MODULE 5

SOCIAL ISSUES AND THE

ENVIRONMENT
 Syllabus
 Climate change
 Global warming
 Acid rain
 Ozone layer depletion
 Nuclear accidents and holocaust. Case Studies.
 Wasteland reclamation, Consumerism and waste
products.
 Environment Protection Act.
 Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act.
 Water (Prevention and control of Pollution) Act.
 Wildlife Protection Act.
 Forest Conservation Act.
 Issues involved in enforcement of environmental
legislation.
 CLIMATE CHANGE
 Climate change may refer to a change in average weather
conditions, or in the time variation of weather within the context of
longer-term average conditions.
 Climate change is caused by factors such as biotic processes,
variations in solar radiation received by Earth and volcanic
eruptions. Certain human activities have been identified as primary
causes of ongoing climate change, often referred to as global
warming.
 The climatic changes started, the moment man was born.
 Natural environment is different in different parts of the earth.
Which parts of the earth will be forest and which part will be
grassland or desert is decided by the climate.
 Industrialization has very important impact on climate because
several unwanted gases are added to atmosphere which result is
Global Warning, Acid rains and Ozone layer depletion.
 Reasons for Climate Change
i) Industrialization – Industrialization is considered as parameter of
progress and development. Industries adds to the emission of
greenhouse gases like Methane, Chlorofluorocarbons and oxides of
nitrogen as well as harmful gasses like carbon monoxide and sulphur
oxide. This disturbs the natural balance of air resulting in climate
change.
ii) Increase in Temperature - Industrialization urbanization and
population explosion are leading to loss of forest cover. Forest trees act
as water sheds and have cooling effect. Due to loss of forest cover
temperature increases. For an ideal natural climate there should be 33%
forest cover, 33% animals and 33% human population. By the end of
20th country forest cover has been reduced 15 to 16%.
iii) Green House Effect: - Gases like carbon dioxide act like glass wall
of green house. It allows sunlight to reach the earth but does not allow
its re radiation the result is the increase in the temperature of Earth.
 Harmful Effects of Climate Change
(a) Decrease in Agricultural Output: Due to increase in temperature, drought result
which reduces agricultural output by 10% to 25%.
(b) Crisis of Water: Drought conditions reduce the availability of water.
(c) Effect on Ecosystem: - Due to climatic changes grasslands may be converted to
forest and forest to grassland. Dry climate has less humidity hence litter decomposition
becomes slow and mineral cycle is affected. Increase in temperature leads to forest fire
and danger to biodiversity. The duration summer season may increase.
(d) Disturbance in Water Cycle: - Due to increase in temperature the ice on poles will
melt, increasing water level in sea and ocean to such an extent that coastal towns may
get drowned. Amount of marine water will increase.
(e) Increase in Contagious Diseases: - Due to increase in temperature population of the
mosquitos will increase resulting in the increase in Dengue fever cases. Malaria will
also increase.
(f) EL – Nino Impacts: Due to climatic changes if the temperature of sea water rises by
0.50 Celsius, it is called EL-Nino effect. EL Nino creates heat waves in Pacific Ocean.
Several Marine plants fish & Sea animals die.
 GLOBAL WARMING
• Out of the entire solar energy being received at the earth 75% is absorbed
resulting in increasing the temperature of the earth. The rest of the solar
energy radiates back to the atmosphere.
• Due to industrializations few greenhouse gases are added to atmosphere.
These gases allow the sun rays to reach the earth but does not allow their
re radiations resulting in increase in the temperature of the earth and
ultimately the whole globe.
• This is called global warming and its cause is called greenhouse effect.
Different gases and their percentage contribution towards greenhouse
gases effect is shown below.
1 Carbon dioxide 57 %
2 Chlorofluorocarbons 25 %
3 Methane 12 %
4 Nitrous oxide 6%
Contd…
 Carbon dioxide: -
 Carbon dioxide contributes to the extent of 57 % towards the green houses
effect. In air its percentage is 0.03% or 300 PPM.
 It is raw material of photosynthesis by green plants. Normally its balance
is maintained through photosynthesis & respiration.
 Due to industrialization & deforestation its percentage has increased from
300 PPM to 368 PPM resulting in global warming.
 Methane: -
 It is also called marsh gas and contributes towards the greenhouse effects to
the extent of 25%.
 It is produced during decomposition of organic substance by methanogenic
bacteria and flooded rice fields. In pre-industrial period it was present in air
to the extent of 700 PPB (Parts per billion) but now it is 1750 PPB.
Contd…
 Chloro fluro carbon: -
 These are nontoxic non inflammable colour less odour less
synthetic gaseous compounds of carbon and halogen.
 They are produced by air-conditioning, refrigeration industries,
plastic foam industries and disposable glasses, cups and plate
industries.
 Their concentrations in atmosphere is to the extent of 282 PPT (
Part per trillion ). They do not degrade in nature and persist in
atmosphere from 45 to 260 years. Its contribution towards green
hence effect is 14%.

 Nitrous Oxide: -
 It is popularly known as laughing gas.
 It is emitted from Nitrogen fertilizers, biomass burning, nylon
production & burning livestock waste. In pre-industrial era it was
present in air to the extent of 270 PPB now it has increased to 316
PPB. Its contribution towards green hence effect is 6 %.
 Effects of Global Warming

 Cycle of crop plant will change. New insect pests and

weeds may spread over.
 Due to dry climate trees will be replaced by thorny bushes.
 Glaciers on poles will melt and level of water in rivers and
sea will rise.
 EL Nino effect will repeat frequently causing damage to
plant ,animal and human lives in places situated along sea
shore.
 Rice production will decrease by 5%. Rice is the most
important staple food at world level.
 Cases of kidney stone trouble will increase.
 Control Measures of Global Warming

 Fossil fuel is to be used in industries to limited

extent so that emission of greenhouse gases is
reduced.
 Tree plantation is to be encouraged. Trees like
cordia myxa be planted more because they act as
inks for carbon dioxide.
 Limited use of Nitrogen fertilizers.
 Chlorofluorocarbons are to be replaced by Hydro
chlorofluorocarbons.
 ACID RAINS

 When fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas are burnt,
gases like sulphur dioxide & Nitrogen dioxide are produced.
These gases moves up wards in the atmosphere react with
water vapour and finally return to the ground in the form of
Acid rains.
 Sulphur dioxide is released from coal burning, power plants
industrial boilers, smelters and petroleum refineries. It
mixes with oxygen to produce sulphur trioxide which reacts
with water vapour to produce sulphuric acid.
2 SO2 +02 ------> 2 SO3
2 SO3 + 2H2O -----> 2H2 SO4 (sulphuric acid)
Contd…
 Nitrogen dioxide is produced in atmosphere during
lightening in sky. It also comes out from motor vehicle
exhausts & chimneys of factories. It reacts with water
vapour in presence of oxygen to produce Nitric Acid.

4 NO2 + 2H20 +02 ---------> 4 H No3 (Nitric Acid)

 Acidity is decided on the bases of pH value. pH of Normal

rain water is 7 but that of Acidic water is below 7. When pH
of rain water is much below 5 it is called acid rains.
Sulphuric Acid contributes up to 60 to 70% white Nitric
Acid contributes to the extent of 30 to 40% towards acid
rains.
 Effects of Acid Rains
1. Spoilage of Historical Monuments: -
 Several historical monuments in Athens, Rome and London have developed cracks.
 In India Taj Mahal Leprosy was reported. The marble become pale and soft like
chalk due to sulphur dioxide fumes from methane , oil refinery causing acid rains
over Taj Mahal in Agra. The whole building was painted with acid proof paint
involving very heavy expenses.
2. Harm to Aquatic Life: -
 The ecological effects of acid rain are most clearly seen in aquatic environments,
such as streams, lakes, and marshes where it can be harmful to fish and other
wildlife.
 As it flows through the soil, acidic rain water can leach aluminum from soil clay
particles and then flow into streams and lakes. The more acid that is introduced to
the ecosystem, the more aluminum is released. Some types of plants and animals
are able to tolerate acidic waters and moderate amounts of aluminum. Others,
however, are acid-sensitive and will be lost as the pH declines. At pH 5, most fish
eggs cannot hatch. At lower pH levels, some adult fish die.
Contd…
3. Effect on Vegetation: - Dead or dying trees are a common
sight in areas affected by acid rain. Acid rain leaches
aluminum from the soil. That aluminum may be harmful to
plants as well as animals. Acid rain also removes minerals and
nutrients from the soil that trees need to grow.
4. Effect on Human Health: Acidic water when used for
drinking purposes damages kidney, bones and brain. Acid rains
cause skin cancer.

5. Spoilage of Metallic Structure: Big boilers, fermenters

and railway carriages lying in open get corroded and rusted.
 Control Measures

 Coal should be washed before burning.

 Fuel of low sulphur content should be used.
 Along with coal lime stone should be burnt in
industrial chimneys. Lime stone being alkaline
will reduce acidity
 Lime should be added to Agricultural land, forest
soil and lakes & ponds to reduce acidity. Addition
of lime to agricultural field is called dressing.
 OZONE LAYER DEPLETION
 Ozone gas was discovered by a German chemist Christian schonbein is 1840. It is
formed by the action of sunlight on oxygen
𝑈𝑉 𝑅𝐴𝑌𝑆
𝑂2 𝑂+𝑂
800 𝐶
𝑂 + 𝑂2 𝑂3

 Ozone layer depletion is one of the most serious problems faced by our planet earth.
It is also one of the prime reasons which are leading to global warming.
 Ozone is a colourless gas which is found in the stratosphere of our upper
atmosphere.
 The layer of ozone gas is what which protects us from the harmful ultraviolet
radiations of the sun. The ozone layer absorbs these harmful radiations and thus
prevents these rays from entering the earth’s atmosphere.
 Ultraviolet radiations are high energy electromagnetic waves emitted by the sun
which if enters the earth’s atmosphere can lead to various environmental issues
including global warming, and also a number of health related issues for all living
organisms.
 The Causes of Ozone Depletion
 Chlorine released from CFC
and Bromine released from
halogens are the most important
chemicals associated with
ozone layer depletion. Halogens
are used in fire extinguishers
and CFCs are extensively used
in air conditioners and
refrigerators.
 Methyl bromide used during
packaging of fruits to prevent
bacterial action flows out into
the atmosphere as soon as the
packing is opened. This cause
heavy damage to ozone.
 High altitude aircrafts and
chemicals emitted by industrial
plants and automobiles.
 Effects of Ozone Layer Depletion
1. UV reaches the earth and cause skin cancer of sun burn. About 2.2
million cases of skin cancer occur every year in the world.
2. Diseases like Measles, Chickenpox and Malaria increases.
3. Cataract
4. Loss of Vision
5. Damage to immune system
6. Susceptibility to herpes
7. Greenhouse effect
8. Colour of paints and fabrics fades away
9. Photosynthesis in Phytoplankton’s and Legumes and cabbage
decreases.
 Control Measures

Limit private vehicle driving.

Use eco-friendly household cleaning products.
Developing stringent regulations for rocket
launches.
 Replacing CFCs.
Banning the use of nitrous oxide.
NUCLEAR ACCIDENTS & HOLOCAUST
• A nuclear and radiation accident is defined by the International Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA) as "an event that has led to significant consequences to
people, the environment or the facility."
• Nuclear energy was researched and discovered by man as a source
of alternate energy which would be clean and cheap compared to fossil
fuels, along with the benefits of nuclear energy came its downfalls.
• In the short history of nuclear energy there have been accidents that
have surpassed any natural calamity or other energy source extraction
in their impacts.
• A single nuclear accident can cause loss of life, long-term illness
and destruction of property on a large scale for a long period of time.
• Radioactivity and radioactive fallout leads to cancer, genetic
disorders and death in the affected area for decades after, thus affecting
all forms of life for generations to come.
 Nuclear Holocaust
 Atom bomb was dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki of Japan during Second
World War.
 Several buildings were destroyed, about one lakh people died. Thousand were
admitted in hospital suffering from major injuries like bleeding, bone fracture
or burning.
 The persons who survived were affected by mutations due to radiation resulting
in genetic disorders and birth of crippled children. Radio activity not only
damage the present generation but also the future generation.
 Even today the birth of crippled children is maximum in Japan.
Control Measures
 There should be no leakage in nuclear power plants.
 Nuclear waste should be diluted to harmless limits before disposal.
 Employees working in nuclear power plants must be provided with such aprons
which protect them from radio activity.
 Atomic explosions should be totally banned.
 WASTE LAND RECLAMATION

 Any land which is not put to optimal use is defined as waste land.
The waste land do not fulfill their life sustain potential wasteland
contributes about 20.17% of the total geographical area of India.
 Wasteland reclamation is the process of turning barren,
sterile wasteland into something that is fertile and suitable for
habitation and cultivation
• Reasons for formation
 Over grazing and over exploitation
 Toxic effluent discharged from sewage and industrial wastes.
 Mining activities destroy forest and cultivable land.
 Use of pesticides also produces wasteland.
 Erosion, desertification, water logging also degrade land.
 Wastelands can be reclaimed by the following ways

i) Afforestation:- It means growing the forest over culturable wasteland.

ii) Reforestation:- Growing the forest again over the lands where they were
existing and was destroyed due to fires, overgrazing, and excessive cutting.
Reforestation checks water logging, floods, soil erosion and increase
productivity of land.
iii) Providing surface cover:- The easiest way to protect the land surface from
soil erosion is of leave crop residue on the land after harvesting.
iv) Mulching:- Here also protective cover of organic matter and plants like
stalks, cotton stalks, tobacco stalks etc. are used which reduce evaporation,
help in retaining soil moisture and reduce soil erosion.
v) Leaching:- In salt affected land, the salinity can be minimized by leaching
them with more water.
vi) Changing agricultural practices: - Like mixed cropping, crop rotation
and cropping of plants are adopted to improve soil fertility.
vii) Ecological Succession: - This refers to the natural development or
redevelopment of an ecosystem which help in reclaiming the minerally
deficient soil of wasteland.
 CONSUMERISM
• Consumerism refers to the consumption of resources
by the people.
• Early human societies used to consume much less
resources. But the consumerism has increased to a very
large extent.
• Consumerism is related to both population size and
increase in demands due to change in life style.
Population has increased tremendously. World Bank
estimates our population to reach 11 billion by 2045.
Contd….
Two types of conditions of population and consumerism exists.
i. People over – population: When there are more people than
available food, water and other resources in an area – causes
degradation of limited resources – poverty and under
nourishments. Low Developed Countries (LDC) are more
prone to these conditions. There is less per capita consumption
although the overall consumption is high.
ii. Consumption over – population: These conditions occur in
more developedcountries (MDC). Population size is smaller
but the resource consumption is high due to luxurious life style
(i.e.) per capita consumption is high. More consumption of
resources lead to high waste generation – greater is the
degradation of the environment.
 ENVIRONMENT (PROTECTION) ACT
• An Act to provide for the protection and improvement of environment and for
matters connected therewith. The Act clearly states and explain each and every
term very precisely like environment, environmental pollutants, environmental
pollution, handling, hazardous substance etc.,
• Decisions were taken at the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment
held at Stokholm in June 1972, in which India participated, to take appropriate steps
for the protection and improvement of human environment;
Power of Central Government to take measures to protect and improve environment.
 Planning and execution of a nationwide Programme for the prevention and control
of environmental pollution.
 Laying down standards for the quality of environment in its various aspects.
 Laying down standards for emission or discharge of environmental pollutants from
various sources.
 Restriction of areas in which any industries, operations or processes or class of
Industries shall not be carried out or shall be carried out subject to certain
safeguards.
 Laying down procedures and safeguards for the handling of hazardous substances.
 Examination of such manufacturing processes, materials and substances which are
likely to cause environmental pollution.
 Carrying out and sponsoring investigations and research relating to problems of
environmental pollution.
 Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act
• It is a comprehensive legislation with more than fifty sections. It
makes provisions for Central and State Boards, power to declare
pollution control areas, restrictions on certain industrial units, authority
of the boards to limit emission of air pollutants, power of entry,
inspection, taking samples and analysis, penalties, offences by
companies and Government.
• The Government passed this Act in 1981 to clean up our air by
controlling pollution.
• It states that sources of air pollution such as industry, vehicles,
power plants, etc., are not permitted to release particulate matter, lead,
carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, volatile organic
compounds (VOCs) or other toxic substances beyond a prescribed
level. To ensure this, Pollution Control Boards (PCBs) have been set up
by Government to measure pollution levels in the atmosphere and at
certain sources by testing the air.
Contd…
Powers and Functions of the Boards
• Central Pollution Board:
 The main function of the Central Board is to implement
legislation created to improve the quality of air and to
prevent and control air pollution in the country.
 The Board advises the Central Government on matters
concerning the improvement of air quality and also
coordinates activities, provides technical assistance and
guidance to State Boards and lays down standards for the
quality of air.
 It collects and disseminates information in respect of
matters relating to air pollution and performs functions as
prescribed in the Act.
Contd…
The main objectives of the act are as follows:
(a) To provide for the prevention, control and
abatement of air pollution.
(b) To provide for the establishment of central
and State Boards with a view to implement the
act.
(c) To confer on the Boards the powers to
implement the provisions of the Act and assign
to the boards functions relating to pollution.
Contd…
• State Pollution Control Boards:
 The State Boards have the power to advise the State Government on
any matter concerning the prevention and control of air pollution.
 They have the right to inspect at all reasonable times any control
equipment, industrial plant, or manufacturing process and give
orders to take the necessary steps to control pollution.
 They are empowered to provide standards for emissions to be laid
down for different industrial plants with regard to quantity and
composition of emission of air pollutants into the atmosphere.
 The State Governments have been given powers to declare air
pollution control areas after consulting with the State Board and also
give instructions to ensure standards of emission from automobiles
and restriction on use of certain industrial plants.
 THE WATER (PREVENTION & CONTROL OF POLLUTION) ACT
 The government formulated this act in 1974 to prevent the pollution of
water by Industrial, agricultural and household wastewater that can
contaminate our water sources.
 Wastewaters with high levels of pollutants that enter wetlands, rivers, lakes,
wells as well as the sea are serious health hazards. Controlling the point
sources by monitoring the levels of different pollutants is one way to
prevent pollution, by punishing the polluter.
The main objectives of the Water Act are
 To prevent and control water pollution.
 To maintain or restore the wholesomeness of water.
 To establish boards for the prevention and control of water pollution.
 To confer on and assign to the boards, the power and functions relating to
the above mentioned.
Contd…
The Salient features of the Water Act are
 Establishment of central and state boards for pollution control
 Provision of joint boards for two or more states.
 Prohibition of the use of streams and wells for the disposal of pollutants.
 Consent of pollution control board to open new outlets and discharges into streams
and wells.
 FOREST CONSERVATION ACT
The Indian Forest Act of 1927 consolidated all the previous laws regarding forests that were
passed before the 1920s. The Act gave the Government and Forest Department the power to create
Reserved Forests, and the right to use Reserved Forests for Government use alone.
This act provides conservation of forests and related aspects. This act covers all types of forests
such as reserved forest, protected forest and any forested land. This act aims to arrest
deforestation.
Important features of this act are:

 The reserved forests shall not be diverted or dereserved without prior permission of
the central government.
 The land that has been notified or registered or forest land may not be used for non-forest
purposes.
 Any illegal non-forest activity within a forest area can be immediately stopped under the act.
Important Amendments:

 Forest departments are forbidden to assign any forest land for re-afforestation.
 Clearance of any forest land of naturally grown trees for the purpose of re-
afforestation is forbidden.
 Diversion of forest land for non-forest uses is a cognizable offence and the violator
is punishable under law.
 ISSUES INVOLVED IN THE ENFORCEMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION
• Environmental legislation is evolved to protect our environment as whole
our health and the Earth’s resources. For successful implementation, there has
to be an effective agency to collect relevant data, process it and pass it on to a
law enforcement agency. If the law rule is broken by an individual or
institution, this has to be punished through the legal process.

• Three issues that are especially important for environmental legislation are:
1. The precautionary principle
2. The polluter-pays principle
3. Freedom of information
Contd…
1. The precautionary principle:
 This principle has evolved to deal with risks and
uncertainties faced by environmental
management.
 The principle implies that an ounce of prevention is
worth a pound of cure— it does not prevent
problems but may reduce their occurrence and
helps ensure contingency plans are made.
2. The polluter-pays principle :
In addition to-the obvious—the polluter pays for the
damaged caused by a development—this principle
also implies that a polluter pays for monitoring and
policing.
Contd…

3. Freedom of information:
 Environmental planning and management is hindered if the
public, NGOs or even official bodies are unable to get
information.
 Many countries have now begun to release more
information, USA has a Freedom of Information Act, and
the European Union is moving in this direction. But still
many governors and multinational corporations fear that
industrial secrets will leak to competitors if there is too
much disclosure, and there are situations where authorities
declare strategic needs and suspend disclosure.