection.
 It improves company’s reputation by promoting their brand image as eco-
friendly(not harmful to the environment ,or trying to help the
environment) and helps secure the market, which further helps them
gather clients and lower their operating costs.
 Environmental management helps improve public health and the overall
health of the ecosystem by minimizing the harm done due to the
negligence of big companies and promoting environmental protection.
 Increases the workforce’s(the workers engaged in a specific activity)
knowledge about the impact of careless business policies on the
environment and focuses their attention on adopting ways that will help
reduce environmental depletion.
 Environmental management and protection help in the reduction of
waste produced by companies as by-products during manufacturing.
 It helps with new business ideas using waste by-products to create new
products. The by-products of petroleum are used to manufacture
Vaseline, LPG, gasoline, paraffin wax petrochemicals, etc.
 It will help us to combat all main types of pollution i.e., air, water, land,
thermal, radiation, and noise pollution.
 It helps to set objectives and different frameworks for training to achieve
optimum results.
  Achieving optimum utilization of resources by following proper order
and maintaining consistency throughout the process.
Q. Why we need to ban single-use plastic?
1. Pollution: One of the biggest threats about plastic bags is that they
threaten the environment. Plastic bags pollute the land and water, since
they are lightweight, plastic materials can travel long distances by wind
and water.
2. Non-renewable: Only 1-13% of the plastic items are recyclable, the rest
ends up either buried in the land or water bodies, eventually reaching the
oceans, leading to polluting of water bodies and killing of marine life.
With climate and environment becoming a rising global concern, plastic
pollution and plastic waste management have become the point of worry.
3. Energy intensive: Production of plastic material are very energy
intensive. They require a lot of water for their production. Thus using
plastic bags is not advisable.
4. Threat to aquatic life: Being non-recyclable, plastic bags end up in the
oceans. While they reach, they break up into tiny little pieces and are
consumed by wildlife. Thereby leading to health issues or even death.
Many animals also get entangled or trapped in plastic bags.
5. Harmful to human health: Toxic chemicals from plastic bags can
damage the blood and tissues. Frequent exposures can lead to cancers,
birth defects, impaired immunity, hormone changes, endocrine disruption
and other serious ailments.
Negative Impact of plastic ban:
1. The Plastic industry in the country employs about 40 lakh people. A ban
on the plastics will affect industry, leading to job loss and economic
slowdown.
2. A piece of plastic bag cost no more than 10-15 paise which is much
cheaper than a paper bag costing 20-25 paise per piece. Plastic ban would
Impact cost of the products and would lead to inflation.
Positive Impact of plastic ban:
1. It will help in tackling air pollution and water pollution.
2. It will save Many marine lives.
3. It will reduce health issues in humans due to pollution.
4. It will spread nation-wide awareness about harmful effects of single-use
plastic.
5. Plastic ban forces the customer to buy the recyclable plastic bags and
reuse of disposable bags. This can also encourage reuse of the bags.
Government’s Initiatives against plastic menace:
 1. Reusables in government offices: Many government offices in various
states like Kerala made the switch to ink pens and steel cutlery to ensure
articles like plastic water bottles, disposable teacups and plastic carry
bags are no longer used across the office premises.
2. Fishing for plastic waste from water bodies: Kerala’s Suchitwa
Mission have been engaged in not just finding fish but also take care of
plastic that either gets stuck in the fishing nets or floats in the sea. They
have managed to recover 25 tonnes of plastic waste.
3. Crackdown on plastic usage: Many states like Maharashtra, Goa,
Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka and Punjab have imposed some form of
a ban on plastic.
4. Utilising plastic for road surfacing: Governments are using plastics for
road surfacing and many states are considering to implement this
pioneering tactic to manage their plastic waste. Kerala, Maharashtra and
Tamil Nadu are a few states that have already begun work on these lines.
5. Up-cycling plastic for better purposes: From construction materials to
threads and fabrics for the textile industry, many organisations across
India have been up-cycling plastic for more significant purposes. Even
the government’s recent proposal to introduce plastic currency notes is a
great step in up-cycling plastic waste.
6. Plastic Waste Management Rules: The Government has notified the
Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 which:
7. Increased minimum thickness of plastic carry bags from 40 to 50 microns
and stipulate minimum thickness of 50 micron for plastic sheets also to
facilitate collection and recycle of plastic waste.
8. Expand the jurisdiction of applicability from the municipal area to rural
areas, because plastic has reached rural areas also.
9. Bring in the responsibilities of producers and generators, both in plastic
waste management system and to introduce collect back system of plastic
waste by the producers/brand owners, as per extended producers
responsibility.
10.Promote use of plastic waste for road construction as per Indian Road
Congress guidelines or energy recovery, or waste to oil etc. for gainful
utilisation of waste and also address the waste disposal issue.

*PROMOTION OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE

Electric Vehicle (EV) – Meaning

 1. An electric vehicle (EV) is one that operates on an electric motor, instead
of an internal-combustion engine that generates power by burning a mix
of fuel and gases.
2. Electric Vehicles (EV’s) include, road and rail vehicles, surface and
underwater vessels, electric aircraft and electric spacecraft.
3. Though the concept of electric vehicles has been around for a long time,
it has drawn a considerable amount of interest in the past decade amid a
rising carbon footprint and other environmental impacts of fuel-based
vehicles.
4. An electric vehicle may be powered through a collector system by
electricity from off-vehicle sources, or may be self-contained with a
battery, solar panels, fuel cells or an electric generator to convert fuel to
electricity.

Electric Vehicles – 8 Different Types

Electric Vehicles can be broadly classified into 8 different types.

1. Plug-in Electric Vehicle

2. On- and Off-road Electric Vehicles
3. Space Rover Vehicles
4. Seaborne Electric Vehicles
5. Airborne Electric Vehicles
6. Electrically Powered Spacecraft
7. Range-extended electric vehicle
8. Railborne Electric Vehicles

Plug-in Electric Vehicle (PEV)

A plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) is any motor vehicle that can be recharged
from any external source of electricity, such as wall sockets, and the electricity
stored in the Rechargeable battery packs drives.
Plug-in Electric Vehicles can be further categorized into

1. Plug-in Hybrid Electric vehicles, (PHEVs)

2. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs)

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV)

1. A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is a hybrid electric vehicle whose

battery can be recharged by plugging it into an external source of electric
power, as well as by its on-board engine and generator.
2. Most PHEVs are passenger cars, but there are also PHEV versions of
commercial vehicles and vans, military vehicles, utility trucks, trains,
motorcycles, buses and mopeds.

Battery Electric Vehicles

1. A battery electric vehicle (BEV), pure electric vehicle, only-electric vehicle

or all-electric vehicle is a type of electric vehicle (EV) that exclusively uses
chemical energy stored in rechargeable battery packs, with no secondary
source of propulsion.
2. Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) thus have no internal combustion engine,
fuel cell, or fuel tank.
3. Some of the broad categories of vehicles that come under this category are
trucks, cars,buses, motorcycles, bicycles, forklift etc.

Advantages of Electric Vehicles

Electric Vehicles – Environmental Advantages
Electric cars (or electric vehicles, EVs) have several environmental benefits
compared to conventional internal combustion engine cars.

1. Have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

2. Reduce dependence on petroleum
3. Reduce health effects from air pollution
4. Reduce dependence on petroleum
5. They produce little or no tailpipe emissions

Electrical Vehicles – Better Energy Efficiency

1. Internal Combustion engines will consume fuel even when the vehicle is
stationary, whereas in electrical vehicles, the energy is not consumed
when it is stationary.
2. Electrical Vehicles ‘tank-to-wheels’ efficiency is about a factor of 3
higher than internal combustion engine vehicles

Electric Vehicles – Mechanical Advantages

1. They can be finely controlled and provide high torque from rest, unlike
internal combustion engines, and do not need multiple gears to match
power curves. Hence it removes the requirement for gearboxes and torque
converters.
2. Lesser vibration
 3. Lesser noise
4. Electric motors are mechanically very simple and often achieve 90%
energy conversion efficiency over the full range of speeds and power
output and can be precisely controlled.

Electric Vehicles in India – Government Schemes and Initiatives for

Promotion of Electric Vehicles

1. In February 2019, the Union Cabinet cleared a Rs 10,000-crore programme

under the FAME-II scheme. This scheme came into force from April 1,
2019. The main objective of the scheme is to encourage faster adoption of
electric and hybrid vehicles by offering upfront incentives on the purchase of
electric vehicles and also by establishing necessary charging infrastructure
for EVs.
2. In 2017, Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari made a statement showing India’s
intent to move to 100 percent electric cars by 2030. However, the automobile
industry raised concerns over the execution of such a plan. The government
subsequently diluted the plan from 100 percent to 30 percent.
3. In 2013, India unveiled the ‘National Electric Mobility Mission Plan
(NEMMP) 2020’ to make a major shift to electric vehicles and to address the
issues of national energy security, vehicular pollution, and growth of
domestic manufacturing capabilities. The scheme was to offer subsidies and
create supporting infrastructure for e-vehicles.

Impact of Electric Vehicles on Employment and Economic Growth

1. The battery manufacturing industry in India can become bigger than the
total amount spent on import of crude oil. This would provide a huge
boost to the Indian economy.
2. There needs to be a careful plan to hand-hold mini and micro auto
component industries, which employs large numbers of people. Many of
these companies won’t survive as Electric Vehicles replaces petrol/diesel
vehicles. Hence it is imperative to help them during the transition phase
to EV components manufacturing.
3. European Climate Foundation has estimated that through reducing oil
demand by more efficient electric cars, employment will increase by
5,00,000 to 8,50,000 by 2030.
4. As per one of the studies, net private and social benefits are estimated
between $300 and $400 per Electric vehicle.
 5. The revenue loss for governments from the taxes on the oil sector is
expected to be replaced by higher tax revenues in other economic sectors.
6. EVs will create opportunities in durable and lightweight thermoplastics,
higher demand for electricity, storage, and many others.

Electric Vehicle Policy (EV) 2020

The Delhi Government has announced the Electric Vehicle Policy 2020 where
the emphasis will be given on replacement of two-wheelers, public transport
and shared vehicles and goods-carriers instead of private four-wheelers, with
Electric Vehicles (EVs).
Given below are the features of the Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy 2020:

 As per this policy, the focus will be shifted to e-mobility, including e-

autos, e-buses, etc. The Government will also offer low-interest rate loans
to buy electric vehicles
 A state EV fund will be introduced to cover up the expenditure of the EV
Policy
 The main objective of the Electric Vehicle Policy is to reduce air
pollution and curb the health emergency issues in the state of Delhi
 These e-vehicles will also reduce the expense of buying motor vehicles

What is Global Warming?

Global warming is the phenomenon of a gradual increase in the temperature

near the earth’s surface. This phenomenon has been observed over the past one
or two centuries. This change has disturbed the climatic pattern of the earth.
However, the concept of global warming is quite controversial but the scientists
have provided relevant data in support of the fact that the temperature of the
earth is rising constantly.

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.
Causes 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 have 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

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

An 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 frozen soil that has environmental gases trapped in it for several
years and is present below Earth’s surface. It is present in glaciers. As the
permafrost melts, it releases the gases back into the atmosphere, increasing
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 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 the 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.