Social Issues and Environment with sustainable Development and SDG

Topic learning outcomes:
At the end of the topic the student will be able to-
Explain concept of Sustainable development
Develop Eco friendly approach
Explain concept of Eco-mark label

1. 6. Social Issues and Environment Topic learning outcomes: At the end of the topic the student will be able to- Explain concept of Sustainable development Develop Eco friendly approach Explain concept of Eco-mark label. 1

2. Sustainable Development The term “Sustainable Development” has become popular since the UN Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. also called as Rio Summit, Rio Conference, Earth Summit Sustainable development has been defined in many ways, but the most frequently quoted definition is from  Our Common Future , also known as the Brundtland Report: "Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." 2

3. Why Sustainable Development? Overpopulation and Environmental Degradation About 20% of the world population lives in industrialized countries, their consumption of goods is about 80% of world goods. The consequences are a high accumulation of waste; they cause nearly 90% of the waste in the world. There are still 1.4 billion people living in poverty, although this represents a decline from the 1.9 billion in 1981 (UN, Poverty Report 2010). Threats to Sustainability: Environmental Degradation More threats to sustainability: 1. Resource depletion 2. Waste accumulation 3. Loss of resilience 4. Biodiversity loss 3

4. Sustainable Development Goals: The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), otherwise known as the Global Goals , are a universal call to action to end poverty , protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. These 17 Goals build on the successes of the Millennium Development Goals . 4

5. The 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) to transform our world: GOAL 1: No Poverty GOAL 2: Zero Hunger GOAL 3: Good Health and Well-being GOAL 4: Quality Education GOAL 5: Gender Equality GOAL 6: Clean Water and Sanitation GOAL 7: Affordable and Clean Energy GOAL 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth GOAL 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure GOAL 10: Reduced Inequality GOAL 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities GOAL 12: Responsible Consumption and Production GOAL 13: Climate Action GOAL 14: Life Below Water GOAL 15: Life on Land GOAL 16: Peace and Justice Strong Institutions GOAL 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal 5

6. They provide clear guidelines and targets for all countries to adopt in accordance with their own priorities and the environmental challenges of the world. “Poverty eradication is at the heart of the 2030 Agenda, and so is the commitment to leave no-one behind” The SDGs came into effect in January 2016, and they will continue for the next 15 years. As the UNDP is uniquely placed to help implement the Goals through 170 countries and territories. 6

7. Earth’s natural greenhouse effect 7

8. Gas Pre-1750 Recent GWP-20yrs Life time Concentrations in parts per million (ppm) CO 2 ~ 280 410 1 5 year Concentrations in parts per billion (ppb) CH 4 722 1834 86 12.4 years N 2 O 270 328 268 121 years The enhanced greenhouse effect 8

9. Global warming Global warming is the unusually rapid increase in Earth’s average surface temperature over the past century primarily due to the greenhouse gases released as people burn fossil fuels. The global average surface temperature rose 0.6 to 0.9 degrees Celsius (1.1 to 1.6° F) between 1906 and 2005, and the  rate  of temperature increase has nearly doubled in the last 50 years. Causes of Global Warming CO2, Methane, Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC's), and Nitrous Oxide to be released into the atmosphere from human activity. burning of fossil fuels nitric acid production, the use of fertilizers in agriculture, and the burning of organic matter also release the greenhouse gas Nitrous Oxide. Deforestation 9

10. 2) Wildlife Habits/Adaptations E.g. i)Spruce bark beetle -These beetles usually appear in the warmer months but since the temperatures have increased, they have been appearing year-round. These beetles chew on spruce trees at an alarming rate, and with their season being stretched for a longer period of time, they have left vast boreal forests dead and gray. Ii)Polar bear - The polar bear is now listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act . Global warming has significantly reduced its sea ice habitat; as the ice melts, polar bears are stranded and often drown. With the continuous melting of ice, there will be less habitat opportunities and a risk in extinction of the species. i) Spruce bark beetle Ii)Polar bear Effects of Global Warming 1) Melting of the Polar Ice Caps Rising sea levels result in coastal erosion, coastal flooding, increased salinity of rivers, bays, and aquifers. Melting ice caps will desalinize the ocean and disrupt natural ocean currents. 10

11. 3)Ocean Acidification/Coral Bleaching As Carbon Dioxide emissions increase, the ocean becomes more acidic. coral is very sensitive to increased water temperature over a long period of time, they lose their symbiotic algae, a type of algae that gives them coral color and nutrients. Losing these algae results in a white or bleached appearance, and is eventually fatal to the coral reef . Since hundreds of thousands of species thrive on coral as a natural habitat and means of food, coral bleaching is also fatal to the living organisms of the sea. 4)Spread of Diseases Due to Global Warming Global warming will also enhance the spread of diseases. global warming is likely to increase the infection rates of mosquito-borne diseases like malaria, dengue fever by creating more mosquito-friendly habitats. 11

12. 5)Floods and Droughts and Global Warming Strong shifts in precipitation patterns will ensue as global warming progresses. Some areas of the earth will become wetter, while others will experience heavy droughts. 6)Economic Disaster disaster relief takes a heavy toll on the world's economy and diseases are expensive to treat, we will suffer financially with the onset of global warming. 7)Population Risk and Unsustainable Development Projected sea-level rise will greatly affect low-lying coastal areas with large populations in developed and developing countries worldwide. As mangroves, coral reefs, and the general aesthetic appeal of these natural environments are further degraded, there will also be a loss in tourism. 12

13. What can we do to help? Climate Policy Reforestation Personal Action First, we can reduce electricity use around the house. The average home contributes more to global warming than the average car. If we switch to energy-efficient lighting, or reduce energy needed for heating or cooling, we will make a change in emissions. improving vehicle-fuel efficiency Driving less than needed or buying a fuel-efficient car will reduce greenhouse gas emissions Recycling whenever possible greatly reduces the energy needed to create new products. 13

14. Kyoto Protocol 1997, Kyoto, Japan  d eveloped countries agreed to specific targets for cutting their emissions of greenhouse gases. The targets apply to the four greenhouse gases carbon dioxide, methane, Nitrous oxide, sulphur hexafluoride and two groups of gases hydrofluorocarbons and perfluorocarbons. Kyoto Protocol was adopted on December 11, 1997 and entered into force on February 16, 2005. There are currently 192 parties to the Protocol. Industrialized countries committed to an overall reduction of emissions of greenhouse gases to 5.2% below 1990 levels for the period 2008 - 2012 Objective is the stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system In 2015 adoption of the Paris Agreement . 14

15. Acid Rain Acid rain, or acid deposition, that includes any form of precipitation with acidic components, such as sulfuric or nitric acid that fall to the ground from the atmosphere in wet or dry forms.  This can include rain, snow, or even dust that is acidic.   Formed when gases, such as CO 2 and SO 2 react with the water in the atmosphere The pH of Rain drops below 5.5 As low as pH of 2 Very harmful to our living environment 15

16. Causes of Acid Rain Burning coal. Oil and natural gas in power stations makes electricity, giving off sulphur dioxide gas. Burning petrol and oil in vehicle engines gives off nitrogen oxides as gases. These gases mix with water vapour and rainwater in the atmosphere producing weak solutions of sulphuric and nitric acids – which fall as acid rain. When CO 2 reacts with water, carbonic acid is formed. CO 2 (g)+H 2 O(l)-  H 2 CO 3 (aq) When SO 2 reacts with water, sulfurous acid is formed. SO 2 (g)+H 2 O(l)-  H 2 SO 3 (aq) When NO 2 reacts with water, nitric acid is formed. 2NO 2 (g)+H 2 O(l)-  HNO 2 (aq)+HNO 3 (aq) 16

17. Forests, trees, lakes, animals, and plants suffer from acid rain. The needles and leaves of the trees turn brown and fall off. Trees can also suffer from stunted growth; damaged bark and leaves, which makes them vulnerable to weather, disease, and insects. Lakes are also damaged by acid rain. Fish die off, and that removes the main source of food for birds. Acid rain can even kill fish before they are born when the eggs are laid and come into contact with the acid. Fish usually die only when the acid level of a lake is high; when the acid level is lower, they can become sick, suffer stunted growth, or lose their ability to reproduce. Also, birds can die from eating "toxic" fish and insects. How Acid Rain Affects The Environment 17

18. Buildings: Acid rain dissolves the stonework and mortar of buildings (especially those made out of sandstone or limestone).It reacts with the minerals in the stone to form a powdery substance that can be washed away by rain. Transport: Currently, both the railway industry and the aeroplane industry are having to spend a lot of money to repair the corrosive damage done by acid rain. Also, bridges have collapsed in the past due to acid rain corrosion. 18

19. Humans: One of the major problems that acid rain can cause in a human being is respiratory problems. Many can find it difficult to breathe, especially people who have asthma. Asthma, along with dry coughs, headaches, and throat irritations can be caused by the sulphur dioxides and nitrogen oxides from acid rain. Acid rain can be absorbed by both plants (through soil and/or direct contact) and animals (from things they eat and/or direct contact). When humans eat these plants or animals, the toxins inside of their meals can affect them. Brain damage, kidney problems, and Alzheimer's disease has been linked to people eating "toxic“ animals/plants. 19

20. Solutions to acid rain: 1. Sulphur dioxide can be removed from power stations chimneys but this process is expensive. 2. Reduce the amount of electricity we use - turn tv’s off at the mains, don’t leave on standby. turn off lights when a room is not in use. 3. Use renewable energy like wind power, solar panels, tidal power. 4. Fit catalytic converters to vehicle exhausts which remove the nitrogen oxides. 5. Limit the number of vehicles on the roads and increase use of public transport. 20

21. Eco-labeling Eco-labels are seals of approval given to products that are deemed to have fewer impacts on the environment than functionally or competitively similar products. The criteria utilize extensive research based on the product's life cycle impact on the environment. 21

22. Main Features Eco-labels differ from green symbols and environmental claims in that the latter are unverified and created by the manufacture or service provider. Products awarded an eco-label have been assessed and verified by an independent third body and are guaranteed to meet certain environmental performance requirements. Eco-labels may focus on certain environmental aspects of the product, eg energy consumption, water use, source of timber, etc, or they may encompass the multiple environmental aspects 22

23. Eco-labels are usually funded and backed by the national government, but administered by an independent body. Compliance with eco-label requirements is voluntary, but offers industry a competitive advantage both domestically and internationally, as well as demonstrating good environmental performance. Consumers also benefit from eco-labeling schemes through education, and the ability to compare prices and environmental performance of products. Eco-labeling can have implications for trade and can influence the design and manufacture of products. 23

24. Eco-Mark Scheme in India Eco-Mark- Eco-Mark is an eco-labeling scheme which was constituted by the Government of India in 1991 for easy identification of environment-friendly products. 24

25. Objectives of the Scheme: The specific objectives of the scheme are as follow: To provide an incentive for manufacturers and importers to reduce adverse environmental impact of products. To reward genuine initiatives by companies to reduce adverse environmental impact of their products. To assist consumers to become environmentally responsible in their daily lives by providing information to take account of environmental factors in their purchase decisions. To encourage citizens to purchase products which have less harmful environmental impacts Ultimately to improve the quality of the environment and to encourage the sustainable management of resources. 25

26. Eco-Mark Logo: The Eco-Mark logo is that of an earthen pot as indicated in the figure below. Eco-Mark Scheme of India Logo 26

27. Scope of Eco-Mark: The Eco-Mark scheme initially covered about 16 product categories covering a wide range of products. i.e. the Criteria for evaluating products under these categories were initially analyzed and identified. At a later point, a 17 th category was included. The product criteria were developed using a cradle-to-grave approach keeping in mind full life-cycle considerations of the environmental impact of the product i.e. all stages from raw materials to manufacturing, usage and disposal were analyzed and evaluated to determine the criteria. 27

28. Unique feature of the Eco-Mark: Eco-Mark is unique when compared to other eco-labels in one aspect; it also necessitated meeting the quality requirements of BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) Three Committees set-up for the Eco-Mark Scheme A Steering Committee in the Ministry of Environments and Forests A Technical Committee in the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for assessment and certification purposes 28

29. Association with International Bodies: Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is a member of GEN (Global Ecolabelling Network) and has been a member since 2000. However the Eco-Mark scheme was not very effective in India, and as such eco-labelling as a concept is still relatively unknown. The government has tried to revitalize the scheme many times, but the efforts have not borne fruit. In spite of the wide range of product categories, there were very limited applications for the Eco-Mark label. In the 18 years since its inception, less than 20 companies have obtained the Eco-Mark label. 29

30. Thank you 30