Earth in Trouble

Earth in trouble
Made By:
Saumya Saxena (Student of Gopi Birla Memorial School)

Acknowledgements
I would like to firstly thank the people who organized the
National Science Concours to give an opportunity to young
minds to show their abilities to the world. Secondly I would
like to thank my principal Ms. Deepa Shetty who permitted us
to take part in this competition. I would even like to thank my
science teachers who guided me throughout this project. Last
but not the least I would thank my parents to support me to
make this project.

foreword
The topic I have chosen is Mother Nature under which I
have given emphasis on the increasing pollution of
today’s world.
This pollution is due to the uncontrollable population
growth which leads to unplanned settlements, rapid
increase in industrialization , abuse of non-renewable
resources, etc.
In this presentation we will deal with different types of
pollution with some case studies of India and some
remedies for these.

Topics covered
Background
Fact File: Global Contrasts
Pollution
Types of pollution
Noise pollution
Soil contamination
Radioactive contamination
Water pollution
Fact File:Poisoned waters
Thermal pollution
Light pollution
Air pollution
Greenhouse Effect
Global Warming
The Ozone Layer &the Hole
Fact File:Did you know?
Greenhouse Gas Footprint
Carbon Footprint

Acid Rain
Pollution Control
Prevention
Case Studies (5 in India and 1 in Nepal)
Case Study 1 : Ganga Action Plan (Original)
Case Study 2 : Discolouration of the Taj Mahal
Case Study 3 : Uttarakhand Flash Floods
Case Study 4 : Bhopal Gas Tragedy
Case Study 5 : Nepal Earthquake
Case Study 6 : Chipko Movement
Water : The Unknown Fact

why is Earth in trouble?
Human Beings(scientific name: Homo sapiens) now seem to be
dominating the Earth. Our day-to-day activities are doing the
planet irreparable damage. The increasing demand for the fragile
resources is a threat to the everything from the atmosphere to plant
and animal life. Car exhausts and smokestacks choke the air, rivers
are poisoned by modern agricultural practices and massive felling
of trees has lead to the change of the natural forests to the concrete
forests. The word that defines all these changes is “Pollution”.

What man has done to the earth

Global contrasts
 The average person in the US uses 34million
kilojoules(kJ) of energy per day while in India the
figure is 0.6 million.
 The developed world consumes three quarters of the
world’s energy for one quarter of the people.
 Barely 5% of the world’s energy comes from
renewable sources such as water, wind and sunlight.
 About 5 million acres (an area the size of
Massachusetts) of tropical rainforest is felled every
year.
 Up to 17 million acres of farmland are lost yearly to
soil erosion.
(As of 2006)

Pollution
Pollution is the introduction of unwanted
substances in the environment that cause
changes in the environment.

Pollution maybe caused due to 2 activities namely
Natural Activities
Man’s Activities

Natural Activities
Natural Activities include all the natural disasters like :
Volcanic Eruption
Earthquake
Floods and Cloud Bursts

Man’s Activities
Man’s Activities include:
Abuse of Non-Renewable resources
Rapid rate of Industrialization
Deforestation
Mining and Quarrying
Increasing the area under cultivation

Types of pollution
Noise pollution
Soil contamination
Radioactive contamination
Water pollution
Thermal pollution
Light pollution
Air pollution

Noise pollution
Noise pollution is the disturbing or excessive noise that may
harm the activity or balance of human or animal life. The
source of most outdoor noise worldwide is mainly caused
by machines and transportation systems, motor vehicles,
aircraft, and trains.

Soil pollution
The contamination of soil with solid waste, chemicals
(through industrial waste or acid rain), fertilizers and
pesticides, reducing its fertility is called soil pollution.

Radioactive contamination
Radioactive contamination is the deposition of, or presence
of radioactive substances on surfaces or within solids, liquids
or gases (including the human body), where their presence is
unintended or undesirable.

Water pollution
The contamination of fresh water due to addition of harmful
substances which make it unfit for use is called water
pollution. Agents that pollute water are called water
pollutants.

Poisoned waters
Gold is a precious metal that can make prospectors rich quick.
In parts of the Amazon region, there are tiny particles of gold
in the water. These can be obtained by combining them with
the metal mercury. But the unwanted or used mercury is
extremely poisonous and washes away, killing fish and other
aquatic life for hundreds of miles downstream. (As of 2006)

Thermal pollution
Thermal pollution is basically the form of water pollution that
refers to degradation of water quality by any process that
changes ambient water temperature. This condition chiefly
arises from the waste heat generated by an industrial process
such as certain power generation plants.

Light pollution
Light pollution is excessive, misdirected, or obtrusive artificial
light. Pollution is the adding-of/added light itself, in analogy
to added sound, carbon dioxide, etc.
Paris at night new York

Air pollution
Air pollution is the introduction of particulates, biological
molecules, or other harmful materials into the Earth's
atmosphere, causing disease, death to humans, damage to
other living organisms such as food crops or the natural
environment.

Gases like carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4),
chlorofluorocarbon (CFCs), nitrous oxide(N2O) , ozone, etc. are
called greenhouse gases. Out of these CO2 is the most important
gas to keep the earth warm by trapping the infra red radiations
back to the earth. Average temperature of the Earth is 15oC and
in the absence of these gases it may drop to -20oC killing all life
forms.
Man is increasing the amount of CO2 and CH4 in the
atmosphere by burning fossil fuels and decay of vegetation
matter. These gases heat up the atmosphere which leads to an
increase in the Earth’s temperature.
Greenhouse effect

Now I shall talk about a few effects of the Greenhouse Gases
1. Global Warming
2. The Ozone Layer and it’s Hole
3. Greenhouse Gas Footprint
4. Carbon Footprint
5. Acid Rain

GLOBAL WARMING
Another threat for the environment is Global Warming. It is an
outcome of the increasing pollution.
Global warming is the term used to describe a gradual increase in
the average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere and its oceans,
a change that is believed to be permanently changing the Earth's
climate.

Consequences of global warming
Increase in global temperature due to the present input of
greenhouse gases.
Increase in the sea level: All the ice on the earth will melt due to
global warming, water would be added to surface of all oceans.
Thus low lying coastal cities like Shanghai, Kolkata, Bangkok,
Dhaka, Venice, etc. will be inundated.
There is a change in climatic conditions which affects the
agricultural cycle.
Global warming leads to an increase in natural disasters and the
spread of vector born, respiratory and skin diseases.

Consequences of global warming

The ozone layer
The ozone layer refers to a region of Earth's stratosphere that
absorbs most of the Sun's ultraviolet(UV) radiation. It
contains high concentrations of ozone (O3). The ozone layer is
mainly found in the lower portion of the stratosphere, from
approximately 20 to 30 kilometres (12 to 19 mi) above Earth.

Did you know?
Ozone is formed in the atmosphere when energetic ultraviolet
(UV) radiation dissociates molecules of oxygen, O2 , into
separate oxygen atoms. Free oxygen atoms can recombine to
form oxygen molecules but if a free oxygen atom collides with an
oxygen molecule, it joins up, forming ozone.

Ozone hole
Due to pollution man has now made a hole in the ozone layer over
Antarctica. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other ozone depleting
substances (ODS) are responsible for man-made ozone depletion.

greenhouse gas(GHG) footprint
The greenhouse gas footprint
refers to the amount of
greenhouse gases that are
emitted into the atmosphere. It
is more comprehensive than the
commonly used carbon footprint,
which measures only carbon
dioxide, one of many greenhouse
gases.

Carbon footprint
The total amount of greenhouse gases produced to directly and
indirectly support human activities, usually expressed in
equivalent tons of carbon dioxide (CO2). Eg. when you drive a car,
the engine burns fuel which creates a certain amount of CO2,
depending on its fuel consumption and the driving distance. When
you buy food and goods, the production of the food and goods also
emitted some quantities of CO2.

Acid rain
Acid rain is a rain or any other form of precipitation that is
unusually acidic, meaning that it possesses elevated levels of
hydrogen ions (low pH). It can have harmful effects on plants,
aquatic animals and infrastructure.

Pollution control
Pollution control means the control of pollutants into air,
water or soil. Without pollution control, the waste products
from consumption, heating, agriculture, mining,
manufacturing, transportation and other human activities,
whether they accumulate or disperse, will degrade
the environment.

prevention
 Change a light : Replace regular bulbs with CFL bulbs or LED light.
They consume less power and have longer lifetime.
 Drive less : By driving less you are not only saving fuel but also
helping in reducing global warming. Look for other possibilities eg: car
pooling. If you have colleagues who live in the same area then you can
combine trips. If you need to go to a local market then either walk or
go by cycle. Use more of public transport.
 Recycle more : Try to use the disposable products into some other form.
Just don’t throw them away. You can recycle almost anything for e.g.:
paper, aluminium foils, cans, newspapers.
 Check your tyres : When you drive make sure your tyres are inflated
properly. If not, then obviously they will consume more fuel.
 Avoid products with lot of packaging

 Turn off electronic devices : Turn off electronic devices when you are
moving out for a couple of days or more. Unnecessary usage of
electronic appliances will not only save fuel i.e. coal by which we get
electricity but also increase the lifetime of your gadgets.
 Plant a tree : Trees not only give oxygen but also take in carbon
dioxide, during the process of photosynthesis, which is the main source
of global warming.
 Spread the awareness : Always try your best to educate people about
global warming and it’s causes and after affects. Tell them how they
can contribute their part by saving energy that will be good for the
environment.
 General Air Travel: You should avoid flying when possible, fly less
frequently and fly economy class.
 Leisure Air Travel: Take fewer vacations that are far way, and more
closer to home.

 Economy class is best because each flyer’s share of a flight’s carbon
emissions is relatively less because it’s spread out over more people.
 Water usage: Lower the amount of energy used to pump, treat, and
heat water by washing your car less often etc.
 Support clean energy sources: Such as wind, solar, geothermal, and
appropriately designed hydroelectric and biomass energy projects.

CASE STUDY 1
LAUNCHED (original)
APRIL 1985

 Ganga is holy, but has got polluted ruined
it’s ecology. The river is said to be ‘dead ’
at some places where the pollution levels
are very high.
 Study by the World Wide Fund for
Nature found that Ganga is one of the
ten most endangered rivers in the world.
 Kanpur is the most polluted city in
Ganga’s path. It has over 5000 industries.
 People throw flowers and idols and even
wash clothes and bathe in the river.
 Thus, GAP was launched by the
Government.

What should be done
People must be made aware that when they pollute the river
due to some religious belief they are actually endangering
the river dolphins (only found in Ganges) and many more
such species.The citizens must support the government in
their mission to clean the Ganga.
Ganga has some mythological importance as well as it was
known to be able to purify it’s water and even cure some
diseases before. But due to increasing the pollution this
magical river has lost the ability to purify itself.

India’s most famous monument ‘Taj Mahal’ located in
Agra, has great value of tourist attraction. It is made up of
white marble, which is gradually turning yellow because of
the air pollution caused by the Mathura Oil refinery and
illegal building works.
A report by India’s Environment Engineering Research
Institute has found that several conservation schemes have
failed to protect its white marble stones from discolouring.
discolouration of the Taj Mahal

Fumes from city traffic nearby housing developments and
water pollution from raw sewage, which flows in the
Yamuna river, the industries located near around area have
been responsible for producing pollutant like sulphur dioxide
(SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and hydrocarbons. These gases
react with the water vapour and cause acid rain.
Acid rain corrodes metals, painted surfaces, slate stone and
marble. Presently the acid in the acid rain reacts and corrodes
the white marble of the Taj.

The Tulsi plant is planted around the monument as it is
known to have a huge capacity to purify the air. This has
been even proven scientifically.
Many industries have been shut down around the Taj. The
number of industries around has been reduced.
These practices have resulted in the Taj Mahal becoming
white once again.
What is being done

Uttarakhand flash floods
In June 2013, a cloudburst centered on the North Indian state
of Uttarakhand caused devastating floods and landslides
becoming the country's worst natural disaster since the 2004
tsunami.
As of 16 July 2013, according to figures provided by the
Uttarakhand government. This total included 934 local residents.
Destruction of bridges and roads left about 100,000 pilgrims and
tourists trapped in the valleys leading to three of the four Hindu
Chota Char Dham pilgrimage sites. The Indian Air Force,
the Indian Army, and paramilitary troops evacuated more than
110,000 people from the flood ravaged area.

About the Uttarakhand disaster

Practise Afforestation and terrace farming. This can reduce
the chances of landslides.
The settlements should be planned.
Tourists should be educated about the ill effects of pollution
of the environment.
The governments should be very strict on applying the
sanitation rules.
What can be done

Bhopal gas tragedy
 Bhopal gas tragedy was a gas leak incident in India, considered the
world's worst industrial disaster.
 It occurred on the night of 2–3 December 1984 at the Union Carbide
India Limited (UCIL) in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Over 500,000
people were exposed to methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas and other
chemicals.
 The official immediate death toll was 2,259. The government of
Madhya Pradesh confirmed a total of 3,787 deaths related to the gas
release. A government affidavit in 2006 stated that the leak caused
558,125 injuries, including 38,478 temporary partial injuries and
approximately 3,900 severely and permanently disabling injuries.
Others estimate that 8,000 died within two weeks, and another 8,000
or more have since died from gas-related diseases.

The cause of the disaster remains under debate. The Indian
government and local activists argue that slack management
and deferred maintenance created a situation where routine
pipe maintenance caused a backflow of water into a MIC
tank triggering the disaster. Union Carbide Corporation
contends water entered the tank through an act of sabotage.

 MIC is toxic by inhalation, ingestion and contact in quantities as
low as 0.4 ppm. Exposure symptoms includes
• Chest pain
• Dyspnea
• Coughing
• Irritation of the eyes, nose and throat
• Skin damage.
The toxic effect was apparent in the Bhopal disaster, when around
42,000 kilograms of MIC was released from the underground
reservoirs of the Union Carbide India Limited factory, over a
populated area on December 3, 1984, immediately killing
thousands and leading to the deaths of tens of thousands in
subsequent weeks and months.

About MIC
Methyl isocyanate (MIC) is an organic compound with the
molecular formula CH3NCO. It is a highly toxic and extremely
hazardous to human health. It was the principal toxicant
involved in the Bhopal disaster, which killed nearly 8,000 people
initially and approximately 20,000 to 30,000 people in total.
MIC is extremely toxic. The threshold limit value set by the
American Conference on Government Industrial Hygienists is
0.02 ppm.

Safety measures should be implemented strictly. The workers
should be provided with proper equipments.
The industry should not be made inside the city or within a
crowded area. It should preferably be placed on the outskirts
of the city.
People living in close vicinity of industries should be made
aware of the disastrous effects of such mishaps.
The medical help should be aware of the chemicals used and
even be aware of the assistance using advanced technology.
What should be done

2015 Himalayan earthquake
CASE STUDY 5

Nepal Earthquake
The 2015 Nepal earthquake killed more than 7,000 people and
injured more than twice as many. Itoccurred on 25 April, with
a maximum Mercalli Intensity of IX (Violent). Its epicenter was
the village of Barpak, Gorkha district, and its hypocenter was at a
depth of approximately 15 km. It is the most powerful disaster to
strike Nepal since the 1934 Nepal-Bihar earthquake. Some
casualties were also reported in the adjoining areas of India, China
and Bangladesh.

The earthquake triggered an avalanche on Mount Everest, killing
at least 19, making it the deadliest day on the mountain in history.
It triggered another huge avalanche in Langtang valley. Hundreds
of thousands of people were rendered homeless. Centuries-old
buildings were destroyed at UNESCO World Heritage sites in the
Kathmandu Valley. Many aftershocks occurred throughout Nepal
with one shock reaching a magnitude of 6.7 on 26 April.

before
The Dharahara tower
after

People living in Earthquake prone zones must have regular
safety drills.
Using advanced technology, the houses should be made
quake proof.
The technology in such places must be advanced enough so
that the scientists there can predict the earthquake and more
people can be evacuated and there is less loss of life since a
natural disaster is unavoidable.
What can be done

Chipko movement
Chipko movement is the act of hugging
trees to protect them from being felled.
In legend, this practice began with Amrita
Devi while protesting against a King's man
who wanted to cut a tree.
In Khejarli village 363 people sacrificed
their lives while protecting green Khejri.
The modern Chipko movement started in
the early 1970s in Uttarakhand with
growing awareness of rapid deforestation.

The landmark event in this struggle took place
on March 26, 1974, when a group of peasant
women in a village of Uttarakhand acted to
prevent the cutting of trees and reclaim their
traditional forest rights, which were
threatened by the contractors of the state
Forest Department. Their actions inspired
hundreds of such actions at the grassroots
level throughout the region.
By the 1980s the movement had spread
throughout India and led to the formulation
of people-sensitive forest policies, which put a
stop to the open felling of trees.

A fact that many of us
might be unaware of

Water : the unknown fact
All of us know that water is made up of Hydrogen and Oxygen.
In the word equation form we can say
Hydrogen + Oxygen Water
Now lets take a look at the Chemical Formula
2H2 + O2 2H2O
As students we have learnt this as the chemical equation of
water but we are unaware of one product of this reaction. The
actual chemical equation for water is
2H2 + O2 2H2O + Energy
This energy is released in a tremendous amount. To be accurate
the value of this energy is 572 kJ. Isn’t it a huge amount?

suggestion
Since we know that a lot of energy released during the
formation of water so we could develop some technology to
use this energy to run our all machines like computers or use
it as a fuel for electrically-run cars.
We know that this technology is present in Space Shuttles to
make water and generate energy to carry out their work.
Fossil Fuels like petrol and diesel are only 20% fuel efficient
but electrical energy is more efficient. Cars that are run on
electricity don’t pollute as much as the cars run by fossil
fuels.

Many positive steps to be
taken to reduce the loss of
life

The natural disasters are unavoidable so we can just reduce
the death toll.
Safety drills must be performed at regular intervals.
Awareness must be spread. We must make sure that every
citizen must be aware about each and every disaster.
The scientists must have the advanced technology to predict
the place of the disaster so that maximum of the people can
be evacuated.
Natural disasters

Man-Made disasters are avoidable unlike natural disasters.
People must be made aware of previous such disasters and
even the importance of controlled population.
All the safety measures must be followed in building an
industry. If this is not done then the owner of the industry
should be held responsible for any disaster.
The use of non-renewable resources should be reduced along
with the use of plastic.
The 3 R’s must be followed- Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
Man-made
disasters

bibliography
Information - Wikipedia and Science Encyclopedia (published
in 2006 by Parragon, UK) .
Pictures - Google
Videos - YouTube

At the end of this project I would like to thank
everyone who has helped me throughout my
project.
My mother and all my science teachers for guiding
me at every step and helping me improve and
increase my knowledge in the most important
subject of today.

Earth in Trouble

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