Question: 5 --- What dangers the environment would face if the biodiversity will be destroyed ?

The loss of biodiversity has many consequences that we understand, and many that we do not. It is apparent that
mankind is willing to sustain a great deal of biodiversity loss if there are concomitant benefits to society; we hope
they are net benefits. In many cases, the benefits seem to accrue to a few individuals only, with net societal loss.
However, as noted below, it is extremely difficult to estimate the future costs of losses in biodiversity, or of
environmental damage. As stated by Tilman (2000), The Earth will retain its most striking feature, its biodiversity,
only if humans have the prescience to do so. This will occur, it seems, only if we realize the extent to which we use
biodiversity.
Losses in biodiversity in rainforests cause significant changes in ecosystem functioning. About ecosystem
functioning in tropical rain forests we know very little, but we do know that ecosystems are affected by changes in
the number and kinds of species which they contain, an idea originally conceived by Charles Darwin and Alfred
Russel Wallace. Intact ecosystems function best, since the organisms composing them are specialized to function in
that ecosystem to capture, transfer, utilize and, ultimately, lose both energy and nutrients. The particular species
making up an ecosystem determine its productivity, they affect nutrient cycles and soil contents, and they influence
environmental conditions such as water cycles, weather patterns, climate and other no-biotic aspects.
As we continue to lose species at a rapid rate, we must discover which losses will have the most deleterious
consequences on ecosystems. At present, we know little, and what we do have is information on short-term, smallscale experimental plots. We need to know more, much more. It is vital to realize, then, that biodiversity does not
mean simply the number and kinds of living organisms present. Biodiversity depends upon the habitats and
ecosystems which support them. As John Muir said, When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched
to everything else in the universe.
Question no : 1- How emerged ?
Narratives of the historical evolution of international environmental law generally distinguish three or four major
periods or phases:
1. the traditional era until about 1970 (i.e., preceding the 1972 United Nations Stockholm Conference on the Human
Environment, UNCHE), which is sometimes sub-divided into a pre-1945 and a post-1945 period;
2. the formative modern era from Stockholm to the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development
(UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro; and
3. the post-modern era from Rio onwards.
Question no : 1 -How developed
In the last forty years, international environmental law has evolved rapidly, as environmental risks have become
more apparent and their assessment and man-agement more complex. In 1972, there were only a few dozen
multilateral agree-ments, and most countries lacked environmental legislation. In 2011, there are hundreds of
multilateral and bilateral environmental agreements and all countries have one or more environmental statutes
and/or regulations. Many actors
in addition to States shape the development, implementation of, and compliance with international environmental
law.
Moreover, environment is increasingly integrated with economic development, human rights, trade, and national
security.
Analyzing the evolution of international environmental law helps us understand the possibil-ities and the
limitations of
law in addressing environmental problems, whether globally, regionally, or locally. The evolution of international
environmental law can be separated into three distinct periods: from 1900-1972, from 1972-1992; and from 19922012. These cor- respond roughly to the period of early glimmers of international environmental law; basic
framework development; and maturation and linkage with other areas of international law. The periods are

demarcated by two international conferences: the 1972 United Nations Stockholm Conference on the Human
Environment (Stockholm Conference)
and the 1992 Rio de Janeiro Conference on Environment and Development (Rio Conference). In June 2012, the
Rio+20
Conference will be held, again in Rio de Janeiro. Both the prior Stockholm and Rio Conferences were path
breaking. Their work products and the events surrounding them laid the basis for significant leaps forward in
developing and implementing international environmental law.
The earth is surrounded by a cover of gases as atmosphere. This atmosphere allows most of the light to pass
through, which reaches the surface of earth. This light from sun is absorbed by the earth surface and converts into
heat energy. This heat energy is re-emitted by the surface of the earth during night. Due excessive presence of
some gasses in the atmosphere, this escape of heat from earth surface is prevented, resulting in heating of earth
called global warming. The gasses which are responsible for causing global warming are called greenhouse
gasses.
Question no : 3- The adverse effects of global warming
Over last 10000 years temperature remained remarkably stable across the globe, changing by little more than 2
degree Fahrenheit on an average. Even during the Little Ice Age, which lasted from the 1300 AD to 1850 AD,
which resulted advancing of glaciers, average temperatures were little more than 2 degree Fahrenheit. The effects
of global warming could change average temperatures five times as much as little ice age did though in the
opposite direction. Over the next century, the rate of the effects of global warming should follow a steep upward
curve.
The adverse effects of global warming are enormous. The effects are already being felt on our planet, on human
life, plants and animals worldwide. The predicted effects of global warming on the environment and for human life
are numerous and varied. It is generally difficult to attribute specific natural phenomena to long-term causes, even
though, some effects of recent climate changes already we are witnessing; rising sea levels, glacier retreat, arctic
shrinkage, and altered patterns of agriculture are cited as direct consequences. Among secondary and regional
effects extreme weather events, expansion of tropical diseases, changes in the timing of seasonal patterns in
ecosystems, and drastic economic impact are predicted.
Major adverse effects of global warming are listed below:
(i) Polar ice caps melting The ice caps melting is a four-pronged danger.
(a) It will raise sea levels. There are more than 5,773,000 cubic miles of water in ice caps, glaciers, and permanent
snow. According to the National Snow and Ice Data Center, if all glaciers melted today the seas would rise about
230 feet. This may not happen at once; but sea level will rise certainly and consequently, low lying areas will be
submerged.
(b) Melting ice caps will throw the global ecosystem out of balance. The ice caps are fresh water, and when they
melt they will desalinate the ocean, or in plain English make it less salty. The desalinization of the gulf current
will distort ocean currents, which regulate temperatures. It will give very confusing and irregular pattern of cooling
and warming effects in some areas.
(c) Temperature rises and changing landscapes in the artic circle will endanger several species of animals. Only the
most adaptable will survive.
(d) Global warming will certainly reduce ice caps substantially. Ice caps are white, and reflect sunlight, much of
which is reflected back into space, further cooling Earth. If the ice caps melt, the only reflector is the ocean. Darker
colors absorb sunlight, further warming the earth.

(ii) Increased probability and intensity of droughts and heat waves Although some areas of Earth will
become wetter due to global warming, other areas will suffer serious droughts and heat waves. Africa will receive
the worst of it, with more severe droughts also expected in Europe. Water is already a scarce commodity in Africa,
and global warming will worsen the conditions.
(iii) Warmer waters and more hurricanes As the temperature of oceans rise, so will the probability of more
frequent and stronger hurricanes.
(iv) Spread of disease As northern countries warm, disease carrying insects migrate north, bringing plague and
disease with them.
(v) Economic consequences Most of the effects of global warming will not be good. These effects bring
economic consequences badly for almost all the countries of the world.
3. Rise in global warming Ocean might have become saturated with our emissions An alarm bell:
When the industrial revolution started, the level of CO2 in the atmosphere was around 280 parts per million by
volume (ppmv) but that has risen to around 380ppmv due to our burning of fossil fuels. Because of tremendous
rise in CO2 (about 35% rise) the global warming scenario has been deteriorated or faster. The melting of arctic ice,
severe climate changes are some of the effects among many, of the global warming. This unexpected growth of
CO2 level in the atmosphere, scientists suspect, is due to mainly two reasons
(i) Inefficiency in the use of fossil fuels which increased the CO2 level by 17% and
(ii) Other 18% came from a decline in the natural ability of land and oceans to soak up CO2 from the atmosphere,
i.e., decline in global carbon sinks. In addition, the growth of global population is responsible for significant
growth of atmospheric CO2, as well.
A. The decline in global sink (there are two major carbon sinks in the biological cycle: the oceans and the land
biosphere, which includes plants and the soil) efficiency suggests that stabilization of atmospheric CO2 is even
more difficult to achieve than previously thought. Study suggests, about half of emissions from human activity are
absorbed by these natural CO2 sinks but it has been observed that, the efficiency of these sinks has fallen.
Scientists believe global warming might get worse if the oceans soak up less of the greenhouse gas.
B. The weakening of the Earths ability to cope with greenhouse gases is thought to be a result of changing wind
patterns over seas and droughts on land. Nearly half of the decline in the efficiency of the ocean CO2 sink is,
expected, due to the intensification of the winds in the Southern Ocean, study suggests. The declining effect is also
being seen in the North Atlantic, as per the recent study.
C. In fact, the researchers are clueless about the exact reasons, whether this change in behavior of ocean is due to
climate change or to natural variations. It is a tremendous surprise and troublesome factor because there were
grounds for believing that in time the ocean might become saturated with our emissions unable to soak up any
more. This phenomenon of ocean being saturated, leave us with all our emission to heat-up our globe results
rapidity in global warming.
D. We have to find out the ways to deal with this rapid pace in global warming. Implementation of carbon sink
technology, iron fertilization of Southern oceans etc., have to be thought of. The major responsible factors such as,
the issues like reduction of emission of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere are to be tackled efficiently.
Climate change due to global warming

A. Climate change is a global issue that affects us all. Changes in climate patterns mean that extreme weather
events such as heat waves, floods, storms, droughts and bushfires will become more frequent, more widespread or
more intense. Climate change science is providing a better understanding of the causes, nature, timing and
consequences of climate change. Climate change science is a very complex subject. Various investigations, studies,
reports suggest that world is warming up, but how this will affect us in the future is difficult to qualify. Climate
change is the result of changes in our weather patterns because of an increase in the Earths average temperature.
The weather elements at a given location vary from time to time throughout the year, but generally are expected to
remain within set limits over a long time period. This is known as our climate. This natural variation in temperature
ensures we have cold and warm years. This is actually a natural and essential feature of our atmosphere without
which our planet would be uninhabitable.
Question no : 2-- Conflicts between development and environment
The nature of environmental conflicts in developing nations differs considerably from those in industrialized
nations. In the latter, development has already occurred and most environmental conflicts are over how to
minimize further resource destruction and how resources can be most efficiently used. But in the former,
economic, social and political structures have not yet been widely affected by environmental changes brought
about by industrialization. Therefore, what is at stake in developing countries is not only the use of environmental
resources, but also the very process of development, and if state, civil society and the market can act cooperatively
to create development while protecting the environment.
What one should consider when dealing with environmental conflicts in developing countries, is the fact that many
of these countries have different situations within one territory. In Brazil, one can find urban, industrial areas with
typical western-style environmental problems. But, in the same country, there are also regions with mixed
development standards and areas inhabited by Amerindians, some of which still live in the Neolithic period. While
the society in the industrialized southeast of Brazil has the same access to information as North Americans, within
the Amazon forest one can find tribes, such as the Yanomami, whose members do not use numbers higher than
three, do not have a written language and do not wear clothes.
Therefore, two main issues should be recognized when considering environmental conflicts. One, is that there
should not be just one way of dealing with environmental conflicts in developing countries because local
differences matter. The other, is that given the vastly different identities which exist in one country, the Western
development model is not always appropriate. Nevertheless, market agents and donors financially supporting
environmental organizations often do not understand this. As stated by Howell and Pearce (2001), development
donors "usually overlook both local initiatives formed along ethnic, kin or clan principles that may play a role in
achieving social justice and equality, and the fact that apparently modern organizations may be impregnated with
primordial and clientelistic relations.

Question no : 3 -Effect of greenhouse effect

Agriculture
While CO2 is essential for plant growth, all agriculture depends also on steady water supplies, and climate change
is likely to disrupt those supplies through floods and droughts. It has been suggested that higher latitudes Siberia,
for example may become productive due to global warming, but the soil in Arctic and bordering territories is
very poor, and the amount of sunlight reaching the ground in summer will not change because it is governed by the
tilt of the earth. Agriculture can also be disrupted by wildfires and changes in seasonal periodicity, which is already
taking place, and changes to grasslands and water supplies could impact grazing and welfare of domestic livestock.

Increased warming may also have a greater effect on countries whose climate is already near or at a temperature
limit over which yields reduce or crops fail in the tropics or sub-Sahara, for example.
Health
Warmer winters would mean fewer deaths, particularly among vulnerable groups like the aged. However, the same
groups are also vulnerable to additional heat, and deaths attributable to heatwaves are expected to be
approximately five times as great as winter deaths prevented. It is widely believed that warmer climes will
encourage migration of disease-bearing insects like mosquitoes and malaria is already appearing in places it hasnt
been seen before.
Polar Melting
While the opening of a year-round ice free Arctic passage between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans would confer
some commercial benefits, these are considerably outweighed by the negatives. Detrimental effects include loss of
polar bear habitat and increased mobile ice hazards to shipping. The loss of ice albedo (the reflection of heat),
causing the ocean to absorb more heat, is also a positive feedback; the warming waters increase glacier and
Greenland ice cap melt, as well as raising the temperature of Arctic tundra, which then releases methane, a very
potent greenhouse gas (methane is also released from the sea-bed, where it is trapped in ice-crystals called
clathrates). Melting of the Antarctic ice shelves is predicted to add further to sea-level rise with no benefits
accruing.
Ocean Acidification
A cause for considerable concern, there appear to be no benefits to the change in pH of the oceans. This process is
caused by additional CO2 being absorbed in the water, and may have severe destabilising effects on the entire
oceanic food-chain.
Melting Glaciers
The effects of glaciers melting are largely detrimental, the principle impact being that many millions of people
(one-sixth of the worlds population) depend on fresh water supplied each year by natural spring melt and regrowth
cycles and those water supplies drinking water, agriculture may fail.
Sea Level Rise
Many parts of the world are low-lying and will be severely affected by modest sea rises. Rice paddies are being
inundated with salt water, which destroys the crops. Seawater is contaminating rivers as it mixes with fresh water
further upstream, and aquifers are becoming polluted. Given that the IPCC did not include melt-water from the
Greenland and Antarctic ice-caps due to uncertainties at that time, estimates of sea-level rise are feared to
considerably underestimate the scale of the problem. There are no proposed benefits to sea-level rise.
Environmental
Positive effects of climate change may include greener rainforests and enhanced plant growth in the Amazon,
increased vegitation in northern latitudes and possible increases in plankton biomass in some parts of the ocean.
Negative responses may include further growth of oxygen poor ocean zones, contamination or exhaustion of fresh
water, increased incidence of natural fires, extensive vegetation die-off due to droughts, increased risk of coral
extinction, decline in global photoplankton, changes in migration patterns of birds and animals, changes in
seasonal periodicity, disruption to food chains and species loss.

Economic
The economic impacts of climate change may be catastrophic, while there have been very few benefits projected at
all. The Stern report made clear the overall pattern of economic distress, and while the specific numbers may be
contested, the costs of climate change were far in excess of the costs of preventing it. Certain scenarios projected in
the IPCC AR4 report would witness massive migration as low-lying countries were flooded. Disruptions to global
trade, transport, energy supplies and labour markets, banking and finance, investment and insurance, would all
wreak havoc on the stability of both developed and developing nations. Markets would endure increased volatility
and institutional investors such as pension funds and insurance companies would experience considerable
difficulty.

Developing countries, some of which are already embroiled in military conflict, may be drawn into larger and
more protracted disputes over water, energy supplies or food, all of which may disrupt economic growth at a time
when developing countries are beset by more egregious manifestations of climate change. It is widely accepted that
the detrimental effects of climate change will be visited largely on the countries least equipped to adapt, socially or
economically.
International governance
The difficulty of pursuing environmental gover-nance at the global scale is made greater by the
obvious fact that there is no global governmentno central institution with authority sufficient to craft
strong environmental protections at the international level and to insist on compliance. In its absence, a looser
system of global environmental governance has emerged. The current system ref lects the strengths and
dysfunctions of global poli-tics, and shows the difficulty of inspiring effective coopera-tion among the
fractious community of nationseven onenvironmental matters that all agree require common action.
The current system of international environmental gover-nance consists of three basic elements. One
component is a collection of intergovernmental organizations, such as the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and oher specialized UN
agencies and commissions that are responsible for coordinating policy on the environment at the international
level. These organizations, controlled by UN member nations, are charged with formulating an international agenda that will protect the environment and promote sustainable development.
International justice
Environmental justice is an emerging development issue that can contribute to fighting legal
discrimination, eliminating poverty and reducing inequality. UNDPs new Strategic Plan (2014-2017) lays out
a vision for assisting developing countries with reform of legal and regulatory frameworks so that the
poor, indigenous groups and local communities have secure access to natural resources (including land,
water and forests), and that the benefits arising from the sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystem services
are shared in a fair and equitable way, consistent with international instruments and national legislation. On this
basis, UNDP is taking a holistic approach that is in line with national priorities, to integrate sustainable
land, water and forest management, and conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, into mainstream
development policy and decision-making. As laid out in the 2012 Rio De claration, sustainable development can
be achieved when green growth, which is the combination of economic and environmental strands, complements
inclusive growth, the nexus of the economic and social strands, underpinned by a human -rights based
approach. UNDP is working to help countries identify so-called triple win policies that capitalize on
synergies across an integrated sustainable development framework. Responding to the demand for generating
knowledge that adopts the spirit of triple win policies, this comparative experiences analysis of environmental
justice trends is a joint endeavor between UNDPs governance and environment and energy expertise and
capacities.