Unit 1: The Multidisciplinary nature of environmental studies

Definition, scope and importance, Need for public awareness.

Definition
The term Environment has been derived from a French word ‘environner’ which means to
encircle or to surround. The term ‘environment’ means surroundings, in which the organisms
live. It has two components: abiotic (non-living) and biotic (living) components.
Different components of the environment are interlinked and interdependent.
Environment creates favourable conditions for the existence and development of living
organisms.
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) defines environment as “the whole outer
physical and biological system in which man and other organisms live”.
P. Gisbert says, “Environment is anything immediately surrounding an object and exerting a
direct influence on it”.
According to E. J. Ross, “environment is an external force which influences us”.
As per Environment (Protection) Act of 1986, environment refers to the “sum total of air,
water and land and the interrelationships among themselves and also with the human beings,
other living organisms or property.”
Types of Environment
On the basis of proximity or nearness and the nature of the influences exerted on the organisms
by the environment it can be of following types
a. Micro-environment: It refers to the immediate local surroundings of an organism.
b. Macro-environment: It refers to all the physical and biotic conditions that surround the
organism externally.
Similarly on the basis of the composition or nature of the environmental components following
types of environment can be enumerated.
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