EVS Chapter 1 PDF

The Multidisciplinary Nature of Environmental Studies By Dr. Jayishnu Singla Assistant Professor University School of Engineering...

The Multidisciplinary Nature of Environmental Studies By Dr. Jayishnu Singla Assistant Professor University School of Engineering Lamrin Tech Skill University Contents Introduction Definition Components Elements Multidisciplinary nature of Environmental studies Scope Importance International Efforts for Environment  Introduction The word environment is derived from the French word ‘Environ’ which means ‘surrounding’. Therefore environment includes all living and non-living components around any organism. Abiotic (non-living) consists of air, water, soil, etc. while biotic (living) such as plants, animals, microbes and human beings. The term ‘Environment’ first coined by Thomas Carlyle in 1828. Some important definitions of environment are as under: C.C Park: Environment is “Sum total of conditions which surrounds a man at a given point in space and time”. Boring: “A person’s environment consists of the sum total of the stimulation which he receives from his conception until his death”. Hence it can be concluded that environment comprises various type of forces such as physical, intellectual, economic, political, culture, social, moral and emotional. Douglas and Holland: ‘The term environment is used to describe, in aggregate, all the external forces, influences and conditions, which affect the life, nature, behavior and the growth, development and maturity of living organisms Cont. Environment Protection Act, 1986 (Section 2a) defines that environment includes water, air and land and the interrelationship which exists among and between air, water, land, human beings, plants, micro-organisms and other living creatures and property.” Environment and organisms are interrelated with each other as organisms depend upon its environment for its nourishment. Environment provides them base for various activities of their life. Environment consists of an inseparable whole system constituted by physical, chemical biological, social and cultural elements, which are interlinked individually and collectively in myriad ways. Hence environment is not single element but it is a mixture of all factors and conditions, which affects the life of an organism directly and indirectly. The natural environment consist of four components which are in constant change and such changes are affected by human activities and vice versa.  Components of Environment Environment has been classified into four major components: Hydrosphere Atmosphere Lithosphere Biosphere Hydrosphere: It comprises of all type of water bodies such as oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, streams, reservoirs, polar icecaps, glaciers, ground water, surface water, etc. The hydrosphere is the combined mass of water found on, under, and above the surface of the earth. 97% of the earth’s water supply is in the oceans and seas. About 2% of the water resources locked in the polar ice caps, glaciers. Only about 1% is available as fresh surface water in lakes, rivers, ponds, ground water, etc, which is fit for human consumption and other uses. Atmosphere: It implies protective blanket of gases surrounding the earth. It sustains life on earth. Atmosphere save earth from hostile environment of outer space. It absorbs most of the cosmic rays and major portion of ER from the sun. Cont. It transmit only here UV, Visible, near infrared radiations and radio waves while filtering out tissue- damaging UV waves below about 300nm. The atmosphere is composed of nitrogen, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide and trace gases. The atmosphere of Earth is composed of layers i.e. Troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere and thermosphere with different properties, such as specific gaseous composition, temperature, and pressure. Troposphere: The troposphere is the lowest layer in the atmosphere. It extends upward to about 10 km above sea level starting from ground level. The lowest part of the troposphere is called the boundary layer and the topmost layer is called the tropopause. The troposphere contains 75% of all air in the atmosphere. Most clouds appear in this layer because 99% of the water vapour in the atmosphere is found here. Temperature and air pressure drop as you go higher in the troposphere Stratosphere: Above the troposphere lies the stratosphere which extends from the top of the troposphere to about 50 km (31 miles) above the ground. The ozone layer lies within the stratosphere. Ozone molecules in this layer absorb high-energy ultraviolet (UV) light from the Sun and convert it into heat. Because of this, unlike the troposphere, the stratosphere gets warmer the higher you go. Mesosphere: Above the stratosphere is the mesosphere and it extends to a height of about 85 km (53 miles) from the ground. Here, the temperature grows colder as you rise up through the mesosphere. The coldest parts of our atmosphere are located in this layer and can reach –90°C. Also most of the meteors are incinerated before reaching the surface.  Cont. Thermosphere: It lies above the mesosphere and this is a region where the temperature increases as you go higher up. The temperature increase is caused due to the absorption of energetic ultraviolet and X-ray radiation from the sun. However, the air in this layer is so thin that it would feel freezing cold. Satellites orbit Earth within the thermosphere. Exosphere: Exosphere is the final frontier of the Earth’s gaseous envelope. The air in the exosphere is constantly but gradually leaking out of the Earth’s atmosphere into outer space. There is no clear cut upper boundary where the exosphere finally fades away into space. Ionosphere: The ionosphere isn’t a distinct layer unlike other layers in the atmosphere. The ionosphere is a series of regions in parts of the mesosphere and thermosphere where high- energy radiation from the Sun has knocked electrons loose from their parent atoms and molecules Lithosphere: The lithosphere is the rigid, outermost shell of the Earth. It contains soil, earth rocks, mountain, etc. Lithosphere is divided into three layers-crusts, mantle and core (inner and outer). The earth’s crust is not a homogeneous substance, it has different layers of rocks including sedimentary rocks on top, granitic and metamorphic rocks in the middle, and basaltic rocks on the bottom. Two types of lithosphere are Oceanic and continental. Mantle: Si, Mg, Al, granite, olivine, etc. Conti. Biosphere: It is known as the life layer, it refers to all organisms on the earths surface and their interaction with water and air. It consists of plants, animals and micro-organisms, ranging from tiniest microscopic organism to the largest animal in the sea. The richness of biosphere depend upon a number of factors like rainfall, temperature, geographical reference etc. Elements of Environment: Environment is constituted by the interacting systems of physical, biological, and cultural elements inter-related in various ways, individually as well as collectively. Physical elements: space, landforms, water bodies, climate soils, rocks and minerals. They determine the variable character of the human habitat, its opportunities as well as limitations. Biological elements: plants, animals, microorganisms and men constitute the biosphere. Cultural elements: economic, social and political elements are essentially manmade features, which make cultural milieu.  Multidisciplinary nature of Environmental studies Environmental studies is an interdisciplinary academic field that integrates physical and biological sciences, (including but not limited to Ecology, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Soil Science, Geology, Atmospheric Science and Geography) to the study of the environment, and the solution of environmental problems. Environmental science provides an integrated, quantitative, and interdisciplinary approach to the study of environmental systems. Related areas of study include environmental studies and environmental engineering. Environmental studies incorporate more of the social sciences for understanding human relationships, perceptions and policies towards the environment. Environmental engineering focuses on design and technology for improving environmental quality. Environmental scientists work on subjects like the understanding of earth processes, evaluating alternative energy systems, pollution control and mitigation, natural resource management, and the effects of global climate change.  Scope of Environmental Science As the environmental studies has been seen to be multidisciplinary in nature so it is considered to be a subject with great scope. Environment is not limited to issues of sanitation and health but it is now concerned with pollution control, biodiversity conservation, waste management and conservation of natural resources. This requires expert eyes and hence is creating new job opportunities. The opportunities in this field are immense not only for scientists but also for engineers, biologists. Following areas may be included in it: Natural Resources: For managing and maintenance of forests which are natural resources and for the maintenance of wildlife forms task under natural resource conservation. It is also a scope of environmental studies. Ecology and Biodiversity: The study of Ecology is mainly consists of the processes that link the living organism (biotic component) to the non-living organism (abiotic component). Biodiversity describes the richness and variety of life on earth. It is the most complex and important feature of our planet. Without biodiversity, life would not sustain. It deals with nature’s variety, biosphere refers to variabilities among plants, animals and microorganism species. Cont Environment Pollution Control: With the knowledge of environmental science everybody can control the pollution. He/she can handle the waste management and also look for ways to control pollution on the aspect of pollution control. Environmental management: There are several independent environmental consultants who are working with Central and State pollution control Board. They offer advice to solve the problems of environment the optimum solution for the upcoming problems. They give direction for controlling pollution due to industrial development. There are several current consultants who are working with government pollution control boobs, involved in policy making, pollution control and maintenance of ecological balance. The scope of environmental studies in industry: Environmental scientist’s work towards maintenance of ecological balance, they also work towards conservation of biodiversity and regulation of natural resources as well as on preservation of natural resources. Most of the industries have a separate environmental research and development section. These sections govern the impact that their industry has on the environment. Our environment is being degraded by the rapid industrialization. To combat this menace there is a growing trend towards manufacture of "green" goods and products. So we can say that there is a good scope in the field of industry from environmental studies.  Research and development: Research and development have tremendous scope due to increment in public awareness regarding the environment. Various universities and governmental organizations offer a scope for such research. These universities conduct research studies in order to develop the methods toward monitoring and controlling the source of environmental pollution. Due to an increasing threat from global warming, many steps are being undertaken for the reduction of greenhouse gases and the adoption of renewable energy resources. They generate awareness now regarding the use of solar energy for variety of purposes. This provides scope of environmental history in the field of research and development. Social Development: NGO (Nongovernmental organizations) help in creating awareness regarding the protection of the environment and making the masses aware of various environmental issues. They also generate a public opinion in this field. They work towards disseminating information and in bringing about changes in political policies that are personally effect the environment. The social dimension of this profession includes controlling population explosion through organizing advisory awareness camps. Scope of Environmental science updated 1. Environmental Chemistry: Pollution Studies: Chemical processes in air, water, and soil pollution. Fate and Transport: How chemicals move and transform in the environment. Toxicology: Impact of toxic substances on ecosystems and healt 2. Ecology: Ecosystem Dynamics: Relationships between organisms and their environment. Biodiversity Conservation: Preservation of species and habitats. Population Ecology: Factors affecting population sizes and structures. 3. Environmental Geology and Hydrology: Earth Processes: Natural processes like erosion and tectonics. Water Resources Management: Surface and groundwater issues. Geological Hazards: Earthquakes, landslides, and volcanic eruptions. 4. Atmospheric Sciences: Climate Change: Causes and impacts of global climate change. Meteorology: Weather processes and forecasting. Air Quality: Sources and control of air pollution. 5. Environmental Engineering Waste Management: Technologies for waste treatment and recycling. Water Treatment: Systems for treating contaminated water. Renewable Energy: Development of sustainable energy sources. 6. Environmental Policy and Management Environmental Laws: Legal frameworks for environmental protection. Sustainable Development: Balancing economic growth with environmental care. 7. Environmental Health Public Health: Environmental factors affecting human health. Occupational Health: Hazards in the workplace. Epidemiology: Disease patterns related to environmental exposure. 8. Natural Resource Management 9. Sustainability Science Urban Planning: Creating environmentally friendly cities. Green Technologies: Technologies that reduce environmental impact. Circular Economy: Promoting continual use of resources. 10. Environmental Education and Communication Public Awareness: Educating about environmental issues. Community Engagement: Involving communities in decision-making. Science Communication: Conveying environmental research to stakeholders. 11. Global Environmental Issues Biodiversity Loss: Decline in global biodiversity. Deforestation: Causes and effects of forest loss. Ozone Depletion: Impact of thinning ozone layer.  Importance of Environment Science The environment studies enlighten us, about the importance of protection and conservation of our natural resources from indiscriminate release of pollution into the environment. At present a great number of environment issues, have grown in size and complexity day by day, threatening the survival of mankind on earth. We study about these issues besides and effective suggestions in the Environment Studies. Environment studies have become significant for the following reasons: Environment Issues Being of International Importance: It has been well recognized that environment issues like global warming and ozone depletion, acid rain, marine pollution and biodiversity are not merely national issues but are global issues and hence must be tackled with international efforts and cooperation. Problems Cropped in The Wake of Development: Development, in its wake gave birth to Urbanization, Industrial Growth, Transportation Systems, Agriculture and Housing etc. However, it has become phased out in the developed world. The North, to cleanse their own environment has, fact fully, managed to move ‘dirty’ factories of South. When the West developed, it did so perhaps in ignorance of the environmental impact of its activities. Evidently such a path is neither practicable nor desirable, even if developing world follows that. Explosively Increase in population: World census reflects that one in every seven persons in this planet lives in India. Evidently with 16 per cent of the world's population and only 2.4 per cent of its land area, there is a heavy pressure on the natural resources including land. Agricultural experts have recognized soils health problems like deficiency of micronutrients and organic matter, soil salinity and damage of soil structure. Need To Save Humanity From Extinction: It is incumbent upon us to save the humanity from exinction. Consequent to our activities constricting the environment and depleting the biosphere, in the name of development. Need for Wise Planning of Development: Our survival and sustenance depend. Resources withdraw, processing and use of the product have all to by synchronized with the ecological cycles in any plan of development our actions should be planned ecologically for the sustenance of the environment and development. Need for An Alternative Solution: It is essential, specially for developing countries to find alternative paths to an alternative goal. We need a goal as under: A goal, which ultimately is the true goal of development an environmentally sound and sustainable development. A goal common to all citizens of our earth. A goal distant from the developing world in the manner it is from the over-consuming wasteful societies of the “developed” world.  Need for public awareness It is essential to make the public aware of the formidable consequences of the Environmental degradation, if not retorted and reformative measures undertaken would result in the extinction of life. We are facing various environmental challenges. It is essential to get the country acquainted with these challenges so that their acts may be eco-friendly. Some of these challenges are as under: Growing Population: A population of over thousands of millions is growing at 2.11 per cent every year. Over 17 million people are added each year. It puts considerable pressure on its natural resources and reduces the gains of development. Hence, the greatest challenge before us is to limit the population growth. Poverty: India has often been described a rich land with poor people. The poverty and environmental degradation have a nexus between them. The vast majority of our people are directly dependent on the natural resources of the country for their basic needs of food, fuel shelter and fodder. About 40% of our people are still below the poverty line. Environment degradation has adversely affected the poor who depend upon the resources of their immediate surroundings. Thus, the challenge of poverty and the challenge environment degradation are two facets of the same challenge. Agricultural Growth: The people must be acquainted with the methods to sustain and increase agricultural growth with damaging the environment. High yielding varieties have caused soil salinity and damage to physical structure of soil. Need to Ground water: It is essential of rationalizing the use of groundwater. Factors like community wastes, industrial effluents and chemical fertilizers and pesticides have polluted our surface water and affected quality of the groundwater. It is essential to restore the water quality of our rivers and other water bodies as lakes are an important challenge. It so finding our suitable strategies for conservation of water, provision of safe drinking water and keeping water bodies clean which are difficult challenges is essential. Development and Forests: Forests serve catchments for the rivers. With increasing demand of water, plan to harness the mighty river through large irrigation projects were made. Certainly, these would submerge forests; displace local people, damage flora and fauna. As such, the dams on the river Narmada, Bhagirathi and elsewhere have become areas of political and scientific debate.  International Efforts for Environment Stockholm Conference, 1972: It formally known as the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, was a landmark event that marked the first major global effort to address environmental issues at an international level. Held in Stockholm, Sweden, from June 5-16, 1972, the conference emphasized the need to balance environmental protection with economic development, laying the foundation for the concept of sustainable development. It led to the creation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and produced the Stockholm Declaration, which outlined 26 principles for environmental responsibility. The conference significantly influenced global environmental policies, encouraging nations to incorporate environmental considerations into their policy frameworks. Nairobi Conference, 1982: The Nairobi Conference of 1982, held in Nairobi, Kenya from 10 to 18th May, marked the 10th anniversary of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment of 1972. With 105 nations participating, the conference culminated in the adoption of the Nairobi Declaration, which reaffirmed global commitments to environmental protection and emphasized the need for sustainable development strategies up to the year 2000. A special commission was established to create long-term environmental strategies, reflecting the international community's growing recognition of the need to balance environmental, economic, and social concerns. The conference also served to assess progress since Stockholm and aimed to strengthen the role of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in coordinating global environmental efforts, ensuring that the momentum of the global environmental The Rio Summit,1992: The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), held from June 3-14, 1992, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, marked the 20th anniversary of the 1972 Stockholm Conference. It gathered representatives from 179 countries, including political leaders, scientists, and NGOs, to address the global impact of human activities on the environment. The summit's primary goal was to create a comprehensive agenda for sustainable development, emphasizing the interdependence of social, economic, and environmental factors. This conference laid the groundwork for international cooperation on environmental and development issues in the 21st century, resulting in key documents like the Rio Declaration and Agenda 21. The Rio Summit addressed a broad range of environmental and development issues, including Greenhouse gas emission; importance of forests for biodiversity, climate regulation & livelihood; population; technology transfer; degradation and finance (global environmental facility).  Kyoto Summit, 1997: The Kyoto Summit, held in 1997 in Kyoto, Japan, was pivotal in establishing the Kyoto Protocol, which set legally binding greenhouse gas emission reduction targets for developed countries. Aimed at mitigating global warming, the Protocol introduced market-based mechanisms like emissions trading and the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) to help countries meet their targets. This landmark agreement marked a significant step in international climate policy, laying the foundation for future climate action frameworks. World summit on sustainable development, 2002: The World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), held in Johannesburg, South Africa, brought together around 4,000 delegates from approximately 100 countries. The summit aimed to address global challenges related to sustainable development, focusing on poverty eradication, environmental protection, and social equity. It resulted in the Johannesburg Declaration and the plan of implementation, which set out key goals and strategies for achieving sustainable development and highlighted the need for partnerships between governments, businesses, and civil society. Environment Bishnoi movement: movements The Bishnoi Movement, founded inin theIndia 15th century by Guru Jambheshwar (Jambhoji) in Rajasthan, India, is a significant environmental and social movement rooted in the Bishnoi community's principles of ecological conservation and humanitarian values. The Bishnois, known for their strict adherence to 29 religious principles (the term "Bishnoi" means "29" in Hindi), are committed to protecting trees, wildlife, and the environment. The movement gained widespread attention in the 18th century when Bishnois sacrificed their lives to protect the Khejri trees from being felled by the royal army in the village of Khejarli, an act of environmental resistance that remains a symbol of their commitment to conservation. The Bishnoi Movement continues to promote environmental stewardship and sustainable practices, emphasizing harmony between humans and nature. Chipko Movement: The Chipko Movement, which began in the 1970s in Uttarakhand, India, is a notable environmental movement that focused on forest conservation. "Chipko" means "to cling" or "to hug" in Hindi, reflecting the movement’s core strategy of protecting trees by embracing them. The movement was sparked by local communities, particularly women, protesting against the  Silent Valley Movement: The Silent Valley Movement, which began in the early 1970s in Kerala, India, was a significant environmental campaign aimed at preserving the Silent Valley, a pristine rainforest known for its rich biodiversity. The movement was sparked by a proposal to build a hydroelectric dam on the Kunthipuzha River, which would have submerged a substantial portion of the valley and its unique ecosystem. Led by environmentalists like P. K. Kalan and organizations such as the Kerala Sasthra Sahitya Parishad (KSSP), the movement mobilized public support through protests, awareness campaigns, and scientific studies highlighting the ecological value of the Silent Valley. The successful campaign led to the cancellation of the dam project in 1984 and the declaration of Silent Valley as a national park in 1985, preserving its biodiversity and ecological integrity. Narmada Bachao Andolan: The Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA), launched in the 1980s, is a prominent social and environmental movement in India that opposed the construction of large dams on the Narmada River. Spearheaded by activists such as Medha Patkar, the movement sought to address the adverse social and environmental impacts of the Sardar Sarovar Dam and other projects in the Narmada Valley. The NBA highlighted issues such as the displacement of local communities, loss of livelihoods, and environmental degradation caused by the dam projects. Through protests, legal battles, and advocacy, the movement aimed to ensure fair rehabilitation and compensation for affected communities and promote more sustainable and equitable development practices. The NBA has played a significant role in raising awareness about the impacts of large-scale infrastructure projects on vulnerable populations and ecosystems. Baliyapal movement: The Baliyapal Movement, also known as the Baliyapal Satyagraha, was a notable environmental and anti-industrial protest in India that took place in the early 1990s. It was centered around the village of Baliyapal in Odisha, where local communities opposed the establishment of a large aluminum refinery and its associated bauxite mining operations by the multinational company, Utkal Alumina International Limited (UAIL). The movement was led by activists and villagers who were concerned about the potential environmental degradation, loss of agricultural land, and disruption to their traditional way of life that the industrial project would cause. Despite facing repression and legal challenges, the movement succeeded in drawing attention to the broader issues of environmental justice and the rights of indigenous and rural communities in the face of industrial expansion.