Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION 1 Chapter - 1 Introduction Today, the media across the world is abuzz with environmental issues. The print media (newspapers), particularly, plays a vital role in educating the masses as people worldwide have now realised that they need to protect the environment to improve the quality of life and for a sustainable future. Newspapers highlight environmental problems and immediately bring them to the notice of their readers. Hence, it is the endeavour of this study to research the coverage of the issue by local dailies. However, it would be pertinent to explain the concept of the ‘environment’ and the key terms related to it before getting down to the nitty-gritty of the topic. The study will thoroughly examine where the dailies stand in reporting the issues and their significance in our society. 1.1. The Environment The term ‘environment’ is commonly used to describe the ‘natural’ environment meaning the sum of all living and non-living things that surround an organism, or a group of organisms. The environment includes all elements, factors, and conditions that have some impact on the growth and development of certain organisms. It includes both biotic and abiotic factors that have influence on these organisms. Abiotic factors such as light, temperature, water, atmospheric gases combine with biotic factors (all surrounding living species) to influence the environment. ‘Environment’ literally means the surrounding that affects an organism during its lifetime. The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 defines the 2 environment ‘that includes water, air and land and the interrelationship which exists among and between water, air and land, human beings, other living creatures, plants, micro-organisms and property’. Environmental studies provide an approach towards understanding the environment of our planet and the impact of human life upon the environment. Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary area of study that includes both applied and theoretical aspects of human impact on the world. Thus, the environment is actually global in nature; its study is a multidisciplinary subject that includes physics, geology, geography, history, economics, physiology, biotechnology, remote sensing, geophysics, soil science and hydrology etc. Environmental science as a field of study is still evolving but its beginnings are rooted in the early history of civilization. Many ancient cultures expressed a reverence for plants, animals and geographic features that provided them with food, water and means of transport, which is appreciated by modern day people too. The thought expressed in the following quote from Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) is over a century old but it is still consistent with the current environmental philosophy: "I wish to speak a word for nature for absolute freedom and wildness as contrasted with freedom and culture nearly civil to regard man as an inhabitant or a part and parcel of nature, rather than a member of society." (Wright and Nebel ., 2004, p.11, 12) Humans are members of this naturally balanced and harmonious system. Gradually, the human population out of its own greed started changing the environment. The growing human needs have led to overuse or misuse of resources in the ecosystem. Things have come to such an impasse that the system is unable to sustain itself. Overpopulation, overconsumption, exploitation of natural resources, industrialization, and pollution have been adversely affecting 3 the environment. As a result, many problems have arisen and are threatening the whole ecosystem. The major environmental issues are energy - oil and natural gas, hydroelectricity, nuclear power; agriculture and industry; pollution – air, water, soil, noise, marine, radiation; population explosion and overconsumption; urbanisation; climate change and ozone depletion; biodiversity – loss, conservation, legislation; sustainable development; acid rain; desertification; green house gases and global warming; and eutrophication. These issues are briefly described below. 1.1.1 Energy There are various forms of energy such as that obtained from oil and natural gas, or hydroelectricity, and nuclear power. Excessive use of fossil fuel has caused many problems. Efforts are being made across the world to tap safe, non-polluting alternatives such as energy from biodiesel or ethanol. There are mainly two types of energy sources : (a) renewable, that is, Sun, biomass, wind etc. and (b) non-renewable, that is, energy generated from coal, oil, gas, petrol Nuclear energy also included in this category. Renewable energy Renewable energy is that which does not get depleted after use. Solar energy Solar energy is the most readily available form of energy. It does not belong to anybody and is, therefore, free. It is also the most important of the non-conventional sources of energy because it is non-polluting and, 4 therefore, helps in lessening the greenhouse effect . (Tata Energy Research Institute,2012,Edugreen) India has a strong commitment to non-conventional energy sources. As far back as 1981, the Indian Government had set up the Commission on Additional Sources of Energy (CASE). A year later, a separate Department of Non-conventional Energy Sources (DNES) was created in the Ministry of Energy. A decade later, DNES was upgraded to the level and status of a ministry, reflecting the government’s resolve to give a thrust to the renewable energy in the country. This step has earned India the distinction of being perhaps the only country in the world to have an exclusive ministry for the purpose (Ministry of Environment and Forest, 2012 May) One of the world’s largest programmes on renewable energy technologies is being implemented by the Government of India. The objectives of the programmes include making energy available for a variety of applications in rural and remote areas; providing improved cooking stoves and biogas plants; and recovering energy from urban municipal and industrial wastes. Besides, exploitation of chemical sources, geo thermal energy and ocean energy is envisaged. A Renewable Energy Policy Statement is being drafted to give the much needed thrust to these programmes. Wind energy Another major potential in renewable energy resource lies in wind energy. Throughout much of human history, wind power has been widely used – in addition to propelling sailing ships – for grinding grain (hence the term windmill). In the USA until 1930-1940s, windmills were used for pumping water and generating small amount of energy. But again in 1970s, due to energy 5 crisis, wind energy was seriously considered. ( International Network for Sustainable Energy 2012 May) Many different designs of wind machines have been proposed and tested. But the most practical have been the age old wind-driven propeller blades. These are geared directly to the generator. Then wind farms came into existence. One of the largest wind farms in the world, Aralvoimozy, close to the southern tip of India, is a major success story in the field. This initiative has been made possible due to measures adopted by the Indian Government and the state governments to encourage investor-friendly policies for promoting privately owned wind farms. The Star Group is a leader in Maharashtra in this sector. Biogas energy Biogas means obtaining energy from organic waste, and generating methane from the anaerobic digestion. This technique is widely used in rural India. The National Project on Biogas Development (NPBD) has set up family- type biogas plants across the country. Here, another advantage of such plants needs to be mentioned - sanitation has improved in villages. Geo-thermal energy The scientific principle of heated water or steam driving turbo generators is put to use in geothermal energy. Experience has shown that geothermal energy may not be always sustainable. It has been observed that this caused pollution due to vapour in the atmosphere. Aquatic flora and fauna is harmed as hot water is released into a stream or a river, saline conditions may occur. 6 Tidal power There is a huge potential to generate power from the ocean tides which take place twice daily. Non-renewable energy Non-renewable resources such as coal, oil and natural gas which produce energy are also known as fossil fuels. They are derived from the remains of living organisms which lived during the Paleozoic and the Mesozoic geological Eras, 100 million to 500 million years ago. The organic matter trapped in rocks underground was converted gradually into coal, oil and natural gas by pressure and heat. Coal Coal can be obtained by two methods, surface mining and underground mining. The mining work can be hazardous, and injuries and fatalities are not uncommon. Both methods have substantial environmental impacts. Use of coal causes air pollution as carbon dioxide, and fly ash are produced after it is burnt. Mineral As oil becomes scarce, the OPEC countries will once again dominate the world oil market. The Middle East possesses 65% of the world’s reserves, and eventually the developed and developing world will rely on that region for oil imports. Resource limitation and increasing demand cause hike in prices. Moreover, its consumption leaves behind smoke, fly ash, carbon dioxide and other pollutants. 7 Natural There is a plentiful reserve of natural gas in the world, but much of it is inaccessible. The positive aspect is that this fuel causes less pollution. But this energy is not a sustainable solution for the energy crisis. 1.1.2 Agriculture and Industry Agriculture Agriculture