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UPSC MainsENGLISH-COMPULSORY202115 Marks
Q8.

What does the author mean by environmental breakdown? What are its impacts ?

How to Approach

This question requires a nuanced understanding of 'environmental breakdown' beyond simple pollution. The answer should define the concept, outlining its multifaceted nature – ecological, social, and economic. It should then detail the impacts across various sectors like agriculture, health, displacement, and global security. A structured approach, categorizing impacts, will be beneficial. Referencing reports like the IPCC assessments and examples of environmental disasters will strengthen the answer.

Model Answer

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Introduction

Environmental breakdown, a term gaining prominence in contemporary discourse, signifies a systemic failure of natural systems to maintain the ecological conditions necessary to sustain human life and well-being. It’s not merely about isolated environmental problems but a cascading series of interconnected crises. The recent increase in extreme weather events – from the devastating floods in Pakistan (2022) to the prolonged droughts in the Horn of Africa – underscores the escalating severity of this breakdown. Understanding this concept and its ramifications is crucial for formulating effective mitigation and adaptation strategies.

Defining Environmental Breakdown

Environmental breakdown isn’t simply environmental degradation. It represents a threshold beyond which ecosystems lose their capacity to recover, leading to irreversible changes and systemic collapse. This breakdown manifests in several interconnected ways:

  • Loss of Biodiversity: Accelerated extinction rates, habitat destruction, and genetic erosion.
  • Climate Change: Rising global temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and increased frequency of extreme weather events.
  • Resource Depletion: Over-extraction of natural resources like water, minerals, and forests.
  • Pollution: Contamination of air, water, and soil with harmful substances.
  • Ecosystem Services Disruption: Decline in essential services provided by ecosystems, such as pollination, water purification, and climate regulation.

Impacts of Environmental Breakdown

1. Impacts on Agriculture and Food Security

Environmental breakdown severely impacts agricultural productivity. Climate change-induced droughts and floods destroy crops, while soil degradation reduces land fertility. The FAO estimates that approximately 828 million people faced hunger in 2021, a significant portion attributable to climate-related shocks. Changes in pollinator populations also threaten crop yields.

Example: The Dust Bowl in the 1930s, caused by a combination of drought and unsustainable farming practices, led to widespread crop failure and displacement in the United States.

2. Impacts on Human Health

Environmental degradation directly affects human health. Air and water pollution contribute to respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. The spread of vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue fever is exacerbated by climate change. Furthermore, malnutrition resulting from food insecurity weakens immune systems, making populations more vulnerable to disease. The WHO estimates that 24% of all global deaths are linked to environmental factors.

3. Impacts on Displacement and Migration

Environmental breakdown acts as a ‘threat multiplier’, exacerbating existing social and political tensions and leading to displacement and migration. Sea-level rise, desertification, and extreme weather events force people to abandon their homes and livelihoods. These ‘environmental refugees’ often face significant challenges in finding new homes and integrating into new communities.

Example: The sinking islands of the Pacific Ocean, like Kiribati and Tuvalu, are facing existential threats from sea-level rise, forcing their populations to consider relocation.

4. Impacts on Economic Stability

Environmental breakdown imposes significant economic costs. Damage from extreme weather events requires costly disaster relief and reconstruction efforts. Loss of ecosystem services reduces economic productivity. Resource scarcity can lead to conflicts and instability, disrupting trade and investment. The World Bank estimates that climate change could push over 100 million people into poverty by 2030.

5. Impacts on Global Security

Environmental breakdown poses a threat to global security. Competition for scarce resources, such as water and land, can escalate tensions between countries. Climate change-induced migration can destabilize regions and create humanitarian crises. The US Department of Defense has identified climate change as a ‘threat multiplier’ that could exacerbate existing security challenges.

Addressing Environmental Breakdown: A Multi-pronged Approach

Mitigating environmental breakdown requires a holistic and integrated approach:

  • Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Transitioning to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and promoting sustainable transportation.
  • Conserving Biodiversity: Protecting habitats, restoring degraded ecosystems, and combating illegal wildlife trade.
  • Promoting Sustainable Resource Management: Adopting circular economy principles, reducing waste, and managing water resources sustainably.
  • Investing in Climate Adaptation: Developing infrastructure that is resilient to climate change impacts, and implementing early warning systems.
  • Strengthening International Cooperation: Implementing the Paris Agreement and providing financial and technical assistance to developing countries.

Conclusion

Environmental breakdown represents a profound challenge to human civilization. Its impacts are far-reaching and interconnected, affecting all aspects of life. Addressing this crisis requires a fundamental shift in our relationship with the natural world, moving towards a more sustainable and equitable model of development. Proactive measures, guided by scientific evidence and international cooperation, are essential to avert the most catastrophic consequences and secure a viable future for generations to come.

Answer Length

This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.

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Additional Resources

Key Definitions

Ecosystem Services
The many benefits that humans freely gain from the natural environment and from properly-functioning ecosystems. These include provisioning services (food, water), regulating services (climate regulation, flood control), supporting services (nutrient cycling, soil formation), and cultural services (recreational, aesthetic).
Threat Multiplier
A factor that exacerbates existing vulnerabilities and increases the likelihood of instability or conflict. Environmental breakdown is often considered a threat multiplier, as it can worsen existing social, economic, and political tensions.

Key Statistics

Global temperatures have risen by approximately 1.1°C since the pre-industrial era (1850-1900).

Source: IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (2021)

Approximately 1 million species are currently threatened with extinction globally.

Source: IPBES Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (2019)

Examples

The Aral Sea Disaster

The Aral Sea, once the fourth-largest lake in the world, has shrunk dramatically due to excessive irrigation for cotton farming in Central Asia. This has led to ecological devastation, economic hardship, and public health problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

▶Is environmental breakdown reversible?

While some aspects of environmental degradation can be reversed through restoration efforts, many changes are likely to be irreversible, particularly those related to climate change and biodiversity loss. The focus must be on preventing further breakdown and adapting to the changes that are already occurring.

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