Green Skills | Artificial Intelligence for Class 10 PDF Download

Introduction

• Our surroundings impact every aspect of our lives, and in turn, our daily activities affect the environment. People living in cities rely on nearby villages for their food supply and are dependent on natural resources like forests, grasslands, rivers, and seashores for necessities such as water, fuel, and fodder. Everything around us contributes to our environment, and our existence is closely tied to the natural world.
• With economic growth over the years, environmental pollution has increased. For instance, modern high-input agriculture allows us to produce more food using fertilizers, pesticides, and hybrid crops, but this has led to soil degradation and other environmental issues. It is crucial to manage resources in a sustainable way to ensure that both current and future generations can benefit from a healthy environment.

Sustainable Development

• Are we planting more trees, or are we merely cutting them down for our own use? 
• Are we preserving water resources, or are we polluting them with waste? 
• Are we relying on clean energy, or are we burning wood and petrol, contributing to pollution? 
• Are we contributing to nature to ensure future generations can thrive, or are we consuming air, water, and soil without considering their availability for the future? 

If the answer to these questions is negative, it indicates that we are focusing solely on immediate progress rather than long-term development.

What is Sustainable Development?

• Sustainable development is the approach that meets the needs of today while ensuring that future generations can also meet their needs. 
• It aims to balance economic growth, environmental protection, and social well-being.

Importance of Sustainable Development

• Current Resource Use and Future Impact: Rapid consumption of the world’s resources is causing significant environmental problems that will worsen for future generations compared to current issues.
• Increased Consumption and Production: As the population and income levels rise, there is a higher demand for goods, which leads to greater production and use of natural resources.
• Need for Change in Development Strategy: Society must adopt a new development approach that avoids harming the environment. This approach should focus on sustainable development.
• Individual Responsibility: Sustainable development relies on each person practicing a sustainable lifestyle. Resources are limited, so their careful use is essential.
• Definition of Sustainable Development: Sustainable development is defined as meeting current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (as per the World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987).
• Example of Sustainable Practices: Sustainable agriculture uses environmentally friendly farming methods that produce crops or livestock without harming human or natural systems. It avoids harmful chemicals to protect soil, water, and biodiversity.

Problems Related to Sustainable Development

The three major problems related to sustainable development:

• Food: The availability of fertile land for growing crops like wheat and rice is decreasing as more land is repurposed for other uses. Soil nutrients are also diminishing, and the overuse of chemical fertilizers is harming the soil.
• Water: Freshwater sources such as rivers and ponds, which are used for drinking and cleaning, are being polluted by garbage. If this continues, we may face a shortage of clean water in the future.
• Fuel: The extensive use of wood for fuel and construction is leading to deforestation. This reduction in tree cover is disrupting local climates, resulting in extreme weather conditions like floods, severe cold, or heat, which negatively impact the people living in those areas.

A sustainable approach to energy production involves utilizing solar energy, which is a renewable and abundant resource. A notable example is the Charanka Solar Park in Gujarat, which has transformed barren land into a large-scale solar power plant with a capacity of 600 MW. This initiative has decreased reliance on non-renewable fossil fuels in Gujarat and provided economic benefits to the local community, ensuring long-term advantages for future generations.
Sustainable development encompasses:

• Minimizing Resource Use: Reducing excessive consumption of resources and promoting their conservation.
• Recycling and Reuse: Reusing and recycling waste materials to minimize waste.
• Scientific Management: Effectively managing renewable resources, especially biological ones.
• Tree Planting: Increasing the number of trees to support the environment.
• Green Spaces: Integrating green patches and trees among urban structures.
• Eco-Friendly Materials: Using environmentally friendly or biodegradable materials.
• Efficient Technologies: Adopting technologies that are environmentally sustainable and optimize resource use.

Sustainable Development Goals

• The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represent a global initiative to eradicate poverty, protect the environment, and ensure peace and prosperity for all. Established at the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit in New York in September 2015, these goals form the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with targets set for countries to achieve by 2030.
• The 17 SDGs address key issues such as poverty, gender equality, water usage, energy, climate change, and biodiversity. Nations are now developing policies and regulations to foster sustainable practices across various sectors to ensure a secure, affordable, and sustainable economy.
• To effectively contribute to environmental sustainability, individuals should develop skills such as environmental awareness and a commitment to learning about sustainable development. Being responsible in our daily lives, including at home, school, and work, helps support both the environment and our communities.

Sustainable Development Initiatives

• When Mangalore's municipal corporation implemented a ban on plastics, Mr. Avasth Hedge, an innovator and entrepreneur, developed a solution: a 100% biodegradable bag. This bag dissolves in hot water and decomposes naturally, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional plastics. His invention is now used in various countries and contributes positively to environmental protection.
• Similarly, Narayana Peesapaty introduced edible cutlery made from a grain. This innovation eliminates the need for plastic utensils. The cutlery can be consumed or will naturally decompose, enriching the soil. Both of these innovations represent significant strides in reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainability.

Sustainable Processes

Certain practices are essential for environmental preservation and contribute to sustainable development.
These include:

• Organic Farming: This method avoids using chemical pesticides and fertilizers. Instead, farmers use natural and organic fertilizers, such as cow dung, to promote crop growth. Organic farming enhances the quality of crops while maintaining soil health for future use. It exemplifies sustainable development by ensuring that earth's resources are used responsibly and preserved for future generations.
• Vermi-Composting: This process uses earthworms to convert organic waste into nutrient-rich compost. It reduces waste and enriches the soil, supporting sustainable agriculture.
• Rainwater Harvesting: This technique involves collecting and storing rainwater for future use. It helps conserve water resources and reduces dependency on external water supplies, contributing to environmental sustainability.

These practices support a sustainable balance between current needs and future resource availability.