ECONOMICS – CLASS 11

CHAPTER 7: ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

INTRODUCTION

• Economic development aims at improving the standard of living of people.
• For many years, development was measured mainly in terms of:
  • Growth of income
  • Industrialisation
  • Urbanisation
• In the process of achieving economic growth, natural resources were overused.
• Industries, transport, agriculture and urban activities caused:
  • Air pollution
  • Water pollution
  • Land degradation
  • Deforestation
• This led to serious environmental problems affecting human health and life.
• Today, it is realised that economic development without environmental protection is harmful.
• Hence, the concept of Environment and Sustainable Development has gained importance.
• Sustainable development ensures:
  • Development of the present generation
  • Protection of resources for future generations

ENVIRONMENT — DEFINITION AND FUNCTIONS

Meaning of Environment

• The environment refers to everything that surrounds us.
• It includes:
  • Natural elements like air, water, soil, forests, wildlife
  • Man-made elements like buildings, roads, industries
  • Social and cultural surroundings
• Environment is the source of all life-support systems on earth.

Definition of Environment

• Environment is the totality of natural and man-made surroundings that influence human life.
• It includes biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components.

FUNCTIONS OF THE ENVIRONMENT

The environment performs four major functions:

1. Supply of Resources

• Environment provides resources used in production and consumption.
• These resources include:
  • Renewable resources
  • Non-renewable resources

Renewable Resources

• Resources that can be regenerated naturally.
• Examples:
  • Forests
  • Water
  • Wind energy
  • Solar energy

Non-Renewable Resources

• Resources that cannot be regenerated quickly.
• Examples:
  • Coal
  • Petroleum
  • Natural gas
  • Minerals
• Excessive use of resources leads to resource depletion.

2. Assimilation of Waste

• Environment absorbs waste generated by:
  • Industries
  • Households
  • Agriculture
• Examples:
  • Rivers absorb sewage
  • Air absorbs smoke and gases
• Environment has a limited capacity to absorb waste.
• Overuse leads to:
  • Pollution
  • Health hazards
  • Climate change

3. Sustaining Life

• Environment supports life by providing:
  • Oxygen
  • Water
  • Food
  • Climate balance
• Ecosystem maintains balance between living organisms.
• Destruction of ecosystems threatens survival of species.

4. Aesthetic Services

• Environment provides beauty and recreational value.
• Examples:
  • Mountains
  • Rivers
  • Forests
  • Wildlife sanctuaries
• These enhance:
  • Mental peace
  • Tourism
  • Cultural values

STATE OF INDIA’S ENVIRONMENT

India faces serious environmental challenges due to rapid development.

1. Air Pollution

• Caused by:
  • Industrial emissions
  • Vehicular pollution
  • Burning of fossil fuels
• Major cities suffer from poor air quality.
• Effects:
  • Respiratory diseases
  • Global warming
  • Acid rain

2. Water Pollution

• Major rivers like Ganga and Yamuna are polluted.
• Causes:
  • Industrial waste
  • Untreated sewage
  • Agricultural runoff
• Effects:
  • Water-borne diseases
  • Death of aquatic life
  • Shortage of clean drinking water

3. Land Degradation

• Caused by:
  • Deforestation
  • Overgrazing
  • Mining
  • Excessive use of chemicals
• Results in:
  • Loss of soil fertility
  • Desertification

4. Deforestation

• Forests cleared for:
  • Agriculture
  • Urbanisation
  • Industrial use
• Consequences:
  • Loss of biodiversity
  • Soil erosion
  • Climate imbalance

5. Solid Waste Problem

• Rapid urbanisation leads to:
  • Plastic waste
  • Electronic waste
• Lack of proper disposal systems worsens the problem.

6. Loss of Biodiversity

• Many plant and animal species are endangered.
• Causes:
  • Habitat destruction
  • Pollution
  • Illegal hunting

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Meaning of Sustainable Development

• Sustainable development means meeting present needs without compromising future needs.
• It balances:
  • Economic growth
  • Environmental protection
  • Social welfare

Definition

According to the Brundtland Commission (1987):

“Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

Features of Sustainable Development

• Long-term economic growth
• Conservation of natural resources
• Protection of environment
• Inter-generational equity
• Improvement in quality of life

Need for Sustainable Development

• Limited natural resources
• Increasing population
• Environmental degradation
• Climate change
• Survival of future generations

STRATEGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

To achieve sustainable development, the following strategies are essential:

1. Use of Renewable Resources

• Promote solar, wind, hydro and biogas energy.
• Reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
• Benefits:
  • Less pollution
  • Energy security

2. Sustainable Use of Non-Renewable Resources

• Use resources efficiently.
• Promote recycling and reuse.
• Develop alternatives.

3. Control of Pollution

• Adoption of clean technologies.
• Proper waste management.
• Pollution control laws and enforcement.

4. Afforestation and Forest Conservation

• Plant more trees.
• Protect existing forests.
• Encourage social forestry.

5. Sustainable Agriculture

• Use of organic farming.
• Reduce chemical fertilisers and pesticides.
• Promote crop rotation and mixed farming.

6. Population Control

• Awareness about small family norms.
• Education and empowerment of women.
• Family planning programs.

7. Water Conservation

• Rainwater harvesting.
• Efficient irrigation methods like drip irrigation.
• Prevent water pollution.

8. Public Awareness and Education

• Environmental education at school level.
• Media campaigns.
• Community participation.

9. Role of Government

• Environmental laws like:
  • Environment Protection Act
  • Wildlife Protection Act
• Promotion of green policies.
• Support for sustainable projects.

10. International Cooperation

• Global issues need global solutions.
• Agreements like:
  • Paris Climate Agreement
  • Kyoto Protocol
• Shared responsibility among nations.

CONCLUSION

• Environment is essential for human survival and economic development.
• Uncontrolled growth has led to serious environmental problems.
• Sustainable development provides a solution by balancing growth and conservation.
• Protection of environment is the responsibility of:
  • Government
  • Industries
  • Individuals
• Only sustainable practices can ensure:
  • Healthy life
  • Economic stability
  • Safe future for coming generations
• Therefore, environmental protection and sustainable development must go hand in hand.

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