Environment and Sustainable Development Class 11 Notes: CBSE Economics Chapter 7 (Indian Economic Development)

What is the Environment?

The environment is the sum total of all the biotic elements like plants and animals and abiotic elements like the air, water, soil, and minerals that make up our surroundings and impact our existence and the quality of our life.

Functions of Environment

• Offers Resources: The environment offers resources for production. It includes physical resources like minerals, wood, water, soil, and others which can be used as inputs for production. Normally, two types of resources are provided by the environment, namely:

• Renewable Resources: Renewable resources are those that can be used indefinitely without getting depleted or exhausted. For example, air, sunlight etc.

• Non-Renewable Resources: These are the resources that deplete over time as a result of extraction and use. For example, coal, fossil fuels etc.

• Environment Sustains Life: It includes resources like sun, soil, water, and air which are essential for the sustenance of human life. The absence of these elements implies no existence of life.

• Environment Assimilates Waste: Production and consumption generate waste that the environment absorbs.

• Enhances the Quality of Life: The environment enhances the quality of life through its aesthetic and scenic beauty.

Carrying Capacity of the Environment: 

• It refers to a situation where the exploitation of resources does not exceed the regeneration of resources and; the generation of wastes does not exceed the absorption capacity of the environment so that the environment is not polluted.

• Environmental crises occur when the carrying capacity of the environment is exceeded through excessive exploitation of natural resources and/or through the excessive generation of waste.

Absorptive Capacity:

The ability of the environment to absorb degradation and pollution is referred to as absorptive capacity.

Global Warming

Since the Industrial Revolution, the increase in greenhouse gases has resulted in a progressive rise in the average temperature of the earth's lower atmosphere.

Ozone Depletion

The phenomenon of ozone depletion refers to a decrease in the amount of ozone in the stratosphere. High amounts of chlorine and bromine chemicals in the stratosphere contribute to ozone depletion. These chemicals are derived from chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which are utilised as cooling agents in air conditioners and refrigerators, as well as aerosol propellants.

State of India’s Environment

• India is rich in natural resources and biodiversity. But, the development activities have led to increased pressure on limited natural resources. 

• The major environment-related issues are 

1. Land Degradation 

2. Air Pollution 

3. Biodiversity Loss 

4. Management of Freshwater

5. Solid Waste Management.

a. Land Degradation

It refers to the loss of fertility of the land which occurs due to the following reasons:

• Loss of vegetation that occurs due to deforestation.

• Excessive extraction of fuelwood and fodder.

• The practice of shifting cultivation.

• Forest land encroachment.

• Forest fires and overgrazing.

• Lack of implementation of soil conservation measures.

• No or improper crop rotation.

• Excessive use of agrochemicals like fertilisers and pesticides.

• Inefficient planning and management of irrigation systems.

• Excess extraction of groundwater.

b. Air Pollution

It occurs owing to the presence of pollutants in the air. These are contributed by:

• Smoke is emitted by the industries, particularly those using coals as energy.

• Poisonous gases are emitted in the process of chemical treatment of materials.

• The emission of gases by motor vehicles is assuming alarming proportions due to the exponential rise in the number of vehicles.

c. Biodiversity Loss

It refers to the decline, depletion or extinction of the living species of the world due to reasons such as climatic change, pollution, over-exploitation of natural resources etc.

d. Management of Freshwater

Improper management of water resources, or water pollution is another issue the environment is facing. The water pollution is caused due to:

• Industrial waste is discharged into water resources that contaminate the water owing to toxic chemicals and pollutants.

• Dumping household wastes in the water resources.

• The use of chemicals and fertilizers by the farmers also adds to the water pollution, as when it rains, the chemicals get mixed up with the rainwater, which then flows to rivers etc.

• Doing household chores like washing clothes, bathing etc also impacts the quality of water.

e. Solid Waste Management

Sustainable Development

According to the UNCED, sustainable development is the ‘development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of the future generation to meet their own needs’.

Strategies for Sustainable Development

• Use of Non-Conventional Sources of Energy

The dependency on thermal and hydro energy has adverse effects on the environment. Thermal power plants release a lot of carbon dioxide into the environment and can also cause water pollution. Hydroelectric projects damage the forests and the natural flow of water.  Sources like wind power and solar rays are better sources of energy for the environment.

• LPG, Gobar Gas in Rural Areas

The use of wood, cow dung, or other biomass fuels encourages deforestation, reduction in green cover, wastage of cattle dung, and air pollution. Instead, the use of gobar gas and LPG is recommended. The cattle dung is used to produce gobar gas which is a cleaner fuel and the slurry is an excellent fertiliser. LPG, which is also a clean fuel, reduces household pollution considerably.

• CNG in Urban Areas

The use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in public transport has significantly reduced air pollution.

• Wind Power

In high wind areas, wind turbines are installed to move the wind to generate electricity without any adverse effect on the environment. Though the initial cost of setup is high, the benefits absorb the costs in the long run.

• Solar Power through Photovoltaic Cells

India is endowed with abundant sunlight which is a rich source of energy. Solar energy and its conversion into electricity is an effective answer not only to the problem of economic growth but also the problem of sustainable development.

• Mini-Hydel Plants

Streams in India can be used to generate energy by installing mini-hydel plants. These streams can move turbines which generate electricity. This power can be used to meet local requirements. They are eco–friendly and do not alter the land use pattern.

• Traditional Knowledge and Practices

India is a country where people have been closely connected to their environment. All our traditional practices have been eco-friendly.  When we started to drift away from traditional systems and heritage, we caused damage to our environment. Adopting simple and traditional practices not only helps us lead a healthy life but also protects us from the side effects of modern products and services.

• Biocomposting

Large-scale use of chemical fertilisers has adversely affected productive land and water bodies. Compost made from organic wastes of different types serves as an excellent and eco-friendly fertiliser.

• Bio Pest Control

Chemical pesticides showed negative effects on food products, soil, water bodies, and groundwater. Plant-based pesticides like neem trees are effective pest-controlling agents. Awareness is also being spread about a variety of birds and animals that help in pest control.

• Shift to Organic Farming

Shifting from conventional farming to organic farming also helps in sustaining the environment as through organic farming the nutrients of the are restored back, which is not the case in conventional farming.

5 Important Topics of Economics Class 11 Chapter 7 you shouldn’t Miss!

Importance of Economics Chapter 7 Environment and Sustainable Development Class 11 Notes

• The Environment and Sustainable Development Class 11 Notes are essential for understanding the balance between economic growth and the protection of the environment. 

• These notes simplify complex topics like environmental degradation, conservation strategies, and sustainable development, making them easier for students to grasp. 

• By explaining key issues like global warming, resource depletion, and government policies, Economics Class 11 Chapter 7 PDF helps students understand how economic activities impact the environment and the need for sustainability. 

• They are valuable resources for effective exam preparation, offering clear insights into important environmental concepts and their real-world applications.

• Environment And Sustainable Development Notes help break down difficult topics into simple terms, helping students build a solid foundation in economics

Tips for Learning the Class 11 Economics Chapter 7 Environment and Sustainable Development

• Understand Key Concepts: Focus on understanding the definitions of terms like environmental degradation, sustainable development, and conservation.

• Relate to Real-World Issues: Connect the concepts to current global issues such as climate change, deforestation, and pollution to make them easier to understand.

• Study Government Policies: Pay attention to the various policies and programs the government has implemented to promote sustainability and environmental protection.

• Use Diagrams: Visuals like flowcharts and diagrams can help in understanding the causes and effects of environmental problems.

• Practice with Examples: Use real-life examples of environmental issues to better grasp the application of sustainable development practices.

Conclusion

The Environment and Sustainable Development Class 11 notes provide a simple and clear understanding of how economic activities affect the environment and the importance of sustainability. These notes explain key topics like environmental degradation, conservation, and government policies aimed at promoting sustainable development. By breaking down complex ideas into easy-to-understand content, students can grasp the need for balancing economic growth with environmental protection. Economics Class 11 Chapter 7 PDF helps students prepare effectively for exams while also giving them a better understanding of real-world environmental issues. 

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