Sustainable development
We use things of nature every day and visit forests, hills, rivers and the sea. But will future generations get them too? Development done keeping this in mind is sustainable development.
Development that meets present needs while also considering the needs of future generations is sustainable development. “Shashwat” is a Sanskrit word meaning lasting forever.
Key idea 1 : The idea — Use nature in such a way that it does not run out and environmental balance remains. So development is not only economic; it is social and environmental too.
Key idea 2 : Global goals — In 2015 the United Nations set 17 Sustainable Development Goals to be reached by 2030; they include clean water, clean energy, education, climate action, and life below water and on land.
Key idea 3 : Initiatives in India — Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ are government initiatives for sustainable development. In ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ a tree is planted in the name of one’s mother.
- Easy : Using water carefully? — Sustainable behaviour.
- Medium : Planting a tree? — A step towards sustainable development.
- Exam-type : Cutting a forest only for profit? — Not sustainable.
In the figure: Thinking of today and tomorrow.
As per several sources the UN General Assembly adopted the ‘2030 Agenda’ on 25 September 2015 with 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 targets; and the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign was launched on 5 June 2024, World Environment Day (as per several sources; check with the book).
Use today, keep for tomorrow.
Sustainable development is not only industrial or economic development; it includes the needs of future generations.
Memory clue: Today + tomorrow = sustainable. Memory clue: "Use for today, save for tomorrow".
Spot the difference
| Point | Sustainable | Unsustainable |
|---|---|---|
| Thinking | Today and tomorrow | Only today |
| Resources | Careful use | Overuse |
| Environment | Balance stays | Is harmed |
Practice questions
- 1What is sustainable development?
- 2What does the word ‘Shashwat’ mean?
- 3Give three examples of sustainable development.
- 4Who set the Sustainable Development Goals and when?
- 5Write the aims of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’.
- 6How can we conserve resources for future generations?
- 7Why is economic development alone not enough?
- 8What measures for sustainability do you take at home/school? Write two examples.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Development considering present and future needs.
- 2Lasting forever.
- 3Saving water, planting trees, solar energy.
- 4United Nations in 2015.
- 5Cleanliness and tree planting.
- 6Economy, reuse, tree planting.
- 7Environment and society may be harmed.
- 8Student writes own.
Exhaustible and inexhaustible resources
Petrol and diesel run out when used and take millions of years to form again. But sunlight and wind are available every day. So some resources are exhaustible and some inexhaustible.
Resources that get used up and are not regenerated are exhaustible (non-renewable) resources; e.g. minerals and fuels. Resources that are naturally regenerated or never run out are inexhaustible (renewable); e.g. sunlight, air, water, plants.
Key idea 1 : Exhaustible resources — These get used up and are not regenerated or regenerate very slowly. E.g. minerals like iron, copper, bauxite and fuels like petroleum, coal, natural gas. With uncontrolled use they may run out soon.
Key idea 2 : Inexhaustible resources — These are plentiful in nature and regenerate in comparatively short time. E.g. sunlight, air, water, plants, animals, microbes. Yet if misused they too can get polluted.
Key idea 3 : Our responsibility — It is our duty to reduce use of exhaustible fuels, increase solar and wind energy, recycle minerals and protect inexhaustible resources from pollution.
- Easy : Coal? — Exhaustible.
- Medium : Sunlight? — Inexhaustible.
- Exam-type : Iron? — Exhaustible (mineral).
In the figure: Exhaustible and inexhaustible resources.
Runs out = exhaustible; comes again = inexhaustible.
Although water and air are inexhaustible, they become unusable with pollution; so they too must be protected.
Memory clue: Minerals + fuels = exhaustible; sun, air, water, plants = inexhaustible. Memory clue: "Minerals-fuels finish".
Spot the difference
| Point | Exhaustible | Inexhaustible |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | Gets used up | Regenerates |
| Speed | Very slow or none | Quickly |
| Example | Coal, petrol, iron | Sunlight, air, trees |
Practice questions
- 1What are exhaustible resources? Give examples.
- 2What are inexhaustible resources? Give examples.
- 3Why is there a risk of fuels running out soon?
- 4State the difference between exhaustible and inexhaustible resources.
- 5Classify as exhaustible/inexhaustible: coal, wind, copper, water, petrol.
- 6Why should inexhaustible resources also be protected?
- 7Write three ways of saving exhaustible resources.
- 8List exhaustible and inexhaustible resources at your home.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Get used up; coal, iron.
- 2Naturally renewed; sunlight, air.
- 3They take millions of years to form.
- 4Exhaustible ones end; inexhaustible ones come again.
- 5Exhaustible: coal, copper, petrol; inexhaustible: wind, water.
- 6Pollution makes them unusable.
- 7Less use, recycling, solar-wind energy.
- 8Student writes own.
Sun, air, water and land
The Sun gives light and warmth, we need air to breathe, water to drink and land to live and grow crops. Without these four things life is not possible.
Sun, air, water and land are the four pillars of nature. The true formula for sustainable development is conserving and protecting them.
Key idea 1 : Sun and air — The Sun gives heat and light, helps plants grow and controls climate and seasons; solar energy is clean. Air is needed for respiration and maintains the balance of gases; wind energy is pollution-free. Planting trees and controlling pollution keep air clean.
Key idea 2 : Water and land — Water is necessary for drinking, farming, fishing and irrigation and maintains the water cycle. Land gives shelter and food, is needed for farming, mining and construction, and soil has nutrients. Water conservation and soil conservation (preventing erosion) are necessary.
Key idea 3 : Economic and environmental importance — Renewable energy brings economic progress; water increases irrigation and production; industry and transport stand on land. All four keep ecosystems balanced. If used properly and conserved, life improves.
- Easy : Solar energy comes from which element? — Sun.
- Medium : Tree planting keeps which element clean? — Air.
- Exam-type : Storing water by building a bund? — Water conservation.
In the figure: Sun, air, water, land.
S-A-W-L.
It is not that we need not care for them because they are plentiful; their conservation is the formula of sustainable development.
Memory clue: Sun, air, water, land = four pillars. Memory clue: "S-A-W-L: Sustaining life".
Spot the difference
| Element | Use | Conservation |
|---|---|---|
| Sun | Heat, light, energy | Increase solar energy |
| Air | Breathing, gas balance | Tree planting |
| Water / land | Drinking, farming / food, shelter | Water / soil conservation |
Practice questions
- 1Which are the four pillars of nature?
- 2Write the importance of the Sun in three points.
- 3How does air affect human health and the environment?
- 4Why is water important in Indian society?
- 5How will you conserve land?
- 6State two ways of keeping air clean.
- 7Write advantages of solar and wind energy.
- 8Write 7–8 lines or a slogan on “Save water, air, soil”.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Sun, air, water, land.
- 2Light-heat, plant growth, climate control.
- 3Respiration and gas balance; polluted air causes illness.
- 4Needed for drinking, farming, fishing, industry.
- 5Prevent soil erosion, plant trees, careful use.
- 6Plant trees, reduce pollution.
- 7Clean, pollution-free and inexhaustible.
- 8Student writes own.
Festivals and conservation of nature
On Vatpournima the banyan tree is worshipped, on Pola bullocks and on Narali Pournima the sea. These festivals connect us with trees, animals and the sea.
Indian festivals are linked to nature, science, health and farming life along with religious traditions. As they relate to time, seasons, climate, farming and trees, animals, soil, water, air, Sun and Moon, they inspire conservation of nature.
Key idea 1 : Festivals and nature — Vatpournima – banyan tree; Pola – bullock (animals); Ghatasthapana – soil and air; Makar Sankranti – the Sun; Narali Pournima – the sea; Baisakhi – harvest. The book mentions Ramzan Eid and Buddha Pournima as festivals related to the Moon.
Key idea 2 : Variety by region — Festivals differ according to social, cultural and geographical regions and natural conditions. They include folk arts such as folk songs, powada, ovi, bharud and dances.
Key idea 3 : Do’s and don’ts — Do: plant trees, save water, use clay idols, segregate waste. Do not: use plastic and chemical colours, waste water, create excess noise and pollution.
- Easy : Vatpournima is linked to what in nature? — Banyan tree.
- Medium : Pola is linked to whom? — Bullocks.
- Exam-type : Narali Pournima is linked to what? — The sea.
In the figure: Festivals and their link with nature.
Festival = bond with nature.
Festivals are not only religious rituals; they are linked to nature, farming and health too.
Memory clue: Banyan, bullock, Sun, sea = nature in festivals. Memory clue: "Vat-banyan; Narali-sea".
Spot the difference
| Festival | Nature element | Message |
|---|---|---|
| Vatpournima | Tree | Protect trees |
| Pola | Animals | Respect animals |
| Makar Sankranti / Narali Pournima | Sun / sea | Protect energy and sea |
Practice questions
- 1How do Indian festivals help conserve nature?
- 2Write about Indian festivals related to the Sun.
- 3With which nature element are Vatpournima, Pola and Narali Pournima linked?
- 4Name two folk arts used in festivals.
- 5Write three “do’s” for protecting the environment during festivals.
- 6Which three harmful things happen during festivals?
- 7Write about a festival of your area (name, purpose, link with nature).
- 8Prepare a poster on sustainable development.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1They teach respect for trees, animals, soil, water, Sun.
- 2Makar Sankranti is related to the Sun.
- 3Banyan; animals (bullock); sea.
- 4Powada, ovi, bharud, folk songs.
- 5Plant trees, save water, clay idols.
- 6Plastic/chemical colours, noise pollution, wastage of water.
- 7Student writes own.
- 8Student does own.