Sustainable Development and Environmental Awareness1.
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Transcript of Sustainable Development and Environmental Awareness1.
Sustainable Development and Environmental Awareness 1
What do we Mean by ‘The Environment’?
Air Water
Land Minerals
Solar EnergyPlants
Animals
Organisms Humans
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What is an Ecosystem?
Interactions between biological (living) organisms in a defined area, and with their physical environment (air, water, land), and the associated flow and transformation of energy.
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Ecosystem CharacteristicsMutual interdependence of all components
Survival of each type of plant and organism requires specific habitats and physical conditions
Strive to achieve equilibrium or stasis
In practice they are in dynamic equilibrium
When disturbed by an external force, they may adapt or break down
Fragile 4
Ecosystem Sustainability
Healthy ecosystems are sustainable
Sustainable ecosystems are vital to the quality
of human life and well-being
Biodiversity = Resilience and Adaptability
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Some Uses of Water ResourcesWater supply and sanitationAgricultureUrban developmentHydropower generationFisheriesTransportationIndustryRecreation
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Average Global WaterRenewal Rates
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Groundwater 1,400 years
Atmospheric moisture 8 days
Stream/river water 16 days
Soil moisture 1 year
Lake water 17 years
Harmful Human ActivitiesReduction of forest cover Conversion of wetlands to agriculture and
aquacultureSlash and burn agricultureOveruse of pesticides and fertilizerSome reservoirs and irrigation projectsRemoval of coastal mangrove forestsDestructive fishing methods, overfishingExpansion of urban populations
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Human Impacts on Forests
Unsustainable legal and illegal loggingCollection of firewood Clearing of forests for agricultureRoad building increased access to remote
forest areas
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Unsustainable Effects of Forest Loss
Loss of habitat for plants and animals lower biodiversity
Loss of soil fertility from trading short-term agriculture gains for valuable forest species
Loss of soil due to erosion, landslidesHigher turbidity and siltation.Loss of fish spawning and rearing habitat in lakesGlobal warming
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Un-sustainability ofPlantation Forests
Species often have high nutrient demandsLeaf litter damages soil qualityLow biodiversity - loss of wildlife, increased
risk of diseaseNot labour intensiveLoss of local community rights
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Unsustainable FisheriesToo many people chasing too few fishDestruction of fish habitatBlockage of fish migration routes by damsIncreased sedimentation, water turbidity hinders
fish feeding and spawningChanges in water chemistry unsuitable for fishIllegal methods such as dynamite fishing
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Unsustainable Effects of DamsForced resettlement of communities often
results in their impoverishmentLoss of downstream river flow volumes and
natural fluctuationsUndesirable changes in water chemistryLoss of traditional fisheries Flooding of uncleared forested areas causes
greenhouse gas emissions, navigation and fishing hazards in reservoirs
Increased risk of saltwater intrusion in Delta
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Unsustainable Effects of IrrigationHigh loss of water to evaporationIncreased salinization of soilsInequitable allocation of water.Reduction in downstream water flowIncreased agro-chemical run-off to riverSoil erosion and siltation from run-offLandslides in hilly areas
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Unsustainable Effectsof Urbanization
Overcrowding, overloaded infrastructureLowering of well-being in cities: health,
pollution, waste, crime, social tensions, family and community breakdown
Loss of cultural traditionsDiminished productive human resourcesCut off from natural ecosystems
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Unsustainable Legal andBureaucratic Systems
Generates competition and jurisdictional
disputes within and between government
departments
Disconnects political and administrative
activities from the ‘real world’.
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Unsustainable Attitudesand Beliefs
When humans forget we are children of nature
and instead believe we can dominate nature
Taking from nature without caring for and
replenishing it
Caring for the environment is someone else’s
responsibility
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Concluding ThoughtsImportant points to remember are:Environment is air, water, land, minerals,
solar energy, plants, animals, organisms, humans
Interactions between them create ecosystems
Healthy ecosystems are sustainableHuman activities are creating unsustainable
impacts on the ecology of the MRB in forests, fisheries, agriculture, urban expansion
Depletion of natural resources threatens the livelihood of Billion of people
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