General Studies 3

Ocean Acidification: Impacts of Ocean Acidification

Coral Reefs – Corals’ capacity to form and maintain their calcium carbonate skeletons, which are important for their structure and growth, is hampered by rising acidity. This can result in weakened and damaged coral reefs, which provide habitat for a … Continue reading

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Ocean Acidification: Causes of Ocean Acidification

Burning Fossil Fuel – When fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas are burned for energy, huge volumes of CO2 are released into the atmosphere. The pH drops as a result of the seas absorbing this CO2, which then … Continue reading

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Ocean Acidification: Basics

Basics Ocean acidification is the continual decline in the pH values of the Earth’s seas, making them increasingly acidic. The absorption of extra carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere by seawater is the primary cause of this occurrence. Carbonic acid … Continue reading

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United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)

Establishment and Ratification Emerged from the 1992 Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit.  Established in 1994 in Paris. Ratified by 196 countries and the European Union India ratified in 1996.  Purpose and Significance Ensures global action against land degradation.  Only legally … Continue reading

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Soil Conservation

Crop Rotation: Planting different crops in sequence helps replenish nutrients in the soil, control pests and diseases, and prevent soil erosion. Reduced Tillage: Minimizing tillage practices like plowing reduces soil disturbance, helps retain moisture, and improves soil structure. Cover Cropping: … Continue reading

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Land Degradation

Definition Refers to the decline in soil quality resulting from inappropriate use, often for agricultural, pastoral, industrial, or urban purposes. It encompasses various forms of deterioration, including physical, chemical, and biological aspects. Causes Human Activities: Unsustainable Agricultural Practices: Overgrazing, excessive … Continue reading

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Climate Change: International Environmental Conventions and Laws

United Nations Conference on the Human Environment (1972) Held in 1972 at Stockholm, Sweden, it played a role in the emergence of international environmental law.  The conference led to the adoption of the Stockholm Declaration and the Action Plan for … Continue reading

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Climate Change Mitigation Strategies and Technologies

Clean Coal Technology Coal Preparation (Coal Washing): Removes unwanted minerals by mixing crushed coal with a liquid, allowing impurities to separate and settle. Electrostatic Precipitators: Remove particulates by charging particles with an electrical field and then capturing them on collection … Continue reading

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Impact of Global Warming Led Climate change

Rising Temperatures: The global average temperature has already increased by about 1°C since pre-industrial times, with more warming projected in the future if emissions aren’t curbed. This warming disrupts weather patterns, leading to More frequent and intense heatwaves Changes in … Continue reading

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Climate Change: Important Terms

Carbon Footprint – A carbon footprint is a measure of the total amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) that are emitted directly and indirectly by a person, organization, event, or product. These emissions are typically expressed in equivalent tons of carbon … Continue reading

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