Part – A Employability Skills

Unit 5: Green Skills

1. What do you mean by environment?

Environment is a combination of both natural and human-made elements. These elements are divided
into two types: Biotic and Abiotic. Biotic elements are all the living organisms. Abiotic elements include all
the non-living things. Land, air, water, plants and animals all comprise the natural environment.

2. Which components is our environment made of?

Our environment is mainly made of the lithosphere - the hard top layer of the earth, the Hydrosphere —
various sources of water and different types of water bodies, the atmosphere — the thin layer of air that
surrounds the earth and the biosphere that includes all life.

3. What is Ecosystem?
Community of living and non-living organisms living interdependently with each other is called
ecosystem. Like, Forest, Pond etc. An ecosystem is a dynamic entity with constant interactions occurring
among the organisms and with the surroundings.

4. Give an example of an ecosystem and briefly explain it.

In a river, members of ecosystem are fish, aquatic plants, insects, insect eating birds, amphibians like
frog, microorganisms of soil and water etc. Fish and water animals release carbon dioxide used by aquatic
plants and plants release oxygen for animals to absorb.

5. List any 5 disastrous effects on environment caused by human activities.

1. Rapid endangerment of rare animals and plants species due to extensive poaching.
2. Greater demand for precious animal parts and ornamental goods made from them.
3. Erosion of soil and deterioration of soil fertility.
4. Water pollution due to fertilisers, pesticides, domestic and industrial waste.
5. Air pollution due to toxic industrial emission and fuel combustion.

6. What do you mean by deforestation? What are its causes and effects?
Deforestation is when humans remove or clear large areas of forest lands and related ecosystems for
non-forest use. These include clearing for farming purposes, ranching and urban use. In these cases, trees
are never re-planted. About half of world’s original forests have been destroyed so far and millions of
animals and living things have been endangered.

Causes:

 Trees are cut down (deforestation) for many reasons including

 To be used, sold or exported as timber, wood or fuel (charcoal). This is called logging.
 To be used for farming purposes (grazing fields for livestock, or large-scale farming activities)
 To make room for human settlement and urbanization (these include making space for shelter,
industries, and roads)
 To make room for mining.
 Effects:  Global warming.  Irregular rains.  Floods  Soil erosion.  Draught.

7. What are the effects of air pollution and possible solutions?

Air Pollution is a serious threat to both flora and fauna. Respiratory diseases among animals, acid rain,
global warming, depletion of ozone layer, the rise in temperature, drought-like conditions, etc. are because
of air pollution. If the rate at which pollution is increasing right now continues then soon quality air for
breathing will cease to exist and the whole ecosystem will be disturbed.
Solution: The industries should be set up far from residential areas and proper filters should be used to
check out toxic emissions from the industries. Deforestation should be stopped and afforestation should be
promoted. Power Plants emissions should be controlled. Migrating towards cleaner sources of energy like
solar and wind energy.

8. What are the effects of water pollution and possible solutions?

If the misuse of water is not stopped then pure drinking water won’t be available for consumption. Due
to misuse of water, water table has already depleted from its normal level and the water which is available
is in impure from which can cause serious diseases like cholera, diarrhea, typhoid, retarded growth and
stomach/peptic ulcers etc.
Solution: The domestic and sewage water should be recycled by correctly mixing it with soil which
increases the fertility of the soil. The industrial toxic waste, on the other hand, should not be disposed of
directly in the water bodies at all. Alternative disposable techniques should be developed or should be
disposed of after proper treatment. The use of pesticides and insecticides should be minimized.

9. What is global warming?

Global warming occurs when carbon dioxide (CO2) and other air pollutants and greenhouse gases collect
in the atmosphere and absorb sunlight and solar radiation that have bounced off the earth’s surface. Ozone
layer depletion is done by Chloro-fluoro-carbons. Extreme heat waves, melting of glaciers, and severe
droughts cause water shortages and increase the risk of wildfires.
Rising sea levels will cause flooding in coastal areas. Forests, farms, and cities face heat waves, heavy
downpours and floods. All these damage and destroy agriculture and fisheries. Diseases like allergies,
asthma and infections outbreaks are becoming more common.

10. How have human activities endangered animal species?

Humans are largely responsible when animals become extinct, endangered or threatened. Humans
destroy precious habitat—the natural environment of a living thing—when they fill swamps and marshes,
dam rivers and cut down trees to build homes, roads and other developments. Oil spills, acid rain and water
pollution have been devastating for many species of fish and birds. Humans have over hunted and over
harvested species, leading to their endangerment, and often, extinction. Habitat loss due to forest fires,
deforestation, pollution, over killing and poaching has lead to the extinction of rare animal species.

11. Name a few endangered species.

Some endangered species are: giant panda, tiger, whooping crane, blue whale, Asian elephant, sea
otter, snow leopard and gorilla.
12. How is radioactive waste and Electronic waste dangerous for environment?
Radioactive waste is nuclear fuel that is produced after being used inside of a nuclear reactor. This is
very dangerous and remains this way for thousands of years. It must be handled in the right manner.
Industries like mining, defense, medicine, scientific research, nuclear power generation which produce by-
products that include radioactive waste.

Electronic wastes include discarded electronic devices like old cell phones, computers, batteries etc. They
degenerate very slow and are hazardous.

13. What do you understand by the concept of green economy?

Human greed, heavy industrialisation, over exploitation of natural resources has brought the humans
and environment to the brink of destruction. Green Economy is an alternative vision for growth and
development. Green Economy promotes safer economic, environmental and social well-being. Green
economy addresses low carbon emissions, efficient use of resources, and social benefits. It improves social
well-being, equity and reduces environmental risks.

14. Which problems does green economy address?

Green Economy can promote safer economic, environmental and social well-being. An inclusive green
economy improves social well-being, equity and reduces environmental risks. It is a viable alternative to
today’s dominant economic structures, which encourages waste, cause resource scarcities, and which are
threats to the environment.

15. Explain briefly how we can achieve green economy?

Certain general steps that can be taken to achieve green economy are:

Political commitment: Government bodies should commit to the green growth path for economy. This
could include better research and development, resorting to innovative renewable technologies in
industry.
Legal and regulatory framework: Policies for green regulatory systems to prevent climate change. Laws
must be enforced with heavy hand to eliminate the damages to environment.
Green policies: Policy makers should introduce mechanisms to prevent natural resource abuse.
Government needs to promote funding for entrepreneurs that provide innovative solutions to energy
issues. Government need to promote and support green efforts in private industry.
Technology viability: Use public funds to support renewable technology.
Institutional setup: Institutional adjustments to adopt innovative solutions and attract new investments
for clean energy, biogas, windmills etc