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“Environmental Issues:Avoiding A Point Of

No Return”

Author:-Dr.Vikas Nath
Mr.Nimit Sharma

Presented By:- Sumit Singh

PGDRM (09-11)
 ABSTRACT:-
 Major environmental issues and problems.

 Change in climate and the environment is drastic and the major

reason for the evolution of these sort of problems is the reduction of
the “green” factor on earth.

 We have to find out certain effective measures to reduce the

negative outcomes of these changes and harm to the nature.

 Major and common environmental issues include- alarming

climatic changes, deforestation, destruction of habitat, extinction of
species and rising levels of pollution.
 Abstract contd...

-Cultural, bioregional, global, individual and local levels should be

the criteria which should be kept in mind while formulating any sort
of solution to solve this problem.

- This paper brings into light, some of the major environmental

issues like- sustainable developments and environment in
general.
 INTRODUCTION
 We have to wisely and carefully face and handle the
environmental challenge.

 The richer section of the society are not at all concerned about
the harm and danger they are causing to the nature as well as the
world.

 The most affected areas are- ozone layer, global climate and the
oceans.

 The degradation is being caused on vast areas of croplands,

grasslands and the forests to produce luxury goods and products
which would fulfill the needs of the rich, in the process of which,
the negative effects on the environment is totally ignored.
 Introduction Contd….

 The increment in the pollution level in the

environment is ever constant due to the
inevitable fact that people, today, have
increased the usage of products, which are
harmful to the nature.
 e.g.- Use of motor vehicles like car (adds to
carbon dioxide level in the atmosphere)
Use of fire extinguishers (ozone layer gets
depleted)
Use of DDT (it mixes in the ocean, and affects
the wildlife and humans as well)
 Introduction Contd…
 These atmosphere-damaging agents cause a
mammoth threat to the climate. This threat of climate
change is very real and urgency is primarily required
to solve this problem.
 In today's times, global warming has emerged out
to be the biggest threat of them all (Global warming
is the increase in the average temperature of the
Earth's near-surface air and oceans).
 The issue of Green House Effect has taken the
shape of a real problem and is a big matter of
concern. The major culprits of fostering this
atmospheric damage are the Organisation for
 Introduction Contd…
 In 1780, the level of carbon dioxide was 280 parts per
million (ppm), in 1930 it was 315 ppm, in 2005 it was
380 ppm and in 2050, it is predicted to reach a level of
500 ppm.
 Global emissions of carbon are expected to cross
14 billion metric tonnes by 2054 (point of no return).
 3 main aspects of sustainability, as per its definition
are- economic, environmental and societal.
 Introduction Contd…
 5 important aspects of sustainability are:-
(1) basic needs should be met by fulfilling the right to development.
(2) the quality of environment critically influences the overall quality of life.
(3) the natural resources represent a common heritage and it is our duty to
preserve them.
(4) the needs of the future generation are equally important and they should be
taken care of.
(5) the process of sustainable development cannot be separated from the
existing state of economic development policy frameworks and problems
including poverty, population growth, urbanization and rural development
and the institutional structure of the global economy.
 Introduction Contd…
 Any discussion upon Sustainable Development will certainly
consider the Environment and Economy Relationship (the
economic activities either affect or are affected by the
significant changes in the environment).
 In a developing country, such as India, the economy-
ecology relation is more complicated, mainly because
of the presence of poverty, demographic pressures
and environmental degradation. These aspects are
closely related to the factors like day to day
compulsions of food and fuel.
 CARBON CREDITS:-
 Carbon Credit got recognition as a vogue concept as a part of the
international Kyoto Protocol.
 Carbon Credits are the certificates which are awarded to
countries which are succesful in reducing the Green House
Gases (GHG) (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and
sulphur hexafluoride) that play the active role in the causation of
global warming.
 The unit of measurement for carbon credits is CER (Certified
Emission Reduction). Each CER is equal to one tonne of
carbon dioxide reduction.
 India has emerged to be the country which has successfully been
able to reduce the level of GHG mainly by the usage of Clean
Development Mechanisms (CDMs) in the past two years.
 Carbon Credits Contd…
The various kinds of Carbon Credits are as follows:-
 Credits defined in Kyoto Protocol include Assigned Amount
Units (AAU),Certified Emissions Reductions (CERs),
Emission Reduction Units (ERU) and Removal Units (RMU).
 The other kinds of credits assigned are for the specific emission
trading markets to assist in achieving the Kyoto targets- UK
Allowances and European Emission Trading Allowances
(EAU).
 Non- Kyoto compliant credits- Emission Reductions (Ers) and
Verified /Voluntary Emission Reductions (VERs).
 Carbon Credits Contd…

 The concept of Carbon Credits have proved to be highly

beneficial because under this scheme, the countries who have
achieved the protocol targets, or the countries which are
constantly trying to bring down the level of GHG are provided
with good rewards and it provides with financial incentives to the
countries to reduce their GHG level as quickly as possible.
 These credits can be sold in the international market at the
prevailing market price. The measurement is- 1 credit = 1 tonne
of carbon dioxide emission reduced (there are two exchanges
for carbon credits- Chicago Climate Exchange and European
Climate Exchange).
 Carbon Credits Contd…

 Under the Kyoto Protocol, there are three

mechanisms that enable developed countries with
quantified emission limitations and reduction
commitments to acquire GHG reduction credits. These
mechanisms are as follows:-
Joint Implementation (JI):- A developed country can
set up a project in a country where the cost of
greenhouse reduction is low.
Clean Development Mechanism (CDM):- A developed
country can take up an emission reduction project in a
developing country due to the factor of low cost. The
developed country will get credits for reducing GHG
 Carbon Credits Contd…
International Emission Trading (IET):- Countries are enabled to
trade in the international carbon credit market. The advantageous
point under this mechanism is that the countries which have surplus
credits in their possession can sell those extra credits to the
countries which are under commitment for emission limitation
under the Kyoto Protocol.
 DISCUSSIONS:-
 The current environmental policy has divided the environmental
problems into global and local parameters, which has led to a
standing conflict between these countries.
 Developing countries lay stress upon short and immediate
environmental problems like- degradation, ground water
depletion, water scarcity and deforestation, which can be
classified as local environmental issues.
 The developed or the industrialized countries take more interest in
long term environmental issues like- climate change, and these
issues are classified under global environment problems.
 Discussions Contd…

 The most efficient way to remove this

differentiation and lack of coordination is to take
into account all the environmental issues and
problems with an integrated perspective.
 This will result in confidence building in the
developing countries as well.
Thank You!!!