~/Green Skills – II

Introduction — Why Green Skills Matter Now

Ask yourself:

• Are we planting more trees or only destroying them for our use?
• Are we saving water resources or polluting them with garbage?
• Are we using clean energy or burning wood and petrol?
• Are we giving back to nature so future generations may thrive — or simply using the air, water and soil without leaving anything for them?

If the answers point to "only using", we are thinking only of immediate development, not long-term development. This is where Green Skills come in.

1.1 What is Sustainable Development?

🔹 Three Pillars of Sustainable Development

1.2 Importance of Sustainable Development

Economic development is using up resources of the world so quickly that our future generations may face much more serious environmental problems than we do today. With increasing population and income:

• Consumption of goods increases daily.
• Production and utilisation of natural resources goes up.
• Most natural resources are scarce and getting depleted.

🔹 Why Sustainable Development Matters

1.3 Problems Related to Sustainable Development

Three major problems threaten sustainable development today:

🌾 1. Food

• The amount of rich, fertile land needed to grow crops like wheat and rice is becoming less as more land is used for other purposes (building, roads).
• Soil nutrients are getting depleted.
• Lots of chemicals spoil the soil due to over-use of chemical fertilisers.

💧 2. Water

• We use fresh water from rivers and ponds for drinking and cleaning — but we also dump garbage into them.
• Rivers and ponds are getting polluted.
• In a few decades, there may be no clean water left for use.

🪵 3. Fuel

• We use a lot of wood from trees as fuel and for construction of homes and furniture.
• As more trees are cut, it affects the climate of the place.
• Extreme weather — floods, extreme cold or heat — is seen in many places, affecting the people living there.

🔹 Other Emerging Problems

1.4 What Sustainable Development Includes

Sustainable development is not just an idea — it's a set of practices that every person, business and government can adopt:

1.5 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

🔹 The 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1.6 Sustainable Development Initiatives from India

🛍️ 1. Biodegradable Bags — Avasth Hedge

When plastics were banned by the municipal corporation of Mangalore, innovator and entrepreneur Avasth Hedge found an eco-friendly alternative. He made a 100 % biodegradable bag which can dissolve in hot water and decompose in natural environment. This is now used in many countries and helps the environment greatly.

🍴 2. Edible Cutlery — Narayana Peesapaty

To stop the use of plastic spoons, forks and knives, Narayana Peesapaty created edible cutlery made out of a grain. These spoons can actually be eaten — and even if they are not eaten, they easily decompose in the soil, enriching it.

🍵 3. Kulhads — Ministry of Railways

In Varanasi and Raibareilly, the Ministry of Railways introduced clay pots called "Kulhads" to replace plastic and paper cups and bring back the taste of tradition. Three major advantages:

1. Reduce cutting of trees for paper cups.
2. Job creation for local potters — contributes to the economy.
3. Reduce plastic waste.

☀️ 4. Charanka Solar Park — Gujarat

An environment-friendly way of producing power is using solar energy — unlimited and clean. A major example is Charanka Solar Park in Gujarat — barren land turned into a 600 MW mega solar plant, reducing dependence on non-renewable fossil fuels and providing a good source of income for local people for the next 40-50 years.

1.7 Sustainable Processes & Practices

1.8 Our Role in Sustainable Development

We use many resources from nature — but what do we give back? Factories give out smoke. Garbage goes into landfills. Sewage is dumped into seas and lakes. Though we are using natural resources, we are doing little to return to nature. Natural resources are limited — if we do not act now, future generations may not survive.

1.9 SDG-wise Actions Students Can Take

Every UN goal has actions we as students can take in our everyday life:

🎓 Quality Education (SDG 4)

Education is the most important factor for sustainable development. Students who attend school can get jobs, take care of their families and become aware of their role as responsible citizens.

• Use the facilities present in our areas.
• Take our friends to school.
• Help friends study.
• Stop friends from dropping out of school.

💧 Clean Water & Sanitation (SDG 6)

• Make India free of open defecation by building toilets.
• Create awareness about sanitation.
• Industrial pollution is polluting water resources — take steps to keep water sources clean.
• Do not throw garbage into rivers, ponds or lakes.

⚡ Affordable & Clean Energy (SDG 7)

• Use solar power — no pollution, no burning of non-renewable fuels.
• Use biogas — an eco-friendly alternative to LPG / natural gas.
• Increase solar power generation to meet electricity needs without polluting the environment.

💼 Decent Work & Economic Growth (SDG 8)

• Study hard and find good jobs to take care of yourself and your family.
• Work hard and contribute to society.
• Learn and develop skills so you add value in your community.

⚖️ Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10)

• Be helpful to one another.
• Be friendly with everyone.
• Include everyone while working or playing.
• Help others — small or big, girl or boy, of any class or caste.

🏙️ Sustainable Cities & Communities (SDG 11)

• Save energy — switch off lights and fans when not in use.
• Use natural light as much as possible.
• Use energy-efficient LED bulbs and appliances.
• Use public transport, bicycle or walk for short distances.

♻️ Responsible Consumption & Production (SDG 12)

Become responsible about your own environment by:

1. Reusing paper, glass, plastic and water whenever possible.
2. Taking cloth bags to the market for fruits and vegetables.
3. Donating things you don't use — clothes, books, furniture, food.
4. Buying and eating seasonal fruits and vegetables from local growers.
5. Repairing leaking taps and pipes to avoid wasting water.
6. Sorting and treating garbage before disposing.

🐟 Life Below Water (SDG 14)

Tons of plastic are found in the seas, killing marine life. To protect marine life:

• Avoid using single-use plastics.
• Do not throw any waste in drains that go to rivers / sea.
• Participate in beach / river clean-up drives.
• Save water — cleaner, less-polluted water means healthier oceans.

🌳 Life on Land (SDG 15)

Cutting trees leads to soil erosion, making land dry and unusable for cultivation.

• Plant trees to replace those that are cut.
• Conserve forests and wildlife.
• Avoid products made from animal parts.
• Support organisations that protect animals and forests.

1.10 Indigenous Knowledge & Cultural Heritage

🔹 Why Indigenous Knowledge Matters

• It is time-tested over centuries, proven to work.
• It uses local materials and local skills.
• It is often biodegradable and zero-pollution.
• It preserves cultural heritage and identity.
• It creates jobs for local artisans.

1.11 Environmental Citizenship

🔹 Responsibilities of an Environmental Citizen

🔹 Benefits of Environmental Citizenship

1.12 Practical Sustainable Models (Project Ideas)

As part of Unit 5 practicals, students can prepare working models of these sustainable systems: