Environmental Science and Sustainability Course

Study Notes

### Course Objectives

This course will provide students with an understanding of the terms, definitions, and scope of environmental and energy issues in the current global scenario.
The course will emphasize the need for sustainability in addressing environmental and energy challenges.

### Course Contents

The course will cover the concept of sustainability and sustainable use of natural resources.
It will teach students about climate change and its related aspects, as well as air pollution, including its origin, sources, and effects.
It will explore primary and secondary meteorological parameters like wind roses and atmospheric stability as they apply to air pollution, and how this can be controlled.
Students will learn about water pollution, its origin, sources, and categorization.
The course will also cover physicochemical characteristics of water pollution and wastewater treatment systems, as well as the management of solid waste.
It will delve into the classification of energy resources and explore non-conventional energy resources like biomass energy with its thermo-chemical and biochemical conversion routes.
The course will also cover solar energy, including active and passive solar energy absorption systems, types of collectors, and thermal and photo conversion applications.

### Course Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to comprehend the interdisciplinary nature of environmental issues within the framework of sustainability.
They will be able to assess the impact of human activities on the environment and apply techniques to mitigate those impacts.
Students will demonstrate their ability to use technology for the assessment and control of pollutants in real-time situations.
They will also be able to link environmental concerns with conventional energy sources and evaluate the use and limitations of non-conventional energy technologies.

### Recommended Books

Moaveni, S., Energy, Environment and Sustainability, Cengage (2018)
Rajagopalan, R., Environmental Studies, Oxford University Press (2018)
O’Callagan, P.W., Energy Management, McGraw Hill Book Co.Ltd.(1993).
Peavy H.S., Rowe D.S., and Tchobanoglous, G.(2013) Environmental Engineering, McGraw Hill.
Rao, M.N.and Rao, H.V.N.(2014) Air Pollution, McGraw Hill.
Metcalf and Eddy.(2003) Wastewater Engineering: Treatment and Reuse, Fourth Edition, McGraw Hill.
Rai, G.D.(2014) Non-conventional Energy Resources, Khanna Publishers.

The course evaluation will be based on a combination of Mid-term Examinations, End-term Examinations, and sessional work.
Each component will carry a specific weightage, with Midterm and End-term exams each accounting for 35% of the final grade, while sessional work including quizzes and projects will account for the remaining 30%.

### Constitutional Context

Article 51A(g) of the Indian Constitution states that it is the duty of every citizen to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife.
Article 48A states that it is the duty of the state to protect and improve the environment and safeguard forests and wildlife.
In a landmark ruling on March 21, 2024, the Supreme Court of India recognized the right to be free from the adverse effects of climate change as a fundamental right.