Multidisciplinary Nature of Environmental Studies PDF

# CHAPTER 1 ## MULTIDISCIPLINARY NATURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES ### 1.1. Definition The word environment is derived from the French word "environ" meaning surroundings. Hence, everything surrounding us is called environment. Every organism is surrounded by materials and forces that constitute its e...

# CHAPTER 1 ## MULTIDISCIPLINARY NATURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES ### 1.1. Definition The word environment is derived from the French word "environ" meaning surroundings. Hence, everything surrounding us is called environment. Every organism is surrounded by materials and forces that constitute its environment. It is the environment from where every organism must derive its requirement. The environment creates favourable conditions for the existence and development of living organisms. The survival of any organism requires a steady supply of materials and removal of waste products. The natural environment encompasses all living and non-living things. This environment encompasses the interaction of all living species, climate, weather, and natural resources that affect human survival and economic activity. Environmental studies is multi-disciplinary because it comprises various branches of studies like chemistry, physics, medical science, life science, agriculture and public health. It is the science of physical phenomena in the environment. Environmental studies deals with every issue that affects an organism. It is an applied science as its seeks practical answers to making human civilization sustainable on the earth's finite resources. The environment is constituted by the interacting systems of physical, biological and cultural elements inter-related in various ways, individually as well as collectively. These elements are - **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 human beings constitute the biosphere. - **Cultural Elements** Economic, social and political elements are essentially manmade features, which constitute the cultural milieu. ### 1.2. Scope and importance Environment Studies enlighten us about the importance of protection and conservation of our 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 live in landscapes that have been heavily modified by human beings, in villages, towns or cities. But even those of us who live in cities get our food supply from surrounding villages and these in turn are dependent on natural landscapes such as forests, grasslands, rivers, seashores, for resources such as water for agriculture, fuel wood, fodder, and fish. Thus, our daily lives are linked with our surroundings and inevitably affects them. We use water to drink and for other day-to-day activities. We breathe air, we use resources from which food is made and we depend on the community of living plants and animals which form a web of life, of which we are also a part. Everything around us forms our environment and our lives depend on sustaining its vital systems. The industrial development and intensive agriculture that provides the goods for our increasingly consumer oriented society uses up large amounts of natural resources such as water, minerals, petroleum products, wood, etc. **Non renewable resources,** such as minerals and oil are those which will be exhausted in the future if we continue to extract these without a thought for subsequent generations. **Renewable resources,** such as timber and water, are those which can be used but can be regenerated by natural processes such as re growth or rainfall. However, these too will be depleted if we continue to use them faster than nature can replace them. Deforestation leads to floods in the monsoon and dry rivers once the rains are over What we should implement is **Sustainable Development.** It is the organizing principle for meeting human needs while at the same time sustaining the ability of natural systems to provide the resources and ecosystem services upon which the economy and society depends. The desirable end result is a society where living conditions and resource use continue to meet human needs without undermining the stability of the natural systems. The scope of environmental studies include: 1. Developing an awareness and sensitivity to the environment and its related problems. 2. Motivating people for active participation in environmental protection. 3. Developing skills to find solutions to environmental problems. 4. Imbibe and inculcate in others the necessity for conservation of natural resources. ### 1.3 Needs for awareness Increasing population, urbanization and poverty have exerted pressure on the natural resources and led to degradation of the environment. To prevent the environment from further degradation, the Supreme Court has ordered and initiated environmental protection awareness through government and non-government agencies. Environmental pollution cannot be prevented by laws alone. Public participation is equally important with regards to environmental protection. **Environmental Education (EE)** is a process of learning by giving an overall perspective of knowledge and awareness of the environment. It sensitizes the society about environmental issues and challenges interested individuals to develop skills and expertise, thereby providing appropriate solutions. Climate change, loss of biodiversity, declining fisheries, ozone layer depletion, illegal trade of endangered species, destruction of habitats, land degradation, depleting ground water supplies, introduction of alien species, environmental pollution, solid waste disposal, storm water and sewage disposal pose a serious threat to ecosystems in forest, rural, urban and marine ecosystems. Both formal and informal education on the environment will give the interested individual the knowledge, values, skills and tools needed to face the environmental challenges on a local and global level.