Introduction To Environment PDF

E-Text INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENT Hello, learners! I am Dr Somvir Bajar from the J.C. Bose University of Science and Technology, YMCA, Faridabad, Haryana. Today's topic of discussion is "Introduction to Environment." The environment, consisting of living things, our physical surro...

E-Text INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENT Hello, learners! I am Dr Somvir Bajar from the J.C. Bose University of Science and Technology, YMCA, Faridabad, Haryana. Today's topic of discussion is "Introduction to Environment." The environment, consisting of living things, our physical surroundings, and climatic circumstances, is our fundamental life support system. It comes from the French verb "environner", which means "to surround." The environment is made up of everything that surrounds us, including all living things (such as microorganisms, flora, and wildlife) and non-living things (such as air and water) that are found in the natural world. In other words, it can be described as the elements and circumstances in which a living organism interacts with its environment. It gives us access to the necessities of life on planet Earth, including air, water, food, and land, which sustain life on this planet. In this module, you will learn what the environment is, its components, and its role in daily life. Introduction Before we move further, let us first understand what an environment is. The Environmental Protection Act, 1986, defines the environment as " The inter-relationship that develops within and between water, air, and land, and human beings, other living animals, plants, microorganisms, and property". A healthy ecosystem and sustained life on earth are a result of relationships among the biotic and abiotic elements, as shown in Image-1. It is common knowledge that human anthropogenic activities and the unsustainable use of natural resources have seriously harmed the surroundings and the planet, and the deterioration is continuing to progress quickly. Therefore, there is an urgent need to prevent environmental degradation and pollution to support healthy living conditions. Environmental preservation can only occur with environmental consciousness, which can only be achieved through environmental education. The environment is not complete without humans. They interact and can alter their surroundings to accommodate their purposes and specifications, creating a man-made environment. Humans' interactions with the environment changed over time and imposed an impact on the environment globally. Early humans were able to adapt to the changing environment; however, as human greed expanded and became more diverse than their necessities, pressure on the environment also increased. 1|Page Image-1: Components of Environment and their Interrelationship In this module, our focus will be on understanding our environmental resources to satisfy the needs of both the present and future generations, to wildlife, and protect lifeforms. Now, let us see the different types of environments. The textbooks describe the environment as the surroundings or conditions where an organism exists and develops its characteristics, which can be sdivided into the physical environment (abiotic) and biological environment (biotic), as described in Image-2. The physical environment comprises living organisms, including plants, animals, and microorganisms. Further, based on their functions, living organisms are divided into producers, consumers, and decomposers. In contrast, the world's inorganic and non-living components are referred to as "abiotic." The abiotic components are made up of things like air, water, light, soil, etc. Additionally, it discusses chemical processes as well as physical phenomena, including earthquakes, landslides, floods, wildfires, temperatures, climate variability, and volcanoes. 2|Page  Image-2: Composition and Types of Environment Further, we need to know that the environment is a blend of natural and man-made phenomena. It is made up of three parts, Natural (land, water, air, and living things), Human (people, groups, society), and Human-made (highways, buildings, industry), as depicted in Image-3. The natural environment is further divided into the hydrosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. These are "environmental domains." Image-3: Different Components of Environment Additionally, the promotion of environmental education has also begun in India with major efforts. In India, numerous central and state institutions launched environmental education at the post-graduate level between 1985 and 2000. The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India issued a landmark decision 3|Page in 1991 mandating the inclusion of environmental studies as a required course for all streams in undergraduate programmes in all Indian universities. At the global level, environmental awareness campaigns were launched in the second half of the 20th century. It was also advised to create distinct courses for environmental education and to create an independent, multidisciplinary field of study known as environmental science or studies to promote environmental education. The distinction between Environmental Science and Environmental Studies The next topic differentiates between environmental science and environmental studies. The field of environmental study is multifaceted and examines the environment's many facets—scientific, social, cultural, economic, political, and so forth—along with the problems and practical solutions. At both the micro and macro levels, it examines how people and the environment interact. Environmental studies address the socioeconomic, cultural, traditional, legal, and historical facets of environmental challenges in addition to their scientific components. On the other hand, the study of the environment's scientific components, delicate problems, and workable solutions is the sole focus of environmental science. The multidisciplinary nature of the environment Now let us look into the multidisciplinary nature of the environment. Multidisciplinary refers to the interaction of several specialities or areas. Understanding different disciplines, including the life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics sciences, engineering, social sciences, etc., is vital in the multidisciplinary field of environmental studies. We can better comprehend our environment and any unwanted changes that have occurred and identify solutions for improved environmental management by having knowledge and awareness of these fields, as represented in Image-4. Multidisciplinary environmental knowledge has core components that directly affect every region of the world. Its key traits are: Natural resources and conservation preservation and control of biological diversity. Managing and reducing environmental pollutants to allowable levels Stabilisation of the ecosystem and human population creation of alternative renewable energy systems Adding a new dimension to the nation's security through environmental management, protection, and restoration 4|Page  Image-4: Multidisciplinary approach\fields of Environment Scope and importance A healthy lifestyle and the sustainability of life on Earth both depend on the environment. Earth is home to many different living beings, and we all rely on it for basic necessities like air, water, and food. Therefore, we all need to protect and preserve our ecosystem to maintain the continuity of natural resources. The atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere are the four components of the environment. As represented in Image-5, all these four spheres are engaged in mutual interaction to create a complex system. Image-5: Biosphere and its interconnection with other components of environment 5|Page Environmental studies, therefore, cover a wide range of topics, including ✓ Natural resource preservation, ✓ Ecological considerations, ✓ Degradation of natural resources, ✓ Pollution regulations ✓ Social concerns, and ✓ Effects of the human population on the environment History of Environmentalism Movement Our planet Earth has seen enormous change in a very short period of time, and the whole credit goes to the Industrial Revolution, which began between 1730 and 1850. This concern for the preservation of the environment gave rise to the "environmentalism" movement. Image-6 demonstrates the development phases of the environmental movement all around the globe. Image-6: Important Milestones in the History of Environmentalism Movement The earth has to be protected for several reasons. Some only do it for human gain, while others do it for the good of nature. The movement has developed into a force for environmental protection. After the publication of Rachael Carson's book "Silent Spring" in 1962, the Western world experienced the very first environmental destruction crisis. The overuse of fertilisers in the United States and their effects on various biotic and abiotic environmental elements were discussed in this book. The Club of Rome's publication "Limit 6|Page to Growth'' gained widespread attention in 1970. The Ramsar Convention was established on February 2, 1971, to protect wetlands all over the world. Consequently, February 2 is designated as "World Wetlands Day '' each year. India submitted its position on environmental degradation during the 1972 "United Nations Conference on Human Environment," which was held in Stockholm, Sweden, between June 5 and 16, 1972. "World Environment Day'' is observed annually on June 5 in honour of this global conference. To preserve its national animal, India launched Project Tiger in 1973. In between, the world and India faced two of the worst industrial catastrophes: the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster on April 26, 1986, and the Bhopal Gas Tragedy on December 2–3, 1984. The international efforts to control and phase out ozone-depleting substances (ODS) came in the form of the "Vienna Convention (1985)" and the "Montreal Protocol (1987). The concept of sustainable development was popularised by the Brundtland Commission Report, which was released in 1987. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was established in 1989 to develop a strategy to tackle climate change and global warming. At the 1992 Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit, Agenda 21 was approved. The UNFCCC, UNCBD, and UNCCD sister conventions were also ratified in 1992. The Kyoto Protocol, which was aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming, was signed in 1997. In continuation of "Article 21," Johannesburg hosted the Rio+10 World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002. On November 30, 2015, during the renowned UNFCCC conference in Paris, the Indian government initiated the creation of the International Solar Alliance to promote countries' optimization of their usage of solar energy rather than traditional sources of electricity. In the past century, numerous well-known organisations, both nationally and internationally, have striven to promote environmental education, awareness, and preservation. Sustainable Development Further, it is believed that the present development methods are inadequate. It is putting different kinds of environmental strains on the environment, which has led to several local, regional, and global issues that have put the survival of humans and other animals in danger. Researchers from all over the world have developed a new model of development termed "sustainable development" in light of the unsustainable nature of modern development. Sustainable development refers to a brand-new paradigm for growth that benefits every person, protects the rights of every citizen, raises a healthy environment, and has the potential to maintain a perfectly balanced natural environment. The United Nations is also focusing on the concept of sustainability. In 1987, the Brundtland Commission released its report, "Our Common 7|Page Future," which introduced the idea of sustainable development to the globe. According to the Brundtland Commission Report, sustainable development refers to "development that satisfies present demands without harming or compromising the ability of future generations to meet their requirements." Keeping the entire planet healthy is a long-term goal of sustainability. Sustainability and a sustainable environment can be achieved with a variety of methods. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) The "2030 agenda for sustainable development" includes 17 different objectives, as depicted in the Image-7. The Sustainable Development Goals are "a framework for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future," as ratified by the UN member states in 2015. The goal of achieving global collaboration has urged both developed and developing nations to join forces. Image-7: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the UN Pillars of Sustainable Development: Together, society, environment, and economy are recognised as the three cornerstones of sustainable development. Sustainability and sustainable development can be attained when the three pillars harmoniously interact with one another. A quick summary of all three pillars is depicted in Image-8. 8|Page  Image-8: Pillars of Sustainable Development The goals of sustainable development (as shown in Image-8) are interlinked rather than separated. Sustainable development is a way of looking at the future that maintains a balance between societal, economic, and environmental issues to raise living standards. A wealthy society, for instance, depends on a healthy ecosystem to provide its people with resources, food, and clean water. Now, let us discuss issues of the environment: Various constraints with the earth's system have been developed as a consequence of human manipulation or degradation of the planet, which are referred to as environmental issues. Environmental issues can occur at three levels: local, regional, and global. Image-9 represents comprehensive list of major environmental issues that have emerged as a result of human interventions. The details of the environmental issues at different levels are provided below: Local environmental issues: The following environmental issues persist at the local level, and efforts to control such issues are required to be initiated: 1. Pollution 2. disposal of waste 3. Desertification 4. Lack of water 5. Endangered Species 9|Page  Image-9: Comprehensive list of environmental issues However, some efforts are required to improve these local issues. A few of the measures are listed below: 1. Using eco-friendly and sustainable technology 2. utilising resources sustainably. 3. Adopting environmental ethics, native customs, and sacred groves 4. Consumer education, including information on consumer rights and adopting environmental oriented decisions. 5. Community involvement in ecological conservation and restoration 6. The preservation of natural life and protection of biodiversity 7. Enforcing acts, laws, and regulations to safeguard the environmental quality There are various movements which are undertaken by the people from time to time to save the environment. A political or social campaign for the protection of the environment or for bettering its condition is referred to as an "environmental movement". Image-10 depicts the some of the movements include the Chipko Movement (1973), the Silent Valley Project (1978), the Navdanya Movement (1982), the Narmada Bachao Andolan (1985), the Jungle Bachao Andolan (1982), etc. 10 | P a g e  Image-10: Environmental movement and legislation in India to conserve environmental Any governing body must include environmental legislation as a crucial component. It consists of a set of rules and legislation pertaining to environmental factors including water quality, air quality, and others (Image-10). The management of particular natural resources, such as forests, minerals, or fisheries, is the main objective of India's environmental laws, which are inspired by environmental legal principles. Various laws are enacted in India to protect the environment. A few of them are listed below: 1.) The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 The Act covers matters related to the protection of wild animals, birds, and plants. It encompasses the entirety of India. 2.) The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 The act comprises measures that provide for water quality management, prevention, and preserving or regaining the cleanliness and hygiene standards of water from all available sources. Additionally, it creates the state and federal boards needed to carry out the act. 3.) The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 The act's main goals are to provide for the protection, management, and mitigation of air pollution. It is intended to reduce air pollution in India. The state and federal boards constituted in the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, are engaged to carry out provisions in the act. 4.) The Environment Protection Act of 1986 11 | P a g e Under Article 253, the act was implemented to safeguard the environment. This act is also called the Umbrella Act. After the Bhopal gas incident in December 1984, the act was implemented to achieve the goals of the Stockholm Declaration, which was an outcome of the 1972 UN Conference on the Human Environment. 5.) The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 The act was created in conjunction with the 1992 Earth Summit to offer judicial and administrative remedies for the suffering caused by pollutants and other environmental issues. 6.) The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 The act describes the guidelines for the preservation of biological diversity, exploitation of its elements, and ensure equal distribution of the advantages brought from utilisation of biological resources and the accompanying knowledge. Dear learners, I hope now you will be able to answer the following question: What are the different types and components of the environment and how these are interconnected? What are the different environmental issues generated from unprecedent human activities and efforts to protect environment? Conclusion To conclude, everything with which we are in contact or that we need to survive is part of our environment. The environment is the natural setting in which biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components interact with one another. The physical (nutrients, water, and air), biological (biomolecules, organisms), and chemical components that affect an organism or a group of organisms build the environment. Considering the complexity of nature, knowledge from multidisciplinary subjects is required to study the surroundings, including physics, geology, geography, history, economics, physiology, biotechnology, remote sensing, geophysics, soil science, hydrology, and many more. Living in harmony and maintaining a perfect balance between the natural and human environments is of the utmost significance. All the natural resources are limited, and their sustainable exploitation is the only way to move forward to a sustainable future. Environmental engineering, environmental management, and sustainable environmental law have been emerging to cover the perspective of environmental management and protection. With this, we come to the end of today's lecture. Thank you very much. 12 | P a g e REFERENCES Marten, G. Human Ecology - Basic Concepts for Sustainable Development. Canada, Earthscan Publications, 2001 T.Y. - CHAP AU - Pandey, Mayank P.Y. - 2020/11/06 S.P. - 1 E.P. - 15 S.N. - 978-81-935614-6-1 T1 - Introduction to Environmental Studies E.R. – Environmental Science Study Material-1 (Volume 1) (pp.1-15) Publisher: School of Open Learning, University of Delhi. De, A.K. (2012) Environmental Chemistry. 7th Edition, New Age International Pvt Limited, New Delhi. Kaushik and Kaushik, (2006) Perspective in Environmental Studies, New Age International Pvt Ltd., New Delhi. Pant, Hemlata & Varma, Jyoti & Surya, Shivani. (2020). Environmental Issues: Local, Regional, And Global Environmental Issues. Jianping, L., Minrong, L., Jinnan, W., Jianjian, L., Hongwen, S., Maoxing, H. (2014). Global Environmental Issues and Human Wellbeing. Report on Global Environmental Competitiveness. Current Chinese Economic Report Series. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-54678-5_1 Bhatt, M S; Ashraf, S; and Illiyan, A (Eds.) (2008) Problems and Prospects of Environment Policy: Indian Perspective. Aakar Books: Delhi Divan, S and Rosencranz, A (2001) Environmental Law and Policy in India (18thEdition). Oxford University Press: New Delhi Dwivedi, O P (1997) India’s Environmental Policies, Programmes and Stewardship. Palgrave Macmillan: London, UK Krishnamoorthy, B (2017) Environmental Management: Text and Cases (3rdEdition). PHI Learning: New Delhi Kulkarni, V and Ramachandra, T V (2006) Environmental Management. TERI Press: New Delhi Roberts, J (2011) Environmental Policy (2ndEdition). Routledge: Abingdon, Oxon Uberoi, N K (2007) Environmental Management (2ndEdition). Excel Books: New Delhi UNEP (2015) Embedding the Environment in Sustainable Development Goals. Post 2015 Discussion Paper 1 Version WEBLINKS https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/biosphere/ https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/lithosphere https://www.brainkart.com/article/The-Biosphere_33822/ 13 | P a g e