Environmental Studies Lecture 1 2021 PDF

2021 Fall Environmental studies Dr. Taghred 2  Environmental Studies INTRODUCTION Environmental studies refer to an extensive and systematic study of nature/environment, its physical, biological, social, and cultural factors, as well as the na...

2021 Fall Environmental studies Dr. Taghred 2  Environmental Studies INTRODUCTION Environmental studies refer to an extensive and systematic study of nature/environment, its physical, biological, social, and cultural factors, as well as the nature and characteristics of the relationship between man and environment.. Environmental studies help us understand the importance of our environment and teaches us to use natural resources more efficiently and embrace a sustainable way of living. How far man influences nature and to what extent nature delivers its bounties constitute another objective of environmental studies  Multidisciplinary Nature of Environmental Studies Learning objectives To develop a comprehensive understanding of the concept and scope of environment studies. To know about the immense importance of environment as a subject. To develop public awareness about our environment and elicit collective response for its protection. To gather information about organizations and people relentlessly working in this field. To know and analyse the types of environment and environmental components and how they affect our survival Troposphere Stratosphere Mesosphere Thermosphere  Environment Derived from French word “Environner” means to encircle or surround. *The biologist Jacob Van Uerkal (1864-1944) introduced the term ‘environment’ in Ecology. Ecology is the study of the interactions between an organism of some kind and its environment. *The term “ Ecology “ comes from Greek words words “oekos” means surrounding and “logs “ means study of surrounding. *All Biological and non-biological things surrounding an organism included in the environment. * Environment protection act defined “Environment as sum total of water ,air and land ,interrelationships among themselves and also with the other human beings, other living beings and property.” *sum total of all social, economical, biological, physical, and chemical factors which constitute the surrounding of humans, who are both creators and moulders of the environment Elements of Environment Physical elements - space, landforms,water bodies, soils, rocks and minerals. Biological elements - plants, animals,microorganisms and men. Cultural elements - economic, social an dpolitical elements are essentially manmade features Components of Environment ABIOTIC COMPONENTS It includes non living components. Include two factors climate (temp., water, light, humidity etc) and edaphic (soil and substratum BIOTIC COMPONENTS The living organisms form the biotic components of the environment. PRODUCERS(green plants) – CONSUMERS(animals) DECOMPOSERS(fungi,bacteria). Consists of four segments of the earth namely atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere. Atmosphere: The Atmosphere forms a distinctive protective layer about 100 km thick around the earth. A blanket of gases called the atmosphere surrounds the earth and protects the surface of earth from the Sun’s harmful, ultraviolet rays. It sustains life on the earth. It also regulates temperature, preventing the earth from becoming too hot or too cold. It saves it from the hostile environment of outer space. The atmosphere is composed of nitrogen and oxygen besides, argon, carbon dioxide and trace gases Hydrosphere: It comprises all types of water resources oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, streams, reservoirs, polar icecaps, glaciers, and ground water. Oceans represent 97% of the earth’s water and about 2% of the water resources is locked in the polar icecaps and glaciers. Only about 1% is available as fresh water as surface water in rivers, lakes, streams, and as ground water for human use. Lithosphere - Lithosphere is the outer mantle of the solid earth. It consists of minerals occurring in the earth’s crusts and the soil e.g. minerals, organic matter, air and water Biosphere – Biosphere indicates the realm of living organisms and their interactions with environment, viz atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere Major Global Environmental Problems Food shortage and famines Water Storage Rapid population growth Depletion of non renewable fossil fuels Damage to the environment Acid Rain Global Warming Deforestation Disposal of solid and hazardous wastes  The multi-disciplinary nature of environmental studies Definition: The science of Environment studies is a multidisciplinary science because it depends on various disciplines like chemistry, physics, medical science, etc. It is the science of physical phenomena in the environment. It is inherently a multidisciplinary field that draws upon not only its core scientific areas, but also applies knowledge from other non-scientific studies such as economic, law and social sciences Environmental Science Cont’d Environmental science and the issues that it studies are complex and interdisciplinary. Includes concepts and ideas from multiple fields of study. Decisions have impacts in all these fields of study. Source: Principles of Environmental Science, Cunningham, 2005. 17 Objectives of Environmental Education According to UNESCO (1971): The following are the objectives of environmental education: 1. Awareness: 2To help the social groups and individuals to acquire knowledge of pollution and environmental degradation. 2. Knowledge To help social groups and individuals to acquire knowledge of the environment beyond the immediate environment including distant environment.. 3. Attitudes To help social groups and individuals to acquire a set of values for environmental protection. 4. Skills To help social groups and individuals to develop skills required for making discriminations in form, shape, sound, touch, habits and habitats. Further, to develop ability to draw unbiased inferences and conclusions. 5. Participation To provide social groups and individuals with an opportunity to be actively involved at all levels in environmental decision making. SCOPE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES Natural resources- their conservation and management Ecology and Biodiversity Environmental studies as a subject has a wide scope. It includes a large number of areas and aspects, which may be summarized as follows: Environmental pollution and control Human population and environment Social issues in relation to development and environment These are the basic aspects of environmental studies which have a direct relevance to every section of society. Several career options have emerged in these fields that are broadly categorized as: (i) Research and development in environment: Skilled environmental scientists have an important role to play in examining various environmental problems in a scientific manner and carry out R&D activities for developing cleaner technologies and promoting sustainable development. (. (ii) Green advocacy: With increasing emphasis on plementing various Acts and Laws related to environment, need for environmental lawyers has emerged, who should be able to plead the cases related to water, air, forest, wildlife, pollution and control etc. iii) Green marketing: While ensuring the quality of products with ISO mark, now there is an increasing emphasis on marketing goods that are environment friendly. Such products have ecomark or ISO 14000 certification. Environmental auditors and environmental managers would be in great demand in the coming years (iv) Green media: Environmental awareness can be spread amongst masses through mass media like television, radio, newspaper, magazine, hoardings, advertisements etc., for which environmentally educated persons are required. (v) Environmental consultancy: Many non-government organizations, industries and government bodies are engaging environmental consultants for systematically studying and tackling environment related problems. Importance of environmental study Environmental study is based upon a comprehensive view of various environmental systems. It aims to make the citizens competent to do scientific work and to find out practical solutions to current environmental problems. The citizens acquire the ability to analyze the environmental parameters like the aquatic, terrestrial and atmospheric systems and their interactions with the biosphere and anthrosphere. Importance World population is increasing at an alarming rate especially in developing countries. The natural resources endowment in the earth is limited. The methods and techniques of exploiting natural resources are advanced. The resources are over-exploited and there is no foresight of leaving the resources to the future The unplanned exploitation of natural resources lead to pollution of all types and at all levels. The pollution and degraded environment seriously affect the health of all living things on earth , including man. The people should take a combined responsibility for the deteriorating environment and begin to take appropriate actions to space the earth. Education and training are needed to save the biodiversity and species extinction. The urban area, coupled with industries, is major sources of pollution. The number and area extinct under protected area should be increased so that the wild life is protected at least in these sites. The study enables the people to understand the complexities of the environment and need for the people to adapt appropriate activities and pursue sustainable development, which are harmonious with the environment. The study motivates students to get involved in community action, and to participate in various environmental and management projects. It is a high time to reorient educational systems and curricula towards these needs  Environmental studies take a multidisciplinary approach to the study of human interactions with the natural studies Environmental environment. take a. It integrates different approaches of the humanities , social sciences, biological sciences and physical sciences and applies these approaches to investigate environmental concerns. Environmental study is a key instrument for bringing about the changes in the knowledge, values, behaviors and lifestyles required to achieve sustainability and stability within and among countries Need for Public Awareness Earth’s resources are dwindling and our environment is being increasingly degraded by human activities and hence something needs to be done. Government alone cannot perform all the clean-up functions. Individual/group efforts in their own every possible way has to be made to protect our environment. Mass public awareness: newspapers, radio, television strongly influences public opinion on conserving our environment. T&F 1- Environmental studies refer to an extensive and systematic study of nature/environment, its physical, biological, social, and cultural factors, as well as the nature and characteristics of the relationship between man and environment( T) 2- The term “ Ecology “ comes from Greek words “oekos” means surrounding and “logs “ means study of surrounding.(T) 3- The Atmosphere forms a distinctive protective layer about 100 km thick around the earth.(T) 4-The science of Environment studies is a multidisciplinary science because it depends on various disciplines like chemistry, physics, medical science, etc(t) 5- The unplanned exploitation of natural resources lead to pollution of all types and at all levels(t). MCQ 1- of Environment Physical elements such as A- water bodies B- plants C- men D- microorganisms. 2- Components of Environment is BIOTIC COMPONENTS include A- includes non living components B- two factors climate. C- edaphic (soil and substratum D- PRODUCERS(green plants) – CONSUMERS(animals). 3- is the outer mantle of the solid earth.It consists of minerals occurring in the earth’s crusts and the soil e.g. minerals, organic matter, air and water its called A- Biosphere B- Lithosphere C- Hydrosphere: D- via atmosphere 4- Major Global Environmental Problems: A- Food shortage and famines B- Water Storage C- Rapid population growth D- all of the above 5- Objectives of Environmental Education: A- Awareness. B- Knowledge C- Attitudes D- all of the above. 6- With increasing emphasis on plementing various Acts and Laws related to environment, need for environmental lawyers has emerged, who should be able to plead the cases related to water, air, forest, wildlife, pollution and control is A- Green advocacy. B- Green marketing C- Green media. D- Environmental consultancy