Standard VII – Environmental Education

Contents

Section I: Environment & Natural Resources…………………...2

• Natural Resources…………………………………………………2
• Water, Water, Everywhere………………………………………....2
• Water Pollution……………………………………………………2
• Urban Run-off & Pollution..……………………………………….3
• Just for Fun: Wacky Water Fact…………………………………....3
• Atmosphere: The Invisible Resource………………………………4
• Air Pollution……………………………………………………... .4
• Super Soil! ………………………………………………………...6
• Constituents of Soil………………………………………………..6
• More Than Just Dirt………………………………..………..….…6
• Just For Fun: Soil Facts……………………………………………7
• Soil in Trouble……………………………………………..…..…..7
• The Forest & The Trees…………………………………………...8
• Types of Forests…………………………………………………...8
• The Role of Forests………………………………………………..8
• Forests in Trouble…………………………………………………8
• Conservation of Forests: What Can We Do?. …………….………..9

Section II: Man & the Environment……………………..………10

• Adaptation in Plants & Animals…………………...…….….……..10
• Man’s Modifications………….…………………………………...10
• The Case [Study] of the Missing Ozone……………………...…....10
• Consequences of Human Activity: Group Activity….….……..…...11

Some Useful Websites……………………………………………12

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Standard VII – Section I: Environment & Natural Resources

Natural Resources Water: What is it Good For?

Natural resources is a term used to describe
a whole host of things (available from nature)
that are needed or used by human beings.
Natural resources include things like potatoes
and paper, cotton and corn and fossil fuels
and fish. Four of the most important natural
resources are: Water, Air, Soil & Forests.
Water, Water, Everywhere…
Sources of Water:
The saying goes: water,  water,  everywhere,
and nothing could be more true. Water is
literally found everywhere on earth. Water
exists between the rocks and in the rivers, it
makes up 70% of the human body by weight
and up to 4% of the atmosphere by volume.
A breakdown of the main sources of water on
earth is shown in the graph below. From the
data it is easy to see that only 3% of the
Earth’s water is freshwater, and only 30% of
that fresh water is readily available for human
use and consumption. It is easy to see why
WATER is such a precious commodity.
Distribution of Earth’s Water
Water is not only abundant, but, it is also
absolutely essential to the survival of all living
things on Earth.
Water functions in many different
ways and is used for a variety of things by
all living things. List the different uses for
water in the space below:
1. _Hint: To live in_ 4. ______________
2. _______________ 5. ______________
3. _______________ 6. ______________
Water Pollution
Have you ever wondered how water can get
so polluted that we can’t drink it, swim in it
or use it in any way? Many people blame
factories for dumping pollutants into lakes,
rivers & oceans. While industrial sources do
contribute to our water pollution problems,
they aren’t the only ones responsible. In one
way or another, we all play a part in causing
water pollution.
Wherever there is human activity, there is
usually pollution. The next table summarizes
common water pollutants and their sources.
Pollutant Source
Sediment Agriculture, Construction,
(solid waste) Urban Run-off, Mining

Agriculture, Urban Run-

Pesticides
off, Domestic Sources
Detergents Domestic & Urban Source
Fertilizers Agriculture
Domestic Sources,
Toxic
Industry, Mining, Urban
Chemicals Run-off

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Standard VII – Section I: Environment & Natural Resources
Urban Run-off & Pollution
When it rains water runs down the street
colleting all sort of waste and empties down
storm drains or gutters, this is called Urban
Run-Off. After the storm water and/or urban
runoff flows into the gutters, it end up in the
nearest creek, river, lake or ocean. This kind
of pollution is one of the most common ways
in which the waters around your city get
polluted.
Class Activity:
The Urban Run-Off Experiment
First take a short class trip around your
school on a nice rainy day! Make a list of all
the things on the street that collect in the
storm water.
Make a collection of things from your list.
Improvise so you don’t have to pick things up
off the street (In fact, please don’t).
[ Example: Use oil as petrol or aluminium foil
to simulate a can.]
Create a street and a drain as shown below.
- Use a piece of durable cardboard as the road.
- Cut a hole in it and create a gutter.
- Place the cardboard on an empty aquarium
Keep it at a slight angle
- Place your collection of object on the road
- Carefully pour some water over the road and
see what enters the fish tank.
- Keep a tray at one end to collect the excess
water
Run-off
Gutter
Road
fish tank
Pollutants
How many of the
pollutants present
on the “street” end
up in the fish tank
(drain).
• Why do you think all of this pollution is
bad? What effect does it have on the
water, aquatic ecologies and people?
• How would you go about making sure
your city’s water is free from urban run-
off and street pollution?
• Try and see if you can clean the water
in the fish tank. Make a note of the
techniques you use, and the pollutants
that are particularly difficult to clean up.
Just for Fun: Wacky Water Facts
♦ The total water supply of
the world is 1.4 billion km3
This is more than one trillion
gallons.
♦ In a 100-year period, an average water
molecule spends 98 years in the ocean, 20
months as ice, about two weeks in lakes and
rivers, & less than a week in the atmosphere.
♦ Water is the only substance on Earth
found naturally in all three different states -
solid, liquid and gas.
♦ Human beings can survive over a month
without food but only 5-7 days without water
♦ Your brain is 90% water!
♦ The Earth has the same amount of water
today as it did 3 billion years ago.
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Standard VII – Section I: Environment & Natural Resources

Atmosphere: The Invisible Resource

What is the Atmosphere?
The atmosphere is a layer of gases that surround the Earth and
are retained by the its gravity. The atmosphere extends over a
thousand kilometres** into space and is divided into several
layers. The troposphere is the lowest of these layers and
contains over 70% of the mass of the atmosphere. The
troposphere is also responsible for most of the world’s weather
patterns.
Next is the stratosphere which is composed of ozone that
absorbs most of the sun’s UV rays. These two layers are then
followed by the mesosphere, the ionosphere and exosphere –
these layers contain barely any gases and are extremely rarefied.

Ionosphere
** The size of the atmosphere and its different layers vary from source to source and
also physically change over the course of time.

The Atmospheric Composition

The Earth’s atmosphere contains roughly 78% nitrogen (N2)
and 21% oxygen (O2), with trace amounts of some other gases,
including, carbon dioxide (CO2), Water vapour (H2O),
Argon, Helium, Hydrogen, and Methane. This mixture of
gases is commonly known as AIR.

Why is the Atmosphere so Important?

Life on Earth would be impossible without the atmosphere. This
blanket of air absorbs the energy from the Sun, recycles water
and other chemicals & works with the electrical and magnetic
forces to provide a moderate climate. The atmosphere also
protects us from high-energy radiation from the Sun & the frigid
vacuum of space.

Air Pollution
Air pollution is the dirtying of the air by toxic chemicals, dust,
gases and particles released by some kind of human activity. This
form of pollution adversely affects human health and the
functioning of the ecosystem. The major sources of air pollution
are cars, trucks and buses, waste incinerators, factories, and
power plants, especially those that burn fossil fuels, such as coal.

Can you name some of the major air pollutants? If you

need help just look out your window. How can people
reduce the amount of air pollution? Layers of Atmosphere
Reference: NOAA
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Standard VII – Section I: Environment & Natural Resources
GROUP ACTIVITY: “LOOKING” AT ♦ At the en of the study period display the
VISUAL AIR QUALITY photographs from the study. Pick days which
The moment you step outside you can actually show the greatest visual contrast. Attach a
see the air getting polluted; a cloud of smoke map to show the target sites in relation to the
from the exhaust of a bus; smog billowing set location and to each other.
from a factory, a group of people smoking
near the bhelwala, or dust from road work.
Pollution is absolutely everywhere & its pretty
easy to see in a city like Mumbai.
Aim: To record how clearly you can see
(visual clarity) a particular landmark (target)
from a fixed location over a period of a
number of days.
Assumption: Visual clarity is affected by ♦ Pool all your data and see if you can learn
the amount of air pollution in the city. anything about pollution in your city and
Selecting locations and targets: The how/why it changes over time.
entire class should pick one location from Scale:
which to look out over the city. Make sure the How well can you see your target?
location is high up and gives you a nice 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
unobstructed view. The roof balcony of your Cannot See Very clear
school is a good choice.
Rate the overall air quality.
Next, break up into groups and each group 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
pick a “target” that is visible from the chosen Poor Very good
location. A target can be anything from a hill
to a famous monument. Make sure the targets How cloudy is it?
are at different distances. For example, if 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
group 1 chooses a building 5 kms away, group Very cloudy Clear
2 may choose a bridge 30 kms away. What is the weather like at the target site?
1 2 3 4 5
Method: Sunny In shadow Overcast Raining Foggy
♦ If possible, take a picture of your target
How Windy is it?
everyday for 12 school days.
1 2 3 4
♦ Rate the visual clarity using the scale below Calm Light breeze Windy Strong wind

♦ Record the weather for each day to make Good Luck and
sure your assessment is NOT influenced by
have Fun!
bright sunshine or cloud cover, instead of air
pollution.

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Standard VII – Section I: Environment & Natural Resources
Super Soil !
Soil is a material that is essential to all life on
Earth. Without it we would be homeless and
starving. Although we rarely notice the soils
around us, we rely on them to produce our
food, clothing and shelter; to clean our water;
to play on and in, and as a solid base for our
buildings.
So What exactly is Soil?
Soil is made from rocks (parent material) that
break apart or wear away over many years,
this process is referred to as weathering. It
can take 100’s to 1,000’s years for 1 cm of
soil to form through weathering. In addition
to the weathered rock, soils also contains air,
water, and humus. Soil is divided into 4
main layers or horizons. The ‘O’ horizon
consists of living material & humus. The next
horizon, the ‘A’ horizon, is the top soil. The
top soil is usually darker & consists of
minerals & roots. The ‘B’ horizon or subsoil
is next and is followed by the and the parent
rock or ‘C’ horizon.
( Source: USDA )
Constituents of Soil
Soil can be divided into 5 main parts:
♦ Humus: This soil is a dark, moist material
composed of dead, decaying insects, animals,
leaves, roots, sticks, and food. Humus adds
nutrients to the soil which plants need to
grow and live.
♦ Clay: a soil that holds water. When wet,
clay feels slippery and slimy. It is made of
particles that are smaller than 0.004 mm.
♦ Silt: looks like fine grains or tiny pieces of
rock. Soil particles classified as silt measure
from 0.004 mm to 0.006 mm.
♦ Sand: is coarse and drains quickly &
particles measure from 0.006 mm to 2.00
mm.
♦ Gravel: Visible rock particles or pebbles.
NOTE: Loam is a soil made up of relatively
equal portions of sand, clay and silt.
More Than Just Dirt
Soil acts as a…
Sponge: soaks up rainwater & reduces
run-off
Spigot : turns water flow on & off
Snare : traps nutrients and pollutants alike
Strainer : filters and purifies water
Sanctuary: home to living things
(e.g.: worms)
Supermarket : supplies nutrients to plants &
ultimately to us
What kinds of things live in the soil?
Dig up some soil & bring it to class, look
at it under a microscope & see what you
can find.
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Standard VII – Section I: Environment & Natural Resources
Soils of India

Class Assignment – State Soils

To the Teacher: Assign a State to each group
Identify the different kinds of soils in
your state using this map. What are
these soils used for & how has
human activity endangered them?

Map Legend

Source: Survey of India

Just for Fun: Soil Facts Soil in Trouble

♦ A single spade full of rich
garden soil contains more
species of organisms than can
be found above ground in the
entire Amazon rain forest
♦ The weight of all the bacteria in one acre of
soil can equal the weight of a cow or two!!! .
♦ Earthworms move soil from lower layers up
to the surface & move organic matter from the
surface to lower layers. Active earthworms can
turn over the top 6 in of soil in 10 to 20 yrs.
Erosion is a natural process but its one of the
worst things that can happen to soil. Erosion
is the loss of soil from the land. It is usually
eroded by the wind or water but in many cases
it is expedited by human intervention and mis-
management of land.
Can you spot causes of soil erosion in
your neighbourhood? Can you think of
ways of reducing soil erosion?
Why is soil erosion so bad?

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Standard VII – Section I: Environment & Natural Resources
The Forest & The Trees
Robin hood lived in Sherwood forest, Tarzan
swung around in the forests of Africa and we
all know about Mogli & his jungle adventures.
But what are forests?
The term forest, jungle or wood all refer to
the same complex & dynamic environment.
These environments are usually filled with
living things, flowers, ferns, mosses, birds,
reptiles, amphibians, mammals and even fish.
But the dominant feature of all forests is
trees, lots and lots of trees.
Types of Forests
The type of forest is decided by the location
and the climate of the forest and the types of
trees found in that forest. There are three
main types of forest:
Equatorial/Tropical Forests: usually found
in hot, wet climates in the tropical parts of the
world. These forests remain green all year
round & the trees all have broad thick leaves
Deciduous Forests: are usually found in
temperate climates with distinct dry & wet
seasons. Trees have broad leaves & shed their
leaves at least once during the year.
Coniferous Forests: These forests are also
green all year round but they are found in
colder climates and the trees usually have
small needle shaped leaves
Create a map of India and show where
all the different forests are located. (Don’t
restrict yourself to the categories above)
Are there any forests in your city? What
kinds of forest are they ? Visit one of these
forests & make a list of the trees you see.
How much of the land in India is
covered in forests?
The Role of Forests
Before we can learn about how to conserve
forests we must understand why they are
such an important natural resource.
Forest Function Fill in the Blanks:
To begin with, forests are a ______ for many
different plants & ________. Creatures such
as __________, birds and reptiles depend on
the forests for _____ & shelter. Forests also
act as the ______ of the Earth. Forests
around the world are supposed to provide
about 40% of the world’s _________.
The third main function of forests is to act as
reservoirs of ________. Next, forests play an
important role in the _________ and storage
of soil. ________ decompose leaves and
dead animals to create __________. Finally,
forests are the source of many resources
needed by _______. These resources include
_______ from trees, medicines like _______
and food like ________ and _______ beans.
Use the words below to help you out:
food, aspirin, oxygen, humus,
home, lungs, mammals, water,
animals, cocao, formation, humans,
microbes, timber, mangoes
Forests in Trouble
Forests all around the world are being
threatened and destroyed by human activity.
Deforestation is caused by unsustainable
harvesting of forests for timber & clearing of
forests for agriculture & development.
Forests are also being destroyed by acid rain,
global warming and pollution. This dramatic
decrease in the world’s forest cover &
biodiversity is a very serious problem and we
each need to take responsibility to protect
this natural resource.
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Standard VII – Section I: Environment & Natural Resources
Conservation of Forests: What Can We Do?
To prevent the loss of the world’s forests we can…
♦ Stop polluting the soil and water that form an integral part of the forest
♦ Reduce our consumption of materials that require the destruction of forests (e.g.: timber)
♦ Recycle and reuse paper, large sections of forest are lost to produce it!
♦ Save energy, forests are lost during mining for oil and coal which are used to produce electricity
♦ Not buy products made from endangered animals (e.g.: ivory)
♦ If you use timber, make sure it comes from plantations & not old growth/tropical forests.

GROUP ACTIVITY: GROW A FOREST – FUNDRAISER

Create a beautiful forest on your own school walls and raise some money to donate to an
environmental group or NGO at the same time.
1. Begin by making leaves, branches, stems and trunks out of old or recycled paper.
2. Ask your friends & family to help by buying a leaf
3. Don’t forget to ask local businesses to contribute to your forest by buying a leaf
4. Write the names of each donor on a leaf
6. Make sure each of you writes your name on a leaf too, you deserve it for all this hard work.
7. Display the branches and leaves on your school walls
8. Hurray! You’ve just grown your own forest.

GROUP ACTIVITY: JUNGLE JUMBLE

Find these words in the jumble of letters below. Be sure to look up, down, across and diagonally!

Acid Rain Leaves

Baobab Maple
Seeds
Bark Medicine
Branch Oak Soil
Broadleaved Oxygen Temperate
Timber
Carbondioxide Paper
Coal Photosynthesis
Cone Pine
Tree
Coniferous Rainforests
Cork Recycle Tropical
Deciduous Resin Trunk
Twigs
Evergreen Roots
Woods
Fruit Rubber
Fuel Sap
Jungle Saplings

Secret Message: When you’ve found all the words, go through the grid line by line & circle all the left over
letters in a different colour & then write each letter down in order to find out what the left over letters spell.

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 Standard VII – Section II: Man & Environment
Adaptation in Plants and Animals
The term adaptation refers to a process of
change in an organism's (a living thing’s)
physical and/or genetic structure or its habits
that allow it to adjust to its surrounding
environment.
• Polar bears have developed fur and fat as an
adaptation to the cold weather of the Arctic
• Cacti have developed spindly leaves to
protect them from the dry climate of the
deserts
While most living things have changed some
aspect of themselves to suit their
environment, Humans beings are the only
species, today, that consistently changes the
environment to protect themselves and meet
their growing needs.
Man’s Modification
The earth has been home to many pristine
environments at different points in time but
this all changed when man thought that he
could improve on nature. What we do with
the environment today effects the
environment tomorrow and these changes are
reflected in the modifications man has made
in his environment. These modifications
include activates such as agriculture,
deforestation and development.
Create your own definition of the term
Adaptation
Look at different ways in which plants
(5) and animals (5) ADAPT to their own
unique environments
Identify FIVE ways in which human
beings have modified the environment in
your city to facilitate their lifestyle and
meet their needs.
The Case [Study] of the missing Ozone
The hole in the
Ozone layer is
major example of
how human beings
have modified their
environment with
catastrophic results.
Explore the tale of
the Missing Ozone.
Ozone: is a thin layer of atmosphere that protects
people from the harmful effects of the sun. The
ozone layer reaches heights of up to 20 miles
above the earth and wraps all the way around the
Earth, and blocks the sun's dangerous ultraviolet
(UV), rays from reaching us.
The Problem: The ozone layer's big enemy is the
chlorofluorocarbon (CFC). The chlorine present
in CFCs break down ozone molecules. Without
the ozone layer the harmful UV rays of the sun
can damage plants & cause skin cancer in humans.
What are CFCs: CFCs are chemicals and are used
in manufacturing, cleaning the inside of computers
and to make plastic foam containers. We also use
CFCs inside refrigerators and ACs to produce cold
air.
The Situation Right Now: There's a hole over
almost all of Antarctica and the ozone layer is
thinning over areas like Australia and North
America that are inhabited by people.
As young Farley, a writer for the “Daily
Requirement”, your editor calls you to his
office.
Continue the comic strip shown on the
next page and send Farley on the trail of the
Missing Ozone, visit scientists, engineers and
doctors on you quest to find out more about
the ozone hole and why its such a big issue.
Also look into ways to solve the problem.
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 Standard VII – Section II: Man & Environment
The Case [Study] of the missing Ozone
Consequences of Human Activities: Group Assignment
As we have seen in the case of the ozone layer,
human activity has a variety of consequences
(usually, very bad ones) on the environment.
Activities like mining, farming, industrilisation
and urbanisation have severe effects on Earth’s
forests, oceans, wetlands & biodiversity.
Did you know???
14 of India’s major rivers, 55 of
her minor rivers and 100’s of her
small rivers receive millions of
litres of sewage, industrial &
agricultural waste & their water
is unfit to drink.
Divide into 6 groups, each group should
contain between 4 and 6 students.
[ To the teacher: Assign each group one of the
following topics.]
Create a presentation, on your group
topic, to be given in class.
Your presentation must be told, not read
and it must be accompanied by visual aides
Topics:
1. Report on the different types of energy and
decide which type is the most friendly to the
environment.
2. Choose one mineral and report on what is
being done to develop substitutes for this
mineral or the recycling of this mineral.
3. Investigate soil and report on the following:
a. How human activity has polluted it?
b. Why this activity could causes a decline in
supporting life?
c. How this polluting activity has changed the
quality of the soil?
d. What are the ways to protect the soil, and
use it without polluting it?
4. Investigate air and answer a, b, c, d from
above.
5. Investigate air and answer a, b, c, d from
above.
6. Report on the role the destruction of the
mangroves played in the floods in your city and
look at ways of protecting this forest.
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 Standard VIII – Some Useful Websites
‰ Food & Agriculture Organisation of the U.N
This UN site contains information on forests and pollution
http://www.fao.org/

‰ United States Department of Agriculture - NRCS (USDA)

Information on water, soil and pollution from the Natural Resources Conservation Survey
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/

‰ Ministry of Environment & Forests (India)

A government of India website that has information on forests and forest conservation in India,
as well as current environmental policies and laws.
http://envfor.nic.in/

‰ Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (India – Maharashtra)

Information on air and water pollution in the city.
http://mpcb.mah.nic.in/

‰ U.S Environmental Protection Agency (U.S.A)

Information on air, soil, water forests, wildlife, environmental issues, pollution and conservation.
http://www.epa.gov/

‰ Eco Kids (Canada)

Information, games and activities on forests
http://www.ecokids.ca/pub/index.cfm

‰ U.S Geological Survey (U.S.A)

Information on water and soil
http://www.usgs.gov/

‰ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (U.S.A)

Information on water and atmospheric resources
http://www.noaa.gov/

‰ Tata Energy Resources Institute (TERI) – EduGreen

Information, games and quizzes for students on air and water pollution.
http://edugreen.teri.res.in/

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