Human influence to the environment

What is the environment ?

The natural environment consists of living and nonliving things which occur naturally.
In the environment living and nonliving things affect each other.
It's the surrounding area of an organism.
With respect to us, the environment of the Earth consists of all living things like plants, animals, microorganisms,
fungi and non-living things like rocks, minerals,air, water etc.
It includes the  oceans lakes, atmosphere, mountains, forests etc.

What do we get from the environment ?

The environment  sustains all life on Earth.
It gives us water, clothing,  food and shelter.

• Food: Vegetables, Fruits, Milk etc

• Water: Streams, Lakes, Rains

• Shelter: Houses made of mud, wood etc

• Minerals and Elements for making computers, utensils etc

• Clothing from plants like cotton

Why does environment need our help?

• Humans have damaged the environment by wasting resources,cutting forests, emission of greenhouse gases,hunting animals..
• The freshwater is now polluted by industrial pollutants and sewage.
• The air is polluted by vehicle emissions and industrial emissions.
• The land is polluted by using excessive chemicals for farming, garbage etc.
• If we live sensibly, we can minimize the damage each of us personally cause to  the environment.

Solid Waste

Causes

1. Demand for excessive goods
2. Demand for lightweight materials
3. Durability 
4. Effects
5. Suffocation of plants
6. Contamination of soil
7. Deaths of Marine animals due  to eating of solid waste.
8. Burning of such waste can lead to co2
9. Contamination of water bodies

Solution

1. Use of less goods 
2. Use long lasting and repairable goods.
3. Use locally produced ,handmade,environment friendly goods
4. Use a good as long as possible.
5. Recycle or reuse wasted goods.

Mining

Causes

1. To get mineral resources like gold, silver,oil.
2. Urbanisation
3. Demand for consumer goods.

Effects

1. Deforestation
2. Soil pollution
3. Water pollution
4. Air pollution  
5. loss of biodiversity

Solution

1. Reforestation - plant more trees in alternative areas
2. Minimize mining where not necessary
3. Recycle minerals
4. Avoid polluting water and soil, treat the by products before releasing into the  environment

Evidence of real life situation (case study )

Water Pollution in Powai Lake, Mumbai

• Powai Lake is a manmade lake in Powai,Mumbai

• It used to supply drinking water to large parts of Mumbai

• It is now polluted and shallow and the water is not fit for human consumption.

• Water Hyacinth and other weeds are growing and reducing the water levels

• Extensive silt has been deposited and the water level  is reduced
• Water is polluted with sewage wastes, garbage, dumping of construction materials etc

Garbage

• Powai lake is attracting visitors for its beauty
• Visitors can be seen carelessly throwing garbage onto the border of the lack
• This is unfortunate as they should be using the provided trash cans

Water Hyacinth and Other Weeds

• Water Hyacinth and Other weeds can be seen growing extensively in the lakes
• Islands of Weeds have been formed
• This reduces the water level and impairs the natural beauty of the lake

Reducing shoreline due to Water Hyacinth and Weeds

• The surface area of Powai lake is reducing due to extensive infestation with Water Hyacinth and other weeds
• In the picture, the entire area covered by weeds was actually part of Powai lake

Cleaning Efforts at Powai Lake

• Silt is extensively deposited in Powai lake and the water level has been reduced.
• Off late,  efforts are being made to de-silt the lake by removing the silt and also by de-weeding
• In the picture, you can see a machine which is used to remove silt and weeds.

How can we make a change?

• By using less resources.
• For example,electricity,water,petrol,diesel,etc.
• By spreading environmental awareness.
• By using eco friendly technologies like rooftop solar panels, solar cookers, biogas etc.
• Using public transportation where relevant