INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIESDefinitions The term environment is derived from a French word environner which means ‘surrounding’. It refers to an aggregate of all conditions that affect the existence, growth, and welfare of an organism or a group of organisms. Environment is the sum total of all social, economical, biological, physical, and chemical factors which constitute the surroundings of humans, who are both creators and moulders of the environment. Environment is the sum total of influences which modify and determine the development of life and its associated characteristics. complicated way (spider we! isturbance of one element will affect the other one.The components of environment are broadly classified as abiotic and biotic components. Abiotic or non-living components of environment include all the physical and chemical factors that influence living organisms. Examples of abiotic components are air, water, soil, rocks, etc. Biotic or living components are the living components of environment and include microbes, plants, animals, and human beings.Abiotic ComponentsTypes of Environment > Natural Environment > Man-Made EnvironmentPlanet Earth: Segments of Environment Terese *Lithosphere: Crust: < 1% (Thin) Everest: 8.85 km Mantle, Cores Hydrosphere: (oceans, sea, rivers) *Atmosphere: ~1%: 30 km (99% of air) extends to120km *Biosphere: all lifeEnvironmental Studies Environmental Studies refers to the study of the environment. It is not restricted to the point of view of one particular discipline but involves all disciplines that may affect the environment in any possible way. It involves the study and understanding of the fact that even a single phenomenon can affect the environment in a variety of ways with varying degrees of complexity, and each of these effects can be understood from different perspectives rooted in different disciplines.Ethics Ecology Cure Pct Geology Anthropology Archaeology Environmental Studies requires skills that encompass a range of disciplines including chemistry, biology, earth sciences, atmospheric science, statistics, mathematics, and geography.Vv Vv Importance of Environmental Studies Environmental Studies is useful in checking environmental pollution and related solutions. It helps in maintaining ecological balance. It helps to gain skills to assess the environmental impact of human activities. Environmental study will help to protect biodiversity. It gives us basic knowledge of environment and associated problems. It helps to achieve sustainable development . It helps to educate people regarding their duties towards the protection of environment. The knowledge of environmental science will be applied to the study of agriculture.Need for Public Awareness > Earth’s resources are dwindling and our environment is being increasingly degraded by human activities and hence something needs to be done. > Government alone cannot perform all the clean-up functions. > Individual/group efforts in their own every possible way has to be made to protect our environment. > Mass public awareness: newspapers, radio, television strongly influences public opinion on conserving our environment.Methods for Public Awareness Y Environmental education Y Through media Y Through organizing seminars & conferences Y Entertainment Y Science centers Y Involvement of youth Y Through print, broadcast and internet