Get Green Skills Class 9 Notes designed as per the latest CBSE syllabus with easy explanations, key concepts, and well-organized content.

Session 1: Society and Environment

Natural Resources

• A resource is any natural or artificial substance, energy, or organism used by humans for their welfare.
• Resources that are obtained directly from nature are called natural resources.
• Examples of Natural Resources: Water, land, soil, forests, animals, fossil fuels, and minerals.

Artificial Resources

• Artificial Resources are created or developed by humans, such as biogas, thermal electricity, and plastics.

Types of Natural Resources

• Land Resources: Land is a limited resource used for agriculture, housing, recreation, and infrastructure development, so it should be used carefully.
• Forest Resources: Forests are natural ecosystems that provide wood, medicines, honey, spices, gum, and wax, while also maintaining climate balance, preventing floods, and protecting biodiversity.
• Water Resources: Water is essential for life and is obtained from rivers, lakes, oceans, and underground sources for agriculture, industries, household activities, recreation, and environmental sustainability.
• Mineral Resources: Minerals are naturally occurring substances found on or beneath the Earth’s surface. Examples include metallic minerals (iron, copper, aluminium, gold, silver) and non-metallic minerals (salt, clay, sand, gypsum). They are non-renewable resources because they take thousands of years to form.
• Food Resources: Food resources include plants and animals that provide food, with agriculture being the main source of food for humans.
• Energy Resources: Energy resources produce heat, electricity, and power for machines and vehicles. Major sources include solar energy, nuclear energy, wind energy, hydropower, and fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are non-renewable and cause environmental pollution.

Classification of Natural Resources

• Inexhaustible Resources: Resources that cannot be exhausted by human use, such as solar energy, wind energy, tidal energy, and water power.
• Exhaustible Resources: Resources available in limited quantities that can be completely used up, such as coal.
• Renewable Resources: Resources that can be naturally replaced or regenerated, such as water, forests, solar energy, and wind energy. They are continuously available or can be regenerated and are generally less polluting.
• Non-Renewable Resources: Resources that cannot be replaced easily after use, such as coal, petroleum, natural gas, and minerals. They take thousands or millions of years to form, and excessive use leads to depletion.

Human Activities Affecting Environment

• Overexploitation: The excessive use of natural resources faster than they can be replaced, such as excessive fishing, overhunting, deforestation, and overgrazing, leading to species extinction, loss of biodiversity, and ecological imbalance.
• Mining: The process of extracting minerals and ores from the Earth, which can cause soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, water pollution, soil contamination, and sinkholes.
• Deforestation: The clearing of forests for agriculture, construction, or other purposes, resulting in habitat loss, species extinction, increased pollution, and climate imbalance.
• Pollution: The introduction of harmful solid, liquid, or gaseous substances into the environment, mainly caused by factories, vehicles, chemical waste, burning fossil fuels, and plastic waste.

Types of Pollutants

Description	Biodegradable Pollutants	Non-Biodegradable Pollutants
Definition	Pollutants that can be naturally broken down by bacteria and moisture.	Pollutants that cannot be easily broken down naturally.
Examples	Vegetable waste, Paper, Wood, Sewage waste, Agricultural waste	Plastic, Chemicals, Glass, Aluminium, Pesticides

Types of Pollution

Description	Land Pollution	Water Pollution	Air Pollution
Meaning	Damage to land due to harmful substances.	Addition of harmful substances into water bodies.	Addition of harmful gases and particles into the air.
Causes	Cutting forests, Excessive pesticides and fertilisers, Mining, Construction activities, Waste dumping	Industrial waste, Sewage, Chemicals, Oil leakage	Vehicle smoke, Factory emissions, Burning waste, Dust from construction
Effects	Diseases, Reduction in usable land, Damage to soil quality	Water-borne diseases, Less drinking water, Damage to aquatic life	Breathing problems, Heart diseases, Climate change
Prevention	Reduce waste, Plant trees, Use organic farming methods, Use biodegradable products	Do not throw waste into water bodies, Treat industrial waste before disposal, Use water carefully	Use renewable energy, Use public transport, Avoid burning waste, Plant more trees

Climate Change and Greenhouse Effect

• Earth is becoming warmer due to increased burning of fossil fuels.
• Examples of fossil fuels: Coal, petrol, and diesel.
• These gases trap heat in the atmosphere, causing the greenhouse effect.

Greenhouse Gases:

• Carbon dioxide (CO₂)
• Methane (CH₄)
• Nitrous oxide (N₂O)
• Water vapour
• Ozone

Effects of Climate Change:

• Global warming
• Floods
• Changes in climate
• Damage to crops and animals

Ozone Layer and Harmful Radiation

• The ozone layer protects Earth from harmful radiation from the Sun.
• Chemicals such as CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons) damage the ozone layer.
• Effects of Ozone Layer Depletion:

• Increased harmful radiation
• Skin diseases
• Skin cancer

Natural Disasters

• Human activities like excessive construction and exploitation of resources can increase the impact of natural disasters.
• Examples of natural disasters: Floods, earthquakes, landslides, and storms.

Saving the Environment

Environmental education helps people develop knowledge and skills to protect nature.

• Learning About Environment: Understanding the environment and environmental issues.
• Learning Through Environment: Learning through observation, practical activities, and real-life experiences.
• Learning For Environment: Developing responsibility and taking actions to protect the environment.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (3R)

3Rs Principle	Meaning	Examples
Reduce	Use fewer resources and avoid unnecessary consumption.	Avoid plastic bags.Buy products with less packaging.Reduce paper wastage.
Reuse	Use items again instead of throwing them away.	Reuse old clothes.Use old notebooks.Convert waste materials into useful items.
Recycle	Converting waste materials into new useful products.	Recycling paperRecycling plasticRecycling metalsMaking compost from kitchen waste

Actions to Save the Environment

Area	Avoid	Prefer
Air Pollution	Burning materials (e.g., wheat or rice straw in agricultural fields)	Using natural ventilation or fans instead of air conditioners
Energy Use	Leaving electrical lights or appliances on when not required	Using public transport, bicycles, solar energy, or wind energy
Water Pollution	Throwing waste into rivers and lakes	Using recycled water or rainwater harvesting for watering plants
Waste Management	Using plastic bags	Segregating waste so biodegradable waste can be composted
Chemicals in Food	Using chemical pesticides or fertilisers	Choosing organic (chemical-free) food and promoting organic farming
Forest Plants (Paper Use)	Overusing paper	Reusing paper to make paper-based products
Water Conservation	Overusing water	Reducing water use by using a bucket instead of a shower

Session 2: Conserving Natural Resources

Conservation means the proper management and protection of natural resources to prevent their exploitation, destruction, or degradation.

Resource Audit

A resource audit is the process of examining the consumption and usage of resources to identify ways to save them.

Example:

An energy audit examines: The use of air conditioners, lighting systems, ventilation systems, and the availability of natural sunlight to improve energy efficiency.

Soil Conservation

Soil conservation means preventing soil erosion and improving soil fertility by adopting proper methods.

Methods of Soil Conservation

• Maintenance of Soil Fertility: Maintain soil fertility by using manure, fertilizers, and crop rotation.
• Control on Grazing: Allow grazing only in specified areas to prevent vegetation loss and soil erosion.
• Reforestation: Plant trees and vegetation to reduce soil erosion, improve soil quality, and protect land.
• Terracing: Divide slopes into flat fields to control water flow, especially in hilly areas.
• Contour Ploughing: Plough across the slope to trap rainwater and reduce soil erosion.

Water Conservation

• Water conservation means the careful management and protection of water resources.
• Water conservation is necessary for the survival of human beings, plants, and animals.

Methods of Water Conservation

• Planting Vegetation in Catchment Areas: Helps retain water in the soil and increases the groundwater level.
• Construction of Dams and Reservoirs: Controls water supply and helps generate hydroelectricity.
• Treatment of Sewage: Treat sewage before releasing it into rivers to prevent water pollution.
• Treatment of Industrial Waste: Treat industrial effluents before disposal to reduce water pollution.
• Judicious Use of Water: Avoid unnecessary wastage and use water wisely.
• Rainwater Harvesting: Collect and store rainwater to recharge groundwater.
• Watershed Management: Manage land with a common drainage system to conserve soil and water.

Energy Conservation

• Energy conservation means saving energy resources and using them efficiently.

Ways to Conserve Energy

• Switch off lights, fans, televisions, and electrical devices when not in use.
• Use energy-efficient bulbs and tube lights.
• Keep bulbs and tubes clean to improve lighting.
• Use pressure cookers to save cooking energy.
• Keep cooking vessels covered with lids.
• Use electrical appliances like ACs, geysers, and heaters only when required.

Food Conservation

Food conservation means preventing food wastage and preserving food for future use.

Methods of Food Conservation

• Storing food in warehouses.
• Refrigerating food at home.
• Preserving food to prevent spoilage caused by bacteria and microorganisms.

Forest Conservation

Forest conservation means protecting existing forests and creating new forests.

Forests are important because they:

• Maintain ecological balance.
• Provide oxygen.
• Support biodiversity.
• Provide resources like wood, fruits, and medicines.

Session 3: Sustainable Development and Green Economy

Sustainable Development

• Sustainable development means development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
• It focuses on maintaining a balance between:
  • Economic growth
  • Environmental protection
  • Social well-being
• Sustainable development encourages:
  • Reducing excessive use of resources.
  • Conservation of natural resources.
  • Recycling and reuse of waste materials.
  • Scientific management of renewable resources.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• SDGs are a global initiative launched by the United Nations in 2015.
• They aim to:
  • End poverty.
  • Protect the planet.
  • Ensure peace and prosperity for all.
• There are 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
• SDGs address issues like:
  • Poverty
  • Gender equality
  • Water management
  • Energy
  • Climate change
  • Biodiversity

Green Growth

• Green growth means achieving economic growth while protecting the environment.
• It focuses on:
  • Reducing resource consumption.
  • Creating social equality.
  • Generating employment.
  • Using sustainable technologies.
• Example: Replacing polluting vehicles with efficient public transport systems.

Green Economy

• A green economy is an economic system that promotes growth while protecting the environment.
• According to UNEP, a green economy:
  • Improves human well-being.
  • Provides social equality.
  • Reduces environmental risks.
  • Uses resources efficiently.
  • Produces low carbon emissions.

Components of Green Economy

Green Economy Practice	Description
Renewable Energy	• Energy obtained from renewable sources such as solar energy, wind energy, water energy, and biomass. • Causes less pollution than conventional energy sources.
Green Buildings	• Buildings designed to cause minimum environmental damage. • Save energy and water, reduce waste, and use resources efficiently.
Sustainable Transport	• Transport systems that reduce pollution, save resources, and provide affordable transportation. • Example: Public transport systems.
Water Management	• Focuses on avoiding water pollution, reducing water wastage, and recycling water.
Waste Management	• Includes waste separation, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (3Rs), and proper disposal of waste.
Land Management	• Proper use of land for farming, forests, buildings, and roads. • Ensures development without harming the environment.

Green Skills

• Green skills are the knowledge, abilities, values and attitudes required to support sustainable development.
• These skills help in:
  • Conserving natural resources.
  • Reducing pollution.
  • Managing waste.
  • Using renewable energy.

Areas Where Green Skills are Used

• Renewable energy.
• Water management.
• Waste management.
• Rainwater harvesting.
• Energy conservation.
• Pollution control.

Green Jobs

• A green job is employment that helps protect or restore the environment.
• Green jobs:
  • Reduce energy and resource consumption.
  • Protect ecosystems.
  • Promote sustainable development.

Examples of Green Jobs

Sector	Green Jobs
Agriculture	• Organic farming professionals• Rainwater harvesting technicians
Energy	• Solar technicians• Wind energy engineers
Construction	• Green building workers• Green design professionals
Manufacturing	• Recycling workers• Pollution control professionals
Transport	• Clean car engineers
Tourism	• Eco-tour guides
Education	• Environmental teachers and researchers

Green Projects Examples

Initiative	Description	Benefits
Swachh Cooperative	• A waste management project in Pune. • Waste pickers collect and manage waste.	• Promotes recycling. • Supports biogas generation. • Provides dignified employment.
Modern DEEP Chulha	• An energy-efficient cooking stove.	• Reduces wood consumption by 50%. • Reduces smoke by 80%. • Creates employment opportunities.
Bio-toilet by Green Solution Foundation	• Provides eco-friendly sanitation solutions.	• Saves water. • Reduces soil and water pollution. • Improves hygiene. • Creates employment opportunities.