Introduction

Environmental issues are critical in today’s world due to human activities affecting ecosystems and biodiversity. NEET often tests types of pollution, global warming, climate change, ozone depletion, acid rain, and mitigation strategies.

Understanding environmental issues is essential for biology, ecology, and sustainable development questions in NEET.

Direct Links to Download 2025-26 Formula Biology (PDF)

► Click “Download Now” next to your subject to access the free PDF.

♦ The Living World ⇒ Download Now

♦ Biological Classification ⇒ Download Now

♦ Plant Kingdom ⇒ Download Now

♦ Animal kingdom ⇒ Download Now

♦ Morphology of Flowering Plants ⇒ Download Now

♦ Anatomy of Flowerng Plants ⇒ Download Now

♦ Structural Organisation in Animals ⇒ Download Now

♦ Cell-The Unit of Life ⇒ Download Now

♦ Cell Cycle and Cell Division ⇒ Download Now

♦ Photosynthesis in Higher Plants ⇒ Download Now

♦ Respiration in Plants ⇒ Download Now

♦ Plant, Growth and Development ⇒ Download Now

♦ Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants ⇒ Download Now

♦ Human Reproduction ⇒ Download Now

♦ Reproductive Health ⇒ Download Now

♦ Principles of Inheritance and Variation ⇒ Download Now

♦ Molecular Basis of Inheritance ⇒ Download Now

♦ Human Health and Diseases ⇒ Download Now

♦ Strategies for Enhancement in Food Production ⇒ Download Now

♦ Microbes in Human Welfare ⇒ Download Now

♦ Biotechnology - Principles and Processes ⇒ Download Now

♦ Biotechnology and its Application⇒ Download Now

♦ Organisms and Populations ⇒ Download Now

♦ Ecosystem ⇒ Download Now

♦ Biodiversity and its Conservation ⇒ Download Now

♦ Environmental Issues ⇒ Download Now

♦ Body Fluid and Circulation ⇒ Download Now

♦ Excretory Products and Their Elimination ⇒ Download Now

♦ Locomotion and Movement ⇒ Download Now

♦ Neural Control and Coordination ⇒ Download Now

♦ Chemical Coordination and Intergration ⇒ Download Now

♦ Breathing and Exchange of Gases ⇒ Download Now

1. Types of Environmental Pollution

A. Air Pollution:

• Sources: Vehicles, industries, burning fossil fuels

• Pollutants: CO, CO₂, SO₂, NOx, particulate matter

• Effects: Respiratory problems, acid rain, global warming

B. Water Pollution:

• Sources: Industrial effluents, sewage, oil spills

• Pollutants: Heavy metals (Hg, Pb), detergents, pesticides

• Effects: Eutrophication, aquatic biodiversity loss, bioaccumulation

C. Soil Pollution:

• Sources: Pesticides, fertilizers, industrial waste

• Effects: Reduced fertility, bioaccumulation of toxins

D. Noise Pollution:

• Sources: Traffic, industries, construction

• Effects: Hearing loss, stress, wildlife disturbance

NEET Tip:

• Remember sources → pollutants → effects for MCQs

2. Global Warming and Climate Change

• Definition: Rise in Earth’s average temperature due to greenhouse gas accumulation

• Greenhouse Gases (GHGs): CO₂, CH₄, N₂O, CFCs

• Effects: Melting glaciers, sea-level rise, extreme weather events, loss of biodiversity

NEET Formula / Fact:

• Greenhouse effect = Trapping of heat by GHGs → Warming of Earth

Climate Change Impacts:

• Altered rainfall patterns → Droughts & floods

• Coral bleaching and ecosystem disruption

• Shifts in species distribution

3. Ozone Layer Depletion

• Cause: Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), Halons, methyl bromide

• Effect: Increased UV radiation → Skin cancer, cataract, reduced crop productivity

• NEET Tip:

  • Montreal Protocol → International agreement to reduce CFC emissions

4. Acid Rain

• Definition: Rainfall with pH < 5.6, due to SO₂ and NOx

• Sources: Fossil fuel combustion, industrial emissions

• Effects: Damage to plants, aquatic life, soil degradation, building corrosion

NEET Tip:

• Acid rain is linked to air pollution and industrialization

5. Waste Management

A. Solid Waste:

• Biodegradable → Composting

• Non-biodegradable → Recycling, incineration, landfills

B. Electronic Waste:

• Contains heavy metals → Requires proper disposal

C. Biomedical Waste:

• Infectious and hazardous → Autoclaving, incineration

NEET Tip:

• Focus on methods of waste management and examples

6. Deforestation and Habitat Loss

• Causes: Logging, agriculture, urbanization

• Effects: Soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, climate change

• Conservation: Afforestation, reforestation, sustainable forestry

7. Sustainable Development

• Definition: Development that meets present needs without compromising future generations

• Strategies:

  • Renewable energy (solar, wind)

  • Waste reduction & recycling

  • Afforestation & conservation of biodiversity

  • Water management

NEET Tip:

• Questions may involve examples of sustainable practices

8. Environmental Legislation and Conventions

A. International Conventions:

• Montreal Protocol (1987): CFC reduction → Ozone protection

• Kyoto Protocol (1997): Greenhouse gas reduction → Climate change mitigation

• Paris Agreement (2015): Limit global temperature rise to <2°C

B. Indian Laws:

• Environment Protection Act, 1986 → Comprehensive law for environmental protection

• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 → Protect endangered species

• Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 → Water pollution control

NEET Tip:

• Memorize years and purpose of acts for MCQs

9. Human Impact on Environment

1. Overpopulation → Increased resource demand

2. Industrialization → Pollution & habitat destruction

3. Urbanization → Loss of green cover

4. Agriculture → Pesticide use, soil degradation

NEET Tip:

• Questions may involve cause → effect → mitigation framework

10. NEET Important Formulas / Memory Aids

1. Greenhouse effect → Heat trapped by GHGs

2. Acid rain → pH < 5.6, caused by SO₂ and NOx

3. Carbon footprint → Total CO₂ emissions per person

4. Waste management → Biodegradable → Composting; Non-biodegradable → Recycling

Mnemonic for environmental issues:
“APWS-CSD” → Air, Pollution, Water, Soil, Climate change, Sustainable development

11. NEET Exam Tips

• Focus on pollution types, causes, effects, and solutions

• Memorize global warming, ozone depletion, and acid rain facts

• Prepare international conventions and Indian environmental laws

• Understand sustainable development strategies

• Diagram-based questions → Waste management flowchart, greenhouse effect, ozone depletion

Conclusion

Environmental Issues is a high-yield NEET topic. Mastery of pollution types, global warming, climate change, ozone depletion, acid rain, waste management, deforestation, and sustainable development strategies is essential for scoring in MCQs, diagram-based, and conceptual questions.

With this StudentBro.in guide, students can efficiently revise environmental issues, causes, effects, and solutions, enhancing speed and accuracy during NEET exams.

Remember: Environmental Issues = Pollution + Climate Change + Ozone Layer + Acid Rain + Waste + Deforestation + Sustainable Development → Core for ecology and environment questions.