MODULE - 6

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES AND PRACTICES

CLIMATE CHANGE
Climate change describes global warming. The ongoing increase in global average temperature. And its
affects on earth’s climate system.
Meaning: Climate change refers to long term shifts in temperature and weather patterns, these shifts may be
natural, such as through variations in the solar cycle, but since the 1800s, human activities have been the
main driven of climate change,
Primary due to burning fossil fuels like, coal, oil and gas,
Burning fossil fuels generates greenhouse gas emissions that act like a blanket wrapped around the earth,
trapped the sun heat and raising temperature

GLOBAL WARMING
Global warming is a gradual increase in the earth’s temperature near the earth’s surface. generally due to the
greenhouse effect caused by increase levels of carbon dioxide, CFCs, and other pollutants.
Emission of green house gases like carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide etc into the atmosphere
The major source is carbon dioxide (80%). 20% by methane and nitrous oxide.

Causes of global warming

• Deforestation: Plants are the main source of oxygen. They take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen
thereby maintaining environmental balance. Forests are being depleted for many domestic and
commercial purposes. This has led to an environmental imbalance, thereby giving rise to global
warming.
• Use of Vehicles: The use of vehicles, even for a very short distance results in various gaseous emissions.
Vehicles burn fossil fuels which emit a large amount of carbon dioxide and other toxins into the
atmosphere resulting in a temperature increase.
• Chlorofluorocarbon: With the excessive use of air conditioners and refrigerators, humans have been
adding CFCs into the environment which affects the atmospheric ozone layer. The ozone layer protects
the earth surface from the harmful ultraviolet rays emitted by the sun. The CFCs have led to ozone layer
depletion making way for the ultraviolet rays, thereby increasing the temperature of the earth.
• Industrial Development: With the advent of industrialization, the temperature of the earth has been
increasing rapidly. The harmful emissions from the factories add to the increasing temperature of the
earth. In 2013, the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change reported that the increase in the global
temperature between 1880 and 2012 has been 0.9 degrees Celsius. The increase is 1.1 degrees Celsius
when compared to the pre-industrial mean temperature.
• Agriculture: Various farming activities produce carbon dioxide and methane gas. These add to the
greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and increase the temperature of the earth.

Effect of global warming

• Rise in Temperature: Global warming has led to an incredible increase in earth’s temperature. Since
1880, the earth’s temperature has increased by ~1 degrees. This has resulted in an increase in the melting
of glaciers, which have led to an increase in the sea level. This could have devastating effects on coastal
regions.
• Threats to the Ecosystem: Global warming has affected the coral reefs that can lead to the loss of plant
and animal lives. Increase in global temperatures has made the fragility of coral reefs even worse.
• Climate Change: Global warming has led to a change in climatic conditions. There are droughts at
some places and floods at some. This climatic imbalance is the result of global warming.
• Spread of Diseases: Global warming leads to a change in the patterns of heat and humidity. This has led
to the movement of mosquitoes that carry and spread diseases.
• Loss of Natural Habitat: A global shift in the climate leads to the loss of habitats of several plants and
animals. In this case, the animals need to migrate from their natural habitat and many of them even
become extinct. This is yet another major impact of global warming on biodiversity.

Control measures
• Reforestation replaces maximum carbon dioxide by oxygen.
• Preventing deforestation.
Planting of hundreds of trees across cities and in homes.
• Reduction of fossil fuel burning can minimize global warming
• Using natural resources like wind energy, solar energy may help to overcome global warming
• Improving the efficiency of engines and turbines can drastically reduce pollution.
• Controlling the rate of deforestation
• Environmental awareness so that the use of fossil fuels can be reduced

OZONE LAYER
Ozone layer is a region in the earths stratosphere that contains high concentrations of ozone and protects the
earth from the harmful ultraviolet radiations of the sun,
That is found in the stratosphere around 15-30km above the earth’s surface. It covers entire planet and
protects life on earth by absorbing harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
OZONE LAYER DEPLETION ;
Is the gradual thinning of the earths ozone layer in the upper atmosphere caused due to the release of
chemical compounds containing gaseous bromine or chlorine from industries or other human activities ,
This happen when the chlorine and bromine atoms in the atmosphere come in contact with ozone and
destroy the ozone molecules. One chlorine can destroy 100000 molecules of ozone. It is destroy more
quickly than it is created.

CAUSES;
1. Chlorofluorocarbons; CFCs are highly volatile and non combustible so they are very quickly evaporated
and can easily reach in stratosphere where ozone is present here they start depleting ozone molecules.
2. Unregulated rocket launch; it has been studied that unregulated rocket launches can result in much more
ozone depletion than CFCs.
3. Global warming; due to global warming and green house effects most of the heat is trapped in
troposphere which is the layer below the stratosphere. As we all know ozone is present in stratosphere so
heat don’t reaches troposphere and it remain
4. Natural causes; the ozone layer is depleted by a number of natural causes like the sunspot cycle,
volcanic eruption.

Effects;
1. Effects on human health; human directly exposed to the harmful ultraviolet radiation of the sun due to
the depletion of the ozone layer, this might result in serios health issues among humans, such as skin
diseases, cancer, sunburns, and weak immune system,
2. Effects on animals; direct exposure to ultraviolet radiation leads to skin and eye cancer in animals.
3. Effects on the environment; strong ultraviolet rays may lead to minimal growth, flowering and
photosynthesis in plants. The forest also have to bear the harmful effects of the ultraviolet rays.
4. Effects on marine life; planktons are greatly affected by the exposure to harmful ultraviolet rays, these
are higher in the aquatic food chain, if the planktons are destroyed, the organisms present in the food
chain are also affected,
 ACID RAIN IMPACT ON HUMAN COMMUNITIES AND AGRICULTURE
Acid rain results when sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOX) are emitted into the atmosphere and
transported by wind and air currents. The SO2 and NOX react with water, oxygen and other chemicals to
form sulfuric and nitric acids. These then mix with water and other materials before falling to the ground.
Acid rain is rain or any other form of precipitation that is unusually acidic, meaning that it has elevated
levels of hydrogen ions. Most water, including drinking water, has a neutral pH that exists between 6.5 and
8.5, but acid rain has a pH level lower than this and ranges from 4–5 on average

Health effects;
• Health issues such as dry coughs, asthma, headaches,, eye, nose, and through irritation,
• Acid rain can aggravate a person ability to breathe and may increase disease which could lead to death.
• Sulfur dioxide particles in the air can encourage chronic lung problems, like asthma and bronchitis,
• Affected visibility and causing irritation to eyes and nose.
Agricultural effects;
• Acid rain has a negative impact on agriculture, trees, and vegetation, acidic water affects leaf pigments,
lowering agricultural production.
• Acid rain affect plants directly and decrease soil quality to reduce yields from agriculture.
• Plants nutrient are leached from the soil as a result of acid rain. Acid rain damages the root system,
prevents seeds from developing, and kills beneficial soil organisms.
• It washes away all nutrient which are required for the growth of survival of plants.
• It damages the building and monuments made up of stones and metals.

Control measure
• Filter and detoxify the water used by the factories before returning it to the rivers.
• Reduce the emission of pollutant gases by industry.
• Encourage the production and use of renewable energy instead of fossil fuels.
• Reduce the energy consumption of factories and companies.
• Promote innovation and new technologies aimed at optimising energy consumption and developing
renewable energy.
• Plant trees to absorb polluted air.
• Make the population aware of the importance of reducing household energy consumption.
• Encourage the use of the electric vehicles and other non-polluting vehicles, such as bicycles.

ENVIRONMENTAL LAWs
• Environmental protection act
• Air ( prevention and control of pollution)act
• Water(prevention and control of pollution ) act
• Wildlife protection act
• Forest conservation act

Environmental protection act

The Environment protection Act was introduced after the Bhopal gas tragedy 1984. The EPA was enacted
in the year 1986, It has 26 sections and 4 chapters, the act was passed by the Government of India under the
article 253 of the constitute of India,
Main objectives and features;
• Implement the decisions made at the UN conference on human environment held at Stockholm in June
1972
• Creation of govt authority to regulate industry
• Coordinating activities of different agencies
• Enacting regular laws for the protection of the environment
• Imposing punishments and penalties on those who are endanger the environment,
Any breach of these rule is punishable with imprisonment for a term up to five years, or a fine up to
INR100000 or both
Main Provisions of environment protection act;
• Under the law, it can coordinate and execute nationwide programs and plans to future environmental
protection.
• It can mandate environmental quality standards, particularly those concerning the emission or discharge
of environmental pollutants.
• This law can impose restrictions on the location of industries.
• The law gives the government the power of entry for examination, testing of equipment and other
purpose. Power to analysis the sample of air, water, soil or any other substance from any place.
• Coordinating activities of different agencies that are operating under the existing law
• The act empowers any person, apart from authorized government officers, to file a complaint in a court
regarding any contravention of the provisions of the act.
• Examples of agencies:
• EPA safer choice program
• The energy star program

Why Air Act?

AIR (PREVENTION AND CONTREOLL OF POLLUTION) ACT, 1981

This act introduced by the parliament of India to control and prevent air pollution in India,
Objectives ;
• To provide for the prevention, control and abatement of air pollution.
• Research about the causes and impact of air pollution.
• Spread awareness to stop air pollution.
• To establish central and state board
The following are the definition under the Air Act
Section 2(a) defines an Air pollution as any solid liquid or gaseous substance which may cause harm or
damage the environment, humans, plants, animals, or even damage property.
Penalties and procedure under the Air Act;
The failure to comply with the central pollution control board directives would result in imprisonment of 1
year,

• It could be extended to 6 years with a fine with the additional fine of Rs.5000 as per day.
• To advice the central govt board on any matter concerning the improvement of the quality of the air and
the prevention, control and abatement of air pollution.
• To plan and cause to be executed a nation wide program for the prevention, control and abatement of air
pollution.
• To provide technical assistance and guidance to the state pollution control board
• To plan a comprehensive program
• To collect and disseminate information related to air pollution
Major sections:
Section 4- in states where there is a water pollution control board established, the same shall be given the
joint responsibility of controlling and monitoring air pollution.
Section 21- states that no person or industry shall emit air pollutants above the standards set by the pollution
control boards.
Section 28- gives any officers of the pollution control boards, the power to take samples from any chimney
duct, ets for testing.

WATER (PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF OPOLLUTION) ACT, 1974

The Water Act enacted in 1974 to provide for the prevention and control of water pollution, and for the
maintenance or restoring of wholesomeness of water in the country,
Objectives
• This Act provide for the prevention and control of water pollution and the maintaining or restoring of
wholesomeness of water.
• Set of responsibilities, power, and functions to the boards for the prevention and control of water
pollution,
• The responsibility of this Act is to control this pollution.
This Acts prohibited the discharge of sewage or pollutants into water bodies including lakes, and it is the
responsibility of the state pollution control board to intervene and stop such conduct.
This Act prohibits the discharge of any poisonous, or polluting material into a stream water.
The Fine an penalty includes imprisonment for a term which may extent up to three months or with fine to
Rs. 10000/- or both.
There are two agencies for controlling water pollution
1. Central boards- central pollution control boards
2. Sates boards – state pollution control boards
Functions of central boards;
• Advice the central government on any matter concerning the prevention and control of water pollution
• Coordinate the activities of the state boards and resolve disputes among them.
• Provide technical assistance and guidance to the state boards, carry out and sponsor investigations and
research relating to problems of water pollution and prevention.
• Plan and organize the training of persons engaged or to be engaged in for the prevention,
• Organize through mass media a comprehensive program regarding the prevention and control of water
pollution.

Functions of state boards;

• To plan a comprehensive program for preventing and controlling the pollution of wells and streams in
the state and to secure its execution.
• To advise the state government on matters relating to prevention and controlling water pollution.
• Collaborating with the central boards to train persons employed or to be employed or to employed in
preventing, controlling water pollution,
• It as authority to set up laboratories to enable the boards to perform its functions efficiently, including
collecting samples of water from any stream or sewage or trade effluents.
 WILD LIFE PROTCTION ACT 1972
The Indian parliament enacted the wildlife protection Act in 1972, which provides for the safeguard and
protection of the wildlife in the country,
This act provide for the protection of the country’s wild animals, birds, and plant species. In order to ensure
environmental and ecological security.
The act lays down restriction on hunting many animal species.
Objectives or Features ;
• The main objective is wildlife protection act is to protect animals and plants.
• Prohibition on hunting of specified wild animals, birds, and plants,
• Control of trade and commerce in wildlife and wildlife products,
• It provides for the establishment of wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, etc
• Applicable all over India except Jammu and Kashmir which as it own Act.
• The act provides for licenses for the sale, transfer, and possession of some wildlife species.
• Hunting of any scheduled animal prohibited
Hunting – also includes capturing and trapping a wild animal.

It has 6 schedules which give varying degree of protection

• Schedule 1 and part 2 of the schedule provide absolute protection, offences under these are prescribed as
the highest penalties,
• Species listed in schedule 3 and 4 are also protected, but the penalties are much lower.
• Schedule 5 includes animals which may be hunted
• The plants in schedule 6 are prohibited from cultivation and planting.
1; Black duck, cheetah, clouded leopard, tiger blue whale
2; Bengal porcupine, dolphins,
3 & 4 species that are endangered
5; rats, crows, mice
6; plants

Forest conservation Act of 1980

Is an Act by the parliament of India which ensure conservation of forest and its resources,
It was enacted by the parliament of India in order to control the ongoing deforestation of the forest of India,
According to Article 51A(g), it is the duty of every citizens of India to protect and improve the natural
environment including the forests of our country.
Objectives;
• Protect the forest along with its flora, fauna and other diverse ecological components while preserving
the integrity and territory of the forest
• Arrest the loss of forest biodiversity
• Prevent forest lands being converted into agriculture, grazing, or for any other commercial purpose and
intention,
Features;
• Under this act, the whole power is in the hand of the central government to carry out the laws of this act.
• This act also provides penalties for the infringement of the provisions of this act.
• The Act is an interface between conservation and development,
• Permits judicious and regulated use of forest land for non-forestry purpose.
• Prior approval of the central government is essential for de-reservation of forest lands and or diversion
of forest lands for non-forestry purposes.

INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS;
• Montreal protocols
• Kyoto protocols
• Convention on biological diversity (CBD)
 Montreal protocols
History:
• By the late 1970s, scientist were able to prove that chemical substance that were used air conditioner,
refrigerators, were causing damage to the ozone layer.
• In 1985, a huge hole was discovered in the ozone layer over Antarctica. This hole allowed hazardous
levels of ultraviolet radiation to reach the earth’s surface.
Is an international agreement signed on 16th September 1987,
• It was designed to stop the production and import of ozone depleting substaces and reduce their
concentration in the atmosphere to help protect the earth ozone layer,
• The Montreal protocol sits under the Vienna convention for the protection of the Ozone Layer.
• The Vienna convention was adopted in 1985. scientific discovers in the 1970s and 1980s highlighting
the adverse effects of human activity on Ozone levels in the stratosphere and the discovery of the ‘Ozone
hole’.
• Its objective are to promote cooperation on the adverse effects of human activities on the ozone layer.
• This Montreal protocol is widely considered as the most successful environment protection agreement,
• The United National Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) become an implementing agency of
the montreal protocol in 1992 and is proud to be associated with its success,
• The montreal protocol signed by 197 countries.
Impact on montreal protocol on industry
The Montreal protocol has, contributed to a significant drop in total global production and consumption of
ozone depleting substance used in agricultural, consumer and industrial sectors around the world. It has also
generated climate benefits as some of these substance are greenhouse gases, too
With the protocol, the ozone layer is expected to recover by the year 2050.

Kyoto protocol
• The Kyoto protocol was adopted on 11 December 1997. owing to a complex ratification process, it
entered into force on 16th February 2005.
• Currently, there are 192 parties to the Kyoto protocol,
• The Kyoto protocol is an international agreement that aimed to reduce carbon dioxide(CO2)
emissions and the presence of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere,
• The Protocol was adapted in Kyoto, Japan in 1997, when greenhouse gases were rapidly threatening
our climate, life on the earth and planet,
• It would make sure that the countries who have signed Kyoto protocol would reduce the greenhouse
gas emission,
Kyoto protocol applies to 6 greenhouse gases:
• Carbon dioxide. Methane. Nitrous oxide. Hydrofluorocarbons. Perfluorocarbons. Sulfur hexafluoride
• No compulsion on developing countries
• Protocol asks commitment from developed countries only.
• It self today, the Kyoto protocol is significant because it introduces, for the first time, legally binding
greenhouse gas emission commitment for the development countries (the commitment agreed to
should, according to the protocol,)

CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY(CBD)

The convention was opened for signature at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro on 5 June 1992 and entered
into force on 29 December 1993,
CBD has two supplementary agreement
a) Cartagena protocol
b) Nagoya protocol
The CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY(CBD) is an international legally binding treaty with
three main goals;
✓ Conservation of biodiversity
 ✓ Sustainable use of biodiversity
✓ Fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the use of genetic resources,
its overall objectives is to encourage actions, which will lead to a sustainable future.
• With 196 parties, the CBD has near universal participation among countries.
• One of the CBD’s greatest achievements so far has been to generate an enormous amount of interest
in biodiversity, both developed and developing countries,
• Biodiversity is now seen as a critically important environment and development issues,
The convention sets out general principles for action to achieve its main objectives;
Conference of the parties (COP);
The CBD provides a global legal framework for action an biodiversity.
CBD brings together the parties in the conference of the parties which the convention governing body that
meets every two years, to review progress in the implementation of the convention,

NATURE RESERV
Nature reserve, area set aside for the purpose of preserving certain animals, plants, or both, a nature differs
from a national park usually in being smaller and having as its sole purpose the protection of nature.
Other terms that can be used include;
National parks, game reserves, national monuments, safari areas
• Natural reserves perform multiple roles, including conservation of ecosystem,
• Establishing protested areas remains one of the most effective efforts for conserving endangered
species,

Tribal population in India

They are generally called Adivasis,
• A tribe was a self contained, homogeneous group that existed independently of any hierarchical
system.
Growth of tribal population;
• According to the 1991 census, there were 6.7 Cr. Scheduled tribes in the country, make up 8.08
percent of the overall population. India's tribal population increased to 10.43 Cr. From 8.43 Cr. In
2001
As per the 2011 census, 10.42 crore Indians are notified as ‘Scheduled tribes’, which constitute 8.6 of
countries total population
Tribal economy;
The following are the tribes primary economies;
• Hunting, fishing, and food gathering,
• Shifting and lumbering,
• Sedentary cultivation and animal husbandry.
Tribes are;
• Raji in Uttarpradesh
• Kuki in west Bengal
• Siddis tribe in Karnataka