Green Skills Chapter Notes - Class 10 PDF Download

Session 1: Sustainable 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?

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).

What are the problems Related to Sustainable Development?

Three major problems related to sustainable development are –

• Food: The amount of rich, fertile land becoming less. Soil nutrients are also getting depleted and lots of chemicals are spoiling the soil due to use of chemical fertilisers.
• Water: We use fresh water from rivers and ponds but due to chemical fertilisers and industrial waste the rivers and ponds are getting polluted. This way after several years, we will have no clean water for our use.
• 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.

How to conserve the sustainable development?

• 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.
• Using more environment friendly material or biodegradable material
• Use of technologies, which are environmental friendly and based on efficient use of resources.

What do you mean by sustainable development goals?

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were launched by United Nations Sustainable Development Summit in New York in September 2015, the agenda of sustainable development was countries should achieve the 17 sustainable development goals 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.

All 17 Goal are –

• No Poverty
• Zero Hunger
• Good Health and Well-being
• Quality Education
• Gender Equality
• Clean Water and Sanitation
• Affordable and Clean Energy
• Decent Work and Economic Growth
• Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• Reduced Inequalities
• Sustainable Cities and Communities
• Responsible Consumption and Production
• Climate Action
• Life Below Water
• Life On Land
• Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
• Partnerships for the Goals

Sustainable Development Initiatives 

Some of the people taken a sustainable development initiatives to make the environment, society, and the economy better for a long time for example –

1. Eco-Friendly Bags: Mangalore banned plastics, so Avasth Hedge created biodegradable bags dissolving in hot water, helping the environment worldwide.
2. Edible Cutlery: To reduce plastic use, Narayana Peesapaty invented spoons from grain, which are edible and decompose in the soil, enriching it.

Session 2: our role In Sustainable development

Our Role towards Sustainable Development

United Nations has formed 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) so that countries and nations can work towards finding a solution to the growing problems in the world.

Quality Education

Education helps us become aware of our role as a responsible citizen. We should

1. use the facilities present in our areas.
2. take our friends to school.
3. help friends study.
4. stop friends from dropping out of school.

Clean Water and Sanitation

Build toilets and spread awareness, polluting our water resources, which in near future will cause scarcity of clean drinking and usable water.

Affordable and Clean Energy

We can use solar power generation so that our electricity needs are met, we can also use of biogas as a eco-friendly alternative to natural gas

Decent Work and Economic Growth

We can

• Study and find good jobs to take care of ourselves and our families.
• Work hard and contribute to society.
• Learn and develop skills so that we get add value in our community.

Reduced Inequalities

To reduce inequalities, we can

1. be helpful to one another.
2. be friendly with everyone.
3. include everyone while working or playing.
4. help others by including everyone whether they are small or big, girl or boy, belong to any class or caste.

Sustainable Cities and Communities

Creating Sustainable Cities:

1. Save energy by switching off lights and fans when not in use.
2. Use natural light as much as possible.
3. Use energy efficient lights (LED bulbs) and appliances.

Responsible Consumers and Producers

We can become responsible about our own environment by

1. Reusing paper, glass, plastic, water, etc.
2. Taking cloth bags to market carrying fruits and vegetables.
3. Donate things we do not use such as clothes, books, furniture, food, etc.
4. Buy and eat seasonal fruits and vegetables from local growers.
5. Repair leaking taps and pipes to avoid wasting water.
6. Sort and treat garbage before disposing.

Protect Life Below Water

Tons of plastic is found in the seas, which is killing marine life. Protecting marine life, saving our oceans from pollution is necessary to preserve the marine life.

Protect Life on Land

Cutting of trees is leading to soil erosion and making land dry and unusable for cultivation. Planting more tree to replace the ones that we have cut is an important step towards sustainable development.