Sustainable Development and Environmental Awareness 1

What do we Mean by ‘The Environment’?

Air Water

Land Minerals

Solar EnergyPlants

Animals

Organisms Humans

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What is an Ecosystem?

Interactions between biological (living) organisms in a defined area, and with their physical environment (air, water, land), and the associated flow and transformation of energy.

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Ecosystem CharacteristicsMutual interdependence of all components

Survival of each type of plant and organism requires specific habitats and physical conditions

Strive to achieve equilibrium or stasis

In practice they are in dynamic equilibrium

When disturbed by an external force, they may adapt or break down

Fragile 4

Ecosystem Sustainability

Healthy ecosystems are sustainable

Sustainable ecosystems are vital to the quality

of human life and well-being

Biodiversity = Resilience and Adaptability

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Some Uses of Water ResourcesWater supply and sanitationAgricultureUrban developmentHydropower generationFisheriesTransportationIndustryRecreation

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Average Global WaterRenewal Rates

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Groundwater 1,400 years

Atmospheric moisture 8 days

Stream/river water 16 days

Soil moisture 1 year

Lake water 17 years

Harmful Human ActivitiesReduction of forest cover Conversion of wetlands to agriculture and

aquacultureSlash and burn agricultureOveruse of pesticides and fertilizerSome reservoirs and irrigation projectsRemoval of coastal mangrove forestsDestructive fishing methods, overfishingExpansion of urban populations

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Human Impacts on Forests

Unsustainable legal and illegal loggingCollection of firewood Clearing of forests for agricultureRoad building increased access to remote

forest areas

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Unsustainable Effects of Forest Loss

Loss of habitat for plants and animals lower biodiversity

Loss of soil fertility from trading short-term agriculture gains for valuable forest species

Loss of soil due to erosion, landslidesHigher turbidity and siltation.Loss of fish spawning and rearing habitat in lakesGlobal warming

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Un-sustainability ofPlantation Forests

Species often have high nutrient demandsLeaf litter damages soil qualityLow biodiversity - loss of wildlife, increased

risk of diseaseNot labour intensiveLoss of local community rights

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Unsustainable FisheriesToo many people chasing too few fishDestruction of fish habitatBlockage of fish migration routes by damsIncreased sedimentation, water turbidity hinders

fish feeding and spawningChanges in water chemistry unsuitable for fishIllegal methods such as dynamite fishing

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Unsustainable Effects of DamsForced resettlement of communities often

results in their impoverishmentLoss of downstream river flow volumes and

natural fluctuationsUndesirable changes in water chemistryLoss of traditional fisheries Flooding of uncleared forested areas causes

greenhouse gas emissions, navigation and fishing hazards in reservoirs

Increased risk of saltwater intrusion in Delta

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Unsustainable Effects of IrrigationHigh loss of water to evaporationIncreased salinization of soilsInequitable allocation of water.Reduction in downstream water flowIncreased agro-chemical run-off to riverSoil erosion and siltation from run-offLandslides in hilly areas

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Unsustainable Effectsof Urbanization

Overcrowding, overloaded infrastructureLowering of well-being in cities: health,

pollution, waste, crime, social tensions, family and community breakdown

Loss of cultural traditionsDiminished productive human resourcesCut off from natural ecosystems

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Unsustainable Legal andBureaucratic Systems

Generates competition and jurisdictional

disputes within and between government

departments

Disconnects political and administrative

activities from the ‘real world’.

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Unsustainable Attitudesand Beliefs

When humans forget we are children of nature

and instead believe we can dominate nature

Taking from nature without caring for and

replenishing it

Caring for the environment is someone else’s

responsibility

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Concluding ThoughtsImportant points to remember are:Environment is air, water, land, minerals,

solar energy, plants, animals, organisms, humans

Interactions between them create ecosystems

Healthy ecosystems are sustainableHuman activities are creating unsustainable

impacts on the ecology of the MRB in forests, fisheries, agriculture, urban expansion

Depletion of natural resources threatens the livelihood of Billion of people

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