A Wide Range of Pollution-From Plastic Pollution To Light Pollution-Affects Marine Ecosystems

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Marine pollution, explained

A wide range of pollution—from plastic pollution to light pollution—affects


marine ecosystems.

THE OCEANS ARE so vast and deep that until fairly recently, it was widely
assumed that no matter how much trash and chemicals humans dumped
into them, the effects would be negligible.

Today, we need look no further than the New Jersey-size dead zone that
forms each summer in the Gulf of Mexico, or the thousand-mile-wide belt
of plastic trash in the northern Pacific Ocean to see that this early “policy”
placed a once flourishing ocean ecosystem on the brink of collapse.

Many “flavors” of marine pollution

Ocean water covers more than 70 percent of the Earth, and only in recent
decades have we begun to understand how humans impact this watery
habitat. Marine pollution, as distinct from overall water pollution, focuses on
human-created products that enter the ocean.

Before 1972, humans around the word spewed trash, sewage sludge, and
chemical, industrial, and radioactive wastes into the ocean with impunity.
Millions of tons of heavy metals and chemical contaminants, along with
thousands of containers of radioactive waste, were purposely thrown into
the ocean.
DEAD WHALE FOUND WITH 13 POUNDS OF PLASTIC
IN STOMACH

The London Convention, ratified in 1975 by the United States, was the first
international agreement to spell out better protection for the marine
environment. The agreement implemented regulatory programs and
prohibited the disposal of hazardous materials at sea. An updated
agreement, the London Protocol, went into effect in 2006, more specifically
banning all wastes and materials except for a short list of items, like leftover
materials from dredging.

Many of these pollutants sink to the ocean's depths or float far distances
from their original source, where they are consumed by small marine
organisms and introduced into the global food chain. Marine pollution
encompasses many types of pollution that disrupt the marine ecosystem,
including chemical, light, noise, and plastic pollution.

Chemical pollution

Chemical pollution is the introduction of harmful contaminants. Common


man-made pollutants that reach the ocean include pesticides, herbicides,
fertilizers, detergents, oil, industrial chemicals, and sewage.
Many ocean pollutants are released into the environment far upstream from
coastlines. Nutrient-packed fertilizers applied to farmland, for example,
often end up in local streams and are eventually deposited into estuaries and
bays. These excess nutrients trigger massive blooms of algae that rob the
water of oxygen, leaving dead zones where few marine organisms can live.
Some chemical pollutants climb high into the food webs—like DDT, the
insecticide that placed the bald eagle on the United States Fish and Wildlife’s
endangered species list.

Scientists are starting to better understand how specific pollutants, leached


into the ocean from other materials, affect marine wildlife. PFAS, a chemical
incorporated into many household products, accumulates in human and
marine mammal blood. Even pharmaceuticals ingested by humans, but not
fully processed by our bodies, end up in aquatic food webs.

Light pollution

Since the invention of the lightbulb, light has spread across the globe,
reaching almost every ecosystem. Often thought of as a terrestrial problem,
scientists are starting to understand how artificial light at night affects many
marine organisms.
LIGHT POLLUTION

Light pollution penetrates under the water, creating a vastly different world
for fish living in shallow reefs near urban environments. Light disrupts the
normal cues associated with circadian rhythms, to which species have
evolved timing of migration, reproducing, and feeding. Artificial light at
night can make it easier for predators to find smaller fish prey and can affect
breeding in reef fish.

Noise pollution

Pollution is not always visible. In large bodies of water, sound waves can
carry undiminished for miles. The increased presence of loud or persistent
sounds from ships, sonar devices, and oil rigs disrupts natural noises in the
marine environment.

For many marine mammals, like whales and dolphins, low visibility and
large distances make non-visual underwater communication critical.
Toothed whales use echolocation—emitting sounds that reflect off surfaces—
to help them “see” in the ocean. Unnatural noises interrupt communication,
disrupting migration, communication, hunting, and reproduction patterns
for many marine animals.

Plastic pollution

Plastic pollution seeps into the ocean through run-off and even purposeful
dumping. The amount of plastic in the Atlantic Ocean has tripled since the
1960s. The garbage patch floating in the Pacific Ocean, almost 620,000 square
miles—twice the size of Texas—is a powerful image of our plastic problem.

A huge culprit is single-use plastics, used once before tossed into the trash or
directly into the ocean. These single-use items are accidentally consumed by
many marine mammals. Plastic bags resemble jellyfish, a common food for
sea turtles, while some seabirds eat plastic because it releases a chemical that
makes it smell like its natural food. Discarded fishing nets drift for years,
ensnaring fish and mammals.
Bits of plastic swirl throughout the water column, even sinking to the
deepest depths of the ocean. Scientists found plastic fibers in corals in the
Atlantic Ocean—and more concerning, they found that the corals readily ate
plastic over food. Dying marine mammals, washing up on shore,
also contain plastic inside their stomachs.
Water Pollution
Water Pollution
• Water Pollution occurs when energy and other
materials are released into the water, contaminating the
quality of it for other users.

• Water pollution causes illness and death in humans and


other species and disrupts ecosystems.

• The chief sources of water pollution are agricultural


activities, industrial facilities, and mining, but growth in
population and resource use make it increasingly worse
Water Pollution

Pollution can come


from either a point
source non-point source
Water Pollution
Point sources
Located at specific places
Easy to identify, monitor,
and regulate
Examples
Nonpoint sources
Broad, diffuse areas
Difficult to identify and
control
Expensive to clean up
Nonpoint sediment from
unprotected from farms
Water Pollution
• Agriculture activities: leading cause
of water pollution
• Sediment eroded from the
lands
• Fertilizers and pesticides
• Bacteria from livestock and
food processing wastes

• Industrial facilities-inorganic and


organic

• Mining – disturbs the land Point source


Water Pollution
• Other sources of water pollution
• Parking lots-grease, toxic materials and sediments that collect
on their impervious surface
• Prevents rain from soaking in, worsens flooding-
• Human-made materials
• E.g., plastics – polymers break down very slowly
• Climate change due to global warming
• some areas get more precipitation than others
• Intense downpours flushes more harmful chemicals
• Prolonged drought reduces river flows that dilute waste
Major Water Pollutants
and Their Sources
Common Diseases Transmitted to Humans
through Contaminated Drinking Water
Thermal Pollution
Thermal Pollution
• Thermal pollution is defined as a sudden increase or decrease in
temperature of a natural body of water, which may be ocean, lake,
river or pond by human influence.
Causes of Water Pollution:
• Water as a Cooling Agent in Power, Manufacturing and Industrial
Plants
• Soil Erosion
• Deforestation
• Runoff From Paved Surfaces
• Natural Causes
• Retention Ponds
• Domestic Sewage
Thermal pollution impacts on rivers and power
supply in the Mississippi River watershed
• The transport of thermal effluents elevates condenser inlet
temperatures at downstream locations
• Scientist evaluated thermal pollution impacts on rivers and
power supply across 128 plants
• Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA)- “fishable" and
"swimmable”
What are the harmful Effects of the Thermal Pollution?
The harmful effects of the thermal pollution are discussed below:
1. Reduction in dissolved Oxygen
The pollutant from various industrial plants are heated decreases the concentration of oxygen with an
increase in the temperature of water.
2. Change in water properties
The decrease in density, viscosity and solubility of gases in water increases the setting speed of suspended
particles which seriously affect the food supplies of aquatic organism.
3. Increase in toxicity
The concentrated pollutant causes the rise in the temperature of water which increases the toxicity of the
poison present in water. The toxicity in water will increase the death rate in marine life.
4. Disruption of Biological activities
Temperature changes disrupt the entire marine ecosystem because changes in temperature causes change in
physiology, metabolism and biological process like respiration rate, digestion, excretion and development
of an aquatic organism.
5. Damage of biotic organism
Aquatic organisms like juvenile fish, plankton, fish, eggs, larva, algae and protozoa which pass through
screens and condenser cooling system are extremely sensitive to abrupt temperature changes. They are
habitual of warmer water may suddenly face increase or decrease in temperature of water bodies and thus
die because of sudden changes in the temperature of water.
Nuclear Hazards
Nuclear Hazards
• What is Nuclear Hazard?
• Risk or danger to human health or the environment exposed by
the radiation emanating from the atomic nuclei is called as
nuclear hazard.
• Nuclear hazard is an actual or potential release of radioactive
material at a commercial nuclear power plant or a
transportation accident.
• Which all elements cause Nuclear Hazard?
• Radioactivity is the phenomenon of emission of energy from
radioactive isotopes (i.e., unstable isotopes), such as Carbon-
14, Uranium- 235, Uranium- 238, Uranium- 239, Radium- 226,
etc.
• The emission of energy from radioactive substances in the
environment is often called as 'Radioactive Pollution’
• Generally radiation hazards in envt. Comes from UV rays, cosmic
rays, visible, microwave radiation.
• Among these X rays which produce out 95% of radiation exposure.
• Nuclear energy(power plants) is used to produce electricity .
• But fuel used in power plants is radioactive, which is very dangerous
& waste materials are hazardous.
• Here the nuclear waste materials also emit radiation. (i.e.) Radio active
pollution.
• Generally, the radiation exposure is measured by the unit called
roentgen (R).
• Two types (i) Natural (ii) Man-made
• Natural Sources- Cosmic rays from outer space. The quantity depends
on altitude and latitude; it is more at higher latitudes and high
altitudes. 2) Emissions from radioactive materials from the Earth's
crust.
• Man-made- Nuclear power plants. X-rays. Nuclear bombs. Nuclear
accidents. Mining and processing of radioactive ores. Use of
radioactive materials in nuclear weapons.
1.The biological effects of nuclear radiation can be divided into three groups (i)
Short term recoverable effects(small effect which leads to loss of hair) (ii) long
term irrecoverable effects and (iii) genetic effect
2. Internal bleeding & blood vessel damage may show up as red spots on the skin.
3.• Cancer is considered to be major health problem from radiation exposure.
4.• Radiation can cause changes in DNA which is known as MUTATION.
5.• Acute exposures appears as burns & radiation sickness (nausea, hair loss,
weakness …)
NUCLEAR HAZARDS:

Nuclear hazards are threat posed by the invisible and odourless contamination of the environment by the
presence of radioactive materials such as radio-nuclides in air water or soil. These radio-nuclides emit high
energy particles (alpha and beta rays) and electromagnetic radiations (gamma rays). Radio nuclides are
elements, such as uranium 235, uranium 283, thorium 232, potassium 40, radium 226, carbon 14 etc., with
unstable atomic nuclei and release ionizing radiations in the form of alpha, beta and gamma rays.The
spontaneous emission of particles and rays by an unstable nucleus is called Radioactivity and contamination
of environment with these radiations is called as Radioactive or Nuclear pollution.

Thus, Radioactive or Nuclear pollution can be defined as the release of radioactive substances or high-
energy particles into the air water, or earth mostly as a result of human activity, either by accident or by
design. Sometimes natural sources of radioactivity, such as radon gas emitted from beneath the ground, are
considered pollutants when they become a threat to human health.

Radio-nuclides occur naturally in our environment. They are even found in human bodies and every day
we ingest or inhale these radio-nuclides through air, water or food. Out of the known 450 radioisotopes
only some are of environmental concern like strontium 90, tritium, plutonium 239, argon 41, cobalt 60,
cesium 137, iodine 131, krypton 85 etc. These can be both beneficial and harmful, depending on the way
in which they are used.

Nuclear Power

Nuclear energy is the energy in the nucleus, or core, of an atom. Atoms are tiny units that make up all
matter in the universe, and energy is what holds the nucleus together. There is a huge amount of energy in
an atom's dense nucleus. In fact, the power that holds the nucleus together is officially called the "strong
force." Nuclear energy was developed by man as an alternate source of clean and cheap energy when
compared to fossil fuels. Along with the benefits of nuclear energy, there have been a number of
accidents which harm many lives. Presently, the vast majority of electricity from nuclear power is
produced by nuclear fission of uranium and plutonium in nuclear power plants. As compared to other
energy sources, nuclear power has one of the lowest rates of fatalities per unit of energy produced.
Because of air pollution and injuries, coal, petroleum, natural gas, and hydroelectricity have each caused
more deaths per unit of energy. Nuclear power plants are thermal power plants that use the thermal
energy released by nuclear fission to produce electricity. A fission nuclear power plant consists of a
nuclear reactor, which generates heat through nuclear reactions; a cooling system, which removes the heat
from the reactor; and a steam turbine, which converts the heat into mechanical energy.

Sources of Nuclear Pollution / Hazards/ Radioactive Pollution: The sources of nuclear pollution include
both natural and manmade sources. The human environment has always been radioactive and accounts for
up to 85% of the annual human radiation dose. Radiation arising from human activities typically accounts
for up to 15% of the public's exposure every year.
1. Natural Sources: Most radiation exposure is from natural sources. These include: radioactivity in
rocks and soil of the Earth's crust; radon, a radioactive gas given out by many volcanic rocks and uranium
ore, cosmic radiations etc.
a. Cosmic rays from outer space. The quantity depends on altitude and latitude; it is more at higher
latitudes and high altitudes.
b. Emissions from radioactive materials in the Earth Crust i.e. Rocks, Marine sediments etc.
1. Man-Made Sources: These sources involve any process that emanates radiation in the
environment. While there are many causes of radiation pollution such as including research and
medical procedures and wastes, nuclear power plants etc.
a. Nuclear waste handling and disposal: It may generate low to medium radiation over long period
of times. The radioactivity may contaminate and propagate through air, water, and soil as well.
Thus, their effects may not be easily distinguishable and are hard to predict. The main issue with
the radiation waste is the fact that it cannot be degraded or treated chemically or biologically. Thus,
the only options are to contain the waste by storing it in tightly closed containers shielded with
radiation-protective materials (such as Pb) or, if containing is not possible, to dilute it. The waste
may also be contained by storage in remote areas with little or no life (such as remote caves or
abandoned salt mines). However, in time, the shields (natural or artificial) may be damaged.
Additionally, the past waste disposal practices may not have used appropriate measures to isolate
the radiation. Thus, such areas need to be carefully identified and access restrictions promptly
imposed.

b. Use of radioactive materials in Defense weapon production: Nuclear weapon production may
also release radiations from the handled radioactive materials (usually of high health risks).
However, unless accident occurs, the current standards will not allow the release of any significant
amount of radiation.
c. Nuclear explosions and detonations of nuclear weapons: The highest amounts of human-
induced radiation pollution have been generated probably in the mid twenty century through
various experimental or combat nuclear detonations,that ended the Second World War.
d. Mining and processing of radioactive ores: It involve the crushing and processing of radioactive
ores and generate radioactive by-products. Mining of other ores may also generate radioactive
wastes (such as mining of phosphate ores).
e. Nuclear accidents: explosion at Three Mile Island 1979 and Chernobyl 1986 nuclear-power plant
accidents are the classic examples of radiation pollution from this type of source. Even accidents
from handling medical nuclear materials/wastes could have radiation health effects on workers.

f. Use of radioactive isotopes in medical, industrial and research applications: The greatest
exposure to human beings comes from the diagnostic use of X-rays, radioactive isotopes used as
tracers and treatment of cancer and other ailments.

Human Risks
Effects of Nuclear Pollution / Hazards/ Radioactive Pollution: Radioactive substances when released
into the environment are either dispersed or become concentrated in living organisms through the food
chain. Other than naturally occurring radioisotopes, significant amounts are generated by human activity,
including the operation of nuclear power plants, the manufacture of nuclear weapons, and atomic bomb
testing. Typically these effects can be of two types:
1. Somatic effects: Somatic affects the function of cells and organs of the individual exposed. It
causes damages to cell membranes, mitochondria and cell nuclei resulting in abnormal cell functions, cell
division, growth and death.
2. Genetic effects: Radiations can cause mutations, which are changes in genetic makeup of cells
and effects the future generations also. These effects are mainly due to the damages to DNA molecules.
People suffer from blood cancer and bone cancer if exposed to higher doses around 100 to 1000 roentgens.
Nuclear hazard effects can be either initial or residual.
Initial effects occur in the immediate area of explosion and are hazardous immediately after the explosion.
The principal initial effects are blast and radiation. Blast causes damage to lungs, ruptures eardrums,
collapses structures and causes immediate death or injury. Thermal Radiation is the heat and light radiation,
which a nuclear explosion’s fireball emits producing extensive fires, skin burns, and flash blindness.
Nuclear radiation consists of intense gamma rays and neutrons produced during the first minute after the
explosion. This radiation causes extensive damage to cells throughout the body. Radiation damage may
cause headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and even death, depending on the radiation dose received.
Whereas the residual effects can last for days or years and may lead to death.
All organisms are affected from radiation pollution, and the effects can vary from mild to extremely
dangerous depending upon the various factors such as dose, duration and type of radiation. Some of
the possible human health effects are listed as under:
a. Effects on DNA and Mutations : Radiations may break chemical bonds, such as DNA in
cells and cause mutations. This affects the genetic make-up and control mechanisms. The
effects can be instantaneous, prolonged or delayed types. Even it could be carried to future
generations.
b. General Physiological Effects: Exposure at low doses of radiations (100-250 rads), men
do not die but begin to suffer from fatigue, nausea, vomiting and loss of hair. But recovery
is possible.
c. Effects on Immunity: Exposure at higher doses (400-500 rads), the bone marrow is
affected, blood cells are reduced, natural resistance and fighting capacity against germs is
reduced, blood fails to clot, and the irradiated person soon dies of infection and bleeding.
d. Effects on Tissues of Vital Organs: Higher radiation doses (10,000 rads) kill the
organisms by damaging the tissues of heart, brain, etc. Hypothyroidism may also be a
radiation cause due to the destruction of thyroid gland by radioactive accumulated iodine.
e. Occupational Diseases: Few occupations that involve radioactive exposures are uranium
mineworkers, radium watch dial painters, technical staff at nuclear power plants, etc.
Exposure to radioactive and nuclear hazards has been clinically proven to cause cancer,
mutations and teratogenesis (Teratogenesis is a prenatal toxicity characterized by
structural or functional defects in the developing embryo or foetus).
f. Effects through biomagnifications: Through food chain also, radioactivity effects are
experienced by man. E.g. Strontium 90 behaves like calcium and is easily deposited and
replaces calcium in the bone tissues. It could be passed to human beings through ingestion
of strontium-contaminated milk.
g. Cancers: Cancer generation is the most typical health effect of radiation exposure,
especially when high or moderate amounts of radiation are involved (in general regardless
of the exposure period). Lung cancer is a typical example of the effect of exposure to
radon, which is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S.
Many years of monitoring of radiation effects from detonation of nuclear bombs in Japan
in 1940’s, showed that cancers may develop immediately following the exposure to
radiation or after shorter or longer periods (up to 30 years from the exposure) of time since
the exposure occurred.
Control of nuclear hazards:
Peaceful uses of radioactive materials are so wide and effective that we cannot go without them but also
there is no cure for radiation damage. Thus the only option against nuclear hazards is to check and prevent
radioactive pollution. Following are the ways to prevent or control these hazards:
a. Leakages from nuclear reactors, careless handling, transport and use of radioactive fuels,
fission products and radioactive isotopes have to be totally stopped.
b. Safety measures should be enforced strictly and strengthened against nuclear accidents.
c. There should be regular monitoring and quantitative analysis through frequent sampling in
the risk areas.
d. Preventive measures should be followed so that background radiation levels do not exceed
the permissible limits.
e. Appropriate steps should be taken against occupational exposure.
f. Waste disposal must be careful, efficient and effective.

Disposal of nuclear wastes


Since nuclear waste can be extremely dangerous and, therefore, the way in which they are to be disposed
of is strictly controlled by international agreement. Since 1983, by international agreement, the disposal in
the Atlantic Ocean and into the atmosphere has been banned.
After processing, to recover usable material and reducing the radioactivity of the waste, disposal is made
in solid form where possible. The nuclear wastes are usually classified into three categories:
1) High Level Wastes (HLW): High level wastes have a very high-radioactivity per unit volume. E.g.
Spent nuclear fuel. HLWs have to be cooled and are, therefore, stored for several decades by its producer
before disposal. Since these wastes are too dangerous to be released anywhere in the biosphere, therefore,
they must be contained either by converting them into inert solids (ceramics) and then buried deep into
earth or are stored in deep salt mines.
2) Medium level wastes (MLW): Medium level wastes (e.g., filters, reactor components, etc.,) are
solidified and are mixed with concrete in steel drums before being buried in deep mines or below the sea
bed in concrete chambers.
3) Low liquid wastes (LLW): Low liquid wastes (e.g., solids or liquids contaminated with traces of
radioactivity) are disposed of in steel drums in concrete-lined trenches in designated sites.
In India, a Waste Immobilization Plant (WIP) was commissioned in 1985 at Tarapore. It verifies HLWs.
Precautions after the disposal of nuclear waste:
The careful, efficient and effective treatment/disposal of radioactive waste, just do not complete the task.
A regular supervision of the disposal sites is must. The essential precautions, at the disposal sites, that have
to be taken include:
1) Monitoring radioactivity around the disposal sites.
2) Prevention of erosion of radioactive waste disposal sites.
3) Prevention of any drilling activity in and around the waste disposal site.
4) Periodic and long-term monitoring of such disposal sites and areas of naturally occurring uranium
rich rocks.
Page 1 of 5

ENVSC 200 : URBAN ENERGY PROBLEMS

Facets of Urban Problems Related to Energy

The world's population is increasingly found in the cities. Today, throughout the developing
world, urbanization trends are gaining speed and are irreversible. This has led to many
problems related to the consumption of energy.
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The urban environmental problems related to energy are water supply, sewage, solid waste,
energ, loss of green and natural spaces, urban sprawl, land contamination, traffic, transport,
air pollution and noise. The urban environmental problems are serious in developing
countries and countries with economies in transition due to the collision between the
economic plan of short run and the environment protection.

Energy is basic to development. They improve people's productivity. In the aggregate,


modern energy services are powerful engines of economic and social opportunity; no
country has managed to develop much beyond a subsistence economy without ensuring at
least minimum access to energy services for a broad section of its population.

At the same time, the provision of energy services especially through the combustion of fossil
fuels and biomass can create adverse environmental effects. In rich countries, much
attention is directed to the regional and global consequences of fuel combustion, because
many of the local effects have been controlled at considerable expense over the past half-
century. In developing countries, the local environmental problems associated with energy
use remain matters of concern that are as, or even more, urgent than they were in
industrialized countries 50 or 100 years ago. Further, it is the poor who suffer most severely
from such problems, because it is they who are forced to rely upon the most inefficient and
polluting sources of energy services for lack of access to better alternatives.

Electricity
Access to electricity by the urban poor is often complex and not always cheap or legal.
Electricity is the most commonly used energy form by the poor for lighting, both in the old
and the newer urban areas. However, because of the irregular supply, residents have been
switching back to using kerosene which is a more reliable source. Kerosene use, however,
creates soot and black smoke with the attendant pollution and health problems. Electricity is
used for lighting and other enterprise activities. Electrical appliances reduce drudgery, a
benefit which appears not to have yet reached many of the poorer segments of the urban
areas.

Water
The misuse of water in Central Asia has created many social problems, including economic,
civil rights, and health issues. One of the basic principles of water management is that
different uses of water are interdependent. Managing water resources has an effect on the
whole system. The overuse and contamination of water has caused serious environmental
degradation and accompanying social problems.
Inadequate water infrastructure has created sanitation, hygiene, and health problems. The
sewage and sanitation infrastructure is also decaying or absent, with very serious health
implications. The environmental damage resulting from water misuse has caused health,
economic, and quality of life problems for many people. Overuse of surface water for
irrigation and the poor state of the existing infrastructure has reduced the output volume of
rivers, and altered water tables, estuaries and floodplains. Irrigation systems are commonly
unlined and uncovered, allowing rampant water loss from evaporation and seepage.
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The problem of water supply is more permanent and applies specifically to cities. The root of
the problem lies in the fact that 98% of the earth’s surface water is contained in the salt
oceans and in ice-caps. The remainder is unevenly distributed and often polluted. Over half
is needed for agriculture, about a third for industry, 10 percent for domestic use.

Many cities, especially in developing countries, lack a clean supply of fresh water. In India,
less than a third of the urban population has access to pure water, which is the main reason
why water-borne diseases are rampant. Even when people are provided with purified water
for drinking, they usually wash themselves and their clothing in contaminated supplies.

The demands made on water by urban industries, power stations and homes are growing at
a more rapid rate than the growth of population.

Migration from Villages


More and more people leave villages and farms to migrate in cities, resulting in urban
growth. Urbanization occurs naturally from individual and corporate efforts to reduce time
and expense in commuting and transportation while improving opportunities for jobs,
education, housing, and transportation. Living in cities permits individuals and families to take
advantage of the opportunities of proximity, diversity, and marketplace competition.

People move into cities to seek economic opportunities. In rural areas, often on small family
farms, it is difficult to improve one's standard of living beyond basic sustenance. Farm living is
dependent on unpredictable environmental conditions, and in times of drought, flood or
pestilence, survival becomes extremely problematic.

Cities, in contrast, are known to be places where money, services and wealth are
centralized. Businesses, which generate jobs and capital, are usually located in urban areas.
Whether the source is trade or tourism, it is also through the cities that foreign money flows
into a country. It is easy to see why someone living on a farm might wish to take their chance
moving to the city and trying to make enough money to send back home to their struggling
family.

There are better basic services as well as other specialist services that aren't found in rural
areas. There are more job opportunities and a greater variety of jobs. Health is another major
factor. People, especially the elderly are often forced to move to cities where there are
doctors and hospitals that can cater to their health needs. Other factors include a great
variety of entertainment (restaurants, movie theaters, theme parks, etc) and a better quality
of education, namely universities.

Food Supply
Towns could not come into being until the surrounding countryside was capable of providing
a food surplus in the past. Due to modern transport and large surpluses in many parts of the
world, towns generally have little difficulty in obtaining food, even from far distant lands.
Developing countries may lack the capital to give all their town folk an adequate diet, and
Page 4 of 5

even in developed countries there are sporadic temporary shortages, owing to failures in
economic planning, poor harvests, dock strikes and traffic hold-ups occasioned by excessive
rain, snow, floods, droughts etc.

Heat Island
The urban heat island has become a growing concern and is increasing over the years. The
urban heat island is formed when industrial and urban areas are developed and heat
becomes more abundant. In rural areas, a large part of the incoming solar energy is used to
evaporate water from vegetation and soil. In cities, where there is less vegetation exposed
soil, the majority of the sun’s energy is absorbed by urban structures and asphalt. Hence,
during warm daylight hours, less evaporative cooling in cities allows surface temperatures to
rise higher than in rural areas. Additional city heat is given off by vehicles and factories, as
well as by industrial and domestic heating and cooling units. This effect causes the city to
become 2 to 10 degree F (1 to 6 degree C) warmer than surrounding landscapes.
Impacts also include reducing soil moisture and intensification of carbon dioxide emissions.

Lack of Hygiene
Owing to population growth, poor levels of hygiene, the urban environment in many
developing countries is rapidly deteriorating. Densely packed housing in shanty towns or
slums and inadequate drinking-water supplies, garbage collection services, and surface-
water drainage systems combine to create favorable habitats for the proliferation of vectors
and reservoirs of communicable diseases. As a consequence, vector-borne diseases such as
malaria, lymphatic filaria and dengue, are becoming major public health problems
associated with rapid urbanization in many tropical countries.

Traffic
Traffic causes urban noise, air pollution, and stress and strain in an individual. There is a
growing trend to possess multiple personal vehicles with increasing thrust, that consume
more fuel. The increase in traffic density decreases the overall traffic flow, increases travel
time, causing road rage, anxiety, frustration and accidents. All these take a toll on one’s
health.

Medical Needs
The current lifestyle has had a negative impact on people’s health. In spite of improved
nutrition, the decrease in physical activity, greater comfort and unregulated working hours
and erratic food habits have increased the need for medical treatments. There is an ever-
growing demand for basic medical care, cosmetic and trauma-related surgery, involving
sophisticated infrastructure.

Entertainment
With growing wealth and leisure, there is an increasing search for indoor entertainment,
health-oriented & fun-oriented & adventure-based outdoor activities. Most of these activities
consume energy heavily.
Page 5 of 5

Key Issues that define the shape and future of energy use
sustainability -- how much and at what rate is energy consumed, and its effect on long
term sustainability; the quality and quantity of available alternative/renewable forms of
energy; and the effect of existing energy use on the global environment as a whole.

efficiency -- the technology, planning and management of energy systems that will
facilitate efficient use of energy for human activity (including its non-use!).

equity -- the appropriate financial mechanism for research, development and use of finite
and alternative energy forms, and their equitable distribution for all humankind.

ENERGY MANAGEMENT

 reduction in use of fossil fuels

 exploring alternative energy sources

 linking energy with global environmental issues (like climate change or global
warming)

 co-relating environmental management efficiency with energy efficiency

 effecting changes in lifestyles and increase in community involvement


UENT-201
Environmental Studies and Human Values

ENVIRONMENTAL
ETHICS
UENT-201 :: Environmental Ethics

ETHICS
UENT-201 :: Environmental Ethics

ETHICS
UENT-201 :: Environmental Ethics
UENT-201 :: Environmental Ethics
UENT-201 :: Environmental Ethics
ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS
UENT-201 :: Environmental Ethics
ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS
UENT-201 :: Environmental Ethics
ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS
UENT-201 :: Environmental Ethics
ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS
UENT-201 :: Environmental Ethics
ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS
UENT-201 :: Environmental Ethics
ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS
UENT-201 :: Environmental Ethics
ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS
UENT-201 :: Environmental Ethics
ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS
UENT-201 :: Environmental Ethics
ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS
UENT-201 :: Environmental Ethics
ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS
UENT-201 :: Environmental Ethics
ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS
UENT-201 :: Environmental Ethics
ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS
UENT-201 :: Environmental Ethics
ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS
UENT-201 :: Environmental Ethics
ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS
UENT-201 :: Environmental Ethics
ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS
UENT-201 :: Environmental Ethics
ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS
UENT-201 :: Environmental Ethics
ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS
UENT-201 :: Environmental Ethics
ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS
UENT-201 :: Environmental Ethics
ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS

VIDEOS
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afNRimFNWyw

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2K-s90asf4o
UENT-201 :: Environmental Ethics
Credits
• https://www2.ece.ohio-
state.edu/~passino/ECE3080Lectures/Lecture12Environment.
ppt.pdf
• https://slideplayer.com/slide/13140116/
(Slides 10 to 18)
• https://www.slideshare.net/MrsERivera/environmental-
ethics-61532298
ENVSC 200 : Environmental Ethics

Environvental Ethics : Principles, Theories, Case Studies

Environmental ethics is the part of environmental philosophy which considers the ethical
relationship between human beings and the natural environment. It exerts influence on a large
range of disciplines including law, sociology, theology, economics, ecology and geography.
Environmental ethics is about taking ethical decisions with respect to environment such as::

 Should we continue to clear cut forests for the sake of human consumption?
 Should we continue to make gasoline powered vehicles, depleting fossil fuel resources while
the technology exists to create zero-emission vehicles?
 What environmental obligations do we need to keep for future generations?
 Is it right for humans to knowingly cause the extinction of a species for the (perceived or real)
convenience of humanity?

Three general ethical approaches have emerged over the last 20 years – Libertarian
Extension, Ecologic Extension and Conservation Ethics.

Libertarian extension echoes a civil liberty approach, i.e., a commitment to extend equal rights
to all members of a community, which consists of non-humans as well as humans. A natural
ecological balance between the living and the non-living entities existed for centuries , which was
destabilized by the rapid industrialization in the last 300 years.
Ecologic extension places emphasis not on human rights but on the recognition of the
fundamental interdependence of all biological and non-biological entities and their essential
diversity. It argues for the intrinsic value present in collective ecological entities like ecosystems
or the global environment as a whole entity.
(Deep ecology is an argument for the intrinsic value or inherent worth of the environment –a
view that the environment is valuable in itself. This argument falls under both the libertarian
extension and the ecologic extension.)
Conservation ethics looks only at the worth of the environment in terms of its utility or
usefulness to humans. It is the opposite of deep ecology, hence is often referred to as shallow
ecology, and argues for the preservation of the environment on the basis that it has extrinsic
value – instrumental to the welfare of human beings. Conservation is therefore a means to an end
and purely concerned with mankind and inter-generational considerations.
Environmental Ethics
The field of environmental ethics concerns human beings’ ethical relationship with the natural
environment. Environmental ethics developed into a specific philosophical discipline in the 1970s.
Pollution and depletion of natural resources have not been the only environmental concerns since that time:
dwindling plant and animal biodiversity, the loss of wilderness, the degradation of ecosystems, and climate
change are all part of a raft of “green” issues that have implanted themselves into both public consciousness
and public policy. The job of environmental ethics is to outline our moral obligations in the face of such
concerns.
Fundamental Questions that environmental ethics must address:
 What duties do humans have with respect to the environment?
 Why should humans have respect to the environment?
 Do we have environmental obligations for the sake of human beings living in the world today, OR
for humans living in the future, OR for the sake of entities within the environment itself,
irrespective of any human benefits?

Different answers to these questions have led to the emergence of different environmental ethics.
1. Extending Moral Standing
If the answer is simply that we, as human beings, will perish if we do not constrain our actions towards nature,
then that ethic is considered to be “anthropocentric.” Anthropocentrism literally means “human-centeredness,”
and in one sense all ethics must be considered anthropocentric. It usually refers to an ethical framework that
grants “moral standing” solely to human beings. Thus, an anthropocentric ethic claims that only human beings
are morally considerable in their own right, including those we have with regard to the environment, are owed
to our fellow human beings.

If the answer is that ethics must be extended beyond humanity, and that moral standing should be accorded to
the non-human natural world to sentient animals, to other individual living organisms, even to holistic entities
such as rivers, species and ecosystems. Under these ethics, we have obligations in respect of the environment
because we actually owe things to the creatures or entities within the environment themselves.

2. Radical Ecology
Not all see the problem simply in terms of extending moral standing. Instead, many regard environmental
concerns to have warranted a ideological perspective called “ecology”. They argue that a broader philosophical
perspective is needed, requiring fundamental changes in both our attitude to and understanding of reality. This
involves reexamining who we are as human beings and our place within the natural world. For radical
ecologists, ethical extension is inadequate. In short, it is argued that ethical extensionism remains too human-
centered, because it takes human beings as the paradigm examples of entities with moral standing.

Its critics call it “shallow ecology”.


3. Deep Ecology
Deep ecology is perhaps most easily understood when considered in opposition to its “shallow”version.
According to deep ecologists, shallow ecology is anthropocentric and concerned with pollution and resource
depletion. Shallow ecology might thus be regarded as very much the mainstream wing of environmentalism.
Deep ecology, in contrast, rejects anthropocentrism and takes a “total-field” perspective. Deep ecologists
demand an entirely new worldview and philosophical perspective. Deep ecologists advocate the development of
a new eco-philosophy or “ecosophy“ to replace the destructive philosophy of modern industrial society

Principles or statements basic to deep ecology:


1. The well-being and flourishing of human and non-human life on Earth have value in themselves, and
are independent of the usefulness of the non-human world for human purposes.
2. Richness and diversity of life forms contribute to the realization of these values and are values in
themselves.
3. Humans have no right to reduce this richness and diversity except to satisfy vital needs.
4. The flourishing of human life and cultures is compatible with a substantially smaller population.
5. The ideological change will be mainly that of appreciating life quality.
6. There will be a profound awareness of the difference between bigness and greatness.

4. Social Ecology
Social ecology shares with deep ecology the view that the foundations of the environmental crisis lie in the
dominant ideology of modern western societies. Thus, just as with deep ecology, social ecology claims that in
order to resolve the crisis, a radical overhaul of this ideology is necessary. The liberation of both humans and
nature are actually dependent on one another. It is argued that humans must recognize that they are part of
nature, not distinct or separate from it. In turn then, human societies and human relations with nature can be
informed by the non-hierarchical relations found within the natural world.

The Future of Environmental Ethics


Given the increasing concern for the environment and the impact that our actions have upon it, it is clear that
the field of environmental ethics is here to stay. There is evidence for at least three future developments.

Firstly, environmental ethics needs to be and will be informed by changes in the political efforts to ameliorate
environmental problems. Environmental ethics concerns the formulating of our moral obligations regarding the
environment.

Secondly, businesses should take the lead in tackling these problems. Indeed, it may even be in the interests of
big business to be active in this way, given the power of consumers. It is quite possible then, that we will see
business ethics address many of the same issues that environmental ethics has been tackling. However, the
effects of environmental ethics will not be limited to influencing and informing business ethics alone, but will
undoubtedly feed into and merge with more mainstream ethical thinking.
Finally, environmental ethics will of course be informed by our scientific understanding of the environment.
Whether it be changes in our understanding of how ecosystems work, or changes in the evidence concerning the
environmental crisis, it is clear that such change will inform and influence those thinkers writing on our
environmental obligations.
Environmental Awareness of the Hopi Culture
The Hopi have an acute awareness of humankind's interrelationship with the rest of nature, including
not only plants and animals, but also such seemingly inanimate entities as stones and faraway
planets and stars. The Hopi sense of interconnectedness with the forces and cycles of nature not only
inspire awesome seasonal ceremonies, but also inform their daily activities.

CONCERN FOR PLANTS


The traditional Hopi way of planting, growing, harvesting, and eating corn, for example, reflects this
awareness and sense of respect for the plant and its cycles. Hopi men plant corn in a peaceful,
reverential frame of mind. They tend it lovingly, singing to the plants, encouraging them to grow. The
corn is then ritually harvested and eaten with similar appreciation.
CONCERN FOR ANIMALS
In the days when hunting was a crucial part of the Hopi lifeway, hunters approached animals in a
prescribed manner. The first animal sighted was left alone and only the second, or subsequent,
animal could be killed. One result of this practice was to insure the perpetuation of wildlife.
CONCERN FOR RESOURCES
Hopi quests for salt were similarly reverential. A salt expedition was a sacred journey The Hopi sense of
reverence for the Earth also motivates traditional Hopi to oppose strip-mining of coal and other
attempts to exploit and defile the land.
CONCERN FOR NATURE
While the Hopi consider themselves very much a part of the Earth—not set apart from it as observers
and manipulators—they also see themselves as having a crucial role to play that other creatures do
not. This uniquely human responsibility lies at the heart of their ceremonies, the major function of
which is to keep the world in balance.

Control, mastery, dominance of nature is foreign to the Hopi ethos. It can be said that they work with
and within nature, but not in any way that sets them apart from or in opposition to it, as the notion of
control must.
For those of us concerned about current environmental problems, it is tempting to look for a way to
translate the Hopi attitude toward nature into ideas that are both graspable and workable in the
non-Hopi world. West assumes that there is a clear distinction between animate and inanimate
objects. This assumption makes it difficult to act in a respectful way towards rocks, coal, uranium, and
other Earth elements.
To the extent that our understanding of nature corresponds with natural processes, we are more likely
to act in accordance with nature's laws rather than in opposition to them. This means, practically
speaking, that we would make lifestyle decisions that would result in less pollution and destruction of
our environment.
In an event worldview, on the other hand, the ego is not a substantial thing, standing in relation to
external objects that can be manipulated to suit one's will, but a process among processes, all
changing. This is precisely what the Hopi ceremonies accomplish.
Environmental Awareness in Ancient India
Long before ecology became the refrain of the global song at Stockholm and Rio, the ancient Indic
heritage had already provided a spacious spiritual home for the environmental ethos. India has
provided friendly space for an open and ongoing discourse of ideas. The Vedic traditions established
the principles of ecological harmony centuries ago but through its quest for spiritual and physical
symbiosis, synthesized in a system of ethical awareness and moral responsibility.
RESPECT FOR MOTHER EARTH
The Vedic Hymn to the Earth, the Prithvi Sukta in Atharva Veda, is unquestionably the oldest and the
most evocative environmental invocation. 'Mata Bhumih Putroham Prithivyah: Mother Earth is
celebrated for all her natural bounties and particularly for her gifts of herbs and vegetation. Her
blessings are sought for prosperity in all endeavors and fulfillment of all righteous aspirations. A
covenant is made that humankind shall secure the Earth against all environmental trespass and shall
never let her be oppressed. A soul-stirring prayer is sung for the preservation and conservation of hills,
snow-clad mountains, and all brown, black and red earth, unhurt, unwounded, unbroken.
EARTH AS SACRED SPACE
The Vedic seers regarded the Earth as 'sacred space' for the consecrated endeavors and aspirations
of humankind and for the practice of restraint and responsibility. This affirmative view of the inviolable
sacred space in human consciousness is integral to the Vedas and the Upanishads. On it rests the
Vedic vision of a world filled with the purity of the spiritual environment and the sanctity of
environmental spirituality and morality.
AHIMSA
The ecological philosophy of Jainism, flowing from its spiritual quest, has always been central to its
ethics, aesthetics, art, literature, economics and statecraft. It is virtually synonymous with the principle
of Ahimsa (Non-violence) which runs through the Jain tradition like a golden thread. Similarly, there is
no quality of soul more subtle than non-violence and no virtue of spirit greater than reverence for life.'
COMPASSION
Compassion and reverence for life are the sheet-anchor of the Jain quest for peace, harmony and
rectitude, based on spiritual and physical symbiosis and a sense of responsibility and restraint. The
term Ahimsa is stated in the negative (a = non, himsa = violence), but it is rooted in a host of positive
aims and actions which have great relevance to contemporary environmental concerns. It is a
principle of compassion and responsibility, which should be practiced not only towards human
beings, but towards all animals and nature. Compassion and non-violence are the basis of the
ancient Jain scriptural aphorism Parasparopagraho Jivanam (all life is bound together by the mutual
support of interdependence). Lord Mahavira proclaimed a profound ecological truth: 'One who
neglects or disregards the existence of earth, air, fire, water and vegetation disregardsp his own
existence which is entwined with them.'
CONSTRUCTION SCIENCE
The ancient science of Sthapatya Veda provides extensive knowledge about life supporting building
and design principles. It was believed that a properly designed home will promote harmony between
parents and children, better physical health, besides financial success. The Sthapatya Veda means
the knowledge of establishing a relationship between the owner, house and/or building and the
cosmic order.
ORDERLINESS
The ancient Indians firmly believed that the universe is in perfect order since its birth. If an architect
can establish a good relationship between building design and order of universe, the life of an
individual can be healthier, devoid of stress, creative and blissful. Sthapatya Veda was born out of
the fusion of two branches of Veda; Ayur Veda and Jyotisha Shastra. AyurVeda is the science of
health and the longevity of the human body, while Jyotisha Shastra encompasses knowledge of
man's relationship to the universe, and the fluctuating effects which tthehe universe exerts on man.
Thus Sthapatya Veda encompasses the needs of the human body and the environment in one
holistic science
AESTHETICS
Environment and Aesthetics In ancient India, a man’s life was assumed to be of a 100 years; it was
sub-divided into four stages, each comprising 25 years ─ Brahmacharya (celibacy) Garhastya
(householder) Vanaprastha (gradual detachment) and Sanyasa (renunciation of the world).
During the first phase, it was mandatory for a young male to spend a number of years in what was
known as a gurukula. This was some kind of a residential college. The students lived with the guru’s
family members, each performing a specific set of chores, apart from imbibing education and
ideology. These gurukulas or ashrams were located far away from cities towns and villages.
PANTHEISM / ANIMISM
Since they lived in a natural environment, the students as well as their gurus were concerned about
its preservation. They protected trees and worshipped them as Vriksha Devata (tree god), the forest
covers as Van Devta (forest god) and the rivers as sources of delicious life-giving water. The ancient
people cared for wildlife too. Terms and titles such as Nag Devata (snake god), Kamdhenu (the cow
that fulfills your desires) and Kalpavriksha (the wish–fulfilling tree) symbolized the benefits that accrued
to human beings from nature and their respect for wildlife. Thus pantheism or animism, by whatever
name we may call it, eventually pointed to ecological balance and conservation of nature.
WATER CONSERVATION
Water Conservation According to the Rig Veda, all life on this planet is evolved from apah (water).
Water is usually acknowledged as the basic need of all living creatures upon the face of this earth.
There are copious references in Vedic literature about medicinal properties of water, uses of water,
last but not the least, the importance of conservation and preservation of water. Pure water is
termed as ‘divyajal’ due to its following properties: Sheetam (cold to touch), Suchihi (clean), Shivam
(replete with useful minerals and trace of useful elements), Istham (transparent), Vimalam Lahu
Shadgunam (its acid-base balance should not exceed normal limits).
In ancient times, houses in the western part of Rajasthan were constructed in such a way that each
had a rooftop water harvesting system. Rainwater from these rooftops was directed into
underground tanks. This system can be seen in use even today in all the forts, palaces and dwelling
houses of the region.

…………………………
6 Indian Start-Ups At The Forefront Of
Effective Waste Management
In a country spilling with people, it does not come as a surprise that
proper waste management is the need of the hour. Let’s look at some basic
statistics: Urban India (about 377 million people) generates 62 million
tonnes of municipal solid waste each year, of this about 43 million tonnes
(70%) is collected and 11.9 million tonnes (20%) is treated. About 31
million tonnes is dumped in landfill sites, which is about 50% of the waste
left completely untreated and toxic. The urban India’s current
consumption pattern only suggests a hike in this graph over the next
decade.
At the root of India’s problem of waste management lies the lack of proper
segregation of waste at source as well as its careless disposal. However, it
is not only those who produce the waste that are at fault, it is also those
who take the responsibility to manage this waste. For most of us, the
journey of our responsibility of household waste ends when we hand it to
our kachrawala, leaving its fate in the hands of the local municipality.
However, most municipality authorities, who are responsible for the
proper treatment and disposal of this waste, dump it outside the city. This
cycle continues and thrives within the flawed system of waste
management prevalent in the country. To break this system, we need a
third party. In the last few years, quite a few startups have taken matters
into their own hands and decided that it is finally time to make India
waste-friendly. Here is a list of six Indian Startups which have managed to
make the best out of waste:

I. SKRAP
Founded in 2017 by Divya Ravichandran, SKRAP is a startup that
provides end-to-end waste management solutions for events and offices.
What does an end-to-end solution mean? Implemented at large-scale
events like the YouTube Fanfest and the Bacardi NH7 Weekender,
SKRAP uses this model to manage the event’s complete waste needs,
from start to finish. From assessing the needs of the event, recommending
zero-waste friendly and compostable wares to setting up and manning the
entire infrastructure for waste disposal, SKRAP does it all. Considering
the great amounts in which waste is generated in large-scale events, every
SKRAP project goes a long way in making India zero-waste.
You can check out their website here.

II. SAAHAS ZERO WASTE


This Bangalore-based startup has a simple policy – “send zero waste to
landfill.” Providing management and consultation services to bulk waste-
generators, Saahas zero waste prevents 25 tonnes of waste from reaching
the dump yard on a daily basis. Run by the 56-year old founder and CEO
Wilma Rodriguez, this organization emphasizes on segregation at source.
In servicing their clientele of MNCs, tech parks and corporates, Saahas is
sure to provide segregation aid, front-end services, train the staff and make
sure that the client is sending zero waste to the landfill.
You can check out their website here.

III. NAMO E-WASTE


We live in an era of use-and-throw. Buy a new phone, throw the old one
away. Update to a laptop, dispose of the old, bulky PC. What happens to
them? These discarded electronic items become a part of toxic e-waste,
which is just as dangerous as any other non-biodegradable item of waste.
NAMO e-waste, founded by Akshay Jain, works out of Delhi. It collects
disposed e-waste, treats it and recycles it into usable items. They also aim
to provide green alternatives to electronic assessments by furthering policy
changes. By providing eco-friendly solutions to the increasing amount of
electronic waste, NAMO e-waste has a significant role in making sure
India becomes zero-waste.
Namo E-Waste employees at work
Check out their website here.

IV. ANTHILL CREATIONS


At Anthill creations in Bangalore, Pooja Rai explores a new, unique way
of making the best out of waste. Their mission is to encourage “Interactive
learning environments in public spaces with a primary focus on
sustainability.” Anthill collects and recycles scrap tires to
build playgrounds for children and have already built over 10,000 such
playgrounds. In their effort to encourage sustainable solutions to create
safe and innovative playscapes, Anthill uses the 3R’s model and practices
eco-friendly and cost-effective methods of upcycling. Not only does this
organization treat harmful waste, it also brings smiles to remote,
inaccessible corners of the country.
Check out their website here.

V. EXTRACARBON
ExtraCarbon seems to do it all. Proclaiming themselves as “on-demand
kabadiwala”, ExtraCarbon provides a market place for selling items that
you would otherwise dispose of. ExtraCarbon treats and furbishes the item
before selling it. Gaurav Joshi, founder and CEO, works toward one
important objective: to allows individuals to practice recycling in real-
time. By enabling their clients to schedule a pick-up service for their scrap
and building a network of kabadiwala, ExtraCarbon makes recycling
easier and more accessible. ExtraCarbon has over 16,000 users, with about
100 new users registering everyday.
Check out their website here.
VI. GEM ENVIRO MANAGEMENT
Of all kinds of waste that is disposed of, plastic is perhaps the most
dangerous. Gem Enviro Management, founded in 2013 collects
polyethylene terephthalate (PET) – a kind of hard, lightweight plastic used
in containers -waste from factories, offices, hotels, and institutes, and
recycles them into products such as T-shirts, caps, and bags. These
products are then sold under the brand of “Being Responsible”. Gem
Enviro also works to further awareness regarding recycling and
environment sustainability. Easily one of the biggest names in the waste
management industry, this organization has a clientele consisting of the
likes of Bisleri, Pepsi, IDFC Bank and Google.

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