Carrying capacity is a concept rooted in ecology, referring to the maximum number of individuals of a particular species that an environment can support sustainably over time without degrading the ecosystem. When applied to human societies, it means the ability of the Earth or a specific region to provide the resources required for people’s needs—such…
Tag: sustainability
What is the focus of sustainable development? List any four sustainable and unsustainable activities each.
Focus of Sustainable Development: Sustainable development is a development paradigm that seeks to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The concept gained international prominence after the 1987 Brundtland Commission Report, also known as “Our Common Future”. Its focus is multidimensional and integrates…
Describe the global efforts towards the protection of environment and natural resources.
Global environmental protection involves multilateral efforts—laws, treaties, protocols, and conventions—aimed at ensuring sustainable use of natural resources and safeguarding ecosystems. Key Global Environmental Agreements and Initiatives: Other Global Initiatives: India’s Role in Global Environmental Governance: Conclusion: Global efforts have evolved from awareness-building to legally binding instruments and funding mechanisms. While progress is uneven, multilateralism remains…
What is climate change? Discuss the impact of climate change on agriculture and health in India.
Climate change refers to long-term alterations in global or regional climate patterns, particularly those arising from increased levels of greenhouse gases (GHGs) due to human activities like burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrialization. The impacts are already visible through rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, glacial retreat, and sea-level rise. Impacts of Climate Change on Agriculture…
Discuss the importance of environmental education in promoting sustainable development.
Environmental education (EE) is the process of recognizing values and clarifying concepts to develop skills and attitudes necessary to understand and appreciate the interrelationship between human beings, their culture, and their biophysical surroundings. It builds awareness, knowledge, attitudes, and commitment to work towards solutions for environmental challenges. Importance in Sustainable Development: Examples of Environmental Education…
Discuss the importance of community-led initiatives for sustainable development. Highlight the roles of Panchayati Raj Institutions and NGOs.
Community-led initiatives are grassroots-level efforts that involve local people in planning, implementing, and monitoring development activities. These initiatives are critical to sustainable development because they: Role of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs): The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act institutionalized PRIs as decentralized governance systems in India. Their role in sustainable development includes: Example: In Kerala, PRIs played…
The 5 M’s in Production Technology & Alternative Manufacturing Paradigm
The 5 M’s—Man, Machine, Material, Method, and Measurement—comprise the core inputs and processes in any production system: 1. Man (Human Resources) 2. Machine (Equipment and Automation) 3. Material (Raw Materials and Inputs) 4. Method (Processes and Workflows) 5. Measurement (Monitoring and Control) Alternative Manufacturing Technological Paradigm An alternative manufacturing paradigm shifts away from traditional mass…
Role of Information Technology in Environment and Human Health
Information Technology (IT), which includes computing, data storage, telecommunications, and remote sensing, plays a transformative role in the domains of environmental management and public health. The speed, accuracy, and connectivity offered by IT are essential for collecting, processing, analyzing, and disseminating vast environmental and health data. 1. Environmental Monitoring and Management IT enables real-time monitoring…
Principles of Environmental Education
Environmental Education (EE) is a process of recognizing values and clarifying concepts in order to develop skills and attitudes necessary to understand and appreciate the interrelatedness among human beings, their culture, and their biophysical surroundings. It involves practice in decision-making and self-formulation of a code of behavior about issues concerning environmental quality. The UNESCO Tbilisi…
Sustainable Development of Hill Areas
Hill and mountain regions such as the Himalayas, the Western Ghats, and the Aravallis in India are ecologically fragile yet economically vital. These regions are sources of biodiversity, fresh water, and medicinal plants and play a vital role in maintaining climatic and hydrological balance. However, these areas face challenges like deforestation, soil erosion, landslides, overgrazing,…
Role of Agriculture in Sustainable Development
Agriculture is central to the concept of sustainable development, especially in developing countries like India, where a large portion of the population relies directly on agriculture for livelihood, food security, and cultural identity. Sustainable development in agriculture refers to practices that meet current food needs without compromising the environment or the ability of future generations…
Appropriate Technology and Its Conditions
Definition of Appropriate Technology The concept of appropriate technology was popularized by economist E.F. Schumacher in his influential book “Small is Beautiful: A Study of Economics as if People Mattered” (1973). It refers to technology that is suitable to the environmental, cultural, social, and economic context of the people using it. It emphasizes local needs,…