SCOPE OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

This PPT prepared by Teacher Educator from Thiagarajar College of Preceptors Madurai for B.Ed Trainees.

1. SCOPE OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION S. Anbalagan, Assistant Professor of Mathematics Thiagarajar College of Preceptors, Madurai

2. Environmental Education

3. Awareness Real life situations Conservation Sustainable development SCOPE OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

4. Role of Teacher in Meeting the Challenges of Air Pollution World-wide campaign – about smoking Use of good quality of automobile fuels Planting trees – Afforestation Air pollution – checking by cyclone collectors, electrostatic precipitators etc Motor vehicles – sulphur free and lead free fuel Non-combustible sources of energy – developed Factories chimneys – tall Using air filters Awareness programmes

5. Role of Teacher in Meeting the Challenges of Water Pollution Waste water – treated before its discharge into lake or river Proper filtering mechanism Use of herbicide and pesticide – minimized Pollutants removed by suitable methods – absorption, electrodialysis, ion exchange, reverse osmosis Industrial effluents and thermal pollutants – reutilized Urban waste – reused to generate cheaper fuel gas and electricity Biological and physical methods – restore species diversity and to maintain ecological balance in the water bodies

6. Role of Teacher in Meeting the Challenges of Land Pollution Reforestation Agronomic Methods – Contour planting, Contour furrowing, Contour cropping, Mulchig and Ley farming Construction of dams Controlled grazing Soil fertility Forest management Use of bio fertilizers and natural manures Wind breaks and wind – shield Special pits – dumping industrial waste Afforestation – barren areas Recycling and recovery of materials – agricultural wastes, paper, plastics and glass Public awareness programmes Proper control methods

7. Gadgets – developed Earmuffs – industrial workers and traffic control personnel Noise section of the factory – located far away Room walls – sound absorbers Loud speakers – avoided Planting trees Role of Teacher in Meeting the Challenges of Noise Pollution

8. Teachers are expected to discharge the following functions Developing awareness about environmental issues Providing specific and scientific knowledge topic-wise Organizing community surveys on issues relating to conservation and protection of environment Organizing social service and community service programmes Organizing Population days and Environmental days Organizing Awareness campaigns

9. Organizing visits to pollution control centres Organizing exhibitions on Environmental pollution and control Organizing tree plantation or vanmahotsavs Organizing lectures and workshops for the benefit of the community Developing habits of cleanliness among students Ensuring cleanliness of the school plant Arranging lectures of experts on environmental issues

10. Impressing upon students to adopt the following ways of protecting and improving the environment Dispose the wastes after separating them into bio- degradable and non-biodegradable Start a compost heap or use a compost bin Don’t burn any waste - plastics Reuse carrier bags Avoid fast starts and sudden braking of automobiles Walk or cycle Use public transport Use unleaded petrol Plant trees Observe World Environment Day on 5th June

11. Air, Water, Land and Noise Pollution – Effects on Human, Animals and Plants

12. Floods, Aridation, Drought, Soil erosion, sediment load of the river, siltation, intensification of green house effect etc Nitrates – respiratory disorders Mine dust affects all Chemical fertilizer – increasing the salt content of the salt Radio active minerals – great damage to human Improper irrigation practices – inhibit plant growth

13. Direct or Intentional Impacts Application of Chemical Fertilizers, Pesticides and Insecticides High yield Economic Development Change in Soil Chemistry Soil Degradation

14. Indirect or unintentional Impacts Experienced after long time when they become cumulative Not reversible Related to pollution and environmental degradation Use of chemicals such as DDT, BHC, etc., Excessive use of pesticides, fertilizers and a number of other chemicals Example: toxic materials are transported across the placenta and reach the developing foetus of women and cause abortions and delivery of premature child

15. Photochemical smog – eye irritation, respiratory problems and cancer Acid rain – Depletes the nutrients in soil and destroy plants. Chlorosis and necrosis in plants. Irritation in the eyes and skin of human beings Affects aquatic life Airbrone fluoride and arsenic pollution – injuries to agricultural livestocks Green house effect – skin cancer Ozone layer depletion – cancer Air pollution affects weather and climate at global level

16. Industrial Growth and its Environmental Impacts Industrial expansion – release of enormous quantities of pollutants – ions of chlorine, sodium sulphate, magnesium phosphate etc Coal consumption in thermal plants – flyash, smoke, sulphur oxide and other gases

17. Burning of hydrocarbon fuels – Increased concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere Increase in global temperature CO2 + H2O H2CO3 Carbonic acid changes the soil chemistry