ABSTRACT

Our environment is our world. It is the ultimate foundation of our political systems, our economies and our cultures. Without a healthy environment, none of these can survive. This quote alone proves how important our environment is and how it directly affects everything that is important in our lives.

In an age of technological advances and discovery, humanity is at the brink of disaster due to the various prevailing environmental issues.

Climate change is one of the most important global environmental challenges facing humanity with implications for food productions, natural ecosystems, fresh water supply, and health etc., According to the latest scientific assessment the earths climate system has demonstrably changed on both global and regional scales since the preindustrial era. Unnecessary and unwise encroachment on nature, excessive exploitation of natural resources, scientific advancement and resultant refuge, fumigation and noise have totally polluted the entire environment on the earth. The pollution state of various resources has deteriorated to such an extent that survival of human life is at stake. .

COURAGE IS WHAT IT TAKES TO STAND UP AND SPEAK COURAGE IS ALSO WHAT IT TAKES TO SIT DOWN AND LISTEN

GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS

INTRODUCTION Global ecological systems are characterized by complex interactions among the nature, environment and humans at social, economic and natural scales. The quality of global environment is highly constrained by the global characteristics such as high aggregation, integrity and vulnerability, which is primarily reflected in the process of globalization along with the population and landscape changes and ecological damages. On one hand, the changes of lifestyle also occurred along with the number of population increasing which brought more pressure to the global eco-system; On the other hand, the destructions of original global ecological environment caused by industrialization and the development of global buildings enabled cities become an artificial system with high degree of openness and strong dependence on other systems. Along with increasing human economic and social activities, the quality of the global environment declined to a certain extent, or reached the global environment bearing threshold, threatening the global ecological security and even leading to crises. From the perspective of global reality, after the reform and opening up, the contradictions between economic development and resources and the environment become more and more prominent. The massive consumption of resources has been made in the process of economic development and much pollution has been discharged into the global environment during the process of resources development and utilization, which caused serious environmental pollution and ecological damage.

GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS

Fig.1 GLOBAL CRISIS

BASIC ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS Our environment is our world. It is the ultimate foundation of our political systems, our economies and our cultures. Without a healthy environment, none of these can survive. This quote alone proves how important our environment is and how it directly affects everything that is important in our lives. The following are the basic environmental crisis prevailing now: Global Warming Carbon Emission Over Utilization Of Non Renewable Sources Deforestation Water Crisis Usage Of Plastic Products GLOBAL WARMING Carbondioxide, nitrous oxide, methane and water vapour are called greenhouse gases. These gases form a layer in the atmosphere and prevent the reflected radiation from leaving the

GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS

earth. Just like a green house, this will make the temperature on the surface become steadily hotter. This effect is called global warming.

Fig.2 GLOBAL WARMING

The top three causes of global warming are:

Power generation: Heating and air conditioning are the two biggest power consumers. A

solar geyser can be heating bath water. In hot weather, keep the use of air conditioning to minimal and set the AC at 24 deg C or more. Use energy saving devices, such as LED lights for lighting. Replace your incandescent light bulbs with CFL bulbs or LED lights. 60% of power bills by replacing the incandescent bulbs with CFL. Life of CFL is 8000 hours. Incandescent bulb can last only 500 hours. 8 watt CFL emits more light than 40 watt incandescent bulb. It converts only 10% of electricity into light and 90% wasted as heat energy. It contributes more to the global warming.
The meat industry: Meat based diet contributes to 40% more greenhouse gases than the

pollution generated by all the traffic in the entire world put together. All the cars, buses, trains, planes and ships of the planet dont pollute as much as the meat industry. They actually pollute 40% less. There are billions of animals being slaughtered every year. The tremendous amount of resources needed to create meat translates therefore into billions of tons of greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere.

GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS

Transportation: We all have to go to various places. But we can do it in a healthy way.

Walk, run, bicycle, and skate your way to places that are near you. This not only reduces the ecological footprint but also keeps the body healthy. The usage of public transport and also be done. And if car driving is necessary, usage of car pooling can be done. RISE IN TEMPERATURE The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) projects that the global mean temperature may increase between 1.4 and 5.8 degrees Celsius by 2100. This unprecedented increase is expected to have severe impact on the global hydrological system, ecosystems, sea level, crop production and related processes. The impact would be particularly severe in the tropical areas, which mainly consist of developing countries like India. RESULTS OF GLOBAL WARMING
Within the next 8 years, the global temperature will rise by 2 degree Celsius. Greenpeace

have predicted that the present shore of Chennai will disappear and a new shore will be created. This results in the migration of 5 crore people from India and another 7.5 crore people will migrate from Bangladesh. The shore of the sea will rise up to 10 meters resulting in the disappearance of many shore cities.
The global temperature rises about 10 to 15 meters in a year. This results in the melting

of ice and polar caps in the Himalayan ranges. This results in water scarcity. This also results in the decrease in fertility rate. The water crisis affects around 50 crore people. The lack in fertility also leads to various unknown diseases. SIMPLE WAYS TO REDUCE GLOBAL WARMING Replace a regular incandescent light bulb with a compact fluorescent bulb (CFL) Install a programmable thermostat Clean or replace filters on your air conditioner Choose energy efficient appliances when making mew purchases Do not leave appliances on standby Wrap your water heater in an insulation blanket Defrost old fridges and freezers regularly Dont let heat escape from your house over a long period Cover your pots while cooking Use the washing machine or dishwasher only when they are full Take a shower instead of a bath

GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS

Use less hot water Recycle at your home Reduce waste Plant a tree Switch to green power Buy locally grown and produced foods Support local farmer markets Reduce the number of miles you drive Start a carpool Try telecommunicating from home Encourage the switch to renewable energy Protect and conserve forest worldwide CARBON EMISSION The result of manmade industries and the continuous destruction of forests and trees is the emission of various poisonous gases. The major poisonous gas emitted is carbondioxide which rises to the atmosphere. The average amount of emitted carbondioxide is around 7000 million tons per year. This amount of carbon combines with the already existing carbon in the air which takes around 100 years to get disintegrated. Carbon takes more years to disintegrate because carbon molecules have the property to absorb the heat prevailing in the atmosphere. This carbon forms a blanket over the earth maintain a warm temperature. So this temperature heats the water molecules present in the air. This results in the change of worlds climatic conditions. If this condition continues, the temperature of earth increases by 2.5 degree Celsius for 100 years. The major reason for environmental degradation is the increase in carbon level in the environment. The vehicles emit 700 crore ton of carbon while deforestation results in 200 crore ton of carbon and the carbon from the waste amounts for 3%. If this situation continues by 2100 the total amount of carbon present in the atmosphere will be 1, 60,000 crore tons of carbon.

GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS

Fig.4 CARBON EMISSION

This carbon emission results in the melting of polar caps resulting in the increase in sea level. This leads to the death rate of 30% of various organisms like plants, birds and animals. The sea organisms and the corals of the ocean also get destroyed. This also leads to the increase in the micro organisms which results in death of man. The emission from the industries and the waste water from them also pollute the earth. CARBON TRADING Carbon trading is basically a commercialized activity that originates from protecting the earth from harmful emission of gases from industries. The concept of carbon trading is that of incentivizing the units that pollute less and disincentivising the industries that pollute more. The most dangerous gases thrown out by the industrial units are six in number- carbondioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydroflourocarbon, perflurocarbons and sulphur hexafluoride. The groups of such gases which are responsible for removing greenery from our plant are called greenhouse gases. CARBON CREDITS They are generated by enterprises in the developing world that shift to cleaner technologies and thereby save on energy consumption. This also reduces the greenhouse gases. For each ton of carbon emission avoided, the entity can get a carbon emission certificate which they can sell either immediately or through futures markets. This trade is carried out under a UN mandated international convention on climate change to help rich countries reduce their emissions. CONTROL OF EMISSION FROM VEHICLES Construction of ring roads and sub ways in the cities can reduce the traffic congestion and also reduces the amount of emissions from these vehicles. Metro rails can also be used to

GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS

reduce traffic congestion. And also by encouraging the public to use public vehicles can reduce the emissions thus results in energy conservation. STEPS TO KICK OFF THE HABIT OF USING CO2 Make a commitment Decide and plan where to go De-carbon your life Get energy efficient Switch to low carbon energy Invest in offsets and cleaner alternatives Buy low carbon products and services Buy green and sell green OVER UTILISATION OF NON RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES The non-renewable energy sources (coal, petroleum) utilization has created environment pollution. The energy production from coal and petroleum results in emission of very poisonous gases. This over utilization of non renewable resources leads to very serious consequences like global warming, greenhouse effect, ozone depletion and change in climate. REMEDIES OF USING RENEWABLE ENERGY Bio diversity boosts ecosystem productivity where each species, no matter how small, all have an important role to play and the combination enables the ecosystem to posses the ability to prevent and recover from a variety of disasters. Natural calamities are the effects of imbalance in the ecosystem. SOLAR ENERGY The solar energy receives a big thrust. India receives the equivalent of about 5000 trillion kilowatt hours of energy from the sun each year 5.5 kilowatt hours per square meter each year with most areas experiencing clear, sunny weather for 250 to 300 days. It could be a small step of planting a sapling, help convert our street lights powered by solar panels, converting our public transport to CNG, framing out a domestic action plan, taking solar energy in the households through power tariffs, preparing to green the city by setting up urban forests across our city, solar heater, extending a helping hand in protecting our water bodies, avoid plastics, save water, save power, keep city clean campaign, any small plan is a big help in saving our Mother Earth.

GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS

Fig.5 SOURCES OF RENEWABLE ENERGY

BIOMASS ENERGY Biomass gas refers to the energy produced by plants during the photosynthesis. The aerobic respiration of plants results in carbondioxide which combines with the oxygen present in the water molecules of the space. This carbondioxide is also further utilized by the plants for further process. This cycle of conversion of energies results in the production of biomass energy. The biomass is the energy which will be used in the future which reduces the emissions and also keeps the cities green. This biomass energy can be used along with the diesel and is compatible with the diesel engine. This biomass energy can be produced from cow dung, excreta of man, and wastes from cooking. This is produced by the anaerobic degradation of these products. BIO DIESEL It is a methyl ester formed by transesterification of vegetable oils with methanol in the presence of a catalyst to give methyl ester and glycerol. It can be used in place of petroleum based diesel or can be mixed with it in any proportion, without any modifications to the engine. The use of biodiesel results in reduction in 50% emission of hydrocarbon for diesel fuel. It is produced by trans-esterification of many vegetable oils.

WIND ENERGY A wind mill usually consists of a fan, an electric circuit and a storage area. When the wind flows, the fan gets rotated by the force applied by the wind. This rotation is converted into the electrical energy. That is the mechanical energy is converted into the mechanical energy. The amount of energy obtained as output depends on the diameter of the fan. When the speed of air is 11meter per minute the wind mill can produce 950 to 1250 Kilowatt of electricity. DEFORESTATION

GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS

It refers to the destruction of forests for the utilization of land. This result in the deterioration of all the uses obtained from the trees. This also leads to the decrease in soil fertility rate reducing the number of living organisms of the earth. This results in reduction in ground water level which leads to harmful consequences like earth quake.

Fig. 6 AFFORESTATION

BENEFITS OF AFFORESTATION Trees keep our air supply fresh by absorbing carbondioxide and by producing oxygen Trees provide shelter and shade reducing yearly heating and cooling costs by 2.1 billion dollars Trees lower air temperature by evaporating water in their leaves They cut down noise pollution by acting as a sound barrier They stabilize the soil and prevent erosion They improve the water quality Trees located along the streets act as a glare and reflection control WATER CRISIS The third world war will occur due to water this is mostly quoted words. Even now there was a fight in Somalia and Bosnia due to the water crisis. In Somalia, there was violence for water by breaking of taps and filling of wells by stones.

GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS

Fig.7 WATER CRISIS

WATER MANAGEMENT Conservation at homes through restricting and minimizing water usage and ensuring that no water runs out of the premises through water harvesting structures. Community water conservation through rainwater harvesting structures to save run-off water from road sides and public spaces like parks and open grounds. With 100mm of rainfall, 1 million liters of water can be harvested from 1 hectare of land. With cities and towns becoming concrete jungles, the opportunity to harvest water within the cities is immense. Large scale water conservation through desilting and creating storage capacity in public water bodies like ponds, tanks, lakes etc., RAIN WATER HARVESTING TECHNIQUES There are two main techniques of rain water harvesting Storage of rain water on surface for future use Recharge to ground water The storage of rain water on surface is a traditional technique and structures used were underground tanks, ponds, check dams, weirs etc.Construction activity in and around the city is resulting in the drying up of water bodies and reclamation of these tanks for conversion into plots for houses. Free flow of storm runoff into these tanks and water bodies must be ensured. The storm runoff may be diverted into the nearest tanks or depression, which will create additional recharge.

GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS

INDIVIDUAL HOUSES Roof top area 100 sq. m.

MULTISTOREYED BUILDING 500 sq. m. 275 cu. m. 500 days

Total quantity available 55 cu. m. for recharge per annum Water available for 5 100 days member family

Fig.8 AREA REQUIRED FOR RAIN WATER HARVESTING

Ground water exploitation is inevitable is urban areas. But the groundwater potential is getting reduced due to urbanization resulting in over exploitation. Recharge of ground water through storm runoff and roof top water collection, diversion and collection of runoff into dry tanks, play grounds, parks and other vacant places are to be implemented. PLASTIC USAGE Use of plastics has their adverse impact on the environment. Not only manufacture of plastic bags adds tones of carbon emissions into air, most plastic bags take over 400 to 1000 years to disintegrate. EFFECTS FROM PLASTIC USAGE Generally when plastic is added with food, it results in nausea, intestine problems, maternity problems, skin diseases, psoriasis, nerve problems and immunity problems. The burning of plastic products is not easy. It takes more time to disintegrate then paper. The burning of plastics results in the production of dioxin which combines with the air. When this air is taken in it leads to cancer problems. PLASTIC RECYCLING Plastic recycling is the process of recovering scrap or waste plastics and reprocessing the material into useful products, sometimes completely different in form from their original state. For instance, this could mean melting down soft drink bottles then casting them as plastic chairs and tables. The use of biodegradable plastics is increasing. If some of these get mixed in the other plastics for recycling, the reclaimed plastic is not recyclable because the variance in properties and melt temperatures. ROLE OF YOUTH IN GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS The past generations have utilized the environment at the maximum, without knowing the consequences they left out for the present and future generations. They have taught a lesson for the people now about the consequences of over-utilizing the resources. The present youth have

GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS

known the donts from the mistakes of the past generations and are dutiful to correct the mistakes and make the earth the way it was during our past days. The present youth, however gets various solutions and ideas from our older generation and are implementing the ideas with a consideration of the present existing life style.

Fig.9 UNITY OF YOUTH IS NECESSARY Youth who are educated contribute themselves by being engineers, doctors and social

workers. In the recent study conducted by the students of IIT Madras, it is quoted that about 72% who participate in the awareness camps about environmental issues are youths. Youth knows the present mentality of people (youth empathies themselves in the role of various persons of various society levels) belonging to all the class of society and they can just encourage them to actively participate in the environment protection campaign. They also arrange and execute the awareness camps among people about what to use and what not to use and the ways of protecting the nature. Youth also form groups and clubs (like Siruthuli and RAAC) which actively involves them in protecting the environment and also encourages people to do so.
The present youth also forms a role model for the younger generations about how to

protect nature.
Youth as part of protecting nature also uses plants like Bonsai inside their houses as

interior decoration purposes. This growth of plants not only beautifies the house but also helps in reducing the carbon release from each house. And it is also found out that it is the youth who are maximum participants in the rallies and in actions against the issues created by environment.

GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS

Youth also develop projects for conserving energy and nature. For example, a project for producing power by applying thrust on staircase is being developed by my classmates. The youth also conduct national or regional level summit or exhibition about demonstrating the various new products which encourage the people to use less pollute emitting devices. Youth goes only for low carbon emission products and also encourages people around them to use such products. Many youth have self employed themselves by creating wealth out of waste products and also facing a very nice boom in these products. Youth organizes workshops and clubs like NSS, RRC for facilitating the knowledge for people. WHEN SPIDER WEBS UNITE THEY CAN TIE UP A LION Similarly when youth unite themselves they can make these global environmental crises to be disappeared within a few years and can gift their future generations a wonderful world which existed before Pandora opened the magic box. The ultimate success is in the part of the youth.

Fig.10 ULTIMATE SUCCESS

GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS

CONCLUSION
Thus the youth of today has more responsibility, inquisitive and innovative nature to create this world as it was before the opening of box by Pandora. They have also the ability of mental strength to create this world free from all the environmental issues prevailing now. Whatever may be the action you decide there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that you critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires courage.

EARTH IS NOT A GIFT FROM OUR PARENTS BUT IT IS A LOAN FOR OUR CHILDREN