Intro to Environmental Studies

Introduction to Environmental Studies

• Environment refers to all conditions surrounding humans in space and time (C.C. Park definition).
• The term environment describes external forces, influences, and conditions affecting life, nature, behavior, growth, development, and maturity of living organisms (Douglas and Holland definition).
• "Environment" is derived from the French word "environ," meaning "encompass."
• The word "environment" was introduced by biologist Jacob Van Erkul in the early 1900s.

Constituents of the Environment

• The environment has Physical, Biological, and Cultural constituents.
• Physical constituents include land, air, and water.
• Biological constituents include plants, animals, humans, and microbes.
• Cultural constituents include economical, social, and political aspects.

Multidisciplinary Nature of Environmental Studies

• Environmental studies are multidisciplinary, incorporating life science, physical science, technology, management/law, and modelling.
• The discipline of life science includes biology, biochemistry, microbiology, and biotechnology.
• The discipline of physical science includes physics, chemistry, earth science, and geography.
• The technology component involves civil, chemical, nanotechnology, and mechanical aspects.
• Management/Law involves economics, sociology, law, and mass communication.
• Modelling includes mathematics, computer science, and statistics.
• Environmental studies provide a systematic understanding, are highly interdisciplinary, and holistic.
• Environmental studies help to overcome the environmental crisis.

Engineering in Environmental Studies

• Information Technology engineering contributes to remote sensing, GIS databases, computational toxicology, and ENVIS.
• Chemical Engineering involves comprehensive solutions, wastewater treatment, and curbing air pollution.
• Electrical Engineering focuses on efficient transformers, efficient motors/engines, and LED technology.
• Civil Engineering contributes green buildings, geotechnical engineers, and environmental engineers.

Major Environmental Problems

• Major environmental problems include global warming, ozone layer depletion, and acid rain.
• They also include deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and water pollution.
• Further problems include desertification, waste disposal, and rapid population growth.
• The depletion of non-renewable energy resources and food/water shortages are included.

Importance of Environmental Studies

• Environmental studies enlighten people about protection and conservation.

Environmental Education Objectives (International Conference, Tbilisi, USSR, 1977)

• Awareness: Understanding environment & allied problems.
• Knowledge: Basic understanding and associated problems.
• Attitude: Concern and motivation to protect.
• Evaluation: Environmental measure & educational program.
• Skill: Identifying & Solving environmental problems.
• Participation: Sense of responsibility in environmental protection.

Environmental Education Goals

• Promote the exchange of ideas and information.
• Develop teaching materials for the formal education sector.
• Encourage NGOs to promote awareness.
• Promote environmental education through educational and research institutes.
• Ensure training and manpower development in environmental education.
• Mobilize people's awareness for the preservation and conservation of the environment.

Need for Public Awareness

• Understanding the interdependence of natural and man-made environments.
• Understanding the consequences of Environmental Degradation.
• Recognizing individual's duty to protect the environment.
• Environmental consciousness needs to be propagated.
• Importance of reformative measures to be taken.
• Mass media (newspapers, radio, television) strongly influence public opinion.
• Examples of organizations to join: ANERT, CSE, Delhi Greens (NGO), Environmentalist Foundation of India, BNHS.
• Practice saving paper/water, reduce/reuse/recycle, support local environmental movements, promote good civic sense, and spend time in nature.

Formal Environmental Education in India

• Formal environmental education happens in schools through textbooks, audio-visual aids, and field visits.
• In colleges & universities, it involves M.Sc., Ph.D. in Environmental Science, M.E. and M.Tech. in Environmental Engineering, and PG diplomas in Environmental Management.
• The Environmental Appreciation Course is provided via IGNOU & MOEF as a 3-month awareness course.
• In Management and Business Schools, managers can introduce environmentally sound practices.

Non-Formal Environmental Education

• The National Environment Awareness Campaign (NEAC) was introduced in 1986, as a multi-media campaign.
• NEAC offers financial assistance to NGOs/Schools/Institutions to conduct awareness programs.
• Activities include seminars, workshops, camps, rallies, exhibitions, debates, and planting of trees.
• Eco Clubs of National Green Corps sensitizes school students and has eco-clubs in 100 schools in every district.

Other Awareness Programs

• Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE): India joined in 2000.
• Students of GLOBE collect data about environmental parameters to explain hypothesis and interact with scientists, and participate in workshops.
• Doordarshan telecasts environmental programs, documentaries, and commercials.
• Green Olympiad by TERI has 80000 students for Russia, UAE and India.
• Awareness activities on Environment Day (June 5) - ATREE.
• Quiz programs are another method.

Environmental Ethics

• Environmental ethics involves a branch of applied ethics dealing with ethical relationships between humans and the natural environment.
• Environmental ethics also involve a systematic and critical study of practices/beliefs/rules regarding the environment, deeming them moral (good/bad, right/wrong, virtuous/vicious).

Three Ethical Perspectives

• Biocentrism is the belief that all living things have value, ethical standing, and that development is bad if it destroys life.
• Ecocentrism values whole ecological systems, the well-being of species/communities/ecosystems, taking a holistic perspective.
• Anthropocentrism focuses on the planet Earth and the impact of humans on it - mankind transforming the planet (David Attenborough).

Ecological Footprint

• Ecological footprint assesses how fast we consume resources and generate waste.
• This is compared to how fast nature can absorb waste and generate new resources.

Carbon Footprint

• Carbon footprint is visually represented with emissions, fuel recycling, gas, electricity, and transport included.

Water Footprint

• Water footprint includes water usage for different foods.

Sustainable Development

• Sustainable development defined by the UN is to “meets the needs of the present without sacrificing the ability of future generations to meet theirs".
• Sustainability involves protecting natural resources and the climate for future generations.
• It involves Prosperity, Peace and Partnership.
• Sustainability also involves renewable energy sources, soil conservation, high-efficiency irrigation and organic agriculture.
• It involves reducing pollution, protecting habitat and species, and recycling.
• Most importantly it involves fighting global climate change.

People in Environment

• Includes Charles Darwin, Ralph Emerson, Henry Thoreau, John Muir, Rachel Carson, E.O. Wilson, Salim Ali, Indira Gandhi, S.P. Godrej, M.S. Swaminathan, Madhav Gadgil, M.C. Mehta, Medha Patkar, and Sunderlal Bahugna.

Environmental Calendar

• Some days include: World Wetland Day (February 2), World Forest Day (March 21), World Day for Water (March 22), Earth Day (April 24), and International Biodiversity Day (May 31).
• World Environment Day (June 5), World Ocean Day (June 8), World Population Day (July 11).
• World Ozone Day (September 16), World Conservation Day (October 24), and International Day for Biological Diversity (December 29).