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.