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 is a change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns

when that change lasts for an extended period of time (i.e., decades to millions of
years). 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 mosquito Aedes aegypti will increase resulting in the increase in Dengue fever
cases. Malaria will also increase.

(f) EL – Nino & La Nina 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%
Table:- Major Green House Gases Contributing to Global Warming

 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.
 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 share.
 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)

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 watercan 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.

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 globalwarming. 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 ifenters 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.
Case studies
In 1986 the Nuclear Power Station at Chernobyl developed a problem that led
to a fire and a number of explosions in its Nuclear Reactor. The radioactivedust
spread over many kilometers and covered not only Europe but North America as
well. Thirty people died in the explosion and 28 shortly after due to radiation
exposure. Some 259 sick were hospitalized. As the area had to be evacuated 1,
35,000 people had to be moved immediately and another 1.5 lac by 1991. As
radioactive fallout continued even more people had to be moved. An estimated 6.5
lakh people may have been seriously affected.
A French Nuclear Waste Processing Center in Normandy may have affected
the lives of children playing nearby. They may develop leukemia (blood cancer) in
later life.
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 AND WASTE PRODUCTS
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.
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 developed
countries (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.
WASTE PRODUCTS
Nations with high standard of living generate more of solid waste than
developing countries. This causes an ever-increasing burden of garbage, which in
turn is related to their disposal problems. Even land filling and other methods of
disposal have their own limitations. We need ample of land to bury burn or dispose
waste. Ash from incineration is also a major problem because the ash contains lead,
cadmium, mercury, and arsenic in various proportions from batteries, lighting
fixtures and pigments.

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 everyterm
very precisely like environment, environmental pollutants, environmentalpollution,
handling, hazardous substance etc.,

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.

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.
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.

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.

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 tobe 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: 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. Once a threat
is identified, action should be taken to prevent or control damage even if there is
uncertainty about whether the threat is real. Some environmental problems become
impossible or costly to solve if there is delay, therefore waiting for research and
legal proof is not costless.

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.

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.