Environmental

Awareness
Unit 1: Introduction to Environmental Studies
Contents:

 Multidisciplinary nature of environmental studies

 Scope and Importance
 Concept of sustainability and sustainable development
 The word ‘Environment’ is derived from the French word ‘Environner’
which means to encircle, around or surround.
 Multidisciplinary nature of environmental studies- Environmental studies is a
multidisciplinary subject wherein understanding of various disciplines such as life sciences,
physical sciences, mathematical sciences, engineering, social sciences, etc. is quint
essential.
 Knowledge and understanding of these disciplines help us better understand our
environment, any undesirable change that has taken place and find out solutions for better
management of the environment.
 MULTIDISCIPLINARY NATURE OF ENVIRONMENT STUDIES
 Environment studies is a multidisciplinary subject where different aspects are dealt with
in a holistic approach.
 The science of Environment studies comprises various branches of studies like chemistry,
physics, life science, medical science, agriculture, public health, sanitary engineering,
geography, geology, atmospheric science, etc.
 It is the science of physical phenomena in the environment. The complex relationship that
exist in our natural environment among people, animals, others organisms, water soil, air
tree, ocean, and so on.
 The interconnections are numerous and involve many different disciplines.
 We need inputs from diverse disciplines such as biology, botany, zoology, soil science,
technology oceanography, atmospheric science, economics, sociology, anthropology and
ethics.
 Environmental studies involve educating the people for preserving the quality of
environment.
 Environmental studies is an multidisciplinary academic field which
systematically studies human interaction with the environment in the
interests of solving complex problems.
 Environmental studies bring together the principles of the physical
sciences, commerce/economics and social sciences so as to solve
contemporary environmental problems.
 The environment consists of four segments of the earth namely
atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere:
SCOPE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
The scope of environmental studies is very wide and it deals with many areas like
i) Conservation of natural resources,
ii) ecological aspects,
iii) pollution of the surrounding natural resources,
iv) controlling the pollution,
v) social issues connected to it, and
vi) impacts of human population on the environment.
vii) 1. Developing an awareness and sensitivity to the total environment and its related
problems. 2. Motivating people for active participation in environmental protection
and improvement.
viii)3. Developing skills for active identifi
ix) cation and development of solutions to environmental problems.
x) 4. Imbibe and inculcate the necessity for conservation of natural resources.
xi) 5. Evaluation of environmental programmes in terms of social, economic, ecological
and aesthetic
 1. Atmosphere: The Atmosphere forms a distinctive protective layer about 100 km
thick around the earth.
 A blanket of gases called the atmosphere surrounds the earth and protects the
surface of earth from the Sun’s harmful, ultraviolet rays.
 It sustains life on the earth. It also regulates temperature, preventing the earth
from becoming too hot or too cold. It saves it from the hostile environment of
outer space.
 The atmosphere is composed of nitrogen and oxygen besides, argon, carbon
dioxide and trace gases. The atmosphere has a marked effect on the energy
balance at the surface of the Earth.
 It absorbs most of the cosmic rays from outer space and a major portion of the
electromagnetic radiation from the sun. It transmits only ultraviolet, visible, near
infrared radiation (300 to 2500 nm) and radio waves. (0.14 to 40 m) while filtering
out tissue-damaging ultra-violate waves below about 300 nm.
 2. Hydrosphere: The Hydrosphere comprises all types of water resources
oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, streams, reservoirs, polar icecaps, glaciers, and
ground water. Oceans represent 97% of the earth’s water and about 2% of the
water resources is locked in the polar icecaps and glaciers. Only about 1% is
available as fresh water as surface water in rivers, lakes, streams, and as ground
water for human use.
 3. Lithosphere: Lithosphere is the outer mantle of the solid earth. It consists of
minerals occurring in the earth’s crusts and the soil e.g. minerals, organic
matter, air and water.
 4. Biosphere: Biosphere indicates the realm of living organisms and their
interactions with environment, viz atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere
 Why Do We Need Environmental Studies?
 Pollution, Growing population, deforestation, depletion of natural resources, and other
disasters are behind environmental concerns. An individual or government cannot maintain
environmental sustainability alone. We all should have a contribution to its protection from
damage.
 For the proper guidance on the values, skills, knowledge, and tools to work against the
challenges, both formal and informal environmental education methods are needed.
Importance:
 Our environment plays a critical role in the survival of several living
organisms. In simple words, we can define the environment as our
surroundings with several biotic and abiotic components. Thus, it is
clear that environmental studies are vital for spreading awareness
and finding ways to protect it.
 environmental studies are all about learning how
we should protect our environment with sustainable strategies.
 Environmental Studies explains the causes, effects, and solutions for
environmental problems. Human activities, such as
pollution and deforestation, have seriously impacted the
environment, just as Earthquakes and tsunamis do on the
environment.
 To understand the impacts of development:
 Environmental Studies assists in understanding the current environmental problems by providing
knowledge of physical, chemical, social, and biological processes. It is not a hidden fact that development
resulting in Urbanization; Industrial growth has a negative impact on the environment.
 To understand environmental problems:
 Disasters such as climate change, acid rains, floods, and tsunamis also involve human interference.
Humans have to understand their mistakes and find the solutions to correct them and protect the
environment.
 Just stopping the development is not the solution, but minimizing the use of resources can be the solution.
 Environmental studies aim to educate people with the necessary environmental skills to create awareness.
With the increase in development, the competition is also increasing in the industries.
 To utilize natural resources efficiently:
 Natural resources such as air, water, oil, and minerals are getting depleted day by day. Lack of
management skills leads to a loss of natural resources.
 Every individual should learn about the importance of these resources. We should also consider appropriate
action plans in our day to day lives so that we can sustain our nature and its resources effortlessly.
 Non-renewable sources of energy are the major source of the world’s pollution. The use of renewable
sources, like solar energy, wind energy, etc., has to be encouraged as these are effective in the fight
against global warming.
 Environmental studies help us to understand the importance of our environment. To live sustainably and find the best
way of utilizing our natural resources, we must study. Further, we can understand the behavioural and phylogenetic
relationships between several organisms and their species and helps to maintain balance in the food chain and food
webs of the ecosystem.
Concept of sustainability and sustainable development
 What is a simple definition of sustainability?
 Sustainability consists of fulfilling the needs of current generations without compromising
the needs of future generations, while ensuring a balance between economic growth,
environmental care and social well-being.
 “Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present
without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own
needs.”
 plastics pose a grave problem for the oceans and, according to the United Nations
data, over 3 million people depend on the seas for their subsistence. Thus, the
current situation needs to change
 There are many benefits to sustainability, both short-term and long-term.
 If harmful processes are maintained with no change, it is likely that we will run out of fossil
fuels, huge numbers of animal species will become extinct, and the atmosphere will be
irreparably damaged.
 Clean air and nontoxic atmospheric conditions, growth of resources that can be relied upon,
and water quality and cleanliness, are all benefits of sustainability.