6.5 Explain in brief the environmental ethic.
Ans :
The word "ethic" is derived from the Greek work "ethos", which means the character of a person as defined by his actions. This character has been developed during the evolutionary process and has been influenced by the need for adopting to the environment. The "ethic", in short governs our way of doing things and this is a direct result of our environment. Ecology and economics are on a collision course now. The conflict between the ecologists and economists has been aptly summarized by Kenneth Boulding:
"Ecology is uneconomic.
But with another kind of logic, Economy is unecologic".
In the ecological context, maladaptation to the environment by an organism results in two options:
(1) The organism dies out or
(2) The organism evolves to a form and character where it is once again compatible with the environment.
The acceptable option is one in which we must learn to share, in an equitable manner, our vast but finite natural resources to regain a balance. This requires that our needs be reduced and that the materials that we do use must be replenishable. The recognition of the need for such adaptation as a means of survival has developed into what we now call the "environmental ethic". The birth of environmental ethic as a force is partly a result of our concern for our own long-term survival, as well as our realization that humans are but one form of life and that we should share our earth with our fellow travelers. Environmental ethic is not a religion since it is based not only on faith, but also on hard facts and through analysis. The environmental ethic is very new and none of the doctrine is cast in immutable decrees and dogmas. Education of the public to environmental problems and solutions is of prime importance.
• Explain the role of an Environmental Engineer.
Ans : As pollutants enter air, water or soil, natural processes such as dilution, bio -degradation and chemical reactions convert waste materials to more acceptable forms and disperse them through a larger volume. However, these natural processes can no longer perform the clean-up alone due to the enormous amount of wastes generated now. The waste treatment facilities designed by the environmental engineer are mostly based on the principles of self-cleansing observed in nature, but the engineered processes amplify and optimize the operations observed in nature to handle larger volumes of pollutants and to treat them more rapidly. Environmental engineers adapt the principles of natural mechanisms to engineered systems for pollution control when : (1) they construct tall stacks to disperse and dilute air pollutants, (2) design biological treatment facilities for the removal of organic materials from waste water, (3) use chemicals to oxidize and precipitate iron and manganese in drinking water supplies, or (4) bury solid wastes in sanitary land-fill operations. Occasionally, the environmental engineer must also design to counteract or even reverse natural processes
(Objective/Short Type)
• List major four natural needs of mankind.
Ans :
Human beings used natural resources are air, water, food and shelter.
• List major four acquired needs of mankind.
Ans :
acquired needs : automobiles, appliances, processed food and beverage
• A pollutant may be:
(a) Biodegradable (b) Toxic
(c) Only (b) (d) Both.
6.10 Match the following:
(A) Agricultural wastes - D (a) Air pollution
(B) Catalytic converter - A (b) Motor vehicles
(C) Incinerators - B (c) Nonbiodegradable
(D) Pesticides - C (d) Soil pollution
• Write true or false:
•
Domestic sewage has mainly biodegradable pollutants . –FALSE
Ans : Domestic sewage has mainly non -biodegradable pollutants .
• Name the odd ones:
( a) Poverty (b) Economic growth
(c) Population (d) Pollution .
• Fill up the blanks :
The global environment consists of atmosphere hydrosphere and lithosphere.
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