ENVOIRNMENT QB

Renewable Energy Resources

Solar Energy

  • Solar energy harnesses the sun's radiation via photovoltaic cells or solar panels.

  • These panels convert sunlight into electricity using the photovoltaic effect.

  • Benefits:

    • Abundant, clean, and widely accessible.

    • Used for residential, commercial applications, and remote areas.

    • Reduces greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel dependence.

Wind Energy

  • Generated by harnessing the kinetic energy of moving air using wind turbines.

  • Turbines consist of large blades attached to a rotor that produces electricity.

  • Benefits:

    • Highly sustainable with low environmental impact.

    • Consistent power generation possible from onshore and offshore wind farms.

    • Significant reductions in carbon emissions.

Non-Renewable Energy Resources

Coal

  • A fossil fuel formed from ancient plants, mined from the earth.

  • Primarily used for electricity generation but releases CO2 and pollutants, causing health and environmental issues.

  • Limitations: Finite resource with substantial environmental impacts from extraction and combustion.

Oil (Petroleum)

  • A liquid fossil fuel extracted from underground reservoirs.

  • Used for transportation, heating, and industry.

  • Limitations: Contributes to air pollution and climate change; extraction can lead to disasters like oil spills.

Drought

  • A prolonged period of low rainfall causing water scarcity for ecosystems and human activities.

  • Can range from mild to severe and results from:

    • Lack of precipitation and high temperatures.

    • Depletion of soil moisture, affecting agriculture and natural habitats.

    • Disruption of water sources, impacting domestic and agricultural usage.

Contributions of Vandana Shiva

  • Environmental activist focused on sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation.

  • Advocates for seed sovereignty and the rights of farmers, promoting sustainable solutions.

Contribution of Amrita Devi Bishnoi

  • Pioneer of the Chipko movement, protesting tree felling in 1730 via tree hugging.

  • Established principles of non-violent resistance for environmental conservation.

Small-Scale vs. Large-Scale Industries

Small-Scale Industries

  • Characteristics: Relatively small size, limited capital investment, labor-intensive.

  • Markets: Local or regional; often produce specialized products.

Large-Scale Industries

  • Characteristics: Significant size, large capital investment, automated processes.

  • Markets: National or international; produce mass-market goods.

Biodiversity

  • The variety of life on Earth, crucial for ecosystem stability

  • Importance includes ecosystem health, genetic diversity, and cultural significance.

Cryopreservation

  • Process of preserving biological materials at very low temperatures.

  • Main applications include biomedical research, organ transplantation, and biodiversity conservation.

Natural Ecosystems

  • Complex communities of organisms interacting with their physical environment.

Alpine vs. Arctic Tundra

Differences

  1. Location - Alpine found in mountain ranges; Arctic near the North Pole.

  2. Flora and Fauna - Alpines have more diverse plant life; Arctic is dominated by moss and lichen.

  3. Temperature Range - Alpines have more variable temperatures; Arctic is consistently cold.

Savanna vs. Prairie

Differences

  1. Location - Savanna found in tropical regions; prairies in temperate zones.

  2. Vegetation - Savanna has scattered trees; prairies are predominantly grasslands.

Tropical vs. Temperate Forests

Differences

  1. Climate - Tropical forests have high rainfall; temperate forests have distinct seasons.

  2. Biodiversity - Tropical forests have higher biodiversity than temperate forests.

Himalayas Zones

  • Outer Himalayas (Siwalik), Lesser Himalayas (Himachal), Great Himalayas, Trans-Himalayas (Tibetan Plateau), High Himalayas (Alpine Zone), Sub-Himalayas (Outer Valleys)

Ecotone

  • Transitional area where two ecosystems meet; it supports higher biodiversity and serves as a corridor for species migration.

Deforestation Effects

  • Leads to soil degradation, biodiversity loss, and climate change due to carbon release.

Energy Flow in Ecosystem

  • Begins with primary producers capturing solar energy, flowing through various consumers and decomposers in a complex web of interactions.

Ecological Succession

  • Gradual process of change in an ecosystem, either primary or secondary, leading to a stable climax community.

Ecological Pyramids

  • Models depicting energy flow, biomass, or number of organisms at different trophic levels, highlighting ecosystem structure.

Global Warming

  • Long-term increase in Earth's average temperature due to increased greenhouse gases from human activities, impacting ecosystems and weather patterns.

Ozone Depletion

  • Caused by chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other ozone-depleting substances reducing protection against UV radiation.

Acid Rain's Impact on Aquatic Life

  • Lowers pH and harms sensitive aquatic species, disrupts food chains, and degrades habitats.

Slow Nuclear Radiation Sources

  • Include radon gas, radioactive elements in building materials, contaminated water, natural occurrences of isotopes in food, and cosmic radiation.

Urban Settlements

  • Areas with high population density and infrastructure indicative of urban living, leading to resource consumption and waste generation.

Migration Factors for Village Youth

  • Unemployment, limited opportunities for education and skill enhancement.

Slums

  • Informal settlements facing challenges like overcrowding, inadequate housing, and lack of infrastructure.