Information Technology Code 402 Class IX & X

Despite responsibilities there is greater independence since entrepreneurship invites abilities to

work independently yet in coordination with flexible decision making system.

Unit 5: Green Skills

SESSION 1: Environment, Natural Resources and Conservation

Exercise
1. Define the terms environment and ecosystem.
Our environment is everything that surrounds us- from the trees, mountains, roads, buildings,
things and even people. It is a combination of both natural and human-made elements.
Community of living and non-living organisms living interdependently with each other is called
ecosystem. like, Forest, Pond etc. An ecosystem is a dynamic entity with constant interactions
occurring among the organisms and with the surroundings.

2. How does pollution affect environment?

The contamination of the surrounding environment by the addition of foreign/unwanted substances
is known as pollution.
Air Pollution is posing a serious threat to both flora and fauna. Air pollution is believed to end lives
of over 20 lakh people every year. Incurable respiratory diseases among animals, aorist rainfall, acid
rain, global warming, depletion of ozone layer, the rise in temperature, withering of plants, drought-
like conditions, the grimy appearance of buildings etc. are only because of air pollution.
Because of pollution and misuse of resources water table has already depleted from its normal level
and the water which is available is again in impure from which can cause serious diseases like
cholera, diarrhea, typhoid, retarded growth and stomach/peptic ulcers etc.

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3. What are the ill effects of deforestation and global warming?

Deforestation is when humans remove or clear large areas of forest lands and related ecosystems
for non-forest use. In these cases, trees are never re-planted. Since the industrial age, about half of
world's original forests have been destroyed and millions of animals and living things have been
endangered.
Removal of green cover and excessive industrialisation increases global warming due to ozone layer
depletion and UV rays entering earth’s atmosphere. Increase in Carbon dioxide and clorofluoro
carbons increase earth’s temperature leading to global warming.

4. How can we prevent ill effect of man’s actions on environment?

Human greed, heavy industrialisation, rampant over exploitation of natural resources has brought
the humans and environment to the brink of destruction. The Green Economy is an alternative
vision for growth and development and sustainable development. Green Economy can promote
safer economic, environmental and social well-being. Green economy addresses low carbon
emissions, efficient use of resources, and social benefits.

SESSION 2: Green Economy

Exercise
1. What do you mean by green economy? Explain briefly.
The Green Economy is an alternative vision for growth and development and sustainable
development. Green Economy can promote safer economic, environmental and social well-being.
Green economy addresses low carbon emissions, efficient use of resources, and social benefits.
Green economy improves social well-being, equity and reduces environmental risks. It is a viable
alternative to today's economic structures, which encourage waste and threats to the environment.
The concept of the green economy is emerging as a priority for government for sustainable and
environment-friendly growth.

2. Describe the importance of green economy in the modern world in brief.

Green economy addresses low carbon emissions, efficient use of resources, and social benefits.
Better and steady growth in income, proper employment opportunities and related activities need
to be more public oriented and prevent the damage to biodiversity and ecosystem.
Improved energy security and environmental and public health have greater scope to implement
green initiatives. This is a priority for government for sustainable and environment friendly
economy.

3. List the steps we can deploy to achieve green economy.

Will power and commitment of the government.
Laws and legal framework.
Green policies
Support renewable technology
Innovations in energy sector

4. How green policies and political commitments achieve green economy?

Policy makers should put proper mechanisms in place to prevent natural resource abuse.
Secondly, government bodies need to promote funding for entrepreneurs that provide
innovative solutions to energy issues. Government need to promote green investment and
research.

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Political bodies of government should commit to the green growth path for economy. This could
include better research and development, resorting to innovative renewable technologies and
renewable energies.

Assessment
1. What do you mean by environment?
Environment is a combination of both natural and human-made elements. These elements are
divided into two types: Biotic and Abiotic. Biotic elements are all the living organisms. Abiotic
elements include all the non-living things. Land, air, water, plants and animals all comprise the
natural environment.

2. Which components is our environment made of?

Our environment is mainly made of the lithosphere - the hard top layer of the earth, the
Hydrosphere - various sources of water and different types of water bodies, the atmosphere - the
thin layer of air that surrounds the earth and the biosphere that includes all life.

3. What is Ecosystem?
Community of living and non-living organisms living interdependently with each other is called
ecosystem. like, Forest, Pond etc. An ecosystem is a dynamic entity with constant interactions
occurring among the organisms and with the surroundings.

4. Give an example of an ecosystem and briefly explain it.

In a river, members of ecosystem are fish, aquatic plants, insects, insect eating birds, amphibians
like frog, microorganisms of soil and water etc. Fish and water animals release carbon dioxide used
by aquatic plants and plants release oxygen for animals to absorb.

5. List any 5 disastrous effects on environment caused by human activities.

1. Rapid endangerment of rare animals and plants species due to extensive poaching.
2. Greater demand for precious animal parts and ornamental goods made from them.
3. Erosion of soil and deterioration of soil fertility.
4. Water pollution due to fertilisers, pesticides, domestic and industrial waste.
5. Air pollution due to toxic industrial emission and fuel combustion.

6. What do you mean by deforestation? What are its causes and effects?
Deforestation is when humans remove or clear large areas of forest lands and related ecosystems
for non-forest use. These include clearing for farming purposes, ranching and urban use. In these
cases, trees are never re-planted. About half of world's original forests have been destroyed so far
and millions of animals and living things have been endangered.
Causes:
• Trees are cut down (deforestation) for many reasons including
• To be used, sold or exported as timber, wood or fuel (charcoal). This is called logging.
• To be used for farming purposes (grazing fields for livestock, or large-scale farming
activities)
• To make room for human settlement and urbanization (these include making space for
shelter, industries, and roads)
• To make room for mining.
Effects:
• Global warming.
• Irregular rains.
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• Floods
• Soil erosion.
• Draught.

7. What are the effects of air pollution and possible solutions?

Air Pollution is a serious threat to both flora and fauna. Respiratory diseases among animals, acid
rain, global warming, depletion of ozone layer, the rise in temperature, drought-like conditions, etc.
are because of air pollution.
If the rate at which pollution is increasing right now continues then soon quality air for breathing
will cease to exist and the whole ecosystem will be disturbed.
Solution: The industries should be set up far from residential areas and proper filters should be
used to check out toxic emissions from the industries. Deforestation should be stopped and
afforestation should be promoted. Power Plants emissions should be controlled. Migrating towards
cleaner sources of energy like solar and wind energy.

8. What are the effects of water pollution and possible solutions?

If the misuse of water is not stopped then pure drinking water won’t be available for consumption.
Due to misuse of water, water table has already depleted from its normal level and the water which
is available is in impure from which can cause serious diseases like cholera, diarrhea, typhoid,
retarded growth and stomach/peptic ulcers etc.
Solution: The domestic and sewage water should be recycled by correctly mixing it with soil which
increases the fertility of the soil. The industrial toxic waste, on the other hand, should not be
disposed of directly in the water bodies at all. Alternative disposable techniques should be developed
or should be disposed of after proper treatment. The use of pesticides and insecticides should be
minimized.

9. What is global warming?

Global warming occurs when carbon dioxide (CO2) and other air pollutants and greenhouse gases
collect in the atmosphere and absorb sunlight and solar radiation that have bounced off the earth’s
surface. Ozone layer depletion is done by Chloro-fluoro-carbons. Extreme heat waves, melting of
glaciers, and severe droughts cause water shortages and increase the risk of wildfires.
Rising sea levels will cause flooding in coastal areas. Forests, farms, and cities face heat waves, heavy
downpours and floods. All these damage and destroy agriculture and fisheries. Diseases like
allergies, asthma and infections outbreaks are becoming more common.

10. How have human activities endangered animal species?

Humans are largely responsible when animals become extinct, endangered or threatened. Humans
destroy precious habitat--the natural environment of a living thing--when they fill swamps and
marshes, dam rivers and cut down trees to build homes, roads and other developments. Oil spills,
acid rain and water pollution have been devastating for many species of fish and birds. Humans
have over hunted and over harvested species, leading to their endangerment, and often, extinction.
Habitat loss due to forest fires, deforestation, pollution, over killing and poaching has lead to the
extinction of rare animal species.

11. Name a few endangered species.

Some endangered species are: giant panda, tiger, whooping crane, blue whale, Asian elephant, sea
otter, snow leopard and gorilla.

12. How is radioactive waste and Electronic waste dangerous for environment?

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Radioactive waste is nuclear fuel that is produced after being used inside of a nuclear reactor. This
is very dangerous and remains this way for thousands of years. It must be handled in the right
manner. Industries like mining, defense, medicine, scientific research, nuclear power generation
which produce by-products that include radioactive waste.
Electronic wastes include discarded electronic devices like old cell phones, computers, batteries etc.
They degenerate very slow and are hazardous.

13. What do you understand by the concept of green economy?

Human greed, heavy industrialisation, over exploitation of natural resources has brought the
humans and environment to the brink of destruction. Green Economy is an alternative vision for
growth and development. Green Economy promotes safer economic, environmental and social well-
being. Green economy addresses low carbon emissions, efficient use of resources, and social
benefits. It improves social well-being, equity and reduces environmental risks.

14. Which problems does green economy address?

Green Economy can promote safer economic, environmental and social well-being. An inclusive
green economy improves social well-being, equity and reduces environmental risks. It is a viable
alternative to today's dominant economic structures, which encourages waste, cause resource
scarcities, and which are threats to the environment.

15. Explain briefly how we can achieve green economy?

Certain general steps that can be taken to achieve green economy are:
Political commitment: Government bodies should commit to the green growth path for economy.
This could include better research and development, resorting to innovative renewable technologies
in industry.
Legal and regulatory framework: Policies for green regulatory systems to prevent climate change.
Laws must be enforced with heavy hand to eliminate the damages to environment.
Green policies: Policy makers should introduce mechanisms to prevent natural resource abuse.
Government needs to promote funding for entrepreneurs that provide innovative solutions to
energy issues. Government need to promote and support green efforts in private industry.
Technology viability: Use public funds to support renewable technology.
Institutional setup: Institutional adjustments to adopt innovative solutions and attract new
investments for clean energy, biogas, windmills etc.

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