Topics to be learn :
- Weather and climate
- Meteorology
- Solid waste management
- Disaster management
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Introduction : The climate surrounding us has great impact on our life. Our diet, clothing, festivals, health, life style, etc. all are related to the climatic conditions around us.
Weather Forecasts : All the media give forecasts about weather. The values for regional humidity and temperature are declared daily along with the forecasts for the rains. If it is raining, the measurements of rainfall are also given. If cyclone, storm or heavy downpour is likely, the citizens are given information about it and warnings have been issued to all.
Weather and climate :
Weather : Atmospheric conditions at a particular place at a specific time is called weather.
- The weather of a particular region keeps changing everyday depending on temperature, rainfall and wind conditions.
- Weather is basically the way the atmosphere is behaving, mainly with respect to its effects upon life and human activities.
- Weather is described in terms of temperature, humidity, precipitation, cloudiness, brightness, visibility, wind, and atmospheric Pressures as in high and low pressure.
- Weather can change from minute-to-minute, hour-to-hour, day-to-day and season-to-season.
Factors deciding the weather of a place :
(a) Temperature (b) Humidity (c) Visibility (d) Rainfall (e) Clouds (f) Sunlight (g) Atmospheric pressure.
Climate : Climate is a long-term pattern of the weather conditions. It is the average pattern of the weather conditions taken over a period of time, say 30 years, for a particular region.
- Climate show the long-term behaviour of the weather in that region.
- Usually climate remains constant in a region for a long duration.
- The basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter. Our occupations, agriculture and cropping pattern, and constructions are all related to the climatic conditions.
- Climate is the average of weather over time and space.
- Meteorologists often point out that “climate is what you expect and weather is what you get.”
- When we are talking about climate change, we are talking about changes in long-term averages of daily weather.
Role of climate in our daily life :
Following things are dependent on the climate :
- During construction of runways, seaports, huge bridges and skyscrapers, etc. various climatic factors like direction and speed of wind, temperature, atmospheric pressure, etc. are taken into consideration.
- 23rd March is observed as ‘World Meteorological Day’.
Importance of Weather for Living World :
Importance of Weather for Living World :
- Human lifestyle is directly or indirectly affected due to climatic conditions. Land, water bodies, plants and animals collectively form the natural environment on earth which is responsible for the development of the living organisms.
- The diet, clothing, housing, occupations and lifestyle of the people of that region is entirely dependent on the prevalent climatic conditions. Thus the type of lifestyle is decided by the climate.
- Various climatic factors determine the salinity of marine water, formation of oceanic currents, water cycle, etc.
- The weathering of rocks in the earth’s crust is also due to the climatic factors. Thus the formation and enrichment of soil is due to climate.
- Microbes in the soil also depend upon various climatic factors. They help in the process of decomposition and formation of organic materials.
- The study of meteorology plays an important role in human life.
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Study of climate : Most of the countries have established meteorology departments and observatories for making and recording observations on climatic variations. They are well equipped with modern instruments and technology. They study the earlier observations and other aspects of climate to forecast the future conditions.
Meteorology : The meteorology is the science dealing with the inter-relationships between the various components of air, natural cycles, geological movements of the earth.
It includes the study of storms, clouds, rainfall, thunder, lightning, etc.
After the study of such factors, weather forecasts are made which are very useful to common people, farmers, fisheries, aviation services, water transport and various other organizations.
Institutes of Meteorology at work : United Nations Organization established the World Meteorological Organization on 23rd March 1950. The food security, water management, transportation and communication are the areas which are taken care of by World Meteorological Organization.
Indian Meteorology Department :
- Founded at Shimla by the British in 1875.
- Regional Offices are at Guwahati, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Nagpur and New Delhi.
- Head Office at Delhi.
Functions of Meteorology Department :
Functions :
- Preparation and publishing of maps are twice in every 24 hours.
- Research : Following aspects are studied in research of meteorology : Instruments for climatic readings, predictions about climate made using radar, predictions about climate related to seismology and rainfall by satellites, status of air pollution, etc.
- Giving weather forecasts to citizens and others through communication media. Sending warnings about approaching natural calamities.
- Providing important information regarding weather and climatic conditions to departments like aviation, shipping, agriculture, irrigation, marine oil exploration and production, etc.
- Launching high class technology satellites and analyzing the information received from these satellites in observatories.
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Monsoon Model and Climate Prediction : To make the predictions about monsoon in India the monsoon models are made.
F. Blanford and Sir Gilbert Walker started making predictions regarding the nature of the monsoon in India. In the decade of the l990’s, Dr Vasantrao Govarikar made a monsoon model for India.
Types of monsoon model :
There are three types of monsoon models :
- Mathematical model (Dynamic)
- Holistic model
- Statistical model
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Solid waste : The unwanted solid materials which we do not need any longer are the solid wastes. Such materials are thrown away.
Different things included in solid waste : Domestic waste, industrial wastes i.e. wastes dumped out of the factories and industries, the biomedical wastes created in the hospitals and dispensaries, the electronic wastes, i.e. e-waste, paper, plastic, etc. are the things included in the solid wastes.
Solid Waste Management :
Solid Waste Management :
- Solid wastes are generated through daily activities of human beings. It is essential to manage and dispose these unwanted materials in a most appropriate way.
- Wastes can be a valuable source of energy.
- Solid waste is a serious worldwide problem that causes pollution of all the ecosystems. It is a serious problem with respect to economic growth, environmental degradation and health.
- Improper solid waste management and accumulated solid wastes of different types can pose a serious threat to nature and human habitat.
- In our daily life, we use many materials and articles of different kinds. Some of them can be reused. We have to properly dispose the unwanted materials otherwise the environment is adversely affected.
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Classification : The waste materials can be classified into biodegradable waste and non-biodegradable waste.
Biodegradable waste : The waste that is easily degraded by microbes is called biodegradable waste.
- Examples: Kitchen waste, spoiled food, fruits, vegetables, ash, soil, dung, parts of the plants, etc.
- This waste is called ‘wet solid waste’ or ‘wet garbage’ and it is of organic type.
- If carefully decomposed, compost and fuel of good quality is obtained from wet garbage.
Non-biodegradable waste : The waste matter that is not easily and naturally degraded is called non-bio-degradable waste. It takes a very long period of time for decomposition.
- Examples: Plastic, metal and other similar materials.
- It is also called ‘dry solid waste’ or ‘dry garbage’.
Harmful effects of solid waste :
Harmful effects of solid waste OR Effects of improper management of solid wastes :
- Effect on biodiversity : Many migratory bird Species which move from one place to another avoid polluted sites. The resident bird species may also migrate away due to bad odour of the wastes dumped in their area
- Bad odour of waste : When collected wastes are stored, it emanates obnoxious odour.
- Production of toxic gases : Toxic gases such as hydrogen sulphide (H2S), methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) are released in the surroundings.
- Degradation of natural beauty : When litter and solid wastes are discarded anywhere, the beauty of that area is spoilt. The surroundings look dirty.
- Spread of diseases : Many infectious diseases such as typhoid, bacillary dysentery, amoebic dysentery, diarrhoea, cholera, etc. are spread near the waste disposal area.
- Environmental pollution : Toxic and harmful gases are released, when the decomposition and burning of solid wastes take place.
- Water pollution : Leachate and percolation of waste water from the solid waste dumping site causes problems. The toxic substances get mixed with groundwater reserves, rivers, lakes, etc. and cause contamination of nearby water sources. Pathogenic organisms may contaminate the water and can further cause spread of hazardous diseases.
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Types of waste and their impact on the environment :
Types of waste and their impact on the environment :
(1) Harmful waste - Radioactive material.
- Radioactive material causes damage to cells and DNA.
- It brings about sudden and drastic changes in the genetic material and hence cause harm in future generations too.
- The radioactive material remains accumulated in the environment for a long period. This causes long term damage to the resident flora and fauna.
(2) Domestic waste - Leftover food, Vegetables peelings of fruits.
- In every household, the domestic waste is composed of leftover food or vegetable and fruit refuse materials. If thrown anywhere, it causes bad stink.
- Since all of these material is biodegradable, it may be degraded down to simple minerals.
- But during their decomposition, they may host many flies, fungi and other harmful germs.
- Therefore domestic waste should be properly disposed of to make valuable manure. Otherwise its impact on the environment can even cause epidemics of diseases, besides making the surroundings unclean and unhygienic.
(3) Biomedical waste - Bandages, cotton, needles, etc.
- Biomedical waste should be disposed of very carefully. It should be incinerated at the source.
- Such biomedical wastes contain blood, pus or other products which may be full of germs and thus are potentially dangerous.
- Needles can be misused by the drug addicts or other people. This can contract diseases like AIDS or hepatitis B.
- The sight of such biomedical waste looks filthy.
- In order to save other lives, the biomedical wastes should be disposed with utmost care.
(4) Industrial waste :- Chemicals, pigments ash, etc.
- Industrial waste is an inevitable outcome of the development. Various processes taking place in the industries can cause generation of many toxic and hazardous chemicals and other substances.
- Such substances are highly polluting and can remain accumulated in the surrounding environment. The flora and fauna is destroyed due to industrial wastes.
(5) Urban waste : — Glass, rubber, carry bags, etc.
- Due to urban life style, there is greater use of plastic and rubber in the urban surroundings.
- The callous attitude of people results into throwing glass, rubber or plastic carry bags anywhere.
- There is no feeling of responsibility and civic sense among the cosmopolitan urban settlements.
- This results in creation of lots of urban waste.
(6) E-waste : Scraped electronic gadgets such as computers, mobile phones, TV sets, etc.
- It is hazardous and unmanageable solid waste. It contains many hazardous heavy metals such as lead, beryllium, mercury and cadmium.
- These heavy metals are non-biodegradable in nature. Therefore, they remain accumulated in the environment and remain there for a long period of time.
- The soil microorganisms are directly and indirectly affected by E-waste.
- E-waste affects human health.
- Burning and land filling of E-waste is dangerous for the surrounding environment and hence, disposing it becomes difficult.
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Solid waste management :
Solid waste management : Waste separation or segregation, composting, vermicomposting, secured landfill and pyrolysis are the scientific methods in municipal solid waste management.
- Waste separation : This is a primary stage in waste management. The dry and wet wastes are separated, stored and later collected for proper use.
- Composting : Decomposition of degradable kitchen waste in the small pits in backyard, garden or terrace is called composting. A good quality manure can be produced by composting leftover food, kitchen waste, peels of fruits, vegetables, etc.
- Vermicomposting : With the help of earthworms, the solid waste is decomposed at a faster rate. This technique of converting solid waste into manure or compost is called vermicomposting. In this method, the manure generated is highly nutritious in nature and can be used for garden plants and agricultural purposes.
- Secured landfill : In this method, a suitable site and location is selected. This site should be away from water bodies, human settlements and highways, and should not come under forest zone or ecological sensitive zone. There are clay and plastic liners placed in landfills, before waste is dumped. This prevent leaching of the waste.
- Pyrolysis : In this method, the waste is heated upto a high temperature By pyrolysis, gas and electricity are obtained. Semi-combustible waste are burnt in pyrolysis. For municipal solid waste this method is found suitable. It is used for energy production by burning of waste at high temperature. e.g. Biogas, Bioelectricity.
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Necessity of solid waste management :
Necessity of solid waste management :
- Prevention of environmental pollution and keeping the surroundings clean.
- Production of energy and fertilizers / manure. Generation of work and employment opportunities.
- To reduce the strain on natural resources
- To improve the health and quality of life.
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Principles of solid waste management : Reuse, Refuse, Recycle, Rethink, Reduce, Research and Regulate, and Public Awareness.
The period of time required for degradation of the solid waste is different for different waste materials. The longer period of decomposition seriously affects other environmental factors.
Waste material and period of natural degradation :
| Waste Material |
Period of Natural Degradation |
| Banana peelings
Cloth bags
Rags
Woollen socks
Wood
Leather shoes
Tin cans
Aluminium cans
Certain plastic bags
Thermocol/ styrofoam cup
|
3 - 4 weeks
1 month
5 months
1 year
10 — 15 years
40 — 50 years
50 - 100 years
200 — 250 years
10 lakh years
Infinite duration
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| When solid wastes take very long time for degradation, we should recycle or reuse those items. We should reduce their use by refusing such items.
Plastic carry bag requires long term for degradation and still it is very widely used and thrown anywhere. It remains unchanged in the environment as it is non-biodegradable.
Plastic cause harmful effect on different animals. One must use plastic minimally. If used, it should not be thrown in the dust bin. It should be sorted out, stored and sent for recycling.
We must follow reuse and recycle principles for the plastic.
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Disaster Management :
- Disasters can be natural or man-made : Thunderbolts or lightning, floods, fire, earthquakes, tsunami, etc. are natural disasters while accidents, bomb explosions, chemical accidents in industries, stampedes in mass gatherings, riots. etc. are man-made disasters.
- Any kind of disaster causes extensive loss of life and property.
First aid to disaster victims :
Objectives of first aid : Prevention of death and deterioration of health and starting the process of rehabilitation are the main objectives of first aid.
Basic principles of first aid :
Basic principles of first aid : The three main measures which may save the lives are airway, breathing and circulation i.e. ABC of first aid. These are also called the basic principles of first aid.
- Airway : If the victim has difficulty in breathing, the head is held in a backward sloping position or the chin is raised to keep the respiratory passage open.
- Breathing : In case of arrest of breathing the victim is given artificial ventilation by mouth to mouth resuscitation.
- Circulation : If the victim is unconscious, even after giving mouth to mouth respiration twice, the heart should be pressed down hard by pressing the chest with both the palms. These actions are repeated 15 times. This is called cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) which helps to bring the circulation back to normal.
- Bleeding : If the victim is bleeding, then the wound is covered with an antiseptic pad and attempts are made to stop the bleeding by applying pressure.
- Fracture and impact on vertebrae : The fractured bone is immobilized with the help of any available wooden rods / batons / rulers. In case of impact on the vertebral column, the patient is kept immobile on a firm stretcher.
- Burns : For burn injuries, the injured part is kept under clean and cold flowing water for at least 10 minutes.
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RICE remedy: For injuries like sprains, twisting and contusion, the ‘RICE’ remedy should be applied. RICE means Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevate.
Disaster management are the actions implemented through proper planning, organized activity and co-ordination.
Factors involved in disaster management :
Factors involved in disaster management :
- Prevention of losses and danger.
- Improving tolerance among the victims.
- Providing relief from disaster, minimizing the intensity and extent of harm.
- Preparation to face the disaster by giving warnings.
- Immediate action in the disaster situation and not allowing any delays.
- Assessment of damages and intensity of the disaster.
- Arranging for rescue work and help.
- Rehabilitation and rebuilding after the calamity recedes.
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Transport of victims/ patients :
Cradle method, carrying piggy back’ human crutch method, pulling or lifting method carrying ‘On four-hand chair, carrying on ‘two-hand Chair, using a stretcher are some methods of transporting victims as a first aid.
Other emergency measures : During floods : Wooden boards, bamboo floats, air-filled rubber tube from a tyre can be used as emergency measures.
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