Environment 12Feb05 at CHRL.pps
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The document discusses several key topics related to the environment and human rights: 1) The environment is essential to human life and well-being, and environmental rights are increasingly recognized as inherent human rights. 2) Humans are severely damaging the environment through pollution, habitat destruction, and overconsumption of resources, threatening biodiversity and exacerbating issues like climate change. 3) Environmental laws aim to curb pollution and protect nature, but environmental harms disproportionately impact the poor, developing nations, and marginalized groups. Sustainable development is needed to meet present and future generations' needs.
Environment 12Feb05 at CHRL.pps
- 1. Environment Dr. P R Arun India Centre for Human Rights and Law
- 2. Human Rights & Environment Rights inherent in our nature as human beings and without which we cannot live as human beings First Generation Political and Civil Second Generation Social, Economic and Cultural Third Generation - Development Environment Peace Access to Resources, information
- 3. What is Environment Your environment is the sum total of everything outside you ( Internal environment ?). It include s L iving and nonliving things Natural and unnatural/artificial Physical, Biological, Psychological
- 4. Environmental Damage Today W e are losing 300 km2 of rainforest, (1 acre / second ) 186 km2 land due to desertification , 40 to 100 species And we are adding 250,000 people 2,700 tons of CFC ( chlorofluorocarbons ) 15 million tons of carbon. Tonight the Earth will be a little hotter, its waters more acidic, and the fabric of life more threadbare."
- 5. Global Ecological foot prints
- 6. Importance of Environment Natural Environment is Responsible for life on earth Evolved through millions of years of evolution Provides Invaluable Ecosystem services
- 7. Ecosystem services Oxygen and water Detoxification and decomposition of wastes Conserve soils and their fertility Pollination of flowers & Dispersal of seeds Protection from the ultraviolet rays Maintenance of biodiversity Moderation of weather extremes and their impacts Provision of aesthetic beauty and intellectual and spiritual stimulation for the human spirit
- 8. Threats to Environment Severest threat is from us, humans Pollution Air, water, Soil, .. Destroy Natural Habitats Deforestation, Hunting, reclamation, Alter the Environment Green house Gases, Ozone depleting substances Natural calamities Earth Quakes, Forest fires, Volcanoes, Cyclones, ….
- 9. Residues & Wastes from Humans Factors contributing urbanization industrialization human population growth production and use of disposable products
- 10. Hazardous Waste Management Secured landfill - least expensive Deep well injection Incineration of Hazardous waste Hazardous Waste Recycling and Neutralization Source Reduction
- 11. Agriculture One of the largest environmental Damage over the last 10,000 years Large Small/medium Scale of Operation Low High Sustainability Low High Genetic Diversity High Low Environmental Pollution Less High Labour High Low Productivity Modern Traditional
- 12. Pollution Air/ Atmosphere CO2, SO2, NO, CFC, Water Industrial effluents, Sewage, Pesticides, Fertilizers, Soil Solid wastes, Effluents, sewage, … Noise pollution, Radiation
- 13. Pollution & Damage to Life Natural Flora and Fauna Forests, Wildlife Human beings, domestic animals, plants Health impacts Physical, Mental, Social, Spiritual
- 14. Trade in tiger bone Major factor that threatens survival Used for thousands of years in Asian medicine for treatment of rheumatism Ivory trade Decimated Indian Elephant populations and skewed sex ratio Hunting/ Poaching Tiger bone wine
- 15. Shrinking ranges Siberian Tiger Bengal Tiger Asian Elephant
- 18. Radiation Danger Roentgen equivalent man - REMS damage cells & tissues Policy USDE Nuclear waste disposal is highly controversial
- 19. Noise Pollution Measure by annoyance factor Frequency cycles per second hertz vibrations per second Amplitude decibels (dB) Noise abatement Policy - Noise Control Act of 1972 Education programs Environmental changes
- 20. Environmental Rights Environmental Damages Caused by the Rich and Powerful Rich/developed Nations, Corporates, Industries Affect the poor and Marginalised Developing countries, laborers, tribals, Environmental services and ill-effects are disproportionately distributed
- 21. Environmental Laws Indian Forest Act 1927 Wildlife protection Act 1972 Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act 1977 Forest Conservation Act 1980 Environmental Protection Act 1986 CRZ Rules 1992 EIA Notification 1994 Article 51(A)g of the Constitution
- 22. Tradition of Conservation Animal worship Snake, Peacock, Rat, Cow, Sacred groves Sthala Vruksha Concept, Sacred flowers, leaves etc for Pooja Bishnoy Community Known to lay down lives for plants/wildlife Budhism and Gandhism & Universal Brotherhood concepts Emperor Ashoka established Animal Hospitals in 3rd Century BC
- 23. Man-Animal Conflicts Examples Leopard menace at Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivili our interference with the wildlife habitats Crop raiding by elephants Destruction of Wildlife Corridors Bharatpur (Keoladeo National Park) Wrong conservation decisions avoiding people
- 24. Myth and Reality “ Nature conservation is Against development ?” Truth Ultimately no development is sustainable without taking care of Nature , On the other hand people participation is vital Sustainable Development “ Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”* * World Commission on Environment and Development (1987) Our Common Future
- 25. How can we help Environment Avoid Wildlife products Avoid Ivory, Fur, leather, etc, Minimise the use of wooden/paper materials. Plant trees/plants Participate in decision making through EIAs Respond positively to conservation efforts Join hands with concerned organizations which are working for Environment Visit Natural forests and Sanctuaries and feel the Environment at its natural state Recognize everyone's right to have equal share of environmental resources and risks
- 26. Thank You