Advantages of Coal as Power Plant Fuel

1. Reliability. 
One of the greatest advantages of coal fired power plants boiler is reliability. Coal’s ability to
supply power during peak power demand either as base power or as off-peak power is greatly
valued as a power plant fuel. It is with this fact that advanced pulverized coal fired power
plants are designed to support the grid system in avoiding blackouts.

2. Affordability. 
Energy produced from coal fired plants is cheaper and more affordable than other energy
sources. Since coal is abundant, it is definitely cheap to produce power using this fuel.
Moreover, it is not expensive to extract and mine from coal deposits. Consequently, its price
remains low compared to other fuel and energy sources.

3. Abundance.
 There are approximately over 300 years of economic coal deposits still accessible. With this
great amount of coal available for use, coal fired plants can be continuously fueled in many
years to come.

4. Known technologies.
 The production and use of coal as a fuel are well understood, and the technology required in
producing it is constantly advancing. Moreover, coal-mining techniques are continuously
enhanced to ensure that there is a constant supply of coal for the production of power and
energy.

5. Safety. 
Generally, coal fired plants are considered safer than nuclear power plants. A coal power
plant's failure is certainly not likely to cause catastrophic events such as a nuclear meltdown
would. Additionally, the welfare and productivity of coal industry employees has greatly
improved over the years. In fact, injuries, time lost, and fatalities have decreased significantly
in the past years.

Disadvantages of Coal-Fired Power Plants

1. Greenhouse gas emissions.

 It cannot be denied that coal leaves behind harmful byproducts upon combustion. These
byproducts cause a lot of pollution and contribute to global warming. The increased carbon
emissions brought about by coal fired plants has led to further global warming which results in
climate changes.

2. Mining destruction. 
Mining of coal not only results in the destruction of habitat and scenery, but it also displaces
humans as well. In many countries where coal is actively mined, many people are displaced in
huge numbers due to the pitting of the earth brought about by underground mining. Places
near coal mines are unsafe for human habitation as the land could cave in at any time.

3. Generation of millions of tons of waste. 

Millions of tons of waste products which can no longer be reused are generated from coal fired
plants. Aside from the fact that these waste products contribute to waste disposal problems,
these also contain harmful substances.

4. Emission of harmful substances. 

Thermal plants like coal fired plants emit harmful substances to the environment. These
include mercury, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, mercury, selenium, and arsenic. These
harmful substances not only cause acid rain but also are very harmful to humans as well.

Despite the shortcoming, coal fired power plant boiler is still important for the power
generation, the traditional fuel combustion technology will be improved with a better
performance to deal with the contradiction between industry development and environment.
 We cannot deny the fact that using coal energy is very important to us. All of us want an
affordable and reliable energy source which we can only get by using coal energy. Although
using coal energy is very significant for us and living without it would become impossible, we
should always open our minds to the damage the continuous use of coal energy will eventually
bring to us and to our environment. 

a. Wind energy

To obtain wind power, the kinetic energy of wind is used to create mechanical power. A generator
converts this power into electricity so that it may be used for the benefit of mankind. Recently,
different types of electricity generation have been a frequent topic of debate amongst experts.

Advantages of Wind Energy

1. Renewable & Sustainable

Wind energy itself is both renewable and sustainable. The wind will never run out, unlike the
earth’s fossil fuel reserves (such as coal, oil and gas), making it the ideal energy source for a
sustainable power supply.

2. Environmentally Friendly
Wind energy is one of the most environmentally friendly energy sources available today. After
the manufacture and installation of wind turbines, there will be little to no pollution generated
as a result of the wind turbines themselves.
Wind turbines produce no greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO 2) or methane (CH4)
which are both known to contribute towards global warming.
It should be noted that noise and visual pollution are both environmental factors, but they
don’t have a negative effect on the earth, water table or the quality of the air we breathe.

3. Reduces Fossil Fuel Consumption

Generating electricity from wind energy reduces the need to burn fossil fuel alternatives such
as coal, oil and gas. This can help to conserve dwindling supplies of the earth’s natural
resources, allowing them to last longer and help to support future generations.

4. Wind Energy is Free

Unlike some other energy sources, wind energy is completely free. There’s no market for the
supply and demand of wind energy, it’s there to be used by anyone and will never run out.
This makes wind energy a viable option for generating cheap electricity.

5. Small Footprint
Wind turbines have a relatively small land footprint. Although they can tower high above the
ground, the impact on the land at the base is minimal. The area around the base of a wind
turbine can often be used for other purposes such as agriculture.

6. Industrial & Domestic Installations

Wind turbines aren’t just limited to industrial-scale installations such as wind farms. They can
also be installed on a domestic scale, with many landowners opting to install smaller, less
powerful wind turbines in order to provide part of a domestic electricity supply. Domestic wind
turbines are often coupled with other renewable energy technologies such as solar panels or
geothermal heating systems.

7. Remote Power Solution

Wind turbines can play a key role in helping to bring power to remote locations. This can help
to benefit everything from a small off-grid village to a remote research station.

8. Wind Technology Becoming Cheaper

The first ever electricity-generating wind turbine was invented in 1888. Since then, wind
turbines have improved significantly and nowadays the technology is beginning to come down
in price, making it much more accessible.
 Government subsidies are also helping to reduce the cost of a wind turbine installation, with
many governments across the world providing incentives for not only the installation of such
technologies, but also for the ongoing supply of environmentally friendly electricity.

9. Low Maintenance
Wind turbines are considered relatively low maintenance. A new wind turbine can be
expected to last some time prior to any maintenance work needing to be carried out. Although
older wind turbines can come up against reliability issues, each new generation of wind
turbine is helping to improve reliability.

10. Low Running Costs

As wind energy is free, running costs are considered to be low. The only ongoing cost
associated with wind energy is for the maintenance of wind turbines, which are considered
low maintenance in nature anyway.

11. Huge Potential

Wind energy has huge potential. It’s both renewable and sustainable and is present in a wide
variety of places. Although a significant level of wind energy is required to make a wind
turbine installation cost effective, the technology isn’t limited to just a handful of locations such
as is the case for geothermal power stations.

12. Increases Energy Security

By using wind energy to generate electricity, we are helping to reduce our dependency on
fossil fuel alternatives such as coal, oil and gas. In many cases, these natural resources are
often sourced from other countries.
War, politics and overall demand often dictate the price for natural resources, which can
fluctuate and cause serious economic problems or supply shortages for some countries. By
using renewable energy sources a country can help to reduce its dependency on global
markets and thus increase its energy security.

13. Job Creation

The wind energy industry has boomed since wind turbines first became available on the
market. This has helped to create jobs all over the world. Jobs have been created for the
manufacture of wind turbines, the installation and maintenance of wind turbines and also in
wind energy consulting, where specialist consultants will determine whether or not a wind
turbine installation will provide a return on investment.

Disadvantages of Wind Energy

So, we’ve seen the advantages, now it’s time to take a look at the main disadvantages of wind
energy. Wind energy has a number of drawbacks, with the NIMBY (not in my back yard) factor
playing a large role.

1. The Wind Fluctuates

Wind energy has a similar drawback to solar energy in that it is not a constant energy source.
Although wind energy is sustainable and will never run out, the wind isn’t always blowing. This
can cause serious problems for wind turbine developers who will often spend significant time
and money investigating whether or not a particular site is suitable for the generation of wind
power.
For a wind turbine to be efficient, the location where it is built needs to have an adequate
supply of wind energy. This is why we often see wind turbines built on top of hills or out at
sea, where there are less land obstacles to reduce the intensity of wind energy.

2. Installation is Expensive
Although costs are reducing over time, the installation of a wind turbine is considered
expensive. First, a site survey will need to be carried out which may involve having to erect a
sample turbine to measure wind speeds over a significant period of time. If deemed adequate,
the wind turbine will need to be manufactured, transported and erected on top of a pre-built
foundation. All of these processes contribute to the overall cost of installing a wind turbine.
 When it is taken into account for offshore wind farms the costs become much greater. It’s
much harder to install wind turbines out at sea than it is on land, and some companies have
even commissioned bespoke ships capable of transporting and installing wind turbines at sea.

3. Threat to Wildlife
It’s widely reported that wind turbines pose a threat to wildlife, primarily birds and bats. It is
however believed that wind turbines pose less of a threat to wildlife than other manmade
structures such as cell phone masts and radio towers. Nevertheless, wind turbines are
contributing to mortality rates among bird and bat populations.

4. Noise Pollution
One of the most popular disadvantages of wind turbines is the noise pollution that they
generate. A single wind turbine can be heard from hundreds of meters away. Combine
multiple wind turbines and the audible effects can be much greater.
Noise pollution from wind turbines has ruined the lives of some homeowners. Although steps
are often taken to site wind turbines away from dwellings, they do sometimes get built too
close to where people live and this is why new wind farms often come up against strong
public objection.

5. Visual Pollution
Another widely reported disadvantage of wind turbines is visual pollution. Although many
people actually like the look of wind turbines, others do not and see them as a blot on the
landscape. This tends to come down to personal opinion, and as more wind farms are built,
public acceptance is becoming commonplace.

b. Solar Energy

Solar power is the conversion of the sun's energy into electricity. With an estimated 173,000
terawatts of solar energy continuously hitting Earth's surface there is more than enough energy to
meet the world's current consumption levels of 15 terawatts per year.

Solar Power Technology

Solar energy is primarily collected in one of two ways: photovoltaic solar cells and solar
thermal. A photovoltaic cell is basically a semi-conductor connected to two electrical contacts.
Photons from the sun are absorbed into the semi-conductor (usually a silicon alloy) and knock loose a
few electrons. The electrons then travel through the semi-conductor creating an electrical current (3).
Solar thermal is a system of giant mirrors that reflect and concentrate the sun's rays to heat a fluid,
which produces steam to power a turbine that creates electricity (4).

Both methods require a large amount of sunlight. Under optimal conditions, this solar radiation,
or insolation, directly strikes a solar panel without any interference. In practice, the amount of solar
radiation varies depending on the latitude, time of day and season (which affect the angle of the sun);
and atmospheric conditions like clouds, water vapor, and pollution (which scatter the light) (5). This is
why dry areas in the mid latitudes of the globe tend to have the greatest solar potential.

Advantages of Solar Energy

1. Renewable Energy Source
Among all the benefits of solar panels, the most important thing is that solar energy is a truly
renewable energy source. It can be harnessed in all areas of the world and is available every
day. We cannot run out of solar energy, unlike some of the other sources of energy. Solar
energy will be accessible as long as we have the sun, therefore sunlight will be available to
us for at least 5 billion years when according to scientists the sun is going to die.
2. Reduces Electricity Bills
 Since you will be meeting some of your energy needs with the electricity your solar
system has generated, your energy bills will drop. How much you save on your bill will be
dependent on the size of the solar system and your electricity or heat usage. Moreover, not
only will you be saving on the electricity bill, but if you generate more electricity than you use,
the surplus will be exported back to the grid and you will receive bonus payments for that
amount (considering that your solar panel system is connected to the grid). Savings can
further grow if you sell excess electricity at high rates during the day and then buy electricity
from the grid during the evening when the rates are lower.
3. Diverse Applications
Solar energy can be used for diverse purposes. You can generate electricity (photovoltaics)
or heat (solar thermal). Solar energy can be used to produce electricity in areas without
access to the energy grid, to distill water in regions with limited clean water supplies and to
power satellites in space. Solar energy can also be integrated into the materials used for
buildings. Not long ago Sharp introduced transparent solar energy windows.
4. Low Maintenance Costs
Solar energy systems generally don’t require a lot of maintenance. You only need to keep
them relatively clean, so cleaning them a couple of times per year will do the job. If in doubt,
you can always rely on specialized cleaning companies, which offer this service from
around £25-£35. Most reliable solar panel manufacturer’s offer 20-25 years warranty. Also,
as there are no moving parts, there is no wear and tear. The inverter is usually the only part
that needs to change after 5-10 years because it is continuously working to convert solar
energy into electricity (solar PV) and heat (solar thermal). Apart from the inverter, the cables
also need maintenance to ensure your solar power system runs at maximum efficiency. So,
after covering the initial cost of the solar system, you can expect very little spending on
maintenance and repair work.
5. Technology Development
Technology in the solar power industry is constantly advancing and improvements will
intensify in the future. Innovations in quantum physics and nanotechnology can potentially
increase the effectiveness of solar panels and double, or even triple, the electrical input of
the solar power systems.
Disadvantages of Solar Energy
1. Cost
The initial cost of purchasing a solar system is fairly high. Although the UK government has
introduced some schemes for encouraging the adoption of renewable energy sources, for
example, the Feed-in Tariff, you still have to cover the upfront costs. This includes paying for
solar panels, inverter, batteries, wiring, and for the installation. Nevertheless, solar
technologies are constantly developing, so it is safe to assume that prices will go down in the
future.
2. Weather Dependent
Although solar energy can still be collected during cloudy and rainy days, the efficiency of the
solar system drops. Solar panels are dependent on sunlight to effectively gather solar
energy. Therefore, a few cloudy, rainy days can have a noticeable effect on the energy
system. You should also take into account that solar energy cannot be collected during the
night. On the other hand, if you also require your water heating solution to work at night or
during wintertime, thermodynamic panels are an alternative to consider.
3. Solar Energy Storage Is Expensive
Solar energy has to be used right away, or it can be stored in large batteries. These
batteries, used in off-the-grid solar systems, can be charged during the day so that the
energy is used at night. This is a good solution for using solar energy all day long but it is
also quite expensive. In most cases, it is smarter to just use solar energy during the day and
 take energy from the grid during the night (you can only do this if your system is connected to
the grid). Luckily your energy demand is usually higher during the day so you can meet most
of it with solar energy.
4. Uses a Lot of Space
The more electricity you want to produce, the more solar panels you will need, as you want to
collect as much sunlight as possible. Solar panels require a lot of space and some roofs are
not big enough to fit the number of solar panels that you would like to have. An alternative is
to install some of the panels in your yard but they need to have access to sunlight. If you
don’t have the space for all the panels that you wanted, you can opt for installing fewer to still
satisfy some of your energy needs.
5. Associated with Pollution
Although pollution related to solar energy systems is far less compared to other sources of
energy, solar energy can be associated with pollution. Transportation and installation of solar
systems have been associated with the emission of greenhouse gases. There are also some
toxic materials and hazardous products used during the manufacturing process of solar
photovoltaic, which can indirectly affect the environment. Nevertheless, solar energy pollutes
far less than other alternative energy sources.

1. Explain the government thrust on solid waste management.

We feel the strong advocacy on the solid waste management here in Poblacion Compostela
which our local government collects our garbage every last Thursdays of every month. We are
encouraged to segregate our own waste by implementing educational symposiums on each
purok in the baranggays. Our local government imposes offenses under RA 9003 minor
offense, grave offense and major offense with applicable penalties, but as far I could
remember I haven’t heard Compostela government punishes someone with the violation of the
said law. The law also sets standards for the proper management of toxic and hazardous
wastes as spelled out in its implementing Rules and Regulations issued in 1992 like the
special wastes that is collected like broken glass, hospital wastes and etc.

I could say that the Philippine government is determined to ensure the protection of the public
health and the environment. I strongly believe that wastes are reflection of the society’s
attitudes towards the environment and the waste management is a pressing issue that must be
addressed immediately also other countries in the world are grappling with it and our country is
no exception. Even with all the education of solid waste management that our government
empowered to us it is still a challenge to perform that certain knowledge into action.

2. Cite at least three (3) environmental problems and discuss its cause and effect.

There is no denying that our environment is constantly changing. However, as our environment
changes, so does the need to become increasingly aware of the problems that surround it. With a
massive influx of natural disasters, warming and cooling periods, different types of weather patterns
and much more, people need to be aware of what types of environmental problems our planet is
facing.
a. Air pollution

Air pollution is becoming an increasingly dangerous problem, particularly in heavily-

populated cities. The World Health Organization (WHO) has found that 80% of people living
in urban areas are exposed to air quality levels deemed unfit by the organization. It is
also directly linked to other environmental issues as I remembered in the previous class
reports such as acid rain and eutrophication. Animals and humans are also at risk of
developing a number of health problems due to air pollution.

According to “John Walke, director of the Clean Air Project, part of the Climate and Clean
Air program at NRDC, “Air pollution is the result of burning fossil fuels releases gases and
 chemicals into the air and air pollutants in the form of carbon dioxide and methane rises the
earth’s temperature” hence results to global warming

I itemized some causes and effects of air pollution according to what I have researched.

Causes of Air Pollution

 Air pollution is caused when air in the atmosphere is filled with particulate matter.
 The largest source air of pollution in cities is from vehicle exhaust fumes.
 Carbon monoxide is the largest air pollutant in the United States, and its number one
source is from vehicle exhausts.
 Carbon monoxide is a poisonous, odorless, colorless gas that is formed when burning fossil
fuels such as coal, petroleum and natural gas.
 Filters that are not changed regularly in your air conditioning units will accumulate dirt and
cause the spread of pollutants in the air you breathe inside your home.
 Chemicals and toxic pollutants like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and carbon dioxide react
with water molecules in the atmosphere to produce acid rain.  These pollutants come from
factories, automobiles and any industrial or manufacturing plants.
 Another source of air pollution is from dust and dirt that goes airborne due to every day
labor in the agricultural and construction industry. Dust is lifted from tractors working on
fields, and from land clearing and general demolition in the construction industry.
 Using household chemicals without adequate ventilation is a major source of indoor air
pollution.
 Volcanoes, dust storms, and forest fires are causes of natural air pollution.

Effects of Air Pollution

 Air pollution causes irritation in the throat, nose, lungs and eyes.  It causes breathing
problems and aggravates existing health conditions such as emphysema and asthma.
 Contaminated air reduces the body’s defenses and decreases the body’s capacity to fight
other infections in the respiratory system.
 Frequent exposure to polluted air increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.  Breathing
air that is filled with fine particulate matter can induce hardening of the arteries, triggering
cardiac arrhythmia or even a heart attack.
 People who exercise outdoors are susceptible to the adverse effects of air pollution
because it involves deeper and faster breathing.
 Acid rain contains hydrogen ions, which can damage trees, crops, harm marine animals
and induce corrosion in metals.
 Smog causes harmful health effects in humans and animals.  Studies have shown signs of
black lung disease in dolphins of due to high concentrations of carbon particles in the air.
 People afflicted with heart disease, children and older people are more sensitive to air
pollution.
 Hence air pollution threatens the health of humans and other living beings in our planet.
It creates smog and acid rain, causes cancer and respiratory diseases, reduces the ozone
layer atmosphere and contributes to global warming.
Governments in every part of the world are taking measures to limit emissions of
carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. I recall the Paris Agreement on a local TV
report, it is a voluntary agreement among 118 nations ratified on November 4, 2016, is
one effort being enacted on a global scale to combat climate change and our country is a
part of this agreement. As a part of the agreement, each country agreed to take measures
to combat climate change, with the ultimate goal of keeping the post-industrial global
temperature rise below two degrees Celsius. Another method is to put taxes on carbon
emissions or higher taxes on gasoline, so that individuals and companies will have
greater incentives to conserve energy and pollute less which is now we feel the high
burden on expensive gasoline.
But even though we cannot eradicate air pollution, we could be still a part of reducing
our pollutants through proper and just usage of fuels, recycling and most importantly
conservation to reduce individual’s “carbon footprint"—(the amount of carbon dioxide a
person is responsible for putting into the atmosphere.)

b. Loss of Biodiversity
 Human activity is leading to the extinction of species and habitats and loss of bio-diversity.
Eco systems, which took millions of years to perfect, are in danger when any species
population is decimating. Balance of natural processes like pollination is crucial to the
survival of the eco-system and human activity threatens the same. Another example is the
destruction of coral reefs in the various oceans, which support the rich marine life .

Causes of loss of Biodiversity

 Climate change: Induced through man-made activities although to provide a balanced view,
species can gain environmental advantage or lose it when the climate changes.
 Pollution on land, in air and water. Water systems suffer aquatic nutrient load from fertilizers
and agricultural by-products. Oceans are seeing rising acidity levels caused by man-made
pollutant activity.
 Habitat destruction and degradation: mining, agriculture, settlement, industries, highways and
construction being primary examples. Degradation caused through poor land
use and deforestation.
 Habitat fragmentation: fragmentation is one of the most serious causes of erosion of
biodiversity. Fragmentation leads to artificially created ‘terrestrial islands’ with microclimatic
effects markedly different from those that existed in the large tracks of habitats before
fragmentation.
 Over-exploitation: overfishing has reduced some commercial fish stocks by more than 90%.
 Introduction of invasive (aka 'exotic') species: any species which is not a natural inhabitant of
the locality but is deliberately or accidentally introduced into the system may be designated as
an exotic species. Native species are subjected to competition for food and space due to the
introduction of exotic species.
- There are many well-documented extinctions caused by the introduction of exotic species.
The introduction of Nile perch to Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake, has driven
almost half of the 400 original fish species of the lake to near extinction.
 Human overpopulation: humans may be considered the 'worst-case' exotic species for most
organisms. Human activity and an increasingly 'consumption-intensive' lifestyle means that
future human population growth spells disaster going forward unless attitudes, behaviours and
lifestyles change.
 Recreational hunting and collecting: hides, skin, tusk, meat, fur, chemical content taken for
monetary or aesthetic value or simply ego in the case of hunting with no purpose other than
the thrill of the kill.
- In the last decade, over one third of African elephants have been killed by hunters and
poachers to fuel the ivory trade.
 Fashion: fur clothing and reptile skins for bags and accessories are just two of the more
obvious fashion-driven pressures on the natural world. 
  Medicinal or traditional medicinal demand: traditional medicines often drive significant demand
for animal and plant material which can only be obtained by killing the providing life form. 
- Rhino horn is highly prized in Asian cultures for its claimed medicinal properties.
Unfortunately, Rhino poaching is now pushing Rhino populations to the brink of
extinction

Effects of loss of biodiversity

As a result, there has been growing concern that the very high rates of modern extinctions--
due to habitat loss, overharvesting and other human-caused environmental changes--could reduce
nature's ability to provide goods and services such as food, clean water and a stable climate.

 Economic Cost of Lost Biodiversity. In terms of ecosystem services—functions like pollination,

irrigation, soil reclemation and other things that would have to be paid for if nature couldn't take
care of it on its own—the value of global biodiversity has been estimated in the trillions.
Because of this, deforestation alone has been estimated to cost between $2-5 trillion annually
worldwide.
 Reduced food security. Reductions in biodiversity, however, do not only occur during
deforestation or through poaching. The introduction of new species, too, increases competition
amongst locals and often leads to extinction of native populations. In much of the world, this is
happening on farms, too, where foreign breeds of cattle are being imported, pushing out
natives.
- This means that the world's livestock population is becoming increasingly narrow; and
more vulnerable to disease, drought, and changes in climate.
 Increased contact with disease. The loss of biodiversity has two significant impacts on human
health and the spread of disease. First, it increases the number of disease carrying animals in
local populations. Research has shown that the species best adapted to survive critically
fragmented habitats are also the most prolific carriers of pathogens. As habitats are broken
apart and reduced in size, these animals become more common, winning out over the species
that do not typically transmit disease.
- At the same time, habitat fragmentation brings humans in closer and more frequent
contact with these disease carrying species.
 More Unpredictable Weather. If forecasting the weather seems simply a matter of deciding to
bring an umbrella or not, ask any farmer or coastal homeowner how they feel. Indeed,
unseasonable weather, extreme weather, and weather that does not perform to historical
norms is a huge problem that can lead to drought, destruction, and displacement.
- The loss of species—even those replaced by invasives—have been shown to cause
more unpredictable weather.
 Loss of Livelihoods. From fishermen to farmers, biodiversity—not to mention healthy
ecosystems—is essential to maintaining livelihoods. When ocean ecosystems collapse, for
example, entire communities built on the bounty they provide fold as well. Whether the cause
is pollution, overfishing, ocean acidification, or a combination of these and more, humans are
tied to the downfall of the ecosystems that surround them.
 Losing Sight of "Nature”. Beyond the utility of nature, of course, is the value of Nature to
humanity. While an understanding of the science of the natural world does not diminish its
grandeur, the physical deflation of it certainly does. When people finally look up from their
desks and out their windows, will they be surprised by what remains?

c. Deforestation

 Our forests are natural sinks of carbon dioxide and produce fresh oxygen as well as helps
in regulating temperature and rainfall. At present forests cover 30% of the land but every
 year tree cover is lost amounting to the country of Panama due to growing population
demand for more food, shelter and cloth. Deforestation simply means clearing of green
cover and makes that land available for residential, industrial or commercial purpose.

Causes of Deforestation

 Mining. The increase of mining on tropical forests is furthering damage due to the rising
demand and high mineral prices. These projects are often accompanied by large
infrastructure construction, such as roads, railways, and power systems. This contributor to
deforestation is putting additional pressure on our forests and freshwater ecosystems.
 Paper. America, China, Japan, and Canada make up more than of the world’s paper
production—400 million tons a year. Approximately 640 million trees represent the paper
that’s thrown away each year, according to the Environment Paper Network. If we recycled,
we could save 27.5 million tons of carbon dioxide from going into the atmosphere. By using
recycled paper, we allow the forests to remain as an ecosystem and wildlife habitat.
 Overpopulation. Due to overpopulation, more land is needed to establish housing and
settlements. As well as many, many more roads and highways are being built in order to
accommodate a larger sum of people driving. With more people that come with a large need
for food and farmland to grow on and raise livestock—resulting in deforestation. Logging
industries will cut down trees for furniture, paper, building materials, and many more
products. These are a direct result of growing human population and is why it’s important to
purchase from sustainable companies which actively work against deforestation
 Logging. Wood-based industries such as paper, matchsticks, and furniture need a
substantial quantity of wood. Lumber and charcoal are common examples of trees being
used as fuel. Cooking and heating all around the world use these resources, and half of the
illegal removal from forests is thought to be used as fuelwood. Large areas are also cleared
to construct roads in order for large trucks to have entry to logging sites. Selective logging is
where only the most valuable trees are felled, however, this doesn't help our problem as one
large tree may bring down surrounding trees and thin the forest canopy. The forest canopy is
extremely important to the ecosystem as it houses animals, protects plants and insect
population, and protects the forest floor.
 Agriculture Expansion & Livestock Ranching. A major cause of deforestation is agriculture
plantations. An increasing supply-demand for products such as palm oil and soybeans are
driving producers to clear forests at an unnerving rate. Farmers often clear the land for cattle
by using slash and burn techniques (cutting down trees and burning them). Unfortunately,
they will then use the property until the soil is completely degraded and repeat the process
on a new patch of woodland. Eventually, it'll reforest, but it will take many years to return to
its original condition.
 Climate Change. Forests are essentially the lungs of our planet. All plants take in carbon
dioxide and release oxygen. Trees are able to convert more carbon dioxide than a regular
plant, though. Forest loss is often caused by climate change. Tropical rainforests are
extremely humid due to the water vapor released along with the oxygen. But when a forest is
cut down, the humidity levels decrease and causes the remaining plants to dry out. For
example, drying out our tropical rainforests increases fire damage. Fires can be both
accidental and intentional but destroy forests quickly.

Effects of Deforestation

 Increased Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Trees help to mitigate carbon dioxide and other
greenhouse gas emissions, but they become carbon sources once they’re cut, burned, or
otherwise removed. It’s estimated that deforestation is responsible for around 20% of
greenhouse gas emissions and 1.5 billion tons of carbon is released every year by tropical
deforestation.
  Acidic Oceans. The oceans are becoming more acidic with an increased supply of carbon
dioxide from deforestation and burning fossil fuels. Oceans are already 30 percent more
acidic since the Industrial Revolution, putting ocean species and ecosystems at an extreme
risk.
 Loss of Species. Orangutans, giant pandas, rhinos, and the Asian elephant are just a few of
hundreds of endangered species due to deforestation. Removing trees thins the forest
canopy which is meant to block sun rays during the day and holds in the heat at night. This
damaging disruption leads to extreme temperature swings that are harmful to plants and
animals. Many animals, insects, and plants lose their habitats and may become endangered
and even go extinct.

3. Design a proposal on saving mother earth and conservation of natural resources.

There are so many ways to save our mother earth even in our little ways. Like what the
Earth Care Awards Posted On November 1, 2017:

DITCH EXCESSIVELY PACKAGED ITEMS

These include processed and packaged foods to begin with. Ditch them completely and try
and go local. Encourage more purchase from the local market or stores that allow you to refill
your containers or take back purchased items in recyclable materials. Local purchasing also
ensures you’re promoting local farmers and traditional small-scale shopkeepers.

Make easy lifestyle changes by refusing packaged items in plastic poly bags. Non-
recyclable packaging simply goes to landfills and adds on to the waste there. Tune yourself to
use cardboard, paper, cloth or jute bags as these are recyclable.

CONSERVE ENERGY

You already know about turning the lights and fans off when retiring from a room. Follow
this simple rule religiously. Generating electricity is one of the leading causes of greenhouse gas
emissions and this also consumes fossil fuels at a tremendous rate.

Switch to using energy efficient appliances. Switch to using the mighty power of the sun,
solar energy, by installing solar panels at your space. Simple ways here for energy conservation
can be –letting wet clothes dry naturally in the sun, turning off the plugs for electronics when fully
charged, using LED powered lights and bulbs in your space etc.

Simply choosing to begin from your own house can bring about a drastic improvement
over time. Preach by practising yourself. Be an example that allows others to adopt energy
conservation practices in their lifestyle.

Solar powered electricity is one of the most embraced methods today by eco-activists
simply because, the sun isn’t going to stop shining one day, but, the fossil fuels will exhaust.

MISCELLANEOUS PRACTICES

There are innumerable practices we hear from others, read on the web (just like you’re
doing right now) or see others follow and still we choose to be nonchalant. Get up and make a
simple change today.

 Plant more trees.

  Build a garden at your space. Mother more plants. Practice tree plantation.
 Use public transport. Try car pool with workmates for office or with friends for a party.
 Walk to the local shop in your neighbourhood. Let your vehicle relax.
 Carry your own bags when heading out for shopping only because you’ll save yourself
from paying for that extra bag and you’ll save the environment from the burden of
recycling an extra bag, be it paper, jute or plastic.

It is really easy to design a proposal to save our mother earth and how to conserve our
natural resources; the hard part is how to implement it fully and successfully. We have gained
knowledge about the bad effects we’ve cause to our mother earth; we internalized and reflect
what have our planet has become. But the real design would start by us, what is the use of those
learning’s and awareness we’ve gained in school and even from our own experiences if we
couldn’t put it into action? Everything starts through little steps. If we could start it by ourselves
and help others to be aware and act in little ways, big change could happen and it will be a big
step to help our mother earth.

Change comes about when we as individuals make an effort. Conserving extinguishable

natural resources is one of the topping reasons for environment protection. Reducing
greenhouse gases, emissions from factories, reducing waste-filled lands, emissions from
automobiles, reduced rainfall etc. are only other reasons after that. With the increase in
population, we have started pumping out resources at a rate much higher than these resources can
be re-generated. This has created so much of stress on our planet that our environment has started
degrading  and we all can see its effects as of today in the form of global warming and climate
change. Though many countries have taken several steps to promote environmental conservation
and improve environmental health but unless we do not reduce our consumption of resources that are
proving lethal for our environment, we cannot provide a sustainable future to our children.

4. Discuss organic farming, its advantages and disadvantages.

The USDA defines organic agriculture as "a production system that is managed to respond to
site-specific conditions by integrating cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling
of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity."

Organic farmers are different from conventional farmers because they choose not to use
any chemicals on their farm. This means that they never spray their fields with pesticides or spread
any kind of chemical fertilizers. This also means that they never give their animals any non-organic
feed or give their animals any drug past a certain age. For a farmer to be able to sell his product as
certified organic in Ohio, the soil must have been chemical-free for at least four years. However, it
varies from state to state. While in California your soil only has to be chemical-free for one year in
some states it may have to be chemical-free for ten! Each organic farmer has his own reasons for
choosing to farm organic. Some farmers do it because they feel that it is cheaper to farm organic.
They don't have to pay for the chemicals, they get higher prices for their products and they can use
a crop rotation to produce the same kind of crop yields. Other farmers do it because they feel that
they are producing a healthier product. Most farmers choose to farm organic for a combination of
those reasons and others.

The main reasons farmers state for wanting to farm organically are their concerns for the
environment and about working with agricultural chemicals in conventional farming systems. There is
also an issue with the amount of energy used in agriculture, since many farm chemicals require
energy intensive manufacturing processes that rely heavily on fossil fuels. Organic farmers find their
method of farming to be profitable and personally rewarding.

Advantages of Organic Farming

 Farmers can reduce their production costs because they do not need to buy expensive
chemicals and fertilizers.
 Healthier farm workers.
 They improve plant growth and physiological activities of plants.
 In the long term, organic farms save energy and protect the environment.
 It can slow down global warming.
 There is an increasing consumer are willing to pay more for organic foods.
 Fewer residues in food.
 More animals and plants can live in the same place in a natural way. This is called
biodiversity.
 Pollution of ground water is stopped.
 They reduce the need for purchased inputs.
 Poison-free. Organic farming does not use any type of harmful chemicals to keep pests
away, unlike the majority of industrial farming. They use all natural methods that do not
harm the consumer or the environment that they are grown in. Herbicides, pesticides,
and artificial growth hormones are all forbidden on an organic farm.
 Food Tastes Better. Fruits and vegetables that are organically raised have a much
better taste than other mechanically farmed ones. This is due to the fact that they are
given a much longer time to develop and are not pumped with artificial things. The
sugar structures in these crops have more time to mature and develop into a tasty and
nutritious product.
 Food Keeps Longer
 Organic fertilizer is considered as complete plant food.
 Organic manures produce optimal condition in the soil for high yields and good quality
crops.
 Drought Resistance. Organically grown plants are more droughts tolerant. Chemical
fertilizer is soluble; plants are forced to imbibe it every time they are thirsty for water.
They can and do enjoy good growth as long as water is readily available. As soon as
water becomes limited, however, the soluble nutrient salts in the cells of chemically fed
plants are unable to osmotically draw sufficient water to maintain safe dilution. They
soon reach toxic concentrations, and the plant stops growing. So organic foods are
better to cultivate in drought affected areas.
 Closely Regulated. In order for a food to be labeled as organic, the entire process of
which is was created is thoroughly investigated. The organic food industry is
internationally regulated, which means that organic means the same standards where
followed, no matter where in the world it was made. This helps the consumers to know
that they are truly getting what they think that they are.
Disadvantages of Organic Farming

 Organic food is more expensive because farmers do not get as much out of their land as
conventional farmers do. Organic products may cost up to 40% more.
 Production costs are higher because farmers need more workers.
 Marketing and distribution is not efficient because organic food is produced in smaller
amounts.
 Food illnesses may happen more often.
 Organic farming cannot produce enough food that the world’s population needs to survive.
This could lead to starvation in countries that produce enough food today.
 Skill. It requires considerably more skill to farm organically. Organic farmers do not have
some convenient chemical fix on the shelf for every problem they encounter. They have to
engage careful observation and greater understanding in order to know how to tweak their
farming system to correct the cause of the problem.
 Time. Indeed, organic farming requires greater interaction between a farmer and his crop
so that, naturally a single farmer can produce more crop using industrial methods than he
or she could by solely organic methods.
 Cultivation. While their conventional counterparts may sow by direct drilling of seed into
herbicide treated soils, organic farmers are usually at least partly dependent on cultivation
to remove weeds prior to sowing. In contrast to cultivation, direct drilling does not
mechanically disrupt soil structure and removes the risk of exposed soil being lost to wind
or water erosion.
- It’s a major disadvantage of organic farming.