EVS NOTES

GRADE XI
SESSION 2022-23

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."
Components of sustainable development -
1. Economic growth – Development should help in job increase so that more people find
ways to earn and support families.
2. Environmental stewardship – Development should be such that imbalance in nature does
not occur.
3. Social inclusion – More and more people should be involved from all strata of society.

Five Examples of Sustainable Development

1. Solar Energy: The greatest advantages of solar energy are that it is completely free
and is available in limitless supply. Both of these factors provide a huge benefit to
consumers and help reduce pollution. Replacing non-renewable energy with this type of
energy is both environmentally and financially effective.
2. Wind Energy: Wind energy is another readily available energy source. Harnessing
the power of wind energy necessitates the use of windmills; however, due to
construction cost and finding a suitable location, this kind of energy is meant to service
more than just the individual. Wind energy can supplement or even replace the cost of
grid power, and therefore may be a good investment and remains a great example of
sustainable development.
3. Crop Rotation: Crop rotation is defined as “the successive planting of different crops
on the same land to improve soil fertility and help control insects and diseases.” This
farming practice is beneficial in several ways, most notably because it is chemical-free.
Crop rotation has been proven to maximize the growth potential of land, while also
preventing disease and insects in the soil. Not only can this form of development benefit
commercial farmers, but it can also aid those who garden at home.
4. Efficient Water Fixtures: Replacing current construction practices and supporting
the installation of efficient shower heads, toilets and other water appliances can conserve
one of Earth’s most precious resources: water. Examples of efficient fixtures include
products from the Environment protection agency (EPA’s) Water Sense program, as
well as dual-flush and composting toilets. According to the EPA, it takes a lot of energy
to produce and transport water and to process waste water, and since less than one
percent of the Earth’s available water supply is fresh water, it is important that
sustainable water use is employed at the individual and societal level.
5. Green Space: Green spaces include parks and other areas where plants and wildlife
are encouraged to thrive. These spaces also offer the public great opportunities to enjoy
outdoor recreation, especially in dense, urban areas. According to the UW-Madison
Department of Urban and Regional Planning, advantages of green spaces include,
“helping regulate air quality and climate, reducing energy consumption by countering
the warming effects of paved surfaces, recharging groundwater supplies and protecting

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 lakes and streams from polluted runoff. Research conducted in the U.K. by the
University of Exeter Medical School also found that moving to a greener area could lead
to significant and lasting improvements to an individual’s mental health.

Sustainable Development Goals

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), otherwise known as the Global Goals, are a
universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy
peace and prosperity. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were launched at the
United Nations Sustainable Development Summit in New York in September 2015, forming
the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development and its
17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by world leaders in 2015, embody a road
map for progress that is sustainable and leaves no one behind. The SDGs have been framed
with the objective to address vital issues facing businesses, governments and society, such
as poverty, gender equality, water use, energy, climate change and biodiversity. Countries are
now establishing policies and regulations that will promote sustainable systems needed in all
economic sectors to provide a secure, affordable, and sustainable economy. The core skills
identified as necessary for the green worker include environmental awareness and willingness
to learn about sustainable development as well as general learning and decision-making
ability.

WATER HARVESTING
Rainwater harvesting system comprises components of various stages -
transporting rainwater through pipes or drains, filtration, and storage in tanks for reuse or
recharge.
Catchments: The catchment of a water harvesting system is the surface which directly
receives the rainfall and provides water to the system.

What are the two methods of rainwater harvesting?

The two major types of rainwater harvesting include roof based and land-based rainwater
harvesting. Rain harvested water can be used for watering livestock, laundry, flushing toilets,
etc

What is the need of rainwater harvesting?

Rainwater harvesting is the most effective method of water conservation. It is used to collect
and store rainwater for use by humans, animals, agriculture and industries. The rainwater in
this process is collected at the surface before it is lost as surface run off
.

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 What are water harvesting techniques?
Water harvesting is a technique by which the water can be collected either surface or Sub-
surface to store up during wet period and used during dry period by applying a.
proper technique such as channel reservoir, on-farm reservoir, infiltration ditches, infiltration
well, check dams, water harvesting dike etc.

Rainwater harvesting is a sustainable process that helps in preserving rain water for different
purposes and for the future needs as well. Rainwater Harvesting is a method of collecting and
storing rainwater to be used for various purposes while it can be used in future as well.

Benefits of Rainwater Harvesting

Storing rainwater helps in recharging the aquifers.
• It helps in preventing urban flooding due to excess rain.
• The stored water can be used for irrigation practices in farming region.
• The water can be used for daily use and help in reducing water bills in the towns and
cities.
• Is a helpful way to tackle the scarcity of water in arid and dry regions.
• It helps in restoring the groundwater level.

WASTE DISPOSAL

What does waste disposal mean?

Removing and destroying or storing damaged, used or other unwanted domestic, agricultural
or industrial products and substances. Disposal includes burning, burial at landfill sites or at
sea, and recycling.

Methods of Waste Disposal

• Landfill - The Landfill is the most popularly used method of waste disposal used today.
• Incineration/Combustion.
• Recovery and Recycling.
• Plasma gasification.
• There are 5 types of waste.
• Liquid Waste -Liquid waste is commonly found both in households as well as in industries.
• Solid Rubbish- Solid rubbish can include a variety of items found in your household along
with commercial and industrial locations.
• Organic Waste- Organic waste is another common household.
• Recyclable Rubbish.
• Hazardous Waste.

What goes in the green bin?

• Food waste and soiled paper products (e.g. pizza boxes, paper plates, muffin
wrappers, paper towels from washrooms) can all go in the green bin
• . Paper towels with solvents and oil based paints on them cannot go into the green
bin. Vegetable or water based ink/paints are acceptable.

What are the main objectives of waste management?

In general, the project brings:

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 Contribution to the overall sustainability of the area. Improvement of overall waste
management in the area. Increased recycling levels and reduction of organic waste in
landfills. Obtaining a quality compost to be used as an organic amendment that contributes to
improve soil fertility.

LIFESTYLE DISORDERS

Lifestyle diseases/disorders are defined as diseases linked with the way people live their
life. This is commonly caused by alcohol, drug and smoking abuse as well as lack of physical
activity and unhealthy eating. Diseases that impact on our lifestyle are heart disease, stroke,
obesity and type II diabetes.

What are the top 10 lifestyle diseases?

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
• Trachea, bronchus, and lung cancers.
• Diabetes mellitus.
• Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.
• Dehydration due to diarrheal diseases.
• Tuberculosis
• Cirrhosis
• Insomnia
• Obesity
• Hormonal imbalance.
•
Regular physical activity helps prevent obesity, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, colon
cancer, and premature mortality rate.

Convincing and Probable Relationships between Dietary and Lifestyle Factors and
Chronic Diseases.
• Avoid Tobacco Use.
• Maintain a Healthy Weight.
• Maintain Daily Physical Activity and Limit Television Watching.
• Eat a Healthy Diet.

How does a healthy lifestyle prevent diseases?

This directly impacts risk of heart disease, stroke, metabolic syndrome, diabetes and high
blood pressure by helping your blood flow smoothly. The healthier foods you eat, the better
your "good" cholesterol levels will be, helping to prevent disease.
Ways to Prevent Disease
• Eat like a champion. For good health, avoid saturated fats, cholesterol, refined carbohydrates
and sugars and Tran’s fats.
• Get your cholesterol checked.
• Watch your blood pressure.
• Pursue an ideal body mass.
• Keep safe blood sugar levels.
• Get moving.
• Quit smoking.
• Sleep well.

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 ACID RAIN
Rainfall made so acidic by atmospheric pollution that it causes environmental harm, chiefly
to forests and lakes. The main cause is the industrial burning of coal and other fossil fuels, the
waste gases from which contain sulphur and nitrogen oxides which combine with
atmospheric water to form acids.

What is acid rain and its causes and effects?

Acid rain is caused by a chemical reaction that begins when compounds like sulphur dioxide
and nitrogen oxides are released into the air. These substances can rise very high into the
atmosphere, where they mix and react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form
more acidic pollutants, known as acid rain
www3.epa.gov
How can acid rain be prevented?
Because nitrogen oxides are created in the process of burning coal and other fossil fuels,
some power plants are changing the way they burn coal. A great way to reduce acid rain is to
produce energy without using fossil fuels. Instead, people can use renewable energy sources,
such as solar and wind power.

. GREEN HOUSE EFFECT

The trapping of the Sun's warmth in a planet's lower atmosphere, due to the greater
transparency of the atmosphere to visible radiation from the sun than to infrared radiation
emitted from the planet's surface. What are the 5 main greenhouse gases?
In order, the most abundant greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere are:
• Carbon dioxide (CO2)
• Methane (CH4)
• Nitrous oxide (N2O)
• Ozone (O3)
• Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
• Hydrofluorocarbons (includes HCFCs and HFCs)

What is greenhouse effect and global warming?

Global warming - The gradual increase in the overall temperature of Earth's atmosphere due
to the greenhouse effect. This effect is caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide,
chlorofluorocarbons and other gases in the air, many of them released by human activity.

What is the biggest contributor to greenhouse gases?

In 2010, global greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural sector totalled 4.7 billion tons
of carbon dioxide (CO₂) equivalents, up 13 percent over 1990. Agriculture is the third largest
contributor to global emissions by sector, following the burning of fossil fuels for power and
heat, and transportation.

How Can We Stop Global Warming?

Switch to renewable energy
One of the most effective ways to prevent global warming is to start using renewable energy
Sources such as solar, geothermal, wind and biomass, and stop using fossil fuels. Use
renewable energy resources to supply power to your home.
Burning fossil fuels such as natural gas, coal, oil, and gasoline raises the level of carbon
dioxide in the atmosphere, and carbon dioxide is a major contributor to the greenhouse
effect and global warming. Global climate change is certainly one of the top environmental
issues today.

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 Nine Easy Ways to Help Save the Environment
1. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
2. Use Less Heat and Air Conditioning
3. Change a Light Bulb with LED bulbs
4. Drive Less and Drive Smart.
5. Buy Energy-Efficient Products
6. Use Less Hot Water
7. Use the "Off" Switch
8. Plant a Tree
9. Encourage Others to Conserve

DEFORESTATION
Deforestation, clearance, clear cutting or clearing is the removal of a forest or stand of trees
from land which is then converted to a non-forest use. Deforestation can involve conversion
of forest land to farms, ranches, or urban use. The most concentrated deforestation occurs in
tropical rainforests.

How is deforestation caused?

Direct causes of deforestation are agricultural expansion, wood extraction (e.g., logging or
wood harvest for domestic fuel or charcoal), and infrastructure expansion such as road
building and urbanization. Rarely is there a single direct cause for deforestation.

What are deforestation effects?

The loss of trees and other vegetation can cause climate change, desertification, soil erosion,
fewer crops, flooding, increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, and a host of problems
for indigenous people.

How to Reduce and Prevent Deforestation

1. Plant a tree.
2. Use less paper.
3. Recycle paper and cardboard.
4. Use recycled products.
5. Buy only sustainable wood products.
6. Don't buy products containing palm oil.
7. Reduce meat consumption.
8. Do not burn firewood excessively.

What happens if the rainforest disappears?

If the Amazon rainforest is destroyed, rainfall will decrease around the forest region. This
would cause a ripple effect, and prompt an additional shift in climate change, which would
result in more droughts, longer dry spells, and massive amounts of flooding.

How does deforestation cause floods and droughts?

Deforestation results in decreased water holding capacity of soil. This reduces the infiltration
of water into the ground which causes floods.
Scarcity of trees disturbs the water cycle and may reduce rainfall leading to droughts.

How do floods impact the environment?

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 Flood is mainly dirty water that carries waterborne diseases and possibly chemicals that
can affect the quality of soil in the environment. The water supply in an area may get polluted
from flood water resulting in diseases and epidemic.
Many animals die during a flood because their habitats have been destroyed.

What Causes Floods?

Top 8 Common Causes of Flooding
• Heavy Rains. The simplest explanation for flooding is heavy rains.
• Overflowing Rivers.
• Broken Dams.
• Urban Drainage Basins.
• Storm Surges and Tsunamis.
• Channels with Steep Sides.
• A Lack of Vegetation.
• Melting Snow and Ice.

How can we prevent flood?

Measures that must be taken to prevent more flooding in the cities.
1. Introduce better flood warning systems.
2. Modify homes and businesses to help them withstand floods
3. Construct buildings above flood levels.
4. Tackle climate change.
5. Increase spending on flood defense.
6. Protect wetlands and introduce plant trees strategically.
7. Restore rivers to their natural courses.
8. Introduce water storage areas.
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