Environment & Ecology (Mains Marks Booster)

A mangrove is a tiny tree or shrub that grows along coasts and establishes itself in saline sediments, frequently beneath water. The term "mangrove" can apply to either the mangrove swamp's trees and bushes or the ecosystem as a whole.

Restoring biodiversity on large tracts of land is one of the major commitments that India has made under the Paris Accords. This direct connection between biodiversity and climate change was strongly affirmed by most nations in the Conference of the Parties in Glasgow

The United Nations Earth Summit 1992 defined Biodiversity as ‘the variability among living organisms from all sources, including terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are a part; this includes diversity within species, between species, and of ecosystems. 

Global mapping project reveals widespread human impact on coastal areas, with 97% of coastlines worldwide affected by major land-based and marine stressors, according to University of Queensland researchers.

Air pollution is the contamination of the atmosphere by harmful substances, such as gases, particulates, and biological molecules, which can cause detrimental effects on human health, ecosystems, and the Earth's climate. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 9 out of 10 people worldwide breathe air containing high levels of pollutants.

As per NITI Aayog, overall, 70 percent of the freshwater sources in the country were found to be contaminated and India ranks 120 out of 122 countries in terms of water quality.

Soil pollution is a chemical degradation process that consumes fertile soils, with implications for global food security and human health. As per the 2019-20 Soil Health Survey conducted by the Indian government, 55 percent of the country’s soil is deficient in nitrogen, 42 percent in phosphorus and 44 percent in organic carbon.

Definition: E-waste encompasses electronic devices that have reached the end of their useful life or are no longer wanted by the owner. These devices may contain hazardous substances and valuable resources.

Light pollution is the presence of excessive or misdirected artificial lighting in the environment, which disrupts the natural darkness of the night sky; examples include bright streetlights, billboard lights, and illuminated buildings.

Zero waste is a philosophy and environmental initiative aimed at eliminating waste by rethinking resource life cycles to conserve and recover resources, rather than disposing of them. It involves reducing, reusing, and recycling materials to prevent waste generation, ultimately aiming for a circular economy where no trash is sent to landfills, incinerators, or the ocean.

The greenhouse gas effect is a natural process where certain gases in Earth's atmosphere trap heat from the sun, maintaining the planet's warm, habitable temperature. However, human activities, notably the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, have significantly increased concentrations of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane. This enhanced greenhouse effect is causing the Earth's average temperature to rise, a phenomenon known as global warming.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports that glaciers worldwide have lost approximately 9000 billion metric tons of ice since the early 20th century. This has contributed significantly to the observed rise in sea levels which have increased by an average of 15-20 centimeters. 

Context: Deforestation in the Amazon rainforest, driven in part by illegal logging contributes to the release of approximately 500 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually. (source: Rainforest Foundation).

LTLED is a strategic plan adopted by countries to transition to a low-carbon economy and achieve sustainable development goals by reducing emissions, promoting renewable energy, and adopting sustainable practices.

The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)’ s annual meet aims to scale up potential solutions for a more resilient world.
Resilient infrastructure refers to infrastructure systems designed to withstand and recover quickly from shocks and stresses, such as natural disasters and climate change impacts.

Definition: Blue Green Infrastructure (BGI) refers to a network of natural and man-made features that provide multiple environmental, social, and economic benefits, particularly in urban areas. It integrates water management with green spaces to create sustainable and resilient environments.

Recent News: UN-backed experts have reported significant progress in ozone layer recovery, contributing to climate change mitigation.