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Greenhouse gases that occur both naturally and from human activities include water vapour, carbon dioxide
(CO ), methane (CH ), nitrous oxide (N O) and ozone (O ). Other greenhouse gases have essentially no natural
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sources, but are the side products of industrial processes or manufactured for human purposes, such as cleaning
agents, refrigerants, and electrical insulators. These include the fluorinated gases: chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs),
hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). This greenhouse effect causes snow to melt very
fast. Carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere from burning oil, coal and gas for energy use is a serious
problem as it is harmful to the environment. Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased by 31% since pre-
industrial times, causing more heat to be trapped in the lower atmosphere. As a result, there are frequent floods
and changes in climate as well as damage to crops and animal life.
Harmful Radiation
You might be knowing that the atmosphere protects us from harmful radiation from the sun. This is done by a layer
all around the earth, in the atmosphere, called the "Ozone Layer". It is made of a gas called 'Ozone'. This layer in
the atmosphere protects us from the harmful radiation.
Cleaning chemicals, coolants in refrigerators and air conditioners, etc., release ozone depleting substances, such
as chlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere. These destroy the ozone in the atmosphere, making holes in the ozone
layer. The harmful radiation comes in through these holes and causes increased incidence of health disorders, such
as skin cancer.
Natural Disasters
Natural disasters include floods, earthquakes, landslides, storms, etc. Our actions in exploiting natural resources
for building structures, such as large dams and buildings sometimes aggravates the impact of natural calamities
and disasters.
Mining Activity
Mining is the process of extracting useful minerals from the earth’s surface. It
is estimated that two-thirds of the world’s yearly mineral production is done
by surface mining.
If we keep on extracting minerals from our natural resources, then it will
create an ecological imbalance. So many country’s government allows only
a limited number of mining activities to be done that too under its supervision. Sometimes humans for their own
profits indulge in illegal mining without realising the importance of preserving these natural resources.
A lot of legal or illegal mining activities all across the globe are responsible for significant environmental damage:
• Acid mine drainage, which is the formation and movement of highly acidic water rich in heavy metals,
contaminates the surrounding water bodies.
• Mining can deplete surface and groundwater supplies.
• To get the land for mining, the forest in that area is destroyed. This has a negative impact on the plants and
animals living in that region.
• When the mining is over and that area is abandoned, then it creates wastage of land which is suitable neither
for industrial use nor for agricultural purpose.
Saving the Environment
To save our environment, we need to educate people. Education is important, as it gives people the knowledge and skills
that they need to perform. Educating people about the environment, through the environment and for the environment
will enlighten them in utilising their knowledge and skills for saving the environment as responsible citizens.
• Learning about the environment: Learning about the environment focuses mainly on acquisition of knowledge
and understanding of our surroundings and related issues.
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