Environment and environmental problems Social science (geography) Class 10 Chapter 2

Environment and environmental problems
Social science (geography)
Class 10
Chapter 2

Kishore Boruah KB, Teacher

The environment is everything that surrounds us, including natural elements like air, water, land, and living organisms, as well as human-made structures and activities. It provides the essential resources for life and maintains a delicate balance necessary for survival. However, human activities such as deforestation, industrialization, and pollution have disturbed this balance, leading to environmental problems.

Environmental problems refer to issues like air and water pollution, climate change, deforestation, and loss of biodiversity that negatively impact both nature and human life. These problems have local, regional, and global consequences, making it essential to adopt sustainable practices to protect our planet. Understanding these issues and working towards their solutions is crucial for ensuring a healthy and safe future for all living beings.

Summary of the lesson environment and environmental problems 

✓ The term environment in a broad sense refers to the surrounding conditions of an organism or community of organisms. The environment includes all the elements necessary for an organism to survive.

✓ Four major components or zones of the Earth's natural state determine its environment. They are (a) the lithosphere, (b) the hydrosphere, (c) the atmosphere and (d) the biosphere.

✓ From a geographical point of view, environmental problems can be considered in three ways: (a) local problems, (b) regional problems and (c) global problems.

✓ The environmental problems that are currently causing widespread damage to humans and animals include pollution, desertification, landslides, land erosion, global warming, artificial floods, sea level rise, etc.

✓ Human activities such as the expansion of industry, urbanization, increased use of vehicles, and nuclear explosions are the main causes of pollution of the Earth's atmosphere.

✓ Currently, about 35 percent of the world's land area is under desertification.

✓ Carbon dioxide alone has increased by about 30 percent in the atmosphere over the past 150 years. In addition, the amount of gases such as methane, nitrous oxide and chlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere is increasing. All these gases are gradually retaining more energy and increasing the temperature of the atmosphere as well as the surface.

✓ Increasing atmospheric temperature will cause many problems. These include the melting of vast polar ice sheets, sea level rise, changes in the birth, growth and geographical distribution of plants and animals, decline in crop production, and desertification.

Most Important questions and answers of the Lesson which are commonly comes in Exam

Chapter 2
Environment and environmental problems
Social science (geography)
Class 10

1. What is meant by the environment?

Answer: The environment refers to everything that surrounds us, including natural and human-made components. It consists of air, water, land, plants, animals, and human activities that interact with each other. The environment provides the essential resources needed for survival, such as oxygen, food, and water.

2. Organic and Inorganic Components of the Environment.

Answer: Organic Components: Plants, animals, microorganisms, decomposed matter.

Inorganic Components: Water, air, minerals, rocks, and soil.

3. What is meant by the terrestrial zone?

Answer: The terrestrial zone refers to the land area of the Earth, including mountains, plains, deserts, and forests. It is where humans, animals, and plants live and interact with their surroundings.

4. What falls within the water table?

Answer: The water table refers to the underground level where the soil and rocks are saturated with water. It includes groundwater, wells, springs, and underground rivers.

5. What is the atmosphere made of?

Answer: The atmosphere is made up of different gases, mainly:

Nitrogen (78%)

Oxygen (21%)

Other gases (1%) (including carbon dioxide, argon, and water vapor)

6. Extent of the Biosphere

Answer: The biosphere extends from the deepest parts of the ocean to the highest mountains where life exists. It includes land, water, and air where living organisms survive and interact with their environment.

7. Relationship Between the Four Major Zones of Earth’s Environment

Answer: The four zones—lithosphere (land), hydrosphere (water), atmosphere (air), and biosphere (life)—are interconnected.

i) The atmosphere provides oxygen and climate conditions.

ii) The hydrosphere supplies water for life and weather patterns.

iii) The lithosphere offers land and minerals.

iv) The biosphere depends on these three zones for survival.

For example, pollution in the atmosphere can lead to acid rain, affecting land and water, ultimately harming the biosphere.

8. Major Factors of Environmental Change

Answer: 

Natural Factors: Earthquakes, volcanoes, storms, climate variations.

Human Factors: Deforestation, pollution, industrialization, urbanization.

9. What are Environmental Problems?

Answer: 

Environmental problems refer to issues that damage nature and affect human and animal life. They include pollution, global warming, deforestation, and loss of biodiversity.

10. Geographical Categories of Environmental Problems

Answer: 

1. Local Problems: Problems affecting a small area (e.g., water scarcity in a village).

2. Regional Problems: Affect a larger region (e.g., air pollution in a city).

3. Global Problems: Affect the entire world (e.g., climate change, ozone depletion).

11. Local Environmental Problems with Examples

Answer: 

Local environmental problems are issues specific to a particular area.

Example 1: Deforestation in a village leading to soil erosion.

Example 2: Waste disposal problems in a town causing water pollution.

12. Two Examples of Regional Environmental Problems

Answer: 

1. River Pollution due to industrial waste affecting multiple states.

2. Air Pollution from vehicle emissions leading to smog in urban areas.

13. Global Environmental Problems

Answer: 

Global problems affect the entire Earth, including:

Climate change

Ozone layer depletion

Rising sea levels

Biodiversity loss

14. Major Environmental Problems

Answer: Major problems of environment are given below. 

a) Air pollution

b) Water pollution

c) Deforestation

d) Soil erosion

e) Loss of biodiversity

f) Climate change

15. Meaning of Pollution.

Answer: Pollution is the contamination of natural resources (air, water, soil) by harmful substances, making them unsafe for living beings.

16. What is Water Pollution and How Does It Occur?

Answer: 

Water pollution occurs when harmful substances (chemicals, waste, sewage, plastic) are dumped into water bodies, making water unsafe for drinking and aquatic life.

17. Brief Note on Soil Pollution

Answer: 

Soil pollution happens when harmful chemicals, pesticides, and waste materials mix with soil, reducing its fertility and harming crops and organisms living in the soil.

18. How is the Air Polluted?

Answer: 

Air pollution occurs due to:

a) Vehicle emissions

b) Industrial smoke

c) Burning of fossil fuels

d) Deforestation reducing oxygen levels

19. What is a Desert? Define Desertification.

Answer: 

Desert: A dry region with little rainfall and scarce vegetation.

Desertification: The process of fertile land turning into a desert due to deforestation, overgrazing, and climate change.

20. Reason for Death (Related to Environment)

Answer: 

Many environmental factors contribute to deaths, such as air pollution-related diseases, contaminated water, and extreme climate conditions like heatwaves and floods.

21. Can Desertification Be Solved?

Answer: 

Yes, by:

a) Planting trees

b) Controlling overgrazing

c) Using sustainable farming methods

d) Water conservation

22. What is Global Warming? State Its Factors.

Answer: 

Global warming is the rise in Earth’s temperature due to excessive greenhouse gas emissions.

Factors:

a) Burning fossil fuels

b) Deforestation

c) Industrial pollution

d) Excessive use of plastic

23. Problems Caused by Global Warming

Answer: 

A) Rising sea levels

B) Melting glaciers

C) Frequent natural disasters

D) Loss of biodiversity

E) Extreme weather conditions

24. Ways to Prevent Global Warming

Answer: 

i) Using renewable energy

ii) Reducing deforestation

iii) Controlling industrial pollution

iv) Promoting public transport and reducing vehicle use.

25. Local Environmental Problems and Solutions

Answer: 

Problem: Plastic waste pollution in my locality due to improper disposal.

Solution:

Spreading awareness about waste management

Promoting the use of biodegradable materials

Implementing strict waste disposal rules

See also

Class 10 Science

Essay

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