Topic:Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
5)Capturing methane by efficiency improvements in the working of both sewage treatment plants and sanitary landfills has co-benefits in terms of both public health as well as mitigating climate change. Discuss.(250 words)
Why this question
Both the issues of improving public health as well as mitigating climate change are important for any country especially India. The issue is related to gs- 3 syllabus under the following heading
Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to write in detail about how improving the working of STPs and SLs will improve public health as well as help us in mitigating climate change.
Directive word
Discuss- this is an all encompassing directive which mandates us to write at length about all the important and related aspects of the question.
Structure of the answer
Introduction– Mention the contribution of Methane to global warming and mention that 15% methane is generated, through sewage and solid waste disposal, which is also a public health concern .
Body– Discuss how improvements in the working of STPs and UL
- Will positively impact public health. E.g less infectious diseases, better sanitation and health- better growth and development etc.
- Will help in mitigating climate change. E.g more capture of methane and hence less emissions, use of methane as a source of energy/or as an industrial input thus curbing use of fossil fuels etc.
- Discuss the challenges involved in the exercise. E.g need to upgrade current STPs , garbage hills deviously called landfills which restrict capture etc.
Conclusion- form a brief, fair and concise conclusion on the issue.
