Environment and Sustainable Development
Class 11 · Economics
4 ideas in Class 11 Economics, explained in plain words, with games and quizzes to practise.
Environment Functions
Part of: Environment Basics
Nature supplies resources, absorbs waste, sustains life and beauty; carrying capacity caps use; crossing it degrades systems.
Why it matters. Functions price nature. Capacity sets limits.
Key words
- Environment
- : Surroundings of air, water and land that supply and absorb.
- Carrying capacity
- : The maximum load nature can bear without damage.
- Absorptive capacity
- : Nature's ability to soak up waste and emissions.
- Life-support service
- : Clean air, water and genetic variety sustaining life.
Try it in two minutes
- List four functions.
- Find the capacity.
- Spot overshoot.
Try at home. List nature gifts daily.
Degradation Causes
Part of: Environment Basics
Population and affluence multiply waste; fossil smoke warms climate; deforestation erodes soil; chemical runoff poisons water.
Why it matters. Causes target cures. Pressures multiply damage.
Key words
- Population pressure
- : More people multiplying demand for resources and sinks.
- Industrial smoke
- : Burning coal and oil that warms the climate.
- Deforestation
- : Clearing forests, loosening soil and drying springs.
- Chemical runoff
- : Farm chemicals washing into rivers and groundwater.
Try it in two minutes
- Multiply people-affluence-tech.
- Track smoke and runoff.
- Count forest loss.
Try at home. Audit home waste.
India Environmental Challenges
Part of: India Challenges and Sustainability
Metro air breaches safe limits; rivers carry sewage; land degrades under pressure; Chipko hugged trees to stop felling.
Why it matters. Local stress needs local action. Movements inspire care.
Key words
- Air quality stress
- : City air crossing safe limits for dust and gases.
- River pollution
- : Sewage and waste choking rivers and lakes.
- Land degradation
- : Soil losing fertility under pressure and misuse.
- Chipko movement
- : Villagers hugging trees to stop felling in Uttarakhand.
Try it in two minutes
- Measure city air.
- Test river water.
- Join green drives.
Try at home. Check AQI online.
Sustainable Development
Part of: India Challenges and Sustainability
Development must not steal future shares; CNG, solar and wind cut smoke; waste segregation recycles; awareness plus laws enforce care.
Why it matters. Future shares matter. Clean tech pays twice.
Key words
- Sustainable development
- : Meeting present needs without shrinking future shares.
- Renewable source
- : Energy like sun and wind that nature refills.
- Waste segregation
- : Sorting waste at home so each stream can be recycled.
- Environmental law
- : Rules and fines that force firms and citizens to comply.
Try it in two minutes
- Switch to clean fuel.
- Segregate waste.
- Enforce green laws.
Try at home. Segregate home waste.
What your child will practise
- Degradation Causes: Ocean Puzzle (Clue Puzzle)
- Degradation Causes: Ocean Quick Fire (Quick Fire)
- Environment Functions: Jungle Puzzle (Clue Puzzle)
- India Environmental Challenges: Space Quest (Flip and Match)
- Sustainable Development: Desert Quick Fire (Quick Fire)
- Quiz: Degradation Causes (8 questions)
- Quiz: Environment Functions (8 questions)
- Quiz: India Environmental Challenges (8 questions)
- Quiz: Sustainable Development (8 questions)