CHAPTER -11 CONSERVING OUR RESOURCES

Q1. What are the causes of water shortage?

Ans. The causes of water shortage are global warming, pollution and wastage of water.

Q2. What are the ill-effects of soil erosion?

Ans. Soil erosion makes the soil infertile and affects agriculture, leading to a shortage of food.

Q3. What are any two steps that can be taken to conserve soil?

Ans. Two steps that can be taken to conserve soil:

1. We should plant more trees. The roots of the plants will hold the soil together and help prevent soil erosion.

2. The government should restrict the cutting of trees and clearing of forests.

3. Farming should be practised using scientific methods that do not cause any harm to the soil.

4. Domestic and industrial waste should be disposed of properly and not thrown out in the open.

(Any two)

Q4. What is global warming?

Ans. Global warming is an increase in the overall temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere due to increased levels of carbon dioxide and other harmful substances in it.

Q5. What is the difference between conventional and non-conventional energy resources? Give two examples of each kind.

Ans.

Conventional energy resources

Non-conventional energy resources

Humans have depended on these sources of energy for a long time.

These have begun to be used as energy sources in recent times.

They are non-renewable in nature. Once they are exhausted, it is not possible to replace them in a human life time.

They are renewable in nature. They do not get exhausted.

Coal, petroleum / natural gas are examples of conventional energy resources.

Sunlight (solar energy) and wind are two examples of non-conventional energy resources.

Q6. (a) Define conservation?

Ans. Conservation means protecting something and keeping it safe for future use.

(b) Why do we need to conserve resources?

Ans. We need to conserve non-renewable resources like coal and petroleum as these cannot be replaced in our lifetimes.

Pollution and environmental problems are posing a threat to even the renewable resources like air and water.

Thus, all natural resources, whether non-renewable or renewable need to be conserved if we wish to continue using them.

Q7. Discuss different ways of conserving water.

Ans. Different ways of conserving water:

1. Save water by closing running taps when not needed.

2. Repair leaking taps to prevent wastage of water.

3. As far as possible, bathe using a bucket and a mug instead of bathing under a shower.

4. Recycle and reuse water as far as possible, especially for watering plants. 

5. Water plants using a mug instead of a hose-pipe. 

6. Do not throw waste materials into rivers and water bodies as these pollute water and polluted water is unfit for use.

7. Plant more trees.

8. Farmers and industries too should adopt efficient ways of using water

Q8. What are the steps that can be taken to conserve forests?

Ans. Steps to be taken by the government to conserve forests: 

1. Put a check on unauthorised clearing of forests for agriculture, settlements and timber. 

2. Prevent and control forest fires.

3. Create conservation parks to protect forest area and wildlife.

4. Implement reforestation and afforestation.

Steps to be taken by us to save forests: 

1. Avoid wasting paper. Use both sides of a sheet of paper. Recycle paper. 

2. Plant trees wherever we can—in our garden, on the street outside our house, in our school.

3. Make people around us aware of the importance of forests.

Q9. Discuss in detail any three ways of conserving energy resources.

Ans. Ways to conserve energy resources: 

1. Do not waste energy. Switch off fans and lights when not in use.

2. Try to use air conditioners only when absolutely necessary.

3. Use energy-saving sources of light, like compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) or light emitting diodes (LEDs). 

4. Try to use more devices that run on solar energy, like a solar reading lamp and a solar water heater. These help us avoid using non-renewable energy sources and thus save the environment.

5. Use clay pots and clay refrigerators to cool water and store food in place of refrigerators that run on electricity.

6. As far as possible, reduce the amount of energy used. Walk or cycle for smaller distances instead of using cars and scooters. Use public transport like buses and metro rail whenever possible. These carry more people at a time and help in saving energy.

(Any three)