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Environmental Studies Unit I

• Formulation: 'Environment' comes from the French 'Environer', meaning "to surround".
• Dictionary Definition: Surroundings, external conditions affecting organisms.
• Ecology Definition: Aspects of world surroundings with reference to living organisms.

Definitions of Environment

• Environmental Protection Act 1986: The total sum of land, water, air, interrelationships between these, and all living things including humans, microorganisms, plants, and property.
• Black's Dictionary: The aggregation of economic, social, cultural, and natural conditions influencing human life and living organisms.
• Justice P.N. Bhagwati: Conditions within and around organisms affecting their life processes, behavior, growth, development, and interactions.

Environmental Studies

• Focuses on issues related to the environment and environmental issues.
• Multidisciplinary study examines human interactions with the environment to address complex issues.
• Combines principles from physical, economic, and social sciences to resolve environmental challenges.
• Aims to solve environmental problems that are beneficial to planet and society through systematic approach.
• Applied science striving for sustainable human civilization within Earth's limitations.

Importance of Environmental Studies

• National Education Policy 1986: It is a basic need to develop consciousness about environment.
• Enlightens about conserving resources and the consequences of pollution.
• Provides environmental knowledge and promotes understanding of present projects.
• Helps promote sustainable living
• Provides skills to solve environmental problems.
• Encourages the efficient use of natural resources.
• Issues such as global warming, ozone depletion, acid rain, marine pollution, and biodiversity have global rather than local significance.
• Needs international collaboration to address environmental issues.
• Increasing population leads to soil health problems, so studying land is important.

Spheres of Environment

• Include The atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere.

Atmosphere

• Creates a unique protective layer, enclosing the Earth.
• It is a protective blanket of gases to protects the Earth's surface from ultraviolet rays.
• Regulates planet temperature by preventing it from getting too hot or cold.
• Protects the Earth from conditions of outer space.
• Composition: Includes nitrogen, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide.

Layers of Earth's Atmosphere

• Exosphere: Extends from 800 to 3000 kilometers.
• Thermosphere: Extends from 80-90 to 800 kilometers.
• Mesosphere: Extends from 40-50 to 80-90 kilometers.
• Stratosphere: Extends from 11 to 50 kilometers.
• Troposphere: Extends from 0 to 12-18 kilometers.

Troposphere

• On average it goes 12 kilometers from Earth's surface.
• Height is lower at poles, higher at the equator.
• Its shallow layer holds air for photosynthesis and animal respiration.
• Contains 99% of all water vapor and aerosols.
• Temperature decreases with height.
• The tropopause sits above it.
• Most weather and clouds occur here.
• Airplane aviation takes place here (and the transition region between the troposphere and stratosphere).

Stratosphere

• Located 12-50 kilometers above Earth.
• Home to the ozone layer.
• Temperature increases with height.
• Heat production occurs in the formation of Ozone.
• The highest part of the atmosphere that jet planes can reach.

Mesosphere

• Located 50-80 kilometers above Earth’s surface.
• It gets progressively colder with altitude.
• Coldest place within the Earth system, averaging about -85 °C.
• Very scarce water vapor is present at the top.
• Most meteors burn up in this atmospheric layer.
• Sounding rockets and rocket-powered aircraft can reach it.
• Mesosphere is separated from the stratosphere by transition boundary called the stratopause.

Thermosphere

• Located 80-700 kilometers above Earth.
• This layer is much closer to the sun.
• Temperatures increase with altitude due to low density of molecules.
• It is cloud- and water-vapor-free.
• The International Space Station (ISS) is located here.

Exosphere

• Located 700-10,000 kilometers above Earth.
• It is the highest layer of atmosphere.
• Merges with solar wind at the top.
• Molecules have extremely low density.
• This layer doesn't behave like a gas.
• Particles escape into space.
• There is no weather here.
• Most Earth satellites orbit this layer.

Hydrosphere

• Includes all water resources.
• Water on/under the surface, in the air, oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, streams, reservoirs, polar icecaps, glaciers, and groundwater.
• Earth's water supply is comprosed of:
  • 97% oceans
  • 2% polar ice caps
  • 1% fresh surface water

Lithosphere

• Uppermost part of Earth's crust.
• Includes soils and their particles like rocks, metals, etc.

Biosphere

• Domain of living organisms and their environmental connection.
• Includes the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere.

Ecosystem

• Structural and functional unit of ecology where living organisms interact with each other and the surrounding environment.
• A chain of interactions between organisms and their environment.
• The term was coined in 1935 by English Botanist A.G.Tansley.

Structure of the Ecosystem

• Biotic and Abiotic components that are organised
• Includes distribution of energy and prevailing climatic conditions.
• Composed of two main components: biotic and abiotic
  • Biotics: All living components (plants, animals, humans, etc).
  • Abiotics: All non-living components (air, water, soil, sunlight, minerals, etc)
• The biotic and abiotic components are interrelated in an ecosystem that can flow through boundaries.

Ecosystem Features

• Biotic Components: Includes living organisms.
• Abiotic Components: Includes non-living factors (sunlight, air, water, etc).
• Energy Flow: Movement of energy through food chains and webs.
• Nutrient Cycling: Circulation of essential nutrients (carbon, nitrogen, etc).
• Trophic Levels: Different feeding levels (producers, consumers, decomposers).
• Food Chains and Webs: Transfer of energy between organisms.
• Ecological Succession: Gradual change in ecosystem structure.
• Biodiversity: Variety of life forms.
• Habitat and Niche: The environment where organisms live and their function.
• Homeostasis: Ecosystem ability to maintain balance and stability.

Components of the Ecosystem

• Biotic Components: Living organisms (plants, animals, microorganisms).
• Producers: Autotrophs like plants producing food through photosynthesis.
• Consumers: Heterotrophs dependent on others for food, carnivores, herbivores and omnivores.
• Decomposers: Organisms breaking down dead matter (bacteria, fungi).
• Abiotic Components: Non-living factors (water, air, sunlight, minerals).
• Energy Source: Usually sunlight to create primary production.
• Nutrient Cycling: Movement of nutrients (carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus).
• Trophic Structure: Different levels in the food chain (producers, primary consumers).

Ecosystem Types

• Terrestrial: Land based (forests, grasslands and deserts).
• Aquatic: Water based (freshwater and marine).
• Natural: Develops without human interference.
• Artificial: Man made (gardens, farms, urban parls).

Ocean Ecosystem

• Largest ecosystem - covering 70% of Earth.
• Biotic Components: Includes marine plants (phytoplankton, algae) and animals (fish, whales, dolphins).
• Abiotic Factors: Saltwater, sunlight, temperature, currents, ocean depth.
• Zones: Photic (sunlit) and aphotic (dark).
• Trophic Levels: Producers (phytoplankton), consumers (fish), decomposers (bacteria).
• Includes bioluminescent species.
• Nutrient Cycling: Movement of elements like carbon, nitrogen.
• Ocean Currents: Influence temperature and marine life distribution.
• Human Impact: Pollution, overfishing, and climate change issues.

Ocean Ecosystem Structure

• Photic Zone: Photosynthesis sunlit layer.
• Aphotic Zone: Deeper, dark layer where no light penetrates.
• Benthic Zone: Ocean floor, home to organisms like crabs and worms.
• Pelagic Zone: Open water column, where larger animals like fish and whales swim.
• Producers: Phytoplankton and algae that form the base of food chain.
• Consumers: Herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores including fish, whales, and sharks.
• Decomposers: Organisms like bacteria that break down dead organic matter.

Ocean Ecosystem Function

• Energy Flow: Solar energy is converted by phytoplankton which moves up food chains.
• Photosynthesis: Occurs in photic zone.
• Nutrient Cycling: Essential elements, carbon and nitrogen.
• Oxygen Production: Marine plants contribute significantly to global oxygen.
• Regulation of Climate: Heat is absorbed which regulates temp
• Carbon Sink: Absorbs CO2 playing role in mitigating climate change.
• Food Webs: Producers, consumers, and decomposers.
• Tides and Currents: Influence marine life movement and nutrient distributors.

Environmental Studies Unit II

• Human Population: Strengths, Opportunities and Challenges

New Dimensions of Population

• Demographic Transition: Shifts in population and age.
• Urbanization: Increasing migration to urban areas, leading to megacities.
• Aging Population: Rise in elderly due to increased life expectancy.
• Diversity and Multiculturalism: Growing ethnic and cultural diversity in populations.
• Youth Population: High percentage of young individuals in developing countries.
• Fertility Rates: Variations in birth rates influenced by socio-economic factors.
• Migration: Movements of people for work, education and safety.

Changing Perceptions of Population

• From Burden to Resource: Recognizing their potential as resources.
• Focus on Quality of Life: Emphasis on improving living standards over merely controlling population size.
• Sustainability Awareness: Increased recognition of need for sustainable development.
• Diversity Appreciation: Acknowledging the value of cultural and ethnic diversity.
• Technological Impact: Changing perceptions due to advancements in technology.
• Aging Population: Views on the elderly as valuable contributors rather than just dependents.
• Youth Empowerment: Realizing they are drivers of change and innovation.

Population as a Resource

• Human Capital: The skills, knowledge, and experience of people contribute to economic growth and innovation.
• Labor Force: A workforce can enhance productivity and economic progress in societies.
• Creativity and Innovation: Diverse populations promote coming up with new ideas and developments.
• Cultural Contributions: Cultural diversity enhances societies and arts
• Entrepreneurship: Stimulate entrepreneurial activities and businesses.
• Consumer Market: Goods and services driving economic demand
• Social Cohesion: Support social resilence.
• Knowledge Transfer: Support cultural learning.
• Youth Demography: Help address energy challenges.
• Public Participation: Contribute to government.

Current Scenario of Global Migration

• Increased Migration: Rising numbers of people living outside native country .
• Refugee Crises: Ongoing conflicts leading to increased groups of refugees.
• Economic Migration: People looking for better opportunities.
• Climate Migration: Environmental factors force the people to migrate.
• Urbanization Trends: People moving to urban areas.
• Policy Responses: Varying national policies in some countries while increasing others.
• COVID-19 Impact: Disrupts due to restrictions
• Human Trafficking: Migrants become vulnerable to exploitation.
• Diaspora communities: Contributing to cultural exchange in both host countries.
• Integration Challenges: Ongoing social and economic integration.

Environment and Human Health

• Air Quality: Poor air quality from pollution leads to related health problems.
• Water Quality: Sources cause waterborne diseases.
• Climate Change: Alters disease patterns and related illnesses, and scarcity of food and water
• Vector-Borne Diseases: Changes in habits of carrying vectors can expand related diseases.
• Toxic Exposure: Chemicals lead to long term issues.
• Food Security: Affects productivity leading to nutrition.
• Mental Health: Environment stressors affect human health.
• Built Environment: Public planning and lifestyle choices influence health
• Health Disparities: Vulnerable populations can face greater concerns leading to unequal outcome.
• Sustainable Practices: Public and Environment focused.

Population and Epidemiology

• Air Disease Patterns: Study of distribution of events in population.
• Infectious Diseases: Analysis of measures for events.
• Chronic Diseases: Investigation factors that impact the non communicable illnesses
• Health Statistics: track trends that inform public policies.
• Preventive Strategies: Development of interventions aimed at reducing disease in proving population health.
• Social Determinants of Health: Exploration of societal conditions.
• Surveillance Systems: Support response in the event of disease
• Environmental Impacts: Influence health and disease
• Global Health: In the event that events move beyond the area.
• Health Disparities: Examination of differences between different population groups

The Human Development Index:

• The Definition of the Human Development Index (HDI) : Measuring Average achievement in three dimensions.
• The HDI's Three Key Components:
  • Component 1: Health
  • Component 2: Education
  • Component 3: Standard of living
• The HDI's Four Classifications of Countries:
  • Very High Human Development
  • High Human Development
  • Medium Human Development
  • Low Human Development
• The Purpose: Understanding human economic factors.

The Human Development Index:

• Limitations of HDI:
  • Limitation 1: Narrow focus
  • Limitation 2: Data availability
  • Limitation 3: Cultural Factors
• Global Rankings:
  • Published with the nations
  • Policy influences regarding education
• Serve as a tool for monitoring.

World Happiness Index:

• The World Happiness Index's Definition : Subjective Measure in the United Nations.
• The World Happiness Index's Definition of 7 Key Indicators
  • Key Indicator 1: Income
  • Key Indicator 2: Social Support Availability
  • Key Indicator 3: Healthy Life Expectancy
  • Key Indicator 4: Freedom to Make Life Choices
  • Key Indicator 5: Generosity
  • Key Indicator 6: Personal Corruption
• Goal:
  • To provide awareness regarding happiness and well being efforts
  • To help build efforts
  • To increase overall efforts

World Happiness Index:

• Indicator 1: Happiness that impacts the scores and outcomes that it creates
• Indicator 2: This tracks and shifts improvements.
• Limitations's
  • Limitation 1: Subjectivity
  • Limitation 2: Cultural Differences
• Policy Implications
• Reports
  • There are global reports issued annually providing insights and recommendations for improving global well being.

Environmental Studies Unit III

• Human Population: Strengths, Opportunities and Challenges

Concept of Urbanization

• Urbanization: Increasing population concentration in urban areas leading to expansion.
• Since the Industrial Revolution, people move from rural to urban areas for job opportunities.
• Economic Factors: Job availability and improved economic prospects.
• Social Factors: Better healthcare, education, and living standards.
• Political Factors: Improved infrastructure and government policies.
• Some regions experience rapid growth, other areas stabilize.

Concept of Urbanization

• Urban Growth: Involves physical city expansion.
• Suburbanization: Movement to suburban cities
• Megacities: Urban areas with populations exceeding 10 million.
• Environmental Impact: Can lead to habitat destruction and increased pollution.
• Sustainable Urbanization: City planning and practices to mitigate negative impacts on environment.
• Smart cities: Focus on development challenges.

Problems of Migration and Urban Environment

• Straining housing with infrastructure
• Leads to increased demand for affordable housing.
• Sanitation may become overloaded.
• Causes pollution and waste.
• Can lead to social xenophobia.
• Increase public health issues

Health Environmental conditions

• Leads to unemployment.
• It hinders culture.
• Crime increases
• Urban planning has difficulties.

Changing Land Uses

• Urban Expansion: Use agricultural land for population.
• Industrial Development: Lead to harmful impact on the local area
• Agricultural Intensification: Impacts environments.
• Infrastructure Development: Transportation, utilities and public services.
• Suburban Sprawl: Dependence on cars.
• Wetland Drainage: Changed water patterns
• Climate Adaptation: Mitigate impact with green roofs
• Land Use Conflicts: Urban development versus areas

Crowding and Stress in Urbanized cities.

• Higher numbers of residents in urban areas may decrease air quality
• Limited availability.
• Infrastructure decreases effectiveness
• Traffic causes severe jams.
• Public services in the areas struggle.
• Waste Collection and resources lead to issues.
• Environmental degradation

Loss of Soil Cover Impact on Biodiversity

• Removal of soil cover leads to erosion, reducing soil fertility.
• Loss of vegetation cover habitats for populations declining.
• Decline in soil degradation.
• Affects relationships within populations of animals.
• Reduction of organic and soil health.
• Lead to lower levels which impacts.
• Leads to species with invasive plants.
• Impact populations where species are affected.
• Leads to issues with gas which affects climate control

Urban Heat Island

• Definition: Warmer temperatures in environment
• Lack of trees decrease ability to create shade.
• Man made buildings absorb and retain heat
• 1-7°C Warmer when compared.
• High temperatures lead to energy.
• Temperatures cause ozone formation
• Leading to health issues
• Increase water temperature

India has Smart cities

• Promoting sustainability to improve services
• Launched in 2015 to help the urban infastructure.
• WiFi and digital platforms for citizens
• Transportation: For traffic public usage.
• To help create building practices.
• With use of mobile apps in the area to communicate with authorities
• Cities like Anedabad

Air Quality Index AQI

• Numerical scale that measures that indicate the polluted air.
• Parameters- based on the concentration
  • With pm 2.5
  • Nitrogen dioxide
  • Sulfur dioxide
  • And carbon monoxide

Quality of the Context.

• Cities for vehicle emissions
• Systems that make it decisions
• Helps combat the pollutants.

Air Quality Index AQI

• Quality in India in polluted cities.
• Decreases levels.
• Poor air helps with cardiovascular issues.
• That improves air and reduces resources.
• Slum Redevelopment

Slum Redevelopment and Rehabilitation

• Slum redevelopment with the systematic infrastructure for the resources and services.
• Upgrading the new healthcare.
• Roads and sanitation.
• Provision support.
• Improve the residents in the area.
• Support that affordable with the housing.
• Building for services training.

Development of Metro and Its Issues

• Metro systems designed to transfer the passengers
• Reduced traffic by helping with vehicles
• Environmental use public transport which
• Advanced operation automated ticketing.
• Linked to sustainable urban cities.

Development of Metro and Its Issues

• High capital leading to budget.
• To lead construction for displacement residences
• Impact for local construction
• To increase safety of city system
• The demands to financial support.