Question

Explain any two human activities responsible for degradation of environment.

Hint:

Human activities causing environmental degradation: Deforestation, fossil fuel burning, industrial effluent discharge, unsustainable agricultural practices, and over-exploitation of natural resources.

Answer 1

Concept: Environmental degradation refers to the deterioration of the natural environment through depletion of resources such as air, water, and soil; the destruction of ecosystems; and the extinction of wildlife. Human industrial and economic expansion is the primary driver of this ecological imbalance. Detailed Explanation of Two Key Human Activities:
• Deforestation and Unchecked Land Clearing: Large-scale clearing of forests for agricultural expansion, industrial infrastructure, mining operations, and urban sprawl directly degrades ecosystems. Trees act as major carbon sinks; cutting them increases greenhouse gas concentration (like carbon dioxide) in the atmosphere, driving global warming, soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and disruption of natural hydrological cycles.
• Industrialization and Excessive Burning of Fossil Fuels: Industrial plants, power generation units, and transportation systems burn enormous quantities of fossil fuels (coal, petroleum, and natural gas). This emits toxic air pollutants ($SO_2$, $NO_x$, particulate matter) and greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Industrial discharge also contaminates freshwater sources and rivers with heavy chemicals and untreated toxic effluents, damaging aquatic ecosystems and making water unsafe for human consumption.