CLASS IX

GREEN SKILLS NOTES

What is the relation between society and environment?

Society affects the ecological balance of the environment due to the increase of the population, economic activities,
people’s involvement with nature, etc. The environment is also affected by the intensive agriculture and use of large
amounts of natural resources like water, petroleum, minerals, wood, etc.

Natural resources

Humans use natural resources that are derived from nature. There are many ways in which natural resources can be
found. They may be a solid, liquid, or gas. For example, water, soils, land, rocks, animals, forests, and fossil fuels.

 Land Resources – Land resources are used for production and residence. It is a finite resource that can be used
for agricultural and infrastructure development.
 Forest Resources – Forest resources are used for making furniture, railway sleepers, boats, matches, etc.
 Water Resources – Water covers three-quarters of the earth’s surface and is a necessary element for life. Water
resources include oceans, lakes, rivers, underground water, etc.
 Mineral Resources – Mineral resources are non-renewable and include metals like iron, copper, and aluminum
and non-metals like salt, gypsum, clay, sand, and phosphates.
 Food Resources – Resources that provide food for organisms are called food resources. Plants are the source of
food for herbivores and omnivores. Animals and birds are the source of food for carnivores and omnivores.
Natural resources fall under the following main categories:

 Inexhaustible Resources – The resources that cannot be finished by human consumption are called inexhaustible
resources. For example, waterpower, wind power, solar energy, etc.
 Exhaustible Resources – The resources that are in limited quantities and finished if the continuous use is there.
For example, coal, petroleum, etc.
 Renewable Resources – The resources that are constantly available or cannot be replaced or recovered. For
example, forest trees, vegetative lands, etc.
 Non-renewable Resources – The resources that cannot easily be replaced once they are destroyed. For example,
fossil fuels, minerals, etc.
How the human activities are damaging our earth and environment:

 Overexploitation – Harvesting a species from its habitat at a faster rate than the population can recover is known
as overexploitation. For example, wild medicinal plants, destruction of forests, over hunting, overfishing etc.
 Mining – Many companies are digging below the earth’s surface to get ores. These ores are refined and
extracted to valuable elements. For example, gems, metals, and minerals.
 Deforestation – when land is converted to a non-forest use such as construction or agriculture is known as
deforestation.
 Pollution – The pollution derived from the Latin word “polluere,” meaning “to soil” or “defile (contaminate).”
Pollution can be solid, liquid, or gaseous in nature. Pollution has harmful effects on animals, plants, and human
beings.
Types of Pollution:

There are basically three types of pollution:

 Land Pollution – Damage to the land because of harmful substances is known as land pollution.
 Water Pollution – Adding harmful substances and disease-causing bacteria and other microorganisms to rivers,
lakes, and oceans results in water pollution.
 Air Pollution – Addition of harmful gases and particles in air results in air pollution.

What is the greenhouse effect?

When the gases in the earth’s atmosphere trap heat from the sun, this makes the earth warmer; this is known as the
greenhouse effect.

What is climate change?

Climate change is a change in atmospheric temperatures and weather patterns. The earth is warming due to the
greenhouse effect; some of the greenhouse gases enter the atmosphere due to burning fossil fuels like petrol, coal, and
diesel. This greenhouse effect traps heat in the atmosphere, which increases the global warming.

What do you mean by Ozone Layer?

The atmosphere protects us from the harmful radiation from the sun. This atmosphere protection is done by using the
‘Ozone Layer,’ which is made of a gas called ‘Ozone.’ Refrigerators, air conditioners, and cleaning chemicals release
ozone-depleting substances, such as chlorofluorocarbons, into the atmosphere.

Saving the environment: What can you do?

To save our environment, we need to –

 Learning about the environment – Learning about the environment – understanding our surroundings and
related issues.
 Learning through the environment – Engaging with the environment inside and outside the classroom.
 Learning for the environment – Become responsible for the environment.
 Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

There are three Rs which you can apply for saving the environment – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. It is a concept of the
modern waste management.

 Reduce – reduce the use of unnecessary items while shopping, buy items with minimal packaging, avoid buying
disposable items and also avoid asking for plastic carry bags.
 Reuse – Reuse the materials for other purposes, such as making pillow covers or rags out of used shirts or ladies
suits.
 Recycling – Recycling is reusing some components of the waste that may have some economic value. Some
materials, such as aluminum and steel can be recycled many times. Metal, paper, glass and plastics are
recyclable. Plastic items are recycled into new plastic products.

Conserving Natural Resources

Conservation is the proper management of a natural resource to prevent its exploitation, destruction or degradation.

Soil conservation

Soil conservation means checking soil erosion and improving soil fertility by adopting various methods.

 Maintenance of soil fertility – The fertility can be maintained by adding manure and fertilizers.
 Control on grazing – Grazing should be allowed only on specified areas.
 Reforestation – Planting of trees and vegetation reduces soil erosion.
 Terracing – Dividing a slope into several flat fields to control rapid run of water.

Water conservation

Conservation and management of water are essential for the survival of mankind, plants and animals.

 Growing vegetation in the catchment areas, which will hold water.

 Constructing dams and reservoirs to regulate supply of water to the fields
 Sewage should be treated and only the clear water should be released into the rivers.
  Industrial wastes should be treated.
 Judicious use of water in our day-to-day life.
 Rainwater harvesting should be done
Energy conservation

Conservation of resources or energy means saving them and using them efficiently.

 Switch off lights, fans, TV and other electrical items, when not in use
 Use LEB bulb to save energy.
 Keep the bulbs and tubes clean.
 Use pressure cooker to save energy.
 Keep vessels covered with a lid during cooking.
 Electric items like air conditioners geysers, heaters and dryers use a lot of electrical
power. Use them when necessary.
Food conservation

Food is also preserved through various methods to prevent harmful bacteria and other microorganisms.

Forest conservation

Forest conservation involves preserving current forests or establishing new ones at the prescribed levels by the
government or local authority.

Session 3: Sustainable Develpment and Green Economy

What is sustainable development?

Sustainability 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.

Sustainable development includes the following:

 Reducing excessive use of resources and enhancing resource conservation.

 Recycling and reuse of waste materials.
 Scientific management of renewable resources, especially bio-resources.
 Planting more trees.
 Green grassy patches to be interspersed between concrete buildings.
 Using more environment friendly material or biodegradable material.
 Use environmental friendly technology.
Sustainable Development Goals

Sustainable Development Goals are a universal goal of action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all
people enjoy peace and prosperity.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were launched at the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit in
New York in September 2015, forming the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by world leaders in 2015, , embody a road map
for progress that is sustainable and leaves no one behind.

What is Green growth?

The concept of green growth aims at achieving economic growth that is socially inclusive and environmentally
sustainable.

What is Green Economy?

The term ‘Green Economy’ was first coined in a 1989 report for the Government of the United Kingdom, UNEP has
defined the green economy as “one that results in improved human well‐being and social equity, while significantly
reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities.

Components of a Green Economy

 Renewable energy
 Green building
 Well-managed (Sustainable) transport
 Water management
 Waste management
 Land management
What is Green skills?

The skills used for promoting green economy are known as green skills. These skills are needed in areas similar to
renewable energy, sewer water treatment, climate resilient cities, green construction, solid waste management,etc.

Some of the areas in which green skills contribute to the sustainable development are as follows:

 Using renewable energy (example, using solar power and wind energy)
 Water and waste management
 Rain water harvesting
 Conserving energy
 Reducing pollution
What are green jobs?

A ‘green job’ is employment in any industry that contributes to preserving or restoring environmental
quality in that sector and allowing for sustainable development.

Some of the sectors, which have the potential for green jobs are as follows:

 Agriculture
 Construction
 Energy
 Forestry
 Manufacturing
 Retail
 Automotive and Transport
 Tourism and Hospitality
 Education
Education Resources

What is Green project?

Many people and organisation are concerned and motivated about doing something to save the environment. They are
implementing green projects in areas like waste management, energy conservation, green sanitation, biofuel use, green
buildings, etc.