Urbanization

Urbanization

• Urbanization is a process of moving population from rural areas to urban areas for improving life standards and life style through scientific and technological developments.

• The energy related problems due to urbanization include -

1. Pollution from coal: The use of coal pollutes the environment.

2. Acid rain : Various industries are releasing harmful gases like sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides which reacts with water or moisture in the environment produces sulphuric acid.

3. Pollution from vehicle : The exhausts from two-wheeler, four wheeler and other transport vehicles produces huge level of air pollution.

4. Deforestation : Human needs space to live hence this requirement is fulfilled by deforestation and building houses. Even after this human needs wood for house furniture and timber as fuel.

5. Global warming : Combustion of fossil fuels (oil, petrol, diesel, gas) produces harmful gases, which acts as green house i.e. short wave and natural light can pass but traps heat radiation hence overall environment temperature rises.

6. Use of electricity : Large amount of electricity is utilized for human comforts like - A/C, washing machine, refrigerator, water heater etc. Hence, electricity requirement is increasing day by day.

1. Solution for Urban Energy Problem

1. Use of public transport instead of using private vehicles.

2. Reducing energy consumption in all respect.

3. Using energy efficient devices.

4. Encourging use of solar and wind energy.

5. Imposing strict laws, penalties and energy audits.