Unit 5: Green Skills — Notes, MCQs & Practice Questions

Session 1: Sustainable Development

Sustainable Development: development that satisfies the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, balancing economic growth, environmental care and social well-being.

Problems Related to Sustainable Development:

• Food — less fertile land and depleted soil nutrients due to overuse and chemical fertilisers.
• Water — rivers and ponds getting polluted by dumped garbage.
• Fuel — excessive use of wood affecting climate and causing extreme weather.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• 17 goals launched at the UN Sustainable Development Summit, New York, September 2015.
• Form the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
• Cover issues like poverty, gender equality, water use, energy, climate change and biodiversity.

Sustainable Development Includes:

• Reducing excessive use of resources and enhancing conservation.
• Recycling and reuse of waste materials.
• Scientific management of renewable resources, especially bio-resources.
• Planting more trees and green patches between buildings.
• Using eco-friendly or biodegradable materials.
• Using resource-efficient, environment-friendly technologies.

Sustainable Development Initiatives (Examples):

• Mr Ashwath Hegde made a 100% biodegradable bag that dissolves in hot water, after plastic was banned in Mangalore.
• Narayana Peesapaty made edible cutlery from grain, which decomposes even if not eaten.
• Charanka (Gujarat) Solar Park — a 600 MW solar power plant reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

Sustainable Processes:

• Organic farming — using natural fertilisers like cow dung instead of chemicals.
• Vermi-composting.
• Rainwater harvesting.

Session 2: Our Role in Sustainable Development

Our Role: we use many natural resources but give little back — factories pollute air, untreated garbage causes disease, and sewage pollutes seas and lakes; becoming responsible citizens is essential to protect the environment.

Kulhad Initiative (Ministry of Railways):

• Reduces tree-cutting needed for making paper cups.
• Creates jobs for potters, contributing to the economy.
• Reduces plastic waste.

Quality Education:

• Use the educational facilities available in your area.
• Take friends to school and help them study.
• Stop friends from dropping out of school.

Clean Water and Sanitation:

• Build toilets and spread awareness to make India free of open defecation.
• Promote awareness to keep water sources clean from industrial pollution.

Affordable and Clean Energy:

• Use solar power — pollution-free and does not need non-renewable fuels.
• Use biogas as an eco-friendly alternative to natural gas.

Decent Work and Economic Growth:

• Study and find good jobs to support yourself and your family.
• Work hard and contribute to society.
• Learn and develop skills that add value to the community.

Reduced Inequalities:

• Be helpful and friendly with everyone.
• Include everyone regardless of class, caste or gender.

Sustainable Cities and Communities:

• Switch off lights and fans when not in use.
• Use natural light as much as possible.
• Use energy-efficient LED lights and appliances.

Responsible Consumers and Producers:

• Reuse paper, glass, plastic and water.
• Carry cloth bags instead of plastic ones.
• Donate unused clothes, books, furniture and food.
• Buy seasonal, local produce.
• Repair leaking taps and pipes.
• Sort and treat garbage before disposal.

Protect Life Below Water: reduce plastic in the seas, which is killing marine life, by preventing ocean pollution.

Protect Life on Land: plant more trees to replace those cut down, preventing soil erosion and land degradation.