EVS Unit 4 ONE SHOT

Environment & Ecology
UNIT - 4
Environmental Issues
As per New
Syllabus 2022-23
GateWay Classes Helpline Number 7455961284 Shiwani Ma’am
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Unit 4 Syllabus
Current Environmental Issues of Importance;

Global Warming, Green House Effects,
Climate Change, Acid Rain,
Ozone Layer Formation and Depletion,
Population Growth and Automobile pollution,
Burning of paddy straw
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Global Warming
Global Warming:
 It refers to the long-term increase in Earth's average surface
temperature due to human activities and burning of fossil fuels that
release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
 This increase in temperature can lead to various impacts, such as rising
sea levels, altered weather patterns, and ecosystem disruption.
 Main Causes of Global Warming are Burning of Fossil Fuels,
Deforestation, Industrial Processes, Agricultural Practices.

Green House Effect
 Global warming is caused by the greenhouse effect, Sunlight reaches

the Earth's surface and warms it up. The heated Earth emits infrared
radiation (heat) back into the atmosphere.
 Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, present in the
atmosphere absorb and re-emit some of this infrared radiation.
 The re-emitted radiation gets trapped in the atmosphere, preventing it
from escaping into space.
 This trapped heat leads to an increase in the Earth's average surface
temperature, causing global warming.

Effects of Global Warming
 Rising temperatures: Heatwaves and altered weather patterns.

 Melting ice and rising sea levels: Coastal flooding.
 Extreme weather events: Hurricanes, droughts, heavy rainfall.
 Ecosystem disruption: Impact on biodiversity, migration patterns, and
species survival.
 Economic and social impacts: Agriculture, infrastructure, and human
health.

Climate Change
 Climate change is caused by human activities that release greenhouse

gases into the atmosphere.
 It leads to rising temperatures, melting ice, extreme weather events,
ecosystem disruption, and economic and social impacts.
 Mitigation involves reducing emissions, while adaptation focuses on
managing the effects.
 Addressing climate change requires global cooperation and individual
actions for a sustainable future.

Climate Change

Acid Rain
 Acid rain is a form of precipitation that has acidic components, primarily

sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and nitric acid (HNO3).
 Human activities like burning fossil fuels and industrial processes
generate sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the
atmosphere.
 When (SO2) and (NOx) react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals in
the atmosphere, cause the acid rain.

Impacts of Acid Rain
 Environmental Effects: Acid rain damages plants, trees, and aquatic

ecosystems by leaching nutrients from soil, harming leaves and needles,
and acidifying lakes and streams, affecting aquatic organisms.
 Infrastructure and Materials: Acid rain corrodes buildings, statues,
metals, and infrastructure made of materials like limestone or marble.
 Human Health: Although direct health effects from acid rain are minimal,
the air pollutants that contribute to acid rain can have adverse effects on
respiratory health.

Mitigation of Acid Rain
 Emission Reduction: Implementing stricter regulations and adopting

technologies to reduce sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions from
industrial sources and vehicles.
 Alternative Energy Sources: Shifting to cleaner energy sources, like
renewable energy, helps decrease reliance on fossil fuels and reduces
emissions that contribute to acid rain.
 International Cooperation: Collaborating between countries to address
transboundary issues and minimize cross-border transportation of
pollutants.

Ozone Layer Formation
 Ozone is a gas composed of three oxygen atoms (O3) that occurs naturally in
the Earth's atmosphere. The ozone layer is a region in the stratosphere where
ozone concentration is relatively high.
 It plays a crucial role in protecting life on Earth by absorbing most of the sun's
harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
 Certain human-made chemicals, known as ozone-depleting substances,
including CFCs, HCFCs, halons, and bromine-containing compounds, were
widely used in various industries, such as aerosol propellants, refrigeration,
and fire suppression.

Ozone Layer Formation
 Ozone is formed in the stratosphere through the interaction of oxygen molecules

(O2) with UV radiation from the sun.
 UV radiation breaks apart oxygen molecules, and the resulting oxygen atoms (O)
can then react with other oxygen molecules to form ozone.

Ozone Layer Depletion
Chlorine and bromine atoms act as catalysts in the destruction of ozone. A single
chlorine or bromine atom can destroy thousands of ozone molecules, leading to
ozone depletion.
Ozone Hole: The ozone depletion is

particularly significant over Antarctica,
where a seasonal "ozone hole" forms
during the polar spring, characterized by
a significant decrease in ozone
concentration.

Effect of Ozone Layer Depletion
Increased UV Radiation: Higher levels of harmful UV radiation reach the Earth's

surface, leading to increased risks of skin cancer, cataracts, and weakened
immune systems in humans.
Impact on Ecosystems: Marine and terrestrial ecosystems are affected, with
damage to phytoplankton, disruption of food chains, and harm to plant growth and
crop yields.
Environmental Consequences: Ozone depletion can contribute to climate change
and disrupt biogeochemical cycles.

Population growth & automobile pollution
Population growth and automobile pollution are interconnected factors that contribute
to environmental challenges.
 Increasing Demand: Rapid population growth results in a higher demand for
transportation, energy, and resources, including automobiles. As the population
expands, more people require personal vehicles for commuting and transportation
purposes.
 Urbanization: Population growth often leads to urbanization, where rural areas
transform into urban centers. This urbanization process concentrates a large
number of people in cities, leading to increased vehicular traffic and the need for
efficient transportation systems.

Population growth & automobile pollution
Automobile Pollution:
 Emissions: Vehicles emit pollutants such as carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen
oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
during fuel combustion.
 Air Quality: Automobile pollution contributes significantly to air pollution, leading to
respiratory problems, smog formation, and reduced air quality.
 Climate Change: The release of greenhouse gases from vehicle emissions
contributes to global warming and climate change.

Burning of Paddy Straw
 Burning of paddy straw, also known as paddy residue or crop residue burning,
refers to the practice of setting fire to the leftover plant material after
harvesting rice crops.
 Paddy straw burning is a common agricultural practice in some regions where
rice is grown extensively, such as parts of Asia, including India.
 Burning the crop residue is a quick and inexpensive method to clear the fields
for the next planting season.
 Farmers may burn paddy straw to eliminate pests and diseases present in the
leftover plant material.

Impact of Burning of Paddy Straw
Burning paddy straw has the following impacts:

 Air Pollution: Releases pollutants, affecting air quality and causing
respiratory issues.
 Soil Degradation: Loss of nutrients and organic matter, reducing soil health
and fertility.
 Climate Change: Contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating
global warming.

Alternative Way
 Adopting alternative methods like using machinery to harvest and remove paddy
straw without burning it can help mitigate the negative impacts.
 Implementing practices such as conservation agriculture, crop rotation, and
mulching can help manage paddy straw effectively and improve soil health.
 Governments can play a crucial role in promoting and supporting sustainable
alternatives through incentives, subsidies, and awareness campaigns.
 Efforts to reduce the burning of paddy straw are essential for mitigating air
pollution, preserving soil health, and addressing climate change.

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Environment & Ecology

Current Environmental Issues of Importance;

GateWay Classes Helpline Number 7455961284 Follow Us

GateWay Classes Helpline Number 7455961284 Follow Us

 Global warming is caused by the greenhouse effect, Sunlight reaches

GateWay Classes Helpline Number 7455961284 Follow Us

 Rising temperatures: Heatwaves and altered weather patterns.

GateWay Classes Helpline Number 7455961284 Follow Us

 Climate change is caused by human activities that release greenhouse

GateWay Classes Helpline Number 7455961284 Follow Us

GateWay Classes Helpline Number 7455961284 Follow Us

 Acid rain is a form of precipitation that has acidic components, primarily

GateWay Classes Helpline Number 7455961284 Follow Us

 Environmental Effects: Acid rain damages plants, trees, and aquatic

GateWay Classes Helpline Number 7455961284 Follow Us

 Emission Reduction: Implementing stricter regulations and adopting

GateWay Classes Helpline Number 7455961284 Follow Us

GateWay Classes Helpline Number 7455961284 Follow Us

 Ozone is formed in the stratosphere through the interaction of oxygen molecules

GateWay Classes Helpline Number 7455961284 Follow Us

Ozone Hole: The ozone depletion is

GateWay Classes Helpline Number 7455961284 Follow Us

Increased UV Radiation: Higher levels of harmful UV radiation reach the Earth's

GateWay Classes Helpline Number 7455961284 Follow Us

GateWay Classes Helpline Number 7455961284 Follow Us

GateWay Classes Helpline Number 7455961284 Follow Us

GateWay Classes Helpline Number 7455961284 Follow Us

Burning paddy straw has the following impacts:

GateWay Classes Helpline Number 7455961284 Follow Us

GateWay Classes Helpline Number 7455961284 Follow Us

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