Introduction to Environmental Science

Introduction to Environmental Science

• Environmental science is a multidisciplinary field.
• It draws on various subjects like economics, philosophy, biology, chemistry, politics, ethics, demography, anthropology, geography, ecology, physics, and geology.

Unit 1: Introduction to Environmental Studies

• Environmental studies have a multidisciplinary nature.
• The scope and importance of sustainability and sustainable development are key aspects.

The Environment (Part 1)

• The environment consists of air, water, land, living organisms, and materials.
• These elements interact to shape the environment we live in.

Environmental Studies

• The term "environment" originates from the French word "environ," meaning "surroundings."
• Every organism is impacted by materials and forces making up its environment.
• The environment supports life by creating suitable living conditions.
• The environment comprises living and non-living things interacting together.

Types of Environment

• Physical Environment: Includes the lithosphere (earth's crust), hydrosphere (water), and atmosphere (air).
• Biological Environment: Includes flora (plants), fauna (animals), and microbes.
• Social Environment: Addresses the community and societal interactions.
• Political Environment: Relates to political systems and decision-making processes.
• Cultural Environment: Focuses on cultural values and traditions.
• Economic Environment: Considers economic activities and factors.

Natural Environment

• It consists of natural components.
• All biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) elements are created through natural processes.
• Natural components don't rely on human intervention.

Man-made Environment

• Human-modified environments utilize modern technologies to meet human needs.
• The environment comprises abiotic (non-living), biotic (living), and energy components.

Biosphere

• The biosphere is the largest part of the earth's environment where life exists.
• Coined by Vladimir Vernadsky in 1929.
• The biosphere has three key subdivisions: lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.

Biotic Components

• Biotic components include living elements like animals, plants, and microorganisms.
• The biosphere encompasses living organisms interacting with their surrounding physical environment (soil-water-air).

Components of the Environment

• Abiotic Components: These include non-living elements like air, water, soil, minerals, and climate factors.
• Biotic Components: These are the living organisms, such as producers, consumers, and decomposers (plants, animals, and fungi, bacteria).
• Two factors are climate (temperature, water, light, humidity) and edaphic factors (soil and substratum)

Abiotic or Non-living Components

• Examples of abiotic components are air, water, soil, and minerals.
• These elements directly or indirectly enter living organisms, participate in metabolic processes, and return to the environment.
• Abiotic components are categorized into three parts: atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere.

Atmosphere

• The Earth's atmosphere is the layer of gases surrounding it.
• It extends up to 500 km from the earth's surface.
• Primary composition: 78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen, and 1% other gases.

Segments of Environment

• Atmosphere includes Layers like Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere.
• Hydrosphere includes oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, streams, reservoirs.
• Lithosphere is the external layer of solid Earth containing minerals within the earth crust and soil.

Structure of Atmosphere

• Includes atmospheric regions such as Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, and Exosphere.
• Each region has distinct temperature ranges and chemical species.

Composition of Atmospheric Air

• The major gases present in the atmosphere by volume are nitrogen (78.09%), oxygen (20.93%), and argon (0.93%).
• Other gases exist in minor amounts.

Functions of Atmosphere

• The atmosphere maintains Earth's temperature balance.
• Gaseous constituents are vital to sustaining life on Earth.
• Oxygen supports life.
• CO2 is essential for photosynthesis in plants.
• Nitrogen is a crucial nutrient for plant growth.

Lithosphere

• Earth's soil and rock are part of the lithosphere, a structural component of Earth.
• Serves as a habitat for both humans and wildlife.
• Serves as a reservoir of minerals and organic materials.

Hydrosphere

• The hydrosphere involves water in the form of oceans, lakes, rivers, streams, and water vapor.
• The primary component of the hydrosphere is water.
• 97% of Earth's water exists in oceans.
• Only a small percentage (3%) is accessible in fresh water.
• Used for drinking, supporting aquatic life, irrigation, power production, and transportation.

Energy Components

• Energy flows through both biotic and abiotic components.
• Examples of energy sources include solar, nuclear, geochemical, thermoelectric, etc.

Importance of Environment Education

• Encourages the adoption of eco-friendly technologies.
• Raises awareness about the conservation of natural resources.
• Promotes waste reduction, reuse, and recycling.
• Fosters environmental concern and motivation for improvement.
• Draws attention to population explosion, pollution, biodiversity threats, and solution strategies.

Importance of Environment Education

• Provides knowledge about the impacts of intensive farming methods and approaches toward sustainable agriculture.
• Addresses mining concerns regarding resource exploration, land degradation, and social unrest.
• Discusses global issues such as global warming, acid rain, etc. and their potential solutions.
• Highlights the importance of deforestation and supports strategies for afforestation and wildlife conservation.
• Promotes understanding of energy-intensive lifestyles and promotes the efficient use of energy resources.
• Addresses water scarcity issues and promotes equitable water resource management.
• Evaluates environmental hazards and their impacts.

The Multi-Disciplinary Nature of Environmental Studies

• Environmental studies integrate various subjects like life sciences (biology, biochemistry), physical sciences (physics, chemistry), and mathematics.
• Further collaborations include applied studies, management, and awareness.
• Other fields like economics, sociology, law, and communication also play crucial roles.

Need for Public Awareness

• Public awareness is crucial for environmental protection.
• India's public awareness of environmental protection is in its early stages.
• Governments need public involvement to tackle complex environmental problems (e.g., ecosystem imbalance).
• Successful environmental movements in India (e.g., Narmada Bachao Andolan, Chipko movement) illustrate the importance of awareness.

Reasons for Environmental Ignorance

• Environmental issues are often viewed as contrary to development.
• Educational programs often lack environmental integration.
• High illiteracy rates in certain communities limit environmental awareness.
• Policymakers often disregard environmental aspects in their decision-making.

Nobel Peace Prize, 2004 for Environmentalist

• Kenyan environmentalist Wangari Maathai won the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize for sustainable development contributions.
• This prize highlights the crucial role of environmental efforts in broader social goals.
• Maathai's Green Belt Movement has successfully planted trees across Africa.
• This effort has helped mitigate desertification and promote environmental sustainability.

Environmental Calendar

• A calendar listing important environmental days and weeks.

Sustainable Development

• Development meets present needs without jeopardizing future generations.
• Considers the equity among countries, races, and genders in socio-economic development alongside environmental requirements.
• A continuous process that achieves a better lifestyle while reducing environmental impacts.

Principles of Sustainable Development

• Living within environmental limits.
• Achieving a sustainable economy.
• Promoting good governance.
• Using sound science responsibly.
• Ensuring a strong, healthy, and just society.

Sustainable Development Causes & Measures

• Causes: Increasing population, rising poverty, and pollution loads.
• Measures: Effective technological application, resource minimization, creating awareness, discouraging damaging behaviours, and governmental programs to tackle poverty, pollution, and population growth.

Global Goals for Sustainable Development

• A set of global goals encompassing various areas like no poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, quality education, etc.

Food for a Week, Darfur Refugees & German Family

• Comparative glimpses into food access in different contexts.

Suggestions & Questions

• A section signifying open inquiries and suggestions.