Q19)Enumerate upon the Alternative fuels technological advances

Ans: OverviewThe purpose of these Alternative Fuel and Advanced Technology Vehicle resources is to encourage, educate, and equip fleets with the right resources to advance the choice in using alternative fuels, alternative-fueled vehicles and advanced technology vehicles.

Alternative Fuels (AF)Alternative fuels are any fuels other than petroleum based fuels. Some examples of alternative fuels are: compressed natural gas (CNG), biodiesel, electricity, ethanol, liquefied petroleum gas (propane), methanol and hydrogen.

Biodiesel is a replacement diesel fuel that is made from renewable sources such as animal fats and vegetable oils. It is a liquid fuel that is typically mixed with conventional petroleum diesel fuel for use in diesel engines. Biodiesel exhibits excellent fuel properties for diesel engines and thusoffers significant potential as a diesel fuel blending stock. When blended with petroleum based diesel, the percentage of biodiesel is specified following the letter “B”. So, B5, a common blend level, contains 5% biodiesel and 95% petroleum diesel. Other commonly available blends include B10, B20, and B100, pure biodiesel!

Ethanol, a clear, colorless liquid, is an alcohol-based alternative fuel produced by fermenting and distilling starch crops that have been converted into simple sugars. Ethanol canbe used at low blend levels in most gasoline engines.  The useof higher blend levels requires modifications to the fuel delivery system unless the vehicle was produced as a Flex Fuelvehicle by the manufacturer. Like biodiesel, ethanol blends use the letter “E” followed by a number to specify the amount of ethanol blended with regular gasoline. E10 contains 10% ethanol and 90% gasoline. Blends up to E85, 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, are available. Ethanol is most commonly used as an additive (up to E10) to increase octane and improve the emissions quality of gasoline. In fact, most of the gasoline sold in Maryland contains 10% ethanol.

Reasons:

Develop and improve alternative and renewable low-carbon fuels.

Optimize alternative and renewable fuels for existing and developing engine technologies.

Produce alternative and renewable low-carbon fuels in California.

Decrease, on a full fuel cycle basis, the overall impact and carbon footprint of alternative and renewable fuels and increase sustainability.

Expand fuel infrastructure, fueling stations, and equipment.

Improve light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicle technologies.

Retrofit medium- and heavy-duty on-road and non-road vehicle fleets.

Expand infrastructure connected with existing fleets, public transit, and transportation corridors.

Establish workforce training programs, conduct public educationand promotion, and create technology centers.

Q20)Enumerate upon Environmental Economics

Ans: Economics is the study of the allocation of scarce resources.

o Note that the theories of economics can be applied to any scarce resource, not just traditional commodities.

o Economics is not simply about profits or money.  It applies anywhere constraints are faced, so that choices must be made.

o Economists study how incentives affect people’s behavior.

Environmental and natural resource economics  is the application of the principles of economics to the study

of how environmental and natural resources are developed and managed.

o Natural resources  – resources provided by nature that can be divided into increasingly smaller units and allocated at the margin.

o Environmental resources  – resources provided by nature that are indivisible.

o Natural resources serve as inputs to the economic system.  Environmental resources are affected by thesystem (e.g. pollution).

In general, prices reflect the relative scarcity ofgoods.

o However, in environmental economics, markets, and thus prices, often do not exist.

aspects of environmental and natural resource economics make it unique?

1. Market failures When market failures exist, government

intervention may be appropriate.2. Dynamics

The decision to consume a good today typically does not affect the ability to consume it tomorrow.  However, the decision to use natural resources today does affect what will be available tomorrow.

Note that prices will influence this. Higher prices both provide incentives

to conserve resources, encourage exploration for new sources, and the development of technologies to better obtain resources.

3. Irreversibility Damage to natural resources has long-term

effects.  For example, if the Grand Canyonwere flooded, future generations would be unable to enjoy its beauty.  This is not

as large a problem for normal consumer goods.

4. Linkages between the economic and ecological system

An interdisciplinary understanding of the environment, political science, etc. necessary to be a good environmental economist.

Q21)Enumerate upon the branches of Environmental Geography

Ans:

Environmental geography examines inter linkages between humanand natural systems. This discipline combines parts of humangeography and physical geography, serving not only as animportant link between the two but also to generate newunderstandings of the ways environment and society are relatedand affect each other.

Environmental geography is the branch of geography thatdescribes the spatial aspects of interactions between humansand the natural world. It requires an understanding of thetraditional aspects of physical and human geography, as wellas the ways in which human societies conceptualize theenvironment.

Environmental geography has emerged as a bridge between humanand physical geography as a result of the increasingspecialisation of the two sub-fields. Furthermore, as humanrelationship with the environment has changed as a result ofglobalization and technological change a new approach wasneeded to understand the changing and dynamic relationship.Examples of areas of research in environmental geographyinclude emergency management, environmental management,sustainability, and political ecology.

Q22)Enumerate impact of Mining on the environment

Ans: Impacts on water resources:

1.Acid mine drainage and contaminant leaching: Leaching of toxic constituents, such as arsenic, selenium, and metals, canoccur even if acidic conditions are not present. Elevated levels of cyanide and nitrogen compounds (ammonia, nitrate, nitrite) can also be found in waters at mine sites, from heap leaching and blasting.

2. Erosion of soils and mine wastes into surface waters : Increased velocities and volumes can lead to downstream flooding, scouring of stream channels, and structural damage to bridge footings and culvert entries.

3. Impacts of mine dewatering: Impacts from ground water drawdown may include reduction or elimination of surface water flows; degradation of surface water quality and beneficial uses; degradation of habitat reduced or eliminated production in domestic supply wells; water quality/quantity problems associated with discharge of the pumped ground water back into surface waters

downstream from the dewatered area. The impacts could last for many decades

Impacts of mining projects on air quality:

1. Mobile sources: Mobile sources of air pollutants include heavy vehicles used in excavation operations, cars that transport personnel at the mining site, and trucks that transport mining materials.

2. Stationary sources: The main gaseous emissions are from combustion of fuels in power generation installations, and drying, roasting, and smelting operations. Typically,gold and silver is produced in melting/fluxing furnaces that may produce elevated levels of airborne mercury, arsenic, sulfur dioxide, and other metals.

3. Noise and vibration: Noise pollution associated with mining may include noise from vehicle engines, loading and unloading of rock into steel dumpers, chutes, power generation, and other sources. Vibrations are associated with many types of equipment used in mining operations, but blasting is considered the major source. Vibration has affected the stability of infrastructures, buildings,and homes of people living near large-scale open-pit mining operations.

Impacts of mining projects on wildlife:

1. Habitat loss: Many wildlife species are highly dependent on vegetation growing in natural drainages. This vegetation provides essential food, nesting sites, and cover for escape from predators. Any activity that destroys vegetation near ponds, reservoirs, marshes, and wetlands reduces the quality and quantity of habitat essential for waterfowl, shore birds, and many terrestrial species. The habitat requirements of many animal species do not permit them to adjust to changes created by land disturbance. These changes reduce living space.

2. Habitat fragmentation: Habitat fragmentation occurs when large areas of land are broken up into smaller and smaller patches, making dispersal by native species from

one patch to another difficult or impossible, and cuttingoff migratory routes. Isolation may lead to local declineof species, or genetic effects such as inbreeding. Species that require large patches of forest simply disappear.

Q23)Enumerate the four certification levels under LEED rating systems

Ans: LEED certification is the recognized standard for measuringbuilding sustainability. Achieving LEED certification is the best way for you to demonstrate that your building project is truly "green." The LEED green building rating system -- developed and administered by the U.S. Green Building Council, a Washington D.C.-based, nonprofit coalition of building industry leaders -- is designed to promote design and construction practices that increase profitability while reducing the negative environmental impacts of buildings and improving occupant health and well-being. 

LEED Certification Levels

Certified 40 - 49 Points

Silver 50 - 59 Points

Gold 60 - 79 Points

Platinum 80-110 Points

Q24)Enumerate the impact of NGOs on Environment Movements in the country

Ans: Local, national and regional NGOs have emerged as major players and partners in both development and conservation activities in the region. At the community level, they are in the front line in providing assistance in the acquisition of basic needs and amenities; in identifying issues, raising awareness, and providing information to grassroots

communities; in articulating the communities’ problems and needs and bringing these to the attention of those who can affect change; in defending both the environmental and developmental rights of communities and building the capacity of communities to manage their natural resources; and in dealing with sustainable development concerns.

The NGO’s constitute a world wide net work interacting with Governments and Internal intergovernmental organization in shaping international environmental policies;-

 Creating awareness among the public on current environmental issues and solutions.

 Facilitating the participation of various categories of stakeholders in the discussion on environmental issues.

 Conducting participatory rural appraisal.  Being involved in the protection of human rights to have

a clean environment. Protecting the natural resources and entrusting the

equitable use of resources. Data generation on natural resources, time line history

of villages.  Analysis and monitoring of environmental quality. Transferring information through newsletters, brochures,

articles, audio visuals, etc. Organizing seminars, lectures and group discussion for

promotion of environmental awareness.  Helping the villages’ administrative officials in

preparation, application and execution of projects on environmental protection.

Q26) Enumerate upon the field of Environmental Ethics Ans: Environmental ethics is the part of environmental philosophy which considers extending the traditional boundaries of ethics from solely including humans to includingthe non-human world.It exerts influence on a large range of disciplines including environmental law, environmental sociology, ecotheology, ecological economics, ecology and environmental geography.

Environmental ethics is a branch of ethics that studies the relation of human beings and the environment and how ethics play a role in this. Environmental ethics believe that humans are a part of society as well as other living creatures, whichincludes plants and animals. These items are a very important part of the world and are considered to be a functional part of human life. Thus, it is essential that every human being respect and honor this and use morals and ethics when dealing with these creatures.

 Environmental ethics are a key feature of environmental studies, that establishes relationship between humans and the earth. With environmental ethics, you can ensure that you are doing your part to keep the environment safe and protected. Every time that a tree is cut down to make a home or other resources are used we are using natural resources that are becoming more and more sparse to find. It is essential that you do your part to keep the environment protected and free from danger. It is not as difficult to do as you may think so long as you’re willing to make a few simple and easy changes.

Q27)Enumerate the Erlich Equation

Ans: The IPAT equation is a mathematical identity that shows that the underlying environmental problems are related to “scale”. Growth in Population and Affluence have exceeded improvements in Technology.

Paul Ehrlich Equation is presented as:

I = P * A * T

where:I is the impact on the environment resulting from consumptionP is the population numberA is the consumption per capita (affluence)T is the technology factor

The world population is growing at a fast pace. Today, you are one of more than seven billion people walking

around planet Earth. This number is somewhat mind-blowing when you consider that the total population of the world was less than two billion in the year 1900. That was only a little over 100 years ago.

This population explosion has left many environmental scientists wondering whether there will be enough natural resources on Earth to support so many people. After all, it is pretty easy to imagine that the more people there are, the higher the demand will be for food, water and energy.

However, population is not the only thing that impacts the environment and the availability of resources. Scientists recognize that other variables, such as the consumption habits of individuals within the growing population, as well as the types of technology they use, also factor in to the overall health of the environment.

Q28)Enumerate upon Ethical Issues Associated with Marketing PracticeAns: Ethics has been termed the study and philosophy of human conduct, with an emphasis on the determination of right and wrong. For marketers, ethics in the workplace refers to rules (standards, principles) governing the conduct of organizational members and the consequences of marketing decisions. Therefore, ethical marketing from a normative perspective approach is defined as “practices that emphasize transparent, trustworthy, and responsible personal and organizational marketing policies and actions that exhibit integrity as well as fairness to consumers and other stakeholders.Each facet of marketing has ethical danger points as discussedbelow.Market Audience - Selective marketing is used to discourage demand from so-called undesirable market sectors or disenfranchise them altogether. Ethical issue relates to vulnerable audiences in emerging markets in developing

countries, as the public there may not be sufficiently aware of skilled marketing ploys.Delivery Channels - Direct marketing is the most controversialof advertising channels, particularly when approaches are unsolicited. TV commercials and direct mail are common examples. Electronic spam and telemarketing push the borders of ethics and legality more strongly.Deceptive Advertising and Ethics - Deceptive marketing is not specific to one target market, and can sometimes go unnoticed by the public. There are several ways in which deceptive marketing can be presented to consumers; one of these methods is accomplished through the use of humor. Humor provides an escape or relief from some kind of human constraint, and some advertisers intend to take advantage of this by deceptively advertising a product that can potentially alleviate that constraint through humor.Pricing Ethics - Bid rigging is a form of fraud in which a commercial contract is promised to one party, although for thesake of appearance several other parties also present a bid.Predatory pricing is the practice of selling a product or service at a very low price, intending to drive competitors out of the market, or create barriers to entry for potential new competitors.

Q29)Enumerate upon all the available sewage treatment technologies in India