Part – B

Answer The Following Questions In One or Two Sentences.

Question 21.
State the meaning of environment?
Answer:

  1. Meaning of Environmental Economics is a different branch of economics that recognizes the value of both the environment and economic activity and makes choices based on those values.
  2. The goal is to balance the economic activity and the environmental impacts by taking into account all the costs and benefits.
  3. In short, Environmental Economics is an area of economics that studies the financial impact of environmental issues and policies.
  4. Environmental Economics involves theoretical and empirical studies of the economic effects of national or local environmental policies around the world.


Question 22.
What do you mean by ecosystem?
Answer:

  1. An ecosystem includes all living things (plants, animals and organisms) in a given area, interacting with each other, and also with their non-living environments (weather, earth, sun, soil, climate, atmosphere).
  2. Ecosystems are the foundations of the Biosphere and they determine the health of the entire earth system.

Question 23.
Mention the countries where per capita carbondioxide emission is the highest in the world?
Answer:

  1. United States of America – (USA)
  2. Europian Union – (EU)
  3. Japan
  4. Russian Federation
  5. United Arab Emirates (UAE)
  6. Saudi Arabia
  7. China.

Question 24.
What are environmental goods? Give examples?
Answer:
1. Environmental goods are typically non-market goods, including clear air, clean water, landscape, green transport infrastructure (footpaths, cycle ways, greenways, etc.), public parks, urban parks, rivers, mountains, forests, and beaches.

2. Concerns with environmental goods focus on the effects that the exploitation of ecological systems have on the economy, the well – being of humans and other species, and on the environment.


Question 25.
What are the remedial measures to control noise pollution?
Answer:
Remedial measures to control Noise Pollution

  1. Use of noise barriers
  2. Newer roadway for surface transport
  3. Traffic control
  4. Regulating times for heavy vehicles
  5. Installations of noise barriers in the work place
  6. Regulation of Loudspeakers

Question 26.
Define Global warming?
Answer:
1. Global warming is the current increase in temperature of the Earth’s surface (both land and water) as well as its atmosphere. Average temperatures around the world have risen by 0.75°C (1.4°F) over the last 100 years. About two thirds of this increase has occurred since 1975.

Carbon dioxide, methane, Chlorofluoro Carbon, nitrous oxides are the green house gases warming the earth’s surface. So it is also called green house effect. The CO2 is the most important of the green house gases contributing to 50% of global warming.

2. Global warming adversely affects agriculture, horticulture and eco system.


Question 27.
Specify the meaning of seed ball?
Answer:

  1. A seed ball (or seed bomb) is a seed that has been wrapped in soil materials, usually a mixture of clay and compost, and then dried.
  2. Essentially, the seed is ‘pre-planted’ and can be sown by depositing the seed ball anywhere suitable for the species, keeping the seed safely until the proper germination window arises.
  3. Seed balls are an easy and sustainable way to cultivate plants that provide a larger window of time when the sowing can occur.

Part – C
Answer The Following Questions In One Paragraph.

Question 28.
Brief the linkage between economy and environment?
Answer:
Linkage between Economy and Environment:

  1. Man’s life is interconnected with various other living and non-living things.
  2. The life also depends on social, political, ethical, philosophical and other aspects of economic system.
  3. In fact, the life of human beings is shaped by his living environment.
  4. The relationship between the economy and the environment is generally explained in the form of a “Material Balance Model”.
  5. The model considers the total economic process as a physically balanced flow between inputs and outputs.
  6. Inputs are bestowed with physical property of energy which is received from the environment.
  7. The interdependence of economics and environment.

Economy – Environmental Interlinkages Material Balance Model

Question 29.

Specify the meaning of material balance principle?
Answer:

  1. The relationship between the economy and the environment is generally explained in the form of a “Material Balance Model” developed by AlenKneese and R.V. Ayres.
  2. The model considers the total economic process as a physically balanced flow between inputs and outputs.
  3. Inputs are bestowed with physical property of energy which is received from the environment.

1. The interdependence of economics and environment.

2. The first law of thermodynamics, i.e. the law of conservation of matter and energy, emphasizes that in any production system “what goes in must come out”. This is known as the Material Balance Approach or Material Balance Principle.

3. Moreover, all resources extracted from the environment eventually become unwanted wastes and pollutants. Production of output by firms from inputs resulting in discharge of solid, liquid and gaseous wastes. Similarly, waste results from consumption activities by households.

4. In its simple form the Material Balance Approach can be put in form equation.
M = G – RC – RP + RrP + Rrc = Rdc + Rdc

Question 30.
Explain different types of air pollution?
Answer:
Types of Air pollution:
1. Indoor Air Pollution:
It refers to toxic contaminants that we encounter in our daily lives in our homes, schools and workplaces. For example, cooking and heating with solid fuels on open fires or traditional stoves results in high levels of indoor air pollution.

2. Outdoor Air Pollution:
It refers to ambient air. The common sources of outdoor air pollution are caused by combustion processes from motor vehicles, solid fuel burning and industry.

Question 31.
What are the causes of water pollution?
Answer:
Causes of Water Pollution:
Water pollution is caused due to several reasons. Here are the few major causes of water
pollution:

(I) Discharge of sewage and waste water:

  1. Sewage, garbage and liquid waste of households, agricultural runoff and effluents from factories are discharged into lakes and rivers.
  2. These wastes contain harmful chemicals and toxins which make the water poisonous for aquatic animals and plants.

(II) Dumping of solid wastes:
The dumping of solid wastes and litters in water bodies cause huge problems.

(III) Discharge of industrial wastes:
Industrial waste contains pollutants like asbestos, lead, mercury, grease oil and petrochemicals, which are extremely harmful to both people and environment.

(IV) Oil Spill:

  1. Sea water gets polluted due to oil spilled from ships and tankers while travelling.
  2. The spilled oil does not dissolve in water and forms a thick sludge polluting the water.

(V) Acid rain:

  1. Acid rain is pollution of water caused by air pollution.
  2. When the acidic particles caused by air pollution in the atmosphere mix with water vapor, it results in acid rain.

(VI) Global warming:
Due to global warming, there is an increase in water temperature as a result aquatic plants and animals are affected.

(VII) Eutrophication:

  1. Eutrophication is an increased level of nutrients in water bodies.
  2. This results in bloom of algae in water.
  3. It also depletes the oxygen in water which negatively affects fish and other aquatic animal population.


Question 32.
State the meaning of e – waste?
Answer:
1. Electronic waste which is commonly referred as “e-waste” is the new byproduct of the Info Tech society.

2. It is a physical waste in the form of old discarded, end of life electronics.

3. It includes a broad and growing range of electronic devices from large household appliances such as refrigerators, air conditioners, cellular phones, computers and other electronic goods”.

4. Similarly, e-waste can be defined as the result when consumer, business and household devices are disposed or sent for re-cycling (example, television, computers, audio-equipments, VCR, DVD, telephone, Fax, Xerox machines, wireless devices, video games, other household electronic equipments).

Question 33.
What is land pollution? Mention the causes of land pollution?
Answer:
1. The land pollution is defined as, “the degradation of land because of the disposal of waste on the land”. Any substance (solid, liquid or gaseous) that is discharged, emitted or deposited in the environment in such a way that it alters the environment causes land pollution.

Causes of Land Pollution:

(I) Deforestation and soil erosion:

  1. Deforestation carried out to create dry lands is one of the major concerns.
  2. Land that is once converted into a dry or barren land, can never be made fertile again, whatever the magnitude of measures to convert it.

(II) Agricultural activities:

  1. With growing human and pet animal population, demand for food has increased considerably.
  2. Farmers often use highly toxic fertilizers and pesticides to get rid off insects, fungi and bacteria from their crops.
  3. However the overuse of these chemicals, results in contamination and poisoning of land.

(III) Mining activities:
During extraction and mining activities, several land spaces are created beneath the surface.

(IV) Landfills:

  1. Each household produces tones of garbage each year due to changing economic lifestyle of the people.
  2. Garbage like plastic, paper, cloth, wood and hospital waste get accumulated.
  3. Items that cannot be recycled become a part of the landfills that cause land pollution.

(V) Industrialization:

  1. Due to increasing consumerism more industries were developed which led to deforestation.
  2. Research and development paved the way for modem fertilizers and chemicals that were highly toxic and led to soil contamination.

(VI) Construction activities:

  1. Due to urbanization, large amount of construction activities are taking place.
  2. This has resulted in large waste articles like wood, metal, bricks, plastic.
  3. These are dumped at the outskirts of urban areas that lead to land pollution.

(VII) Nuclear waste:

  1. The leftover radioactive materials, harmful and toxic chemicals affect human health.
  2. They are dumped beneath the earth to avoid any casualty.


Question 33.
Write a note on
(a) Climate change and
(b) Acid rain.
Answer:
(a) Climate Change:
1. The climate change refers to seasonal changes over a long period with respect to the growing accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

2. Recent studies have shown that human activities since the beginning of the industrial revolution, have contributed to an increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by as much as 40%, from about 280 parts per million in the pre-industrial period, to 402 parts per million in 2016, which in turn has led to global warming.

3. Several parts of the world have already experienced the warming of coastal waters, high temperatures, a marked change in rainfall patterns, and an increased intensity and frequency of storms. Sea levels and temperatures are expected to be rising.

(b) Acid Rain:

  1. Acid rain is one of the consequences of air pollution.
  2. It occurs when emissions from factories, cars or heating boilers contact with the water in the atmosphere.
  3. These emissions contain nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide and sulphur trioxide which when mixed with water becomes sulfurous acid, nitric acid and sulfuric acid.
  4. This process also occurs by nature through volcanic eruptions.
  5. It can have harmful effects on plants, aquatic animals and infrastructure.

Part – D
Answer The Following Questions In About A Page.

Question 35.
Briefly explain the relationship between GDP growth and the quality of environment?
Answer:
GDP Growth:

  1. Ross domestic product is the money value of final goods and services produced in the domestic territory of a country during an accounting year.
  2. GDP can determined in 3 ways in all of which should in principle give the same result.
  3. The real Economic GDP growth rate expressed as percentage that shows the rate of change in a countries GDP.
  4. The Four supply Factors are natural resources capital goods, human resources and technology.
  5. GDP is a monetary measure of the market value of all the final goods and services.
  6. The contribution of the nature to GDP as well as depletion of natural resources are not accounted in the present system of National Income.

Quality of Environment:

  1. Environmental quality is a set of properties and characteristics of the environment either generalized or local as they impinge on human beings and other organisms.
  2. It is measure of condition of an environment relative to one or more species any human need or purpose.
  3. Environmental quality has been continuously declining due to capitalistic mode of functioning.
  4. Environment is a pure public good that can be consumed simultaneously by everyone and from which no one can be excluded.
  5. A pure public good is one for which consumption is non-revival and from which it is impossible to exclude a consumer.
  6. The environment directly affects health status and plays a major role in quality of life lived and good health disparties.


Question 36.
Explain the concepts of externality and its classification?
Answer:



Question 37.
Explain the importance of sustainable development and its goals?
Answer:
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
1. It is crucial to harmonize three core elements such as economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection.

2. A set of 17 goals for the World’s future can be achieved before 2030 with three unanimous principles fixed by United Nations such as Universality, Integration and Transformation.

  1. End Poverty in all its forms everywhere
  2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
  3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
  4. Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning
  5. Achieve gender equality and empower women.and girls
  6. Ensure access to water and sanitation for all
  7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modem energy for all.
  8. Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all.
  9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.
  10. Reduce inequality within and among countries
  11. Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
  12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production pattern
  13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
  14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources
  15. Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss
  16. Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies
  17. Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.