CBSE Textbook: Green Skills | Artificial Intelligence for Class 10 PDF Download

 Page 1


IntroductIon The environment around us affects all aspects of our 
life; and all our day-to-day activities also affect the 
environment. Those who live in cities get their food 
supply from surrounding villages and in turn, are 
dependent on forests, grasslands, rivers, seashores, for 
resources, such as water, fuel wood, fodder, etc. We use 
natural resources for food. Everything around us forms 
our environment and our lives depend on the natural 
world around us. 
Over the years, with economic development, there 
has been an increase in environmental pollution. 
For example, with the introduction of high input 
agriculture, we can grow more food by using fertilisers, 
pesticides and hybrid crops. But it has led to soil and 
environmental degradation. We need to plan the use of 
resources in a sustainable manner so that we and our 
future generations can enjoy the good environment
SeSSIon 1: SuStaInable d evelopment Are we planting more trees or are we only destroying 
them for our use? Are we saving the water resources 
Unit
Unit
Green Skills
5
Unit 5.indd   103 31-Jan-20   10:10:29 AM
Page 2


IntroductIon The environment around us affects all aspects of our 
life; and all our day-to-day activities also affect the 
environment. Those who live in cities get their food 
supply from surrounding villages and in turn, are 
dependent on forests, grasslands, rivers, seashores, for 
resources, such as water, fuel wood, fodder, etc. We use 
natural resources for food. Everything around us forms 
our environment and our lives depend on the natural 
world around us. 
Over the years, with economic development, there 
has been an increase in environmental pollution. 
For example, with the introduction of high input 
agriculture, we can grow more food by using fertilisers, 
pesticides and hybrid crops. But it has led to soil and 
environmental degradation. We need to plan the use of 
resources in a sustainable manner so that we and our 
future generations can enjoy the good environment
SeSSIon 1: SuStaInable d evelopment Are we planting more trees or are we only destroying 
them for our use? Are we saving the water resources 
Unit
Unit
Green Skills
5
Unit 5.indd   103 31-Jan-20   10:10:29 AM
Employability SkillS – ClaSS X
104
or just polluting them with garbage? Are we using 
clean energy or are we burning wood and petrol and 
adding to pollution? Are we giving back to nature 
so that our future generations may thrive or are we 
simply using the air, water and soil available without 
leaving anything for the future generations to come? If 
the answer to all these questions is yes, then we are 
only thinking about our immediate development and 
not the long-term development.
What is Sustainable Development?
Sustainable development 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. 
Importance of Sustainable Development
Economic development is using up resources of the 
world so quickly that our future generations, the young 
people of the world, would have serious environmental 
problems, much worse than those that we are facing at 
present. With increasing population and income, the 
consumption of goods is increasing day by day. This has 
led to increase in production and utilisation of natural 
resources, which are required for producing goods. 
Society must thus change its development strategy 
to a new form where development will not destroy the 
environment. This form of sustainable development 
can only be brought about if each individual practices 
a sustainable lifestyle. Since most of the natural 
resources are scarce, therefore, careful utilisation of 
resource is necessary. 
Sustainable development is defined as ‘development 
that meets the needs of the present without 
compromising the ability of future generations to meet 
their own needs’ (World Commission on Environment 
and Development, 1987). For example, sustainable 
agriculture consists of environment friendly methods 
of farming that allow the production of agricultural 
crops or livestock without damage to human or 
natural systems. It also involves preventing the use of 
n oteS
Unit 5.indd   104 31-Jan-20   10:10:29 AM
Page 3


IntroductIon The environment around us affects all aspects of our 
life; and all our day-to-day activities also affect the 
environment. Those who live in cities get their food 
supply from surrounding villages and in turn, are 
dependent on forests, grasslands, rivers, seashores, for 
resources, such as water, fuel wood, fodder, etc. We use 
natural resources for food. Everything around us forms 
our environment and our lives depend on the natural 
world around us. 
Over the years, with economic development, there 
has been an increase in environmental pollution. 
For example, with the introduction of high input 
agriculture, we can grow more food by using fertilisers, 
pesticides and hybrid crops. But it has led to soil and 
environmental degradation. We need to plan the use of 
resources in a sustainable manner so that we and our 
future generations can enjoy the good environment
SeSSIon 1: SuStaInable d evelopment Are we planting more trees or are we only destroying 
them for our use? Are we saving the water resources 
Unit
Unit
Green Skills
5
Unit 5.indd   103 31-Jan-20   10:10:29 AM
Employability SkillS – ClaSS X
104
or just polluting them with garbage? Are we using 
clean energy or are we burning wood and petrol and 
adding to pollution? Are we giving back to nature 
so that our future generations may thrive or are we 
simply using the air, water and soil available without 
leaving anything for the future generations to come? If 
the answer to all these questions is yes, then we are 
only thinking about our immediate development and 
not the long-term development.
What is Sustainable Development?
Sustainable development 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. 
Importance of Sustainable Development
Economic development is using up resources of the 
world so quickly that our future generations, the young 
people of the world, would have serious environmental 
problems, much worse than those that we are facing at 
present. With increasing population and income, the 
consumption of goods is increasing day by day. This has 
led to increase in production and utilisation of natural 
resources, which are required for producing goods. 
Society must thus change its development strategy 
to a new form where development will not destroy the 
environment. This form of sustainable development 
can only be brought about if each individual practices 
a sustainable lifestyle. Since most of the natural 
resources are scarce, therefore, careful utilisation of 
resource is necessary. 
Sustainable development is defined as ‘development 
that meets the needs of the present without 
compromising the ability of future generations to meet 
their own needs’ (World Commission on Environment 
and Development, 1987). For example, sustainable 
agriculture consists of environment friendly methods 
of farming that allow the production of agricultural 
crops or livestock without damage to human or 
natural systems. It also involves preventing the use of 
n oteS
Unit 5.indd   104 31-Jan-20   10:10:29 AM
Green SkillS
105
chemicals so as to avoid adverse effects to soil, water 
and biodiversity.
Problems Related to Sustainable Development
Three major problems related to sustainable 
development are:
 (a) Food: The amount of rich, fertile land needed to 
grow crops, such as wheat, rice, etc., is becoming 
less as we are using up more and more land for 
other purposes. Soil nutrients are also getting 
depleted and lots of chemicals are spoiling the 
soil due to use of chemical fertilisers.
 (b) Water: We use fresh water from rivers and ponds 
for drinking and cleaning but dump garbage into 
them. The rivers and ponds are getting polluted. 
This way after several years, we will have no clean 
water for our use. 
 (c) Fuel: We are using a lot of wood from trees as 
fuels and for construction of homes and furniture. 
As more and more trees are being cut, it is 
affecting the climate of the place. Extreme weather 
conditions, such as floods, extreme cold or heat, 
are seen in many places, which affect the people 
living there. 
An environment friendly way for production of power 
is using solar energy or energy from the sun which is 
unlimited. One major example of large scale production 
of solar power is seen in Charanka — Gujarat Solar 
Park. This barren land with wild vegetation has a mega 
solar power plant of 600 MW. This has reduced the 
dependence on non-renewable fossil fuels in Gujarat. 
The people of Charanka have benefited as they have 
a good source of income and this will also help future 
generations in the next 40–50 years to come
Sustainable development includes
• 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;
n oteS
Unit 5.indd   105 31-Jan-20   10:10:29 AM
Page 4


IntroductIon The environment around us affects all aspects of our 
life; and all our day-to-day activities also affect the 
environment. Those who live in cities get their food 
supply from surrounding villages and in turn, are 
dependent on forests, grasslands, rivers, seashores, for 
resources, such as water, fuel wood, fodder, etc. We use 
natural resources for food. Everything around us forms 
our environment and our lives depend on the natural 
world around us. 
Over the years, with economic development, there 
has been an increase in environmental pollution. 
For example, with the introduction of high input 
agriculture, we can grow more food by using fertilisers, 
pesticides and hybrid crops. But it has led to soil and 
environmental degradation. We need to plan the use of 
resources in a sustainable manner so that we and our 
future generations can enjoy the good environment
SeSSIon 1: SuStaInable d evelopment Are we planting more trees or are we only destroying 
them for our use? Are we saving the water resources 
Unit
Unit
Green Skills
5
Unit 5.indd   103 31-Jan-20   10:10:29 AM
Employability SkillS – ClaSS X
104
or just polluting them with garbage? Are we using 
clean energy or are we burning wood and petrol and 
adding to pollution? Are we giving back to nature 
so that our future generations may thrive or are we 
simply using the air, water and soil available without 
leaving anything for the future generations to come? If 
the answer to all these questions is yes, then we are 
only thinking about our immediate development and 
not the long-term development.
What is Sustainable Development?
Sustainable development 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. 
Importance of Sustainable Development
Economic development is using up resources of the 
world so quickly that our future generations, the young 
people of the world, would have serious environmental 
problems, much worse than those that we are facing at 
present. With increasing population and income, the 
consumption of goods is increasing day by day. This has 
led to increase in production and utilisation of natural 
resources, which are required for producing goods. 
Society must thus change its development strategy 
to a new form where development will not destroy the 
environment. This form of sustainable development 
can only be brought about if each individual practices 
a sustainable lifestyle. Since most of the natural 
resources are scarce, therefore, careful utilisation of 
resource is necessary. 
Sustainable development is defined as ‘development 
that meets the needs of the present without 
compromising the ability of future generations to meet 
their own needs’ (World Commission on Environment 
and Development, 1987). For example, sustainable 
agriculture consists of environment friendly methods 
of farming that allow the production of agricultural 
crops or livestock without damage to human or 
natural systems. It also involves preventing the use of 
n oteS
Unit 5.indd   104 31-Jan-20   10:10:29 AM
Green SkillS
105
chemicals so as to avoid adverse effects to soil, water 
and biodiversity.
Problems Related to Sustainable Development
Three major problems related to sustainable 
development are:
 (a) Food: The amount of rich, fertile land needed to 
grow crops, such as wheat, rice, etc., is becoming 
less as we are using up more and more land for 
other purposes. Soil nutrients are also getting 
depleted and lots of chemicals are spoiling the 
soil due to use of chemical fertilisers.
 (b) Water: We use fresh water from rivers and ponds 
for drinking and cleaning but dump garbage into 
them. The rivers and ponds are getting polluted. 
This way after several years, we will have no clean 
water for our use. 
 (c) Fuel: We are using a lot of wood from trees as 
fuels and for construction of homes and furniture. 
As more and more trees are being cut, it is 
affecting the climate of the place. Extreme weather 
conditions, such as floods, extreme cold or heat, 
are seen in many places, which affect the people 
living there. 
An environment friendly way for production of power 
is using solar energy or energy from the sun which is 
unlimited. One major example of large scale production 
of solar power is seen in Charanka — Gujarat Solar 
Park. This barren land with wild vegetation has a mega 
solar power plant of 600 MW. This has reduced the 
dependence on non-renewable fossil fuels in Gujarat. 
The people of Charanka have benefited as they have 
a good source of income and this will also help future 
generations in the next 40–50 years to come
Sustainable development includes
• 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;
n oteS
Unit 5.indd   105 31-Jan-20   10:10:29 AM
Employability SkillS – ClaSS X
106
• green grassy patches and trees to be interspersed 
between concrete buildings;
• using more environment friendly material or 
biodegradable material and
• use of technologies, which are environmental 
friendly and based on efficient use of resources.
Sustainable Development Goals
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a 
universal call 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. 
It has set targets that the countries have to should work 
towards and achieve by 2030.
The 17 SDGs have been made with the aim to take 
care of important issues facing businesses, governments 
and society. Some of these issues are poverty, gender 
equality, water use, energy, climate change and 
biodiversity. Countries are now making policies and 
regulations that will promote sustainable systems 
needed in all economic sectors to provide a secure, 
affordable and sustainable economy. 
Fig. 5.1 Sustainable Development Goals
Unit 5.indd   106 31-Jan-20   10:10:31 AM
Page 5


IntroductIon The environment around us affects all aspects of our 
life; and all our day-to-day activities also affect the 
environment. Those who live in cities get their food 
supply from surrounding villages and in turn, are 
dependent on forests, grasslands, rivers, seashores, for 
resources, such as water, fuel wood, fodder, etc. We use 
natural resources for food. Everything around us forms 
our environment and our lives depend on the natural 
world around us. 
Over the years, with economic development, there 
has been an increase in environmental pollution. 
For example, with the introduction of high input 
agriculture, we can grow more food by using fertilisers, 
pesticides and hybrid crops. But it has led to soil and 
environmental degradation. We need to plan the use of 
resources in a sustainable manner so that we and our 
future generations can enjoy the good environment
SeSSIon 1: SuStaInable d evelopment Are we planting more trees or are we only destroying 
them for our use? Are we saving the water resources 
Unit
Unit
Green Skills
5
Unit 5.indd   103 31-Jan-20   10:10:29 AM
Employability SkillS – ClaSS X
104
or just polluting them with garbage? Are we using 
clean energy or are we burning wood and petrol and 
adding to pollution? Are we giving back to nature 
so that our future generations may thrive or are we 
simply using the air, water and soil available without 
leaving anything for the future generations to come? If 
the answer to all these questions is yes, then we are 
only thinking about our immediate development and 
not the long-term development.
What is Sustainable Development?
Sustainable development 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. 
Importance of Sustainable Development
Economic development is using up resources of the 
world so quickly that our future generations, the young 
people of the world, would have serious environmental 
problems, much worse than those that we are facing at 
present. With increasing population and income, the 
consumption of goods is increasing day by day. This has 
led to increase in production and utilisation of natural 
resources, which are required for producing goods. 
Society must thus change its development strategy 
to a new form where development will not destroy the 
environment. This form of sustainable development 
can only be brought about if each individual practices 
a sustainable lifestyle. Since most of the natural 
resources are scarce, therefore, careful utilisation of 
resource is necessary. 
Sustainable development is defined as ‘development 
that meets the needs of the present without 
compromising the ability of future generations to meet 
their own needs’ (World Commission on Environment 
and Development, 1987). For example, sustainable 
agriculture consists of environment friendly methods 
of farming that allow the production of agricultural 
crops or livestock without damage to human or 
natural systems. It also involves preventing the use of 
n oteS
Unit 5.indd   104 31-Jan-20   10:10:29 AM
Green SkillS
105
chemicals so as to avoid adverse effects to soil, water 
and biodiversity.
Problems Related to Sustainable Development
Three major problems related to sustainable 
development are:
 (a) Food: The amount of rich, fertile land needed to 
grow crops, such as wheat, rice, etc., is becoming 
less as we are using up more and more land for 
other purposes. Soil nutrients are also getting 
depleted and lots of chemicals are spoiling the 
soil due to use of chemical fertilisers.
 (b) Water: We use fresh water from rivers and ponds 
for drinking and cleaning but dump garbage into 
them. The rivers and ponds are getting polluted. 
This way after several years, we will have no clean 
water for our use. 
 (c) Fuel: We are using a lot of wood from trees as 
fuels and for construction of homes and furniture. 
As more and more trees are being cut, it is 
affecting the climate of the place. Extreme weather 
conditions, such as floods, extreme cold or heat, 
are seen in many places, which affect the people 
living there. 
An environment friendly way for production of power 
is using solar energy or energy from the sun which is 
unlimited. One major example of large scale production 
of solar power is seen in Charanka — Gujarat Solar 
Park. This barren land with wild vegetation has a mega 
solar power plant of 600 MW. This has reduced the 
dependence on non-renewable fossil fuels in Gujarat. 
The people of Charanka have benefited as they have 
a good source of income and this will also help future 
generations in the next 40–50 years to come
Sustainable development includes
• 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;
n oteS
Unit 5.indd   105 31-Jan-20   10:10:29 AM
Employability SkillS – ClaSS X
106
• green grassy patches and trees to be interspersed 
between concrete buildings;
• using more environment friendly material or 
biodegradable material and
• use of technologies, which are environmental 
friendly and based on efficient use of resources.
Sustainable Development Goals
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a 
universal call 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. 
It has set targets that the countries have to should work 
towards and achieve by 2030.
The 17 SDGs have been made with the aim to take 
care of important issues facing businesses, governments 
and society. Some of these issues are poverty, gender 
equality, water use, energy, climate change and 
biodiversity. Countries are now making policies and 
regulations that will promote sustainable systems 
needed in all economic sectors to provide a secure, 
affordable and sustainable economy. 
Fig. 5.1 Sustainable Development Goals
Unit 5.indd   106 31-Jan-20   10:10:31 AM
Green SkillS
107
The core skills required by a person who wants to 
contribute towards environment include environmental 
awareness and willingness to learn about sustainable 
development. If we are responsible about our life, then we 
will do our best at home, in school and at our workplace 
to help the environment and the people around us.
Sustainable Development Initiatives
When plastics were banned by the municipal corporation 
of Mangalore, an innovator and entrepreneur Mr Avasth 
Hedge found an eco-friendly alternative. He made a  
100 per cent bio-degradable bag which can dissolve in 
hot water and decompose in natural environment. This 
is now being used in many countries and is going to 
help the environment.
Another innovative idea was to stop the use of 
plastics spoons, forks, etc. Narayana Peesapaty made 
edible cutlery made out of a grain — these spoons can 
be eaten and even if they are not eaten they will easily 
decompose in the soil enriching it. <https://www.ibef.
org/Innovations-from-India.aspx>
Sustainable Processes
Some practices, such as organic farming, vermi-composting 
and rainwater harvesting are being used to help preserve 
the environment.
Organic farming is where farmers do not use chemical 
pesticides and fertilisers to increase their production. 
They use organic and natural fertilisers, such as cow 
dung to help in growing crops. This helps in better 
quality chemical free crops while at the same time 
maintaining the soil quality for future use. This is a true 
example of sustainable developmen where we are not 
only using the earth resources but are also preserving 
it for our future generations.
Practical Exercise 
Activity 1
Create a Garden in School or Plant Trees
Material required
Seeds, garden waste, sprinkler, gardening tools
n oteS
Unit 5.indd   107 31-Jan-20   10:10:31 AM