We Depend on Nature

• We exchange energy and

matter with our environment
as we
– Eat
– Drink
– Breathe
• We use
– Energy for heat and mobility
– Wood for housing and paper
– Food and water for living
We Depend on Nature
• Nature
– Absorbs our wastes
– Provides climate stability
– Protects us from ultraviolet
radiation
• In cities we tend to think of nature
as a collection of commodities we
obtain from around the world
• But nature is the very source of
our lives and well being
Ecological Footprints
• The ecological footprint of
a defined population is the
total area of land and
water required to produce
the resources that the
population consumes, and
to assimilate the wastes
that the population
generates, wherever on
earth the relevant land/
water are located
What is ecological footprint ??
 The ecological footprint is a means of measuring
human-induced environmental impacts upon the
planet.

 The components used to measure these human

impacts can be broadly classified as :
(a)energy
(b)materials and waste
(c) transport
(d)food
(e)water
(f) built land.
Inorder to measure the impacts of these components the
total area on the planet can be divided into :

(a)bioproductive land
(b)bioproductive sea
(c)energy land (forested land required for the absorption
of carbon emissions)
(d)built land (such as buildings and roads).
(e)Biodiversity land
 Wood
Food
Travel
Waste
Energy

Bioproductive
land

Bioproductive sea

Energy land

Built land

Biodiversity
Ecological Footprints

• Consumed Land
– Built
environment
Ecological Footprints

• Farm Land
– Food
production
Ecological Footprints

• Forest Land
– forest
products
 National Footprints
• In U.S. each person uses about 4.5
hectares/person
• Worldwide average = 1.5 hectares/person
• Therefore if everybody were to adopt the
U.S.
consumptive style, we would need 3 planets
• Interactions with nature
are complex
• when nature is
undervalued, it gets used
and abused
• Hence, pollution charges
and depletion charges
can be useful to reduce
environmental damage
– Require Government
Intervention
• Footprint analysis may
help determine true costs
• Technology will play a role
in making society more
sustainable
• If global economy is to be
10x the size of today, we
need technology that makes
us 10x more resource
efficient
• Example : Solar water
heaters reduce our footprints
and maintain standard of
living
Ecological footprint in Engineering

 With respect to Power, generation of electricity

is through renewable resources. A standard city
would draw power from
 Photovotaic Technology
 Solar thermal evacuated tube collectors
 Concentrated Solar Power
 Waste to Energy
 Geothermal Energy etc.

 Natural ventilation is generally preferred in

a building.
 For Water Conservation : Houses and offices will
have three separate water lines for drinking
water, grey water (wastewater from cooking and
bathing) and black water (sewage)
 Grey water will be lightly filtered and
reused or used for irrigation of indigenous plants

 Ina building use of wood and timber-

frame can reduced the amount of concrete,
plaster, metal and PVC required.
 For Transport : Motorized transport will be by
 Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) -
Public transport mode featuring small
automated vehicles operating on a
network of specially built guideways

The transportation system will be designed for

Multilevel, barrier-free transport. And for long
distance travel, it is proposed to have Metro and
high speed rail services
IMPORTANCE OF
BIO DIVERSITY
 Biodiversity is a term that describes the
variety of living beings on earth.
 In short, it is described as degree of variation
of life.
 Biological diversity encompasses
microorganism, plants, animals and
ecosystems such as coral reefs, forests,
rainforests, deserts etc.
 Genetic diversity
 Eco system diversity
 Species diversity
 Different species of plants, animals, fungi and
micro-organisms provide us with food,
medicines, fuel, building materials, fibre for
clothing and industrial products.

 Benefits arising from the conservation of

components of biological diversity can be
considered in three groups: ecosystem
services, biological resources and social
benefits.
Protecting areas from soil erosion, floods and
other harmful weather conditions: Vegetation
cover helps to protect soils from
erosion. Woodlands provide useful
windbreaks in farm areas, and the vegetation
on mudflats and sand dunes can help protect
coastal areas from erosion by the sea and
wind.
 Reducing the risk of local and global climate
change: Ecosystems help maintain a healthy
balance of gases in the atmosphere. Trees
and other plants store carbon and help
prevent the build-up of carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere, reducing the risk of global
warming
 Recycling nutrients: Bacteria and fungi play a
crucial role in recycling nutrients in
ecosystems. Some plants play a crucial role in
the fixation of nitrogen in the soil. (Nitrogen
fixation is the process of converting
atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia.)
 Pollination and biological control: Some
animals, especially birds, bats and insects
perform important functions as pollinators of
food plants such as vegetables and fruit, and
are also often the natural enemies of weeds,
pests and diseases that can harm crops
 Controlling pollutants: Plants like reeds act as
natural filters, helping to remove waste from
surface waters and many bacteria can help
break down low level pollutants
 Monitoring the health of the environment:
Some species can indicate a change in the
environment.
◦ For example, the breeding failure among birds can
point to a build up of pesticides in the system.
◦ Lichens such as those found growing on walls and
on the trees may be sensitive indicators of levels of
air pollution.
 Food: The provision of food is the most
fundamental benefit that humans get from other
life forms, and humans have always depended on
animals and plants for meat, fruit, vegetables,
nuts, and other natural products.
 Medicines: Wild species have been used as
sources of drugs for thousands of years. The
medicinal potential of plants and animals is often
considered a compelling reason to conserve
biodiversity as some species are highly valued for
their medicinal properties
 Commercial uses: Human societies have
traditionally used plant and animal products
like wool and fur for clothing, and wood for
building construction and fuel. Other plant
and animal products used in industry include
feathers, skins, glues, rubber, oils, waxes,
and dyes.
Wood products
 Wood is a basic commodity used
worldwide, and is still largely harvested from
the wild. It is a primary source of fuel, is used
in construction, and forms the basis for paper
production.
 Cultural and aesthetic values: Historically, some
species have played an important role in the
traditions of many cultures. Species may also
have heritage value as national symbols: for
example, the National Emblem of India shows
the Horse on the left and the Bull on the right of
the Ashoka Chakra in the circular base on which
the four Indian lions are seated back to back.
also has important recreational and aesthetic
values. Biodiversity also has
educational and inspirational value.
 Intrinsic values: For example, knowing that
something exists is satisfying in itself, and the
loss of species, such as giant pandas and blue
whales, represents a considerable loss of
‘existence value’.
Many people also hold strong personal beliefs,
feeling a great respect for the whole of nature
and a responsibility to hand on to the next
generation a world that is as rich in life as the
world we live in today.
The main reasons for the loss of biodiversity
are :
 Habitat destruction
 Deforestation
 Climate change
 Pollution
 Human overpopulation
 Over-harvesting
 Global warming