Environmental Studies (BCA - 1) PDF

Vidhya Popat Environmental Studies [BCA – 1] UNIT 1 - THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY NATURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES ENVIRONMENT STUDIES ❑ Introduction ❑ Multidisciplinary approach ❑ Scope ❑ Importance ❑ Public Awareness INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL ❑ The word “Environment” is derived from the Fren...

Vidhya Popat Environmental Studies [BCA – 1] UNIT 1 - THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY NATURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES ENVIRONMENT STUDIES ❑ Introduction ❑ Multidisciplinary approach ❑ Scope ❑ Importance ❑ Public Awareness INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL ❑ The word “Environment” is derived from the French word “Environner” which means to encircle or surround. ❑ All the biological and non-biological things surrounding an organism are thus included in the environment. ❑ Environment can be defined as: External surroundings and conditions which directly or indirectly affect the living organism. ❑ It can also be defined as: Environment is the sum total of water, air, land, and interrelationship among themselves and also with human beings, other living organisms and property.  PARTS OF AN ENVIRONMENT BIOTIC ABIOTIC Made up of all living organisms(plants, All physical factors like temperature, animals, and microorganisms) humidity, water, soil, minerals, gases, including their reaction, interactions, etc. and interrelated actions. ECOLOGY ❑ The word ecology is derived from two Greek words “oikos” meaning house, habitation, or place of living, and “logos” meanings ‘study’. ❑ Ecology is the study of the interrelationship between living organisms and their physical and biological environment. ❑ Physical environment includes light and heat or solar radiation, moisture, wind, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nutrients in soil, water, and atmosphere. ❑ The biological environment includes organisms of all kinds as well as plants and animals. ECOSYSTSTEM ❑ Ecosystem is made up of two words “eco” and “system”. Eco means environment and system means an interacting and interdependent complex. ❑ Definition of Ecosystem: The organisms of any community besides interacting among themselves, always have functional relationships with the environment. The structural and functional system of communities and the environment is called the ecological system. ❑ It is a community of interdependent organisms together with the environment. INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES ❑ “Environmental studies” is the scientific study of our environment and our place in it. ❑ Environmental studies deal with every issue that affects a living being. ❑ Definition: “Environmental studies” is the study of earth, air, water, living organisms, and man with his impact on the environment THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY NATURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES ❑ It is highly multidisciplinary integrating disciplines of physical, chemical, and biological sciences, geology, mathematics, sociology, etc ❑ Branches of biology like Botany, Zoology, Microbiology, Genetics, and Biochemistry help in understanding the biotic components and their interactions. ❑ Basics concepts of physics, chemistry, Geology, Atmospheric science, and oceanography help us to understand the physical and chemical structure of the biotic components and energy transfer and it’s flow. ❑ Mathematics, statics, and computer sciences serve as effective tools in environment modelling and management. THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY NATURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES ❑ Sociology and Economics help us to understand socio-economics aspects associated with various developmental activities. ❑ Environmental studies is therefore a multi-disciplinary subject where different aspects are deal with a holistic approach. ❑ When one or more such disciplines combine to work together, then it is known as Multidisciplinary Nature. ❑ All areas directly or indirectly affect each other & the environment is connected with each of these. THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY NATURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES SCOPE 1. Natural resources their Conversation and management. 2. Ecology and biodiversity 3. Environment pollution and control 4. Social issues in relation to development and environment. 5. Human population and environment SCOPE ❑ Environmental studies can be highly specialized also which may concentrate on more technical aspects like Environmental science, Environmental engineering, environmental management, etc. ❑ Environment belongs to all and in this important for all. Whatever the occupation or age of a person, he or she will be affected by the environment by his or her deeds. Thus, the environment is one subject that is actually global in nature. ❑ Environment studies is also a very important science it deals with the most basic or routine issues like safe and clean drinking water, hygienic living conditions, clean and fresh air, fertile land, healthy food, and development that is sustainable. SCOPE ❑ Environment studies help to solve the biggest environmental problems like acid rain, global warming, ozone depletion, and resource depletion. ENVIRONMENT EDUCATION ❑ There are two types of Environment Natural & Man Made. ❑ When we look around the area we live in, was actually a forest, a river, a mountain or a combination of these – a Natural Landscape. But it has been heavily modified by human beings that is man made. ENVIRONMENT EDUCATION ❑ We use water – to drink and many other way ❑ We breath air ❑ We use resources – to make food ❑ We are largely depended on the community of living plants and animals. ❑ All these combined to form a web of life, and we are a part of it. ❑ Everything around us forms our environment and our lives depend on keeping its vital systems as intact as possible. Our dependence on nature is so great that we cant live without it. So protection of it is very important for our life. ENVIRONMENT EDUCATION ❑ Most traditions refer to our environment as ‘’Mother Nature’’ ❑ Due to High population & growing more food by using fertilizers and pesticides, Mega industrial development ,population etc led to rapid economic growth, the ill effects of this type of development generates the environmental degradation. TYPES OF NATURAL RESOURCES ❑ Two types of natural resource : Renewable : can be regenerated Ex: Air, Water etc ❑ Non-renewable : can’t be regenerated(or not in short time) Ex: Fuel, oil, Gas etc ❑ We all are using these directly or indirectly without thinking of its totality in environment. TYPES OF NATURAL RESOURCES ❑ In easy words, Our natural resources can be compared with money in a bank. If we use it rapidly, the capital will be reduced to zero. On the other hand, if we use only the interest, it can sustain us over the longer term. This is called sustainable utilization or development. FOR EVERY RESOURCE WE USE WE MUST ASK OURSELVES THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS ❑ What is the rarity of the resource and where does it originate? ❑ Who uses it most intensively and how? ❑ Is it being overused or misused? ❑ Who is responsible for its improper use – the resource collector, the middleman, the end user? ❑ How can we help to conserve it and prevent ❑ The use is unsustainable? IMPORTANCE ❑ Environment is not a single subject. It is an integration of several subjects that include both Science , Social Studies and many more. ❑ So ,It is Multidisciplinary in nature. ❑ Value of Multidisciplinary Approach: 1. Productive value of nature 2. Recreational value of nature 3. Option value of nature 1. PRODUCTIVE VALUE OF NATURE ❑ Biotechnology is fast advancing in this modern world. ❑ Nature has species( variety ) which contain an incredible and uncountable number of complex chemicals that are raw material and can be used for developing new medicines and industrial products. ❑ Destruction of these species due to human activity is happening rapidly and hence these species might become extinct in near future. ❑ Hence there is an urgent need to protect these species. Protection of these species by individual or group efforts. 2. RECREATIONAL VALUE OF NATURE ❑ Nature encompasses (surround and have or hold within) every aspect of living (biodiversity: flora and fauna) and non-living (sea, forest, desert) part of the earth. ❑ Developing national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in relatively undisturbed areas. ❑ Enjoy the wilderness – nature tourism or wildlife ❑ Tourism – pleasurable experience and also creates a deep respect and love for nature. 2. RECREATIONAL VALUE OF NATURE ❑ Urban setting there will be green spaces and gardens– psychological and physical health of city. It also gives access to certain amount of peace and tranquillity. 3. OPTION VALUE OF NATURE ❑ Day-to-day activities have adverse impacts on nature’s integrity. ❑ Present generation's lifestyles and economies are based on unsustainable pattern which can lead to destruction of biodiversity and will leave nothing for future generations. ❑ So environment study is urgent need of today for us. 3. OPTION VALUE OF NATURE ❑ Nature provides us with options to utilize it resources which we can use it either greedily (destroy its integrity and long term values) or sustainably and reducing our impacts on environment. ❑ Allows us to use its resources sustainably and preserve its goods and services for the future. NEED FOR PUBLIC AWARENESS ❑ Sustainable use of natural resources ❑ Join an environmental group ❑ Prevention is better than cure (Prevention of Environmental degradation) ❑ Importance of green area ❑ Awareness using mass media (News papers, Radio, T.V. etc.,) OBJECTIVE OF ES ❑ An AWARENESS of the environment and its problems. ❑ Basic KNOWLEDGE and understanding of the environment and its inter- relationship with man. ❑ Social VALUES and ATTITUDES which are in harmony with environmental quality. ❑ SKILLS to solve environmental problems. ❑ Sense of responsibility and urgency towards environment so as to ensure appropriate ACTIONS to solve environmental problems. ❑ Consider environment in its totality. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING ❑ Environmental engineering is based on the design and manipulation of environmental processes to obtain a desired outcome. ❑ Environmental engineers apply their knowledge of the natural sciences (chemistry, biology and microbiology) with their expertise in engineering to solve, prevent or correct environmental problems ACTIVITIES HANDLED BY ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER ❑ Waste Management, ❑ Toxic Material Control, ❑ Water Supply, ❑ Storm Water Management, ❑ Solid Waste Disposal, ❑ Land Management, ❑ Public Health & safety, ❑ Radiation Protection, ❑ Industrial Hygiene, ❑ Air Quality Control THANK YOU MOTIVATION GETS YOU STARTED, DISCIPLINE KEEPS YOU GOING.