CHE110: Environmental Studies Overview

Study Notes

Define contemporary environmental issues and their associated problems.
Explain the components of the environment and their roles in ecosystem maintenance and biodiversity.
Assess various environmental policies and practices aimed at reducing pollution.
Analyze environmental phenomena and their interactions with human communities.

Environmental studies is multidisciplinary with a broad scope and significant importance.
Key concepts include sustainability and sustainable development goals.
Natural resources are classified into categories: land, forest, water, and energy resources.
Issues such as land degradation, soil erosion, and desertification impact land resources.
Deforestation is driven by various causes, leading to significant environmental impacts.
Water resource management addresses over-exploitation of surface and groundwater and the resulting conflicts.
Energy resources are categorized as renewable and non-renewable, focusing on conservation and alternate sources to meet growing energy demands.

An ecosystem is a complex network of living organisms and their physical environment.
Energy flow within ecosystems involves food chains, food webs, and ecological succession.
Ecological pyramids illustrate the distribution of energy and biomass across trophic levels.
Case studies provide insights into diverse ecosystems: forest, grassland, desert, and aquatic.

Biological diversity exists at three levels: genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity.
Biodiversity hotspots are areas rich in species diversity but under threat.
Ecosystem services include ecological, economic, social, aesthetic, and informational benefits.
Major threats to biodiversity encompass habitat loss, wildlife poaching, and biological invasions.
India is recognized as a mega-diversity nation with numerous endangered and endemic species.
Conservation strategies include in-situ and ex-situ approaches.
India's biogeographic zones highlight the country's ecological diversity.

Environmental pollution encompasses various types such as air, water, soil, noise, and radiation.
Each type has specific causes, effects, and potential controls.
Emerging pollutants and the adverse effects of fireworks are relevant concerns.
Case studies illustrate the real-world impacts of pollution on health and the environment.

Key issues include climate change, global warming, ozone layer depletion, and acid rain.
Environmental laws like the Environment Protection Act and various pollution control acts address these issues.
Significant international agreements include the Montreal and Kyoto Protocols and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
Solid waste management focuses on controlling urban and industrial waste, considering the role of marginalized populations in policy-making.
Human-wildlife conflicts are critical aspects of environmental policies.

Human population growth significantly impacts environmental quality and health.
Prominent environmental movements include Chipko, Silent Valley, and Narmada Bachao Andolan, which advocate for conservation.
Environmental ethics draw upon various religions and cultures, promoting conservation values.
Public awareness and disaster management strategies cover natural disasters such as floods, droughts, earthquakes, cyclones, and landslides.