Environment and Sustainable Development

Introduction

In the pursuit of economic development, humanity has achieved unprecedented levels of production and consumption. For decades, the primary measure of a nation's progress was its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), often with little regard for the environmental consequences of that growth. This has led to a critical juncture where the very foundation of our well-being—the environment—is under severe threat from resource depletion and pollution.

The development path, heavily reliant on the extraction and use of natural resources, has resulted in significant environmental degradation. The challenge now is to reconcile the goals of economic growth with the imperative of environmental preservation. This has given rise to the concept of sustainable development, a paradigm that seeks to promote a form of development that is economically viable, socially equitable, and environmentally sustainable. This chapter explores the functions of the environment, the state of India's environment, and the strategies we can adopt to move towards a more sustainable future.

Environment — Definition And Functions

The environment is defined as the totality of all resources, both biotic (living organisms like plants, animals) and abiotic (non-living elements like air, water, land, sunlight). It is the sum total of our surroundings and the intricate web of relationships that connect them.

Functions Of The Environment

The environment performs four crucial functions, without which life would not be possible:

Supplies Resources: The environment provides all the resources essential for production and life itself. These resources can be:
- Renewable Resources: Those that can be replenished over time, like forests, fish, and groundwater. However, their use must be limited to their rate of regeneration.
- Non-renewable Resources: Those that are finite and cannot be replenished, like fossil fuels (coal, petroleum) and minerals.
Assimilates Waste: The environment absorbs and neutralises the waste generated from production and consumption activities. For example, microorganisms in the soil decompose organic waste.
Sustains Life: It provides the essential conditions for life to exist and flourish by maintaining genetic and biodiversity.
Provides Aesthetic Services: The environment offers aesthetic and recreational services, such as scenic landscapes, mountains, and water bodies, which enhance the quality of life.

An environmental crisis occurs when these functions are impaired. This happens when the carrying capacity of the environment is exceeded. Carrying capacity has two components:

Resource Extraction: When the rate of extraction of renewable resources surpasses their rate of regeneration.
Waste Absorption (Absorptive Capacity): When the generation of waste exceeds the environment's ability to absorb it.

Two major global environmental crises resulting from exceeding the absorptive capacity are global warming and ozone depletion.

Global Warming

Global warming is the gradual increase in the average temperature of the Earth’s lower atmosphere. It is primarily caused by the build-up of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs), such as Carbon Dioxide (CO₂), Methane (CH₄), and Nitrous Oxide (N₂O), in the atmosphere. These gases trap heat from the sun, leading to a 'greenhouse effect'. The main cause of the increased concentration of GHGs is the burning of fossil fuels and industrial activities.

Consequences: The impacts of global warming are severe and include the melting of polar ice caps and glaciers, leading to a rise in sea level, increased frequency of extreme weather events like floods, droughts, and cyclones, and threats to ecosystems and biodiversity.

International efforts to combat this include the Paris Agreement (2015), where nations have committed to limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

Ozone Depletion

Ozone depletion refers to the thinning of the ozone layer in the Earth's stratosphere. The ozone layer acts as a protective shield, absorbing most of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV-B) radiation. The primary cause of ozone depletion is the release of man-made chemicals known as Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which were widely used in refrigerants, air conditioners, and aerosol sprays.

Consequences: A depleted ozone layer allows more UV-B radiation to reach the Earth, which can cause skin cancer, cataracts, and damage to marine and plant life.

The international community responded successfully to this threat through the Montreal Protocol (1987), an agreement to phase out the production and use of CFCs. It is considered one of the most successful international environmental treaties ever.

State Of India’s Environment

India, with its large population and rapidly growing economy, faces immense environmental challenges. The threat to India's environment can be categorised into two types: (i) poverty-induced degradation and (ii) degradation from affluence and rapid industrialisation.

Some of the critical environmental concerns in India are:

Land Degradation: A significant portion of India's land is degraded due to soil erosion, waterlogging, salinisation, and desertification, often caused by deforestation, overgrazing, and improper agricultural practices.
Deforestation: The pressure of a growing population and industrial expansion has led to the loss of forest cover, which is critical for biodiversity, soil conservation, and climate regulation.
Air Pollution: Urban India, in particular, suffers from severe air pollution, primarily from vehicular emissions, industrial smoke, and construction dust. Several Indian cities consistently rank among the most polluted in the world.
Water Contamination: Many of India's rivers and water bodies are heavily polluted due to the discharge of untreated domestic sewage and industrial effluents, making the water unfit for human consumption and threatening aquatic life.
Loss of Biodiversity: Habitat destruction and pollution are leading to a rapid loss of India's rich biodiversity.

A collage showing various environmental issues in India like air pollution, water pollution, and deforestation.

Chipko Or Appiko — What’s In A Name?

In response to environmental degradation, powerful grassroots movements have emerged in India. The Chipko Movement, which began in the 1970s in the Himalayan region of Uttarakhand, is a world-renowned example. The name 'Chipko' means 'to hug' or 'to cling'. Villagers, especially women, would hug the trees to prevent them from being cut down by logging contractors. It was a non-violent protest to protect their forests and livelihoods.

Inspired by the Chipko movement, a similar movement called the Appiko Movement (the Kannada word for 'hugging') started in the Western Ghats of Karnataka in the 1980s. Both movements highlight the deep connection between local communities and their environment and represent a powerful form of environmental activism.

Pollution Control Boards

To address the problems of air and water pollution, the Government of India has established a regulatory framework. At the apex is the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), established in 1974. Each state has its own State Pollution Control Board (SPCB).

Functions of these boards include:

Investigating, collecting, and disseminating data related to water and air pollution.
Setting standards for sewage and industrial effluent discharge and for air quality.
Providing technical assistance to governments and industries for pollution control.
Conducting and sponsoring research related to environmental protection.

Sustainable Development

The concept of sustainable development emerged from the growing recognition that the conventional model of economic development was environmentally destructive and socially inequitable.

The most widely accepted definition comes from the Brundtland Commission Report (1987), which defines sustainable development as:

"Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

This definition has two key concepts:

The concept of ‘needs’, in particular the essential needs of the world’s poor, to which overriding priority should be given.
The idea of ‘limitations’ imposed by the state of technology and social organisation on the environment's ability to meet present and future needs.

In essence, sustainable development is about finding a balance between economic progress, social justice, and environmental protection. It is not about stopping development but about changing the quality and direction of growth to make it less resource-intensive and more equitable.

Strategies For Sustainable Development

Achieving sustainable development requires a shift in our strategies and practices across various sectors of the economy. Some key strategies are:

Use Of Non-conventional Sources Of Energy

A fundamental strategy is to reduce dependence on fossil fuels (coal, petroleum) and move towards cleaner, renewable energy sources. These non-conventional sources do not emit greenhouse gases and are sustainable in the long run.

Lpg, Gobar Gas In Rural Areas

In rural India, a major source of fuel is firewood and cow dung cakes, which cause deforestation and severe indoor air pollution, harming the health of women and children. A shift to cleaner fuels is crucial.

LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas): Government schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana have provided subsidised LPG connections to poor rural households, reducing their dependence on biomass fuels.
Gobar Gas (Biogas): Gobar gas plants use cattle dung to produce clean cooking gas (methane) and a nutrient-rich slurry that can be used as an excellent organic fertiliser.

Cng In Urban Areas

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is a much cleaner fuel for vehicles compared to petrol or diesel. The mandatory switch of public transport (buses, auto-rickshaws) to CNG in cities like Delhi has led to a significant improvement in urban air quality.

Wind Power

Wind turbines can be established in areas with high wind speeds, like coastal regions or on mountains, to generate electricity without any emissions. India has significant potential for wind energy and is a global leader in this sector.

Solar Power Through Photovoltaic Cells

India is a tropical country blessed with abundant sunlight. Photovoltaic (PV) cells convert sunlight directly into electricity. Solar power is highly versatile and can be used for large-scale power plants or for decentralised power generation through rooftop panels on homes and buildings.

Mini-hydel Plants

These are small-scale hydroelectric power plants that use the energy of flowing water in streams and rivers to generate electricity. They are more environmentally friendly than large dams as they do not cause large-scale deforestation or displacement of people.

Traditional Knowledge And Practices

For centuries, Indian communities have developed a wealth of traditional knowledge and practices that were inherently sustainable. This includes traditional water harvesting systems, mixed cropping, use of natural fertilisers and pesticides, and indigenous healthcare systems. Reviving and integrating these practices can offer effective and locally-suited solutions for sustainable development.

Biocomposting

Instead of using chemical fertilisers that contaminate soil and water, we can use compost made from organic waste. Biocomposting involves breaking down organic matter (like kitchen waste, farm waste) into rich manure. Earthworms can also be used to hasten this process (vermicomposting). This practice enriches the soil, reduces the amount of waste going to landfills, and avoids the harmful effects of chemical inputs.

Biopest Control

To avoid the widespread contamination caused by chemical pesticides, biopest control methods can be used. This involves using natural predators or parasites to control pests (e.g., using birds or certain insects) or using plant-based pesticides like those made from neem, which are effective, non-toxic, and biodegradable.

Conclusion

The conflict between economic development and environmental conservation is one of the most critical challenges of our time. The pursuit of growth without environmental consideration has led to severe degradation, threatening the very resource base upon which our economy depends. The concept of sustainable development offers a way forward, advocating a path that balances economic, social, and environmental objectives.

Transitioning to a sustainable model requires a concerted effort from all sections of society—governments, industries, and individuals. It involves adopting cleaner technologies, promoting renewable energy, conserving natural resources, and reviving traditional wisdom. While the challenges are immense, the shift towards sustainability is not just an option but a necessity for the long-term survival and well-being of our planet and future generations.