6. Action plan
The project was completed with the consultation of a teacher, an online survey was
also conducted to understand the general public's views on the subject, science
backed data was also collected and was used to gather further research on the
topic and to corroborate the information obtained through the consultation and
survey. The project aims to bring an understanding on the effects of human
behavior on the environment and how introspection and meditation could be the
solution to the problem that has been a topic of discussion for years. For the
project, we read the chapter "Keeping Quiet" critically and analyze its content. We
had an online consultation with our Biology teacher in helping us understand the
topic further and to understand a trained professional's point of view on the subject
matter. An online survey was also conducted to understand more perspectives. We
collected data from multiple sources and analyzed the data.
10. One of the greatest challenges facing humanity
is environmental degradation, including
deforestation, desertification, pollution, and
climate change
11. Effects of Environmental Degradation
Climate change will lead to an increase in the intensity and
frequency of weather extremes, such as heat waves, floods,
droughts and tropical cyclones. The people hardest hit by climate
change and environmental degradation are those living in the most
vulnerable areas, including coastal communities, small island
nations, Sub-Saharan Africa and Asian delta regions. It is the
poorest of the poor, who lack the resources to prepare, adapt and
rebuild, that are most affected.
12. The effects of the major
environmental problems on both
health and productivity are:
a. Water pollution and water scarcity:
● As per the estimation of UN, more than two million deaths and
billions of illnesses a year are attributable to water pollution.
Water scarcity compounds these health problems. Productivity is
affected by the costs of providing safe water, by constraints on
economic activity caused by water shortages, and by the adverse
effects of water pollution and shortages on other environmental
resources such as, declining fisheries and depletion leading to
irreversible compaction
13. • Soil degradation:
Depleted soils increase the risks of malnutrition for farmers. Productivity
losses on tropical soils are estimated to be in the range of 0.5-1.5 per cent
of GNP, while secondary productivity losses are due to siltation of
reservoirs, transportation channels and other hydrologic investments.
• Deforestation:
Death and disease can result from the localized flooding caused by
deforestation. Loss of sustainable logging potential and of erosion
prevention, watershed stability and carbon sequestration provided by
forests are among the productivity impacts of deforestation
• Loss of biodiversity
The extinction of plant and animal species will potentially affect the
development of new drugs; it will reduce ecosystem adaptability and
lead to the loss of genetic resources.
14. Conclusion:
The impact of environmental disasters can be
devastating on the social, economic, and
environmental systems of a country or region as well
as the global ecosystem. Environmental disasters do
not recognise man-made borders, and threaten the
legacy left to future generations of a clean and
supportive environment. Because of the
interdependency of earth ecosystems international co-
operation is paramount to prevent, and when disaster
strikes, respond to relieve quickly and effectively the
effects of environmental disasters
15.
16. Introspecting is performed by looking inward in order to understand
oneself. This can be done through self-study. Introspection is typically
contrasted with observation, which involves looking outward at the
world around oneself.
A direct result of introspection is a deep reflection on our actions. Only
when we humans as a collective come together and reflect on our
actions will we understand the harm we have caused ourselves and the
planet in our blind greed and rush to acquire material wealth. Only
when we reflect on our actions will we move further as a species and
save the planet from the harm we have caused in our blind greed.
However in addition to proper introspection, action must also be taken
to ensure the safety, prosperity of the earth and to undo the harm we
have done to the planet