19EMC282 Environmental Sciences

Unit I

Lecture 1 – Definition, Scope and Importance of Environment,

the Multidisciplinary Nature of Environmental Studies

Lecture Outcomes:
By attending this lecture you (the student) will be able to:

1. Define/state the term “Environment”

2. Explain the interdisciplinary nature of environmental studies
3. Identify the scope of environmental studies
4. Know about wide application of Environmental Studies.
5. Recognize the importance of environmental studies

What is Environment?

 Environment is the physical and biological surroundings, including their

interactions, of an organism.
 The word environment is derived from the French word
“ENVIRONNER”, which means to encircle, or surround.
 The biologist Jacob Van Uerkal (1864-1944) introduced the term
‘Environment’ in Ecology. Ecology is the study of interactions between
an organism of some kind and its environment.
 As defined by Environment Protection Act 1986, Environment is the sum
total of land, water, air, inter-relationships among themselves and also
with human beings, other living organisms and property.