Environment & Ecology Handout-3 (Class-3) by Vaishali Anand

Man & Biosphere Program- Biosphere Reserves

There are multiple criteria for designation of a BR. These include-
i. A site must contain an effectively protected and minimally disturbed core area.
ii. The site should be of significance for biological diversity conservation with
endemic, rare and other endangered species.
iii. The site should have potential for preservation of traditional tribal or rural modes
of living for harmonious use of environment.
iv. Have an appropriate size to serve the three functions of biosphere reserves

A few examples of endemic species in India-

Species Endemic to

Asiatic Lion Gir landscape- Gujarat

Keibul Lamjao National Park- Manipur

Sangai Deer

Nilgiri Hills of Western Ghats

Nilgiri Tahr

Western Ghats
Lion Tailed Macaque
Kashmir (primarily in Dachigam NP) & northern Himachal
Kashmir Stag Pradesh

VAJIRAM & RAVI 1

 CLIMATE CHANGE & CLIMATE ACTION
As per World Meteorological organization (WMO), “climate change refers to a significant
variation in mean state of climate (in temperature, winds, precipitation etc) for an
extended period of time (usually 10 years or longer)”.
Global warming is defined as increase in global mean surface temperature of near surface
atmosphere and oceans averaged over a 30-year period.
About Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)-
1. It is United Nations body for assessing science related to climate change.
2. Created in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United
Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the objective of the IPCC is to provide
governments at all levels with scientific information that they can use to develop
climate policies.
3. IPCC reports are also a key input into international climate change negotiations.
GHG Concentrations in 2022 (global mean values)
GHG Pre- Industrial Level Present Atmospheric Abundance Relative
Concentration Concentration to Pre-Industrial
times
Carbon di 280 ppm 417 ppm 150 %
Oxide

Methane 730 ppb 1923 ppb 264 %

Nitrous Oxide 270 ppb 335 ppb 124 %

GHG Emissions as per IPCC AR6

Total Annual GHG 59 Gt (59 billion Sources
Emissions (global) metric tonnes)

Burning of fossil fuels for generation of

Carbon di Oxide electricity and heat, transportation, and
75% of total annual
Emissions manufacturing and consumption. Also
GHG emissions
includes emissions from land use, land-
use change and forestry
Agriculture, waste treatment and coal,
Methane Emissions
18% oil & gas production

Nitrous Oxide
Agriculture, waste treatment and coal,
Emissions 5%
oil and gas production
F- Gases Emissions
(HFCs, PFCs & SF6) 2% Industrial processes

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 Sector wise Contributors to Anthropogenic GHGs

Contribution to annual
S No. Sector GHG emissions (% of total
emissions)

Energy (includes transportation, electricity and

1 heat, buildings, manufacturing and construction, 76%
other fuel combustion)

2 Agriculture (livestock & crop cultivation) 12%

6%
3 Industrial processes like chemicals & cement

4 Waste, including landfills and wastewater 3%

Land-use change and forestry, such as

5 3%
deforestation

Country Wise Emissions

China is the biggest emitter at 26.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, followed by
the United States at 12.5%, India at 7.06%, and the European Union at 7.03%.

Total Annual Emissions

Country Per Capita Emissions
(bn tonnes of CO2)
(approximate figures) (tonnes/ person/ year)

China 11.5 10

USA 6 15

India 3 <2

World Avg. Per Capita Emissions- 6.5 tonnes/ person/ year

VAJIRAM & RAVI 3

 Sustainable Development Goals
SDG Goal Summarised What the Goal says?

SDG 1 No poverty End poverty in all its forms everywhere

SDG 2 Zero Hunger End hunger, achieve food security and improved
nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture

SDG 3 Good health & well- Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at
being all ages

SDG 4 Quality Education Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and
promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

SDG 5 Gender Equality Achieve gender equality and empower all women and
girls

SDG 6 Clean water and Ensure availability and sustainable management of

sanitation water and sanitation for all
SDG 7 Affordable and Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and
clean energy modern energy for all

SDG 8 Productive Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable

employment and economic growth, full and productive employment
economic growth and decent work for all

SDG 9 Industry, Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and

innovation and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
infrastructure
SDG 10 Reduced Reduce inequality within and among countries
inequalities
SDG 11 Sustainable cities Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe,
and communities resilient and sustainable

SDG 12 Responsible Ensure sustainable consumption and production

consumption and patterns
production
SDG 13 Climate action Take urgent action to combat climate change and its
impacts

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SDG 14 Life below water Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and
marine resources for sustainable development

SDG 15 Life on land Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of

terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests,
combat desertification, and halt and reverse land
degradation and halt biodiversity loss

SDG 16 Peace, justice and Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for
strong institutions sustainable development, provide access to justice for
all and build effective, accountable and inclusive
institutions at all levels

SDG 17 Partnership for Strengthen the means of implementation and

global development revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable
Development

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