Introduction to the Environment PDF

Goo a ernoo Clas Introducti on to the Environmen t We will learn today - Defining the term Environment - Importance of Environment - TYPES OF ENVIRONMENT - COMPONENTS OF ENVIRONMENT - ECOLOGICAL BALANCE IN NATURE - ENVIRONMENT AND HUMAN HEALTH - OVER-EXPLOITATION OF ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEV...

Goo a ernoo Clas Introducti on to the Environmen t We will learn today - Defining the term Environment - Importance of Environment - TYPES OF ENVIRONMENT - COMPONENTS OF ENVIRONMENT - ECOLOGICAL BALANCE IN NATURE - ENVIRONMENT AND HUMAN HEALTH - OVER-EXPLOITATION OF ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT - Meaning of environmental science - SCOPE OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Defin󰈎󰈝󰈈 En󰉏i󰈹󰈡n󰈚󰇵󰈞t - French word ‘environner’ which means “to encircle or to surround”. - Everything, living or nonliving, which surrounds us, forms our environment. - The sum total of all the materials, forces and conditions that a ect an individual’s life is known as environment. - the main focus of environmental studies is man and the environment refers to what surrounds and a ects man’s life “The whole oute r physical and biological sy stem in which man and other organisms live” United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) “Environs” + “Ment” = surroundings + action of Importance of Environment ehouse of r o t s a is t men re - Environ es which a c r u o s e r s variou or life. essential f system” t r o p p u s e - “lif g on reat bearin g e v a h s n tio - interac nd health. a l a iv v r u s organisms’ Genotype up) (genetic make Living organism Phenotype (environme nt) TYPES OF ENVIRONMENT Closeness and environmental influences on organisms ers to the immediate local Micro-environment:: It ref sm. surroundings of an organi to all the physical and biotic ers ref It t: en nm iro nv -e b. Macro the organism externally. conditions that surround A. The composition or characteristics of environmental components a. Terrestrial environment- where a major components of environment is land b. Aquatic environment- where water forms the major portion of an individual’s environment c. Aerial environment- where air is the dominant environmental factor COMPONENTS OF ENVIRONMENT Physical environment : all abiotic factors or conditions like soil, minerals, temperature, light, rainfall, etc. It comprises of atmosphere, lithosphere and hydrosphere. Biological environment :all biotic factors or living forms like plants, animals and micro-organisms. Social Environment : an individual’s social, economic and political condition wherein he lives. The moral, cultural and emotional forces influence the life and nature of individual behaviour. a. Physical En vironment or P hysical component of environment b. Biological e nvironment or Biological component of environment c. Social envir onment or Soc ial component of environment ECOLOGICAL BALANCE IN NATURE Ecosystem or ecological system refers to a complex of interacting and interrelated physical and biological systems. of disturbance in Common causes e of nature ecological balanc - Introduction of new species Sudden death of some species Natural hazards Overexploitation of nature by man Man-made disasters which results in unfavourable conditions for certain species Environmental pollution leads to biodiversity loss A perfect relationship between its various components is called as ecological balance. Predator species keep the population of prey species under control. Ecological Balance Some insect species play pivotal role in pollination of tree species. Decomposers act upon dead and decaying organisms and keep the environs clean. ENVIRONMENT AND HUMAN HEALTH Environmental Health is now widely used to refer to a discipline of public health that addresses environmental issues that may affect human health. Generally human health depends upon: - Genetic factors - Availability of basic facilities - Availability of food and nutrient - requirements Type, extent and utilization pattern of available natural resources - Hygiene and sanitation system - Awareness and education about health related issues - Healthcare system health-affecting environmental factors Physical factors Temperature, humidity, precipitation Chemicals Lead, Mercury and Arsenic Noise Radiations radio waves, microwaves, infrared and ultraviolet lights Biological agents pathogens or disease OVER-EXPLOITATION OF ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ms ble Pro ir ntal-Pollution of air, water and land, e m on -Climatic changes and global warming Env Sustainable Development “Development th at meets the needs of th e present without compro mising the ability of future generations to m eet their own needs” -Depletion of wildlife and biodiversity -Waste disposal problem -Depleting natural resources -Shortage of food for humans -Degradation of land and desertification -Nuclear hazards SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT There are some general means and indicat ors of sustainable development - Consideration of possible environmental impacts due to developmental projects - No or minimum damage to environment and natural ecosystems - Use of appropriate and eco-friendly technology - Adoption of Reuse, Recycle and Reduce (3Rs) approach - Minimum or no waste generation - Raising environmental awareness and education Sci Latin “scientia”, which means “knowledge”. y t i l a u q the g n i n i mainta nvironment otic i b of the e g n i erv s n o c h ces. r u o throug s e r ic t o i b a and Meaning of environmental science Environmen tal issues Health and hygiene Ozone depletion Climate change COMPONENTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES A. Ecology B. Environmental Studies C. Environmental Engineering D. Environmental Ethics E. Conservation Biology F. Environmental Chemistry physical components of environment G. Environmental Geography H. Environmental Sociology I. Environmental Policy and Law J. Toxicology K. Limnology L. Environmental Hydrology M. Wildlife In common Ecology (“oikos”= “house to live”) b Joh Substance - Soil, water, air Conditions - Temperature,light Forces - Wind, gravity Organisms - Plants, animals Uexk Jako Henry. J Oosting (1903-1968) üll ann von 18 64 -19 44 Any external force, substance or condition, which surrounds and Germa n Biol Living ogist a ects the life of the organisms in And any way becomes a factor of its non-living entities organisms. American Ecologist Year 1948 Ecology Living and non-living entities Multidisciplinary Nature of Environmental Sciences Physical, biological and information sciences (including but not limited to ecology, biology, physics, chemistry, zoology, mineralogy, oceanology, limnology, soil science, geology, atmospheric science, geography and geology) the study of the environment, and the solution of environmental problems. SCOPE OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE a. Ecosystem Structure and Function b. Natural Resource Conservation c. Environmental Pollution Control d. Environmental management The scope of environmental studies in industry - Research and development - Social Development IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE a. Environment Issues Being of International Importance B. Problems Cropped in the Wake of Development C. Explosively Increase in Pollution D. Need to Save Humanity from Extinction E. Need for Wise Planning of Development Se y u N We k