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PART A ▪ UNIT 5
05
Green Skills – I
Building a Sustainable Future
Green Skills are the knowledge, abilities, values, and attitudes needed to live, work, and act in a way that protects the environment and supports sustainable development. They help us save natural resources and reduce harm to nature.
Our Earth is our only home. If we do not take care of the environment today, future generations will suffer from pollution, scarcity of water, food, and energy. Learning Green Skills is every student's responsibility.
Learning Outcome 1: Demonstrate the knowledge of the factors influencing natural resource conservation
1.1 Introduction to Environment
Environment means our natural surroundings – including air, water, soil, plants, animals, humans, mountains, rivers, forests, sunlight, and everything around us, both living and non-living.
Meaning
The word "Environment" comes from the French word "Environner" which means "to surround". So, environment means everything that surrounds us.
Components of Environment
The environment has two main components:
| Component | Meaning & Examples |
|---|---|
| 1. Biotic Components | All living things in the environment. Examples: Plants, animals, humans, birds, insects, microorganisms. |
| 2. Abiotic Components | All non-living things in the environment. Examples: Air, water, soil, sunlight, temperature, minerals, rocks. |
Importance of Environment
- Provides us with air to breathe, water to drink, and food to eat.
- Gives us shelter and raw materials for clothing.
- Supports all life on Earth.
- Regulates temperature and climate.
- Provides natural resources like fuel, minerals, wood.
- Keeps the ecological balance.
- Offers beauty and peace of mind.
1.2 Relationship Between Society and Environment
Society and environment are deeply connected. They cannot exist without each other.
How They Depend on Each Other
- The environment provides food, water, air, shelter, and raw materials needed by society.
- Society depends on environment for its survival, development, and growth.
- Human activities – farming, industries, transport, construction – use environmental resources.
- Society's actions (good or bad) have a direct effect on the environment.
- A healthy environment means a healthy society; a damaged environment leads to a sick society.
How Humans Affect the Environment
Negative EffectsDeforestation, pollution, mining, wasteful use of resources, industrial waste, hunting, urbanisation.
Positive EffectsAfforestation, wildlife protection, clean energy, recycling, conservation, awareness programmes.
1.3 Ecosystem
An ecosystem is a community of living organisms (plants, animals, microbes) interacting with each other and with their non-living environment (air, water, soil) in a particular area.
Examples of Ecosystems
- Forest ecosystem
- Pond / lake ecosystem
- Desert ecosystem
- Ocean / marine ecosystem
- Grassland ecosystem
- Mountain ecosystem
Components of an Ecosystem
Every ecosystem is made of three types of living organisms:
FOOD CHAIN IN AN ECOSYSTEM
Sun (Energy)
Producers (Plants)
Primary Consumers (Herbivores)
Secondary Consumers (Carnivores)
Decomposers (Bacteria & Fungi)
| Type | Role | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Producers | Make their own food from sunlight by photosynthesis. | Green plants, trees, algae |
| 2. Consumers | Eat plants or other animals for food. | Animals, birds, insects, humans |
| 3. Decomposers | Break down dead plants & animals into simple forms and return nutrients to soil. | Bacteria, fungi, earthworms |
1.4 Factors Causing Imbalance in the Ecosystem
When any part of the ecosystem is disturbed, the balance of nature is affected. The main factors causing imbalance are:
1. Deforestation
Cutting down of forests for wood, agriculture, and construction. This destroys animal habitats, reduces oxygen, and causes soil erosion and climate change.
2. Pollution
Contamination of air, water, and soil due to harmful substances. Pollution damages health of all living beings.
Air PollutionSmoke from vehicles, factories, burning of fossil fuels. Causes asthma, lung problems.
Water PollutionIndustrial waste, sewage, plastic in rivers. Makes water unfit to drink.
Soil PollutionPesticides, chemical fertilisers, plastic. Makes soil barren.
Noise PollutionLoud horns, factories, crackers. Causes stress, hearing loss.
3. Industrialisation
Rapid growth of industries releases toxic gases, chemicals, and waste into the environment.
4. Urbanisation
Growing cities destroy forests, farms, and natural spaces. More buildings, more vehicles, more garbage.
5. Population Growth
More people means more demand for food, water, energy, and land – leading to overuse of natural resources.
️ 6. Overuse of Natural Resources
Wasteful use of water, fuel, electricity, and minerals is depleting them faster than they can be replaced.
7. Global Warming & Climate Change
Rise in temperature of Earth due to greenhouse gases (CO₂, methane). Causes melting glaciers, floods, droughts, unusual weather.
8. Hunting and Poaching
Illegal killing of wild animals disturbs food chain and causes extinction of species.
️ 9. Waste Generation
Increased use of plastics, e-waste, and non-biodegradable waste pollutes land and water.
Every small action matters. When the ecosystem is damaged, it affects all living things including humans. We must protect it for our own future.
1.5 Natural Resource Conservation
Natural Resources are the gifts of nature that are useful to humans – such as air, water, soil, forests, minerals, sunlight, and wildlife. Conservation means using these resources wisely and carefully so that they last for future generations.
Types of Natural Resources
Renewable Resources
Can be replaced or renewed naturally.Examples: Sunlight, air, water, wind, forests, soil, tidal energy.
️ Non-Renewable Resources
Cannot be replaced once used up – take millions of years to form.Examples: Coal, petroleum, natural gas, minerals like iron, copper, gold.
Why Do We Need to Conserve Natural Resources?
- Resources are limited but our needs are increasing.
- To maintain ecological balance.
- To protect plant and animal life.
- To ensure clean air, water, and food.
- To save resources for future generations.
- To prevent natural disasters like floods, droughts, landslides.
- To reduce global warming and pollution.
Methods of Natural Resource Conservation
- Save Water: Close taps when not in use, fix leakages, use bucket instead of shower, rainwater harvesting.
- Save Electricity: Switch off lights, fans, AC when not needed; use LED bulbs; use natural light.
- Save Fuel: Use bicycle, walk short distances, use public transport, carpool.
- Save Forests: Plant more trees (afforestation), stop cutting trees, celebrate Van Mahotsav.
- Save Wildlife: Don't hunt or trap animals, set up national parks & sanctuaries.
- Save Soil: Avoid over-use of chemicals, do crop rotation, build check dams, plant cover crops.
- Use Renewable Energy: Solar, wind, hydro and bio-energy instead of coal / petrol.
- Reduce Waste: Follow the 5 R's.
- Segregate Waste: Separate wet, dry, and hazardous waste.
- Spread Awareness: Teach others about conservation.
1.6 The 5 R's of Environmental Conservation
The 5 R's are simple steps that every person can follow to reduce their impact on the environment:
1. RefuseSay NO to things you don't need (plastic bags, freebies).
2. ReduceUse less – water, electricity, paper, plastic.
3. ReuseUse items again – bottles, bags, clothes.
4. RecycleConvert waste into new useful products.
5. RepurposeUse old items for a new purpose creatively.
Refuse plastic straws → Reduce electricity use → Reuse a glass bottle → Recycle paper → Repurpose an old t-shirt as a cleaning cloth.
1.7 Environment Protection and Conservation
Environment Protection means safeguarding nature from harm caused by human actions. It involves preventing pollution, preserving natural resources, and restoring damaged environments.
Steps to Protect the Environment
- Plant more trees (afforestation) and avoid cutting them.
- Control pollution – air, water, soil, noise.
- Use eco-friendly products – cloth bags, jute bags, wooden utensils.
- Dispose of waste properly – don't litter.
- Save endangered species by setting up sanctuaries and national parks.
- Practise organic farming instead of chemical-based farming.
- Use public transport or bicycles to reduce vehicle pollution.
- Support and celebrate environmental days.
- Follow government laws made for protection of environment.
Important Environmental Days
| Day | Date |
|---|---|
| World Water Day | 22 March |
| Earth Day | 22 April |
| World Environment Day | 5 June |
| World Ocean Day | 8 June |
| World Nature Conservation Day | 28 July |
| World Ozone Day | 16 September |
| Wildlife Week | 2-8 October |
| National Pollution Control Day (India) | 2 December |
Environmental Laws / Programmes in India
- Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
- Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
- Environment Protection Act, 1986
- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
- Forest Conservation Act, 1980
- Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission)
- Namami Gange Programme (for cleaning river Ganga)
You are the future of our planet! Start small – save one bucket of water, plant one sapling, refuse one plastic bag – and inspire others to do the same.
Learning Outcome 2: Describe the importance of green economy and green skills
2.1 Definition of Green Economy
A Green Economy is one that aims to improve human well-being and social equality while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. In simple words, it is an economy that grows without harming the environment.
Simple Meaning
A green economy is an economy where development goes hand-in-hand with nature. It uses clean energy, eco-friendly methods, and sustainable practices so that growth does not destroy the environment.
Key Features of a Green Economy
- Low carbon – emits less harmful gases like CO₂.
- Resource efficient – uses natural resources wisely.
- Socially inclusive – benefits all people fairly.
- Uses renewable energy (solar, wind, hydro, biomass).
- Promotes recycling and reuse.
- Supports green jobs – like solar panel installation, organic farming, waste management.
- Focuses on sustainable development – meeting today's needs without harming tomorrow's generations.
Green Economy vs Traditional (Brown) Economy
| Green Economy | Traditional Economy |
|---|---|
| Eco-friendly | Harms environment |
| Uses renewable energy | Depends on fossil fuels |
| Low pollution | High pollution |
| Sustainable in long run | Not sustainable |
| Promotes green jobs | Creates mostly traditional jobs |
| Conserves resources | Overuses resources |
2.2 Importance / Benefits of Green Economy
A green economy is important because of the following benefits:
- Protects the Environment: Reduces pollution, saves forests, water, and wildlife.
- Saves Natural Resources: Promotes wise use of water, fuel, and minerals.
- Creates Green Jobs: Solar panel installers, organic farmers, recycling workers, environmental engineers.
- Reduces Global Warming: Less use of fossil fuels = less greenhouse gas = cooler planet.
- Improves Public Health: Clean air and water prevent diseases like asthma, cancer.
- Promotes Sustainable Development: Growth continues without harming the environment.
- Reduces Poverty: Green jobs bring income to rural areas and poor families.
- Encourages Innovation: Leads to new eco-friendly technologies and products.
- Energy Security: Renewable sources like sun and wind are endless and locally available.
- Better Quality of Life: Cleaner, safer, and healthier living for everyone.
- Protects Biodiversity: Saves plants, animals, and ecosystems.
- Economic Stability: Reduces dependence on imported fuels.
2.3 Green Skills
Green Skills are the knowledge, abilities, values, and attitudes needed to develop and support a green economy. They help us protect the environment and work in eco-friendly ways.
Examples of Green Skills
ConservationSaving water, energy, forests
RecyclingTurning waste into useful items
Renewable EnergySolar, wind, biogas skills
Organic FarmingChemical-free agriculture
Green BuildingEco-friendly construction
Waste ManagementHandling waste safely
AfforestationPlanting & growing trees
Water ManagementHarvesting & saving water
Environmental AwarenessTeaching others
Benefits / Importance of Green Skills
- Help in protecting the environment.
- Create green jobs and new career opportunities.
- Promote sustainable living.
- Reduce pollution and waste.
- Save natural resources for future generations.
- Support the growth of green economy.
- Encourage healthy living.
- Help reduce poverty through new livelihoods.
- Make us responsible citizens.
Examples of Green Jobs
- Solar panel technicians
- Wind turbine engineers
- Organic farmers
- Waste management workers
- Environmental educators
- Green building architects
- Electric vehicle mechanics
- Wildlife conservationists
- Water quality specialists
- Eco-tourism guides
Green skills are the skills of the future. As the world moves towards sustainability, millions of new jobs will be created for people with green skills. Learning them today prepares you for tomorrow's green careers!
Quick Revision – Key Points to Remember
- Environment = everything that surrounds us (biotic + abiotic).
- Biotic = living; Abiotic = non-living.
- Ecosystem = interaction of living beings with non-living surroundings.
- Ecosystem components: Producers (plants) → Consumers (animals) → Decomposers (bacteria/fungi).
- Factors causing imbalance: Deforestation, pollution, industrialisation, urbanisation, overpopulation, global warming, hunting, waste.
- Types of pollution: Air, Water, Soil, Noise.
- Natural resources: Renewable (sun, wind, water) & Non-Renewable (coal, petroleum).
- 5 R's: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repurpose.
- Conservation methods: Save water, electricity, fuel, forests; use renewable energy; reduce waste.
- Green Economy = economic growth without harming environment.
- Green Economy features: Low carbon, resource efficient, socially inclusive, uses renewable energy.
- Green Skills = knowledge & abilities for eco-friendly living and working.
- Green Jobs: Solar technician, organic farmer, waste manager, environmental educator.
- Important Days: Earth Day (22 April), World Environment Day (5 June), Ozone Day (16 Sept).
Part B
Artificial
Intelligence
Intelligence
Subject Code: 417 — The Future is Here
Unit 1 • AI Reflection, Project Cycle & Ethics
Unit 2 • Data Literacy
Unit 3 • Math for AI
Unit 4 • Introduction to Generative AI
Unit 5 • Introduction to Python
Unit 2 • Data Literacy
Unit 3 • Math for AI
Unit 4 • Introduction to Generative AI
Unit 5 • Introduction to Python