Green Skills Class 10 Notes

Green Skills refer to skills related to environmental sustainability, conservation, and eco-friendly
practices. This might include knowledge and abilities associated with environmental sciences,
renewable energy, waste management, and sustainable development.

Session 1: Sustainable Development

What is Sustainable Development?

Sustainable development is the development that satisfies the needs of the present without
compromising the capacity of future generations, guaranteeing the balance between economic
growth, care for the environment and social well-being.

To create a sustainable society, we can follow the 4Rs and 1U of sustainability –

 Refuse – We must first REFUSE to consume things that could harm the environment if we
want to develop a sustainable environment.

 Reduce – REDUCE is the next step, that is minimizing the use of the products that may cause
harm to environment.

 Reuse – We must REUSE these products as far as possible, in order to reduce the waste
generation.

 Recycle – RECYCLE is next. After the product has been used, we must make every effort to
recycle it. Any time a product is recycled, the quality usually suffers and the new product
isn’t as good as the original.

 Upcycle – UPCYCLING is the process of giving an old product a new look and making it
appear attractive. It can be done manually or with the use of machinery.

Importance of Sustainable Development

Sustainable development is defined as ‘development that meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’ (World Commission on
Environment and Development, 1987). For example, sustainable agriculture uses eco-friendly
methods to farm without harming people or nature, avoiding harmful chemicals to protect soil,
water, and biodiversity.

Problems Related to Sustainable Development

Three major problems related to sustainable development are:

1. Food: There’s less good land for growing crops like wheat and rice. Chemical fertilizers are
harming the soil and depleting its nutrients.

2. Water: We use rivers for fresh water, but by dumping garbage into them, we’re causing
pollution. This could result in a lack of clean water in the future.

3. Fuel: We’re using many trees for fuel, homes, and furniture. Cutting down too many trees is
changing the climate, causing extreme weather like floods and harsh conditions, affecting the
people who live there.
Sustainable development involves –

 Use Less Resources: Use resources wisely, avoiding excessive consumption.

 Recycling and Reusing: Recycle and reuse waste materials to minimize waste.

 Smart Use of Bio-Resources: Manage renewable resources, especially bio-resources, using

 More Trees and Green Spaces: Plant more trees and create green spaces between buildings.

 Environment-Friendly Materials: Choose materials that are friendly to the environment or

 Tech-Friendly Environment: Use technologies that are both environmentally friendly and
resource-efficient.

Sustainable Development Goals –

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a worldwide plan to reduce poverty, protect the
environment, and ensure global peace and prosperity. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were
launched at the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit in New York in September 2015,
these goals set targets for countries to reach by 2030.

The 17 SDGs have been made with the aim to take care of important issues facing businesses,
governments and society. Countries are now making policies to encourage sustainable practices
across all economic sectors, aiming for a secure, affordable, and enduring global economy.

The 17 SDGs goals are –

 No Poverty

 Zero Hunger

 Good Health and Well-being

 Quality Education

 Gender Equality

 Clean Water and Sanitation

 Affordable and Clean Energy

 Decent Work and Economic Growth

 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

 Reduced Inequalities

 Sustainable Cities and Communities

 Responsible Consumption and Production

 Climate Action

 Life Below Water

 Life On Land
  Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

 Partnerships for the Goals

Sustainable Development Initiatives –

Some of the people taken a sustainable development initiatives to make the environment, society,
and the economy better for a long time for example –

1. Eco-Friendly Bags: Mangalore banned plastics, so Avasth Hedge created biodegradable bags
dissolving in hot water, helping the environment worldwide.

2. Edible Cutlery: To reduce plastic use, Narayana Peesapaty invented spoons from grain, which
are edible and decompose in the soil, enriching it.

Sustainable Processes

Some practices, like organic farming, vermi-composting, and rainwater harvesting, are used to
protect the environment. In organic farming, farmers avoid chemicals and use natural fertilizers like
cow dung for healthy, chemical-free crops. This maintains soil quality for the future.

Session 2: Our Role in Sustainable Development

Education for All

 Support education in your area.

 Encourage friends to attend school.

 Help friends with their studies.

 Prevent friends from dropping out.

Clean Water and Sanitation

 Build toilets and spread awareness for open defecation-free India.

Affordable and Clean Energy

 Increase solar power generation for clean electricity.

Decent Work and Economic Growth

 Study and find good jobs.

 Contribute to society through hard work.

 Develop skills for community value.

Reduced Inequalities

 Be helpful and friendly to everyone.

 Include everyone in activities.

 Help others without discrimination.

Sustainable Cities and Communities

 Save energy by turning off lights and fans.

 Use natural light whenever possible.

 Use energy-efficient lights and appliances.

Responsible Consumption and Production

 Reuse paper, glass, plastic, and water.

 Bring cloth bags to the market.

 Donate unused items.

 Buy local and seasonal fruits and vegetables.

 Repair leaks to save water.

 Sort and treat garbage before disposal.

Life Below Water

 Minimize plastic consumption to prevent marine pollution.

 Support sustainable fishing methods to maintain fish populations.

 Establish and protect marine sanctuaries for diverse ecosystems.

 Prevent coral reef destruction through sustainable practices.

 Raise awareness about the importance of preserving ocean life.

Life on Land

 Prevent cutting down trees to maintain fertile land.

 Plant trees to control soil erosion and keep land productive.

 Protect natural habitats for diverse animal species.

 Raise awareness about the importance of land conservation.