Employability Skills III: Unit 5: Green Skills III

Hello students, welcome to Kwickprep. Factories bring jobs, but they can also pollute our air and rivers. Must we choose between growth and a clean planet? No, we do not. Today we study the green economy, who builds it, and what each of us can do.

First, let us see why a change is needed. Burning coal, petrol and diesel releases greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide. These gases trap heat around the Earth, a problem called global warming. This brings stronger heatwaves, floods and uneven rainfall, which hurt farmers. At the same time, we are using up forests, water and soil faster than nature can replace them.

Now, a new term. An economy is the way a country produces goods, earns money and spends it. A green economy is one that grows while releasing very little carbon, which means low pollution. It uses resources like water and energy efficiently, without waste. It is also inclusive, which means its benefits reach all people, especially the poor.

We can compare an old brown economy with a green one. A brown economy runs on coal and oil, while a green economy uses the sun and the wind. In a brown economy, waste is dumped, but in a green one it is recycled. Pollution is high in one and low in the other. And a green economy creates green jobs, which protect the environment instead of harming health.

A green economy touches every sector, which means every area of work. In energy, homes install solar panels on rooftops. In transport, cities run electric buses. In agriculture, drip irrigation gives water drop by drop to the roots. In buildings, designs use natural light and air to save electricity. In waste, recycling units turn plastic and paper into new products. In tourism, eco-tourism lets visitors enjoy nature without damaging it.

Many groups, called stakeholders, build it together. The government makes laws, policies and schemes. Businesses invest in clean technology and make green products. Individuals like us make daily choices, such as saving power and water. Schools and NGOs, which are non-profit groups, spread awareness and train people in green skills.

India's government has a clear plan. In 2008 it launched the National Action Plan on Climate Change. This plan has eight national missions for different areas. Two examples are the National Solar Mission and the National Water Mission. Another is the Green India Mission, which protects and grows forests. India has also set a target of net zero emissions by 2070, which means balancing the carbon we release with what is removed.

Here are all eight missions. The Solar Mission spreads solar power. The Enhanced Energy Efficiency Mission helps industries save energy. The Sustainable Habitat Mission makes cities greener. The Water Mission saves and manages water. The Himalayan Ecosystem Mission and the Green India Mission protect hills and forests. And the Sustainable Agriculture Mission and the Strategic Knowledge Mission support farming and climate research.

Businesses have a big role too. They can switch from coal power to renewable energy, like solar and wind. They can reduce, reuse and recycle their waste. Factories must treat dirty water before it goes into rivers. And companies can design products that last longer, so fewer things are thrown away.

Every one of us also has a part to play. India promotes Mission LiFE, which stands for Lifestyle for Environment. Switch off lights and fans when you leave a room. Carry a cloth bag and refuse single-use plastic. Use public transport, cycle or walk for short trips. And fix leaking taps, because a dripping tap wastes many litres a day.

Let us pause and think. Aman's school fits solar panels on its roof. Soon its electricity bill falls. Which stakeholder acted, and which green sector is this? The school acted as a stakeholder in the energy sector, and it also cut its carbon.

Let us revise. A green economy is low carbon, efficient with resources and inclusive of all people. It covers sectors like energy, transport, agriculture and waste. Government, businesses and individuals are all stakeholders. The National Action Plan on Climate Change of 2008 has eight missions. And Mission LiFE asks each of us to build small daily green habits.