Introduction to

UNIT 1 INTRODUCTION TO Environmental Science

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

Structure
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Objectives
1.2 Definition and Principles of Environment
1.3 Structure and Components of Environment
1.3.1 Atmosphere
1.3.2 Hydrosphere
1.3.3 Lithosphere
1.3.4 Biosphere
1.4 Multidisciplinary Nature of Environmental Studies
1.5 Scope of the Environment
1.6 Need for Public Awareness
1.7 Importance of Environment
1.8 Let Us Sum Up
1.9 Key Words
1.10 Suggested Further Readings/References
1.11 Answers to Check Your Progress

1.0 INTRODUCTION
Human population dynamics such as population pressure, economic development
are the primary drivers of environmental change. Rapid urbanization, coupled
with pollution and technological innovation are causing additional influences.
The global population in 2018 was 7.5 billion, with projections estimating nearly
10 billion by 2050 and nearly 11 billion by 2100. Our future depends on our
ability to understand and evaluate evidence-based arguments about the environ-
mental consequences of human actions and technologies, and to make informed
decisions based on those arguments.

The environmental science emphasise on the need for equitable, ethical, and
sustainable use of Earth’s resources by a global population that nears the carrying
capacity of the planet. Emissions generated by human activity continue to alter the
composition of the atmosphere, leading to air pollution, climate change,
stratospheric ozone depletion and exposure to persistent, bioaccumulative and
toxic chemicals. Genetic diversity is declining, threatening food security and the
resilience of ecosystems, including agricultural systems and food security.
Biodiversity loss and degradation of natural environment, unsustainable
agricultural practices; the spread of invasive species; pollution, including
microplastics; and overexploitation, including illegal logging and trade in wildlife
are few of the environmental concerns. Environmnetal Science enables us not
only to understand how human behaviors affect the environment, but also the
scientific principles that govern interactions between the living and non-living.

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Concepts of Environmental All of us are sustained by various kinds of natural resources such as food, materials,
Science
and energy that are harvested or otherwise extracted from the environment. Our need
for those resources is absolute. We cannot survive without them. Moreover, the
same is true of all other species. Every organism is a component of an ecosystem
that provides the means of subsistence. From global climate change to habitat loss
driven by human population growth and development, Earth is becoming a different
planet—right before our eyes. Our challenge is to acquire an improved
understanding of Earth’s complex environmental systems; systems characterized
by interactions within and among their natural and human components that link
local to global and short-term to long-term phenomena, and individual behavior
to collective action. The complexity of environmental challenges demands that
we all participate in finding and implementing solutions leading to long-term
environmental sustainability.

Collectively, the needs and activities of people comprise a human economy. That
economy operates at various scales, ranging from a person to a family, to
communities such as towns and cities, nation-states and ultimately the global
human enterprise. While the global economy supports an enormous (and rapidly
growing) number of people, much environmental damage is also being caused.
The most important of the damages is the depletion of vital natural resources,
various kinds of pollution (including climate change), and widespread destruction
of natural habitats to the extent that the survival of many of the natural ecosystems
and species of Earth are at grave risk.

These issues are of vital importance to all people and all life on the planet. Their
subject matter provides the context for a wide-ranging field of knowledge called
environmental studies, an extremely broad field of knowledge that examines the
scientific, social, and cultural aspects of environmental issues. As such, the subject
matter of environmental science engages all forms of understanding that are relevant to
identifying, understanding, and resolving environmental problems. Environmental science
examines the science-related implications of environmental issues (this is explained in
more detail in the following section). The subject matter of environmental science is the
focus of this unit.

Issues related to environmental problems are incredibly diverse, and they interact in
myriad ways. Despite this complexity, environmental issues can be studied by aggregating
them into three broad categories:
• the causes and consequences of the rapidly increasing human population
• the use and depletion of natural resources
• damage caused by pollution and disturbances, including the endangerment of
biodiversity
A systematic understanding of the environment and its concepts are required to overcome
these issues.

1.1 OBJECTIVES
After studying this unit, you should be able to:
• define environmental science and distinguish it from related fields such as
environmental studies, ecology, and geography;
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• explain the universe’s complexity through a hierarchical framework that Introduction to
Environmental Science
includes consideration of Earth, life, and ecosystems at various scales;
• identify key principles of the ecosystem approach to conserving natural
resources;
• explain segments of the environment;
• define scope of environment; and
• explain the need for public awareness in detail.

1.2 DEFINITION AND PRINCIPLES OF

ENVIRONMENT
Definition of Environment
The word ‘environment’ is most commonly used to describe nature and means
the sum of all living and non-living things surrounding an organism or group of
organisms. The environment includes all elements, factors, and conditions that
impact the growth and development of certain organisms. The environment
includes biotic (all surrounding living organisms) and abiotic factors (light,
temperature, water, atmospheric gases that influence observed organisms. In a nutshell,
the environment is the total of all the conditions (physical, chemical, biological, social,
cultural, and economic) surrounding the human being at a given point in space and
time.
The term ‘Environment’ is used for surroundings and is derived from French
word ‘environ’ or ‘environner,’ which means around or encircle or surroundings.
The environment may be defined as the complex of climatic, biotic, social, and
edaphic factors that act upon an organism and determines its form and survival.
The environment provides resources that support life on the earth and help in the
growth of a relationship between living organisms and nature.
The environmental science can be defined as “an interdisciplinary study of how
the Earth works, how we are affecting the Earth’s life-support systems
(Environment), and how to deal with the environmental problem we face”. The
environmental science is the study of the human impact on the physical and
biological environment of an organism. The environment in which we live has
been irreversibly affected by advancements in technology, and it has been affected
for as long as humans have wielded tools to alter their circumstances. We will
continue to alter our environment to suit ourselves as long as we remain a viable
species, but to do so wisely, we need to closely examine what we do and how we
do it. We need to build a bridge between science and technology, with science on
the one side, and technology on the other.
Element of Environment
The environment is constituted broadly of two components, i.e., non-living or
physical and living or biological. Non-living or physical includes air (atmosphere),
water (hydrosphere), and soil (lithosphere). Living or biological consists of plants,
microbes, animals, humans, etc., and collectively are known as the biosphere.
Principles of Environment
This section highlights the basic environmental principles and emphasizes our
ecosystem because this is the only way we, our planet, can be protected, and
actions should be taken to solve our environmental problems. 13
Concepts of Environmental 1) Nature knows best
Science
Humans must understand nature and follow its rules to ensure a continuous
and steady supply of resources; one must not go against natural processes. If
any disruption is caused in the cycle of nature, this can bring imbalance to
our ecosystem.
2) All forms of life are important
Each organism plays a fundamental role in nature. It is easy to appreciate
beautiful organisms like butterflies, especially if one knows their important
role in pollination. The giant ones like elephants, whales, and alligators are
the ones we respect mixed with fear or wonder and their products. But when
it comes to unlovely, squirmy, and troublesome creatures, this principle is
unusually overlooked.
3) Everything is connected to everything else
In an ecosystem, all biotic and abiotic components interact to ensure that the
system is sustained. Any intrusion from outside may cause an imbalance
and collapse of the system.
4) Everything changes
The environment is continuously changing. Organisms also develop through
time. However, these natural changes have affected these changes with our
current technology now cause problematic events for us. Humans should
rethink their relationship with the environment. Because our belief that it is
beneficial to the environment often turns out to be catastrophic.
5) Everything must go somewhere
Everything ends up elsewhere. It doesn’t just disappear. For example, if you
throw a piece of candy wrapper away, it disappears but does not cease to
exist. It ends up elsewhere. Gases released in the atmosphere may spread,
but they will end up a component of the atmosphere and be brought down
by rains. Any particular type of waste should always be a concern to us. It
may be a pollutant or a resource, depending on certain factors. Be a
responsible person and throw your trash in a proper place.
6) Ours is a finite earth
Earth’s resources can be classified as either renewable or non-renewable.
Renewable resources are those that can be quickly replenished by natural
cycles (e.g., water, air, plants, animals), while non-renewable resources are
those that cannot be replenished through natural cycles. Although renewable
resources can be replenished, it is important to understand that these are
renewable only if they are not overused and not destroyed by factors such as
pollution.
7) Nature is beautiful, and we are stewards of God’s creation!
Among all creatures, humans are the only ones made in God’s image and
have been given the right to have dominion over all his creations. Being the most
intelligent and gifted with reason, humans can manipulate and create changes in
nature for their own advantage. Yet, creation exists not to be ravaged or abused
but to be taken care of. Humans cannot exist without nature. They are co-
natural with the environment they live in.

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 Introduction to
1.3 STRUCTURE AND COMPONENTS OF Environmental Science

ENVIRONMENT
The environment generally represents four spheres, the lithosphere, the hydrosphere,
the atmosphere, and the biosphere; these correspond to rocks, water, air, and life.
Therefore, the environment can be defined as the study of the earth, air, water, living
beings, and mutual relationships.

1.3.1 Atmosphere
The atmosphere (or air) is a layer of gases surrounding the Earth and retained by its
gravity. It reaches over 560 km from the surface of the earth. The atmosphere absorbs
the sun’s energy, recycles water and other chemicals, and works with the electrical and
magnetic forces to provide weather and climate phenomena. The atmosphere also
protects us from high-energy radiation and the frigid vacuum of space. Atmospheric
gases scatter blue light more than other wavelengths, giving the earth a blue halo when
seen from space. Dry air contains about (by volume) 78.08% nitrogen, 20.95% oxygen,
0.93% argon, 0.038% carbon dioxide, and a trace amount of other gases. Air also
contains a variable amount of water vapour, on an average around 1%. The atmosphere
protects life on earth by absorbing ultraviolet solar radiation, warming the surface through
heat retention, and reducing the temperature peaks between day and night. There is
not any definite boundary between the atmosphere and outer space. It slowly becomes
thinner and fades into space. The Kármán line, at 100 km, is considered the boundary
between the atmosphere and outer space. The three-fourth mass of the atmosphere
belongs within 11 km of the surface.

The atmosphere is the blanket of suspended liquids, solids, and gases that envelope
the earth. Life on the earth is attributed to the atmosphere, which is a prime
source of oxygen (essential for life), carbon dioxide (essential for biomass
production), the functioning of wind, storm, snowfall, and formation of clouds,
weather, and climate. Other function of atmosphere includes protecting from
solar and cosmic effects.

Composition of atmosphere
The atmosphere is comprised of mainly gases and water vapours. Fairly large
amounts of nitrogen, oxygen, and argon are present as elementary gases in the
lower atmosphere. These gases are found in varying amounts at different heights
in the atmosphere. It is mainly dense up to 1 km elevation. The density of air at
sea level is about 1.2 kg m-3. The atmospheric density decreases as the altitude
increases.

Atmosphere works as a reservoir of gases, moderates earth’s temperature, absorbs

energy and damaging ultraviolet radiation from the sun, transports energy away
from equatorial regions, and serves as a pathway for the vapor-phase movement
of water in the hydrological cycle. The general composition of the atmosphere is
given in the following table 1.1.

15
Concepts of Environmental Table 1.1 Composition of Atmosphere
Science
Gases Volume (percent)
Nitrogen (N2) 78.08
Oxygen (O2) 20.95
Argon (Ar) 0.93
Carbon dioxide (CO2) 0.035
Neon (Ne) 0.002
Helium (He) 0.0005
Methane (CH4) 0.0002
Krypton (Kr) 0.0001
Hydrogen (H2) 0.00005
Nitrous oxide (N2O) 0. 0.0003
Carbon monoxide (CO) 0.00002
Xenon (Xe) 0.000009
Ozone (O3), Nitrogen dioxide (NO2),
Iodine (I), Ammonia (NH3) Traces
Structure of atmosphere
The pressure and temperature are related to altitude within the atmosphere. Due
to the compressible nature of gases, the earth’s gravity causes atmospheric pressure
to increase as elevation decreases. However, the air temperature decreases at
some levels and increases at others with an increase in altitude (Figure 1.1).
These temperature variations result from the variation of chemical and physical
properties of the different atmospheric layers as described below.

Troposphere
The troposphere is originated from the Greek word “tropos,” which means ‘to
turn’ or ‘to change.’ It is the lowest and most dense layer of the atmosphere,
begins at the ground or sea, and reached up to 10-12 km, with some variation due
to weather factors and thermal convection. The troposphere is characterized by a
continuous decrease of atmospheric temperature with increasing altitude, and most
of the weather phenomena like cloud formation and thunderstorms occur in this
region. In the lowest layer of the troposphere from the ground to about 1-2.5 km,
the planetary boundary layer, the influence of anthropogenic activities at the earth’s
surface, causes heavy variations in meteorological parameters, e.g., temperature,
wind direction/velocity, and relative humidity. The troposphere contains roughly
80% of the atmosphere’s total mass and contains almost all water vapour of the
atmosphere. The important chemical species are CO2, H2O, and NO2.

The troposphere has a great deal of vertical mixing due to solar heating in this
area. This heating makes air masses less dense, so they rise. When an air mass
rises, the pressure upon it decreases, expanding, doing work against the opposing
pressure of the surrounding air. To do work is to expend energy, so the temperature
of the air mass decreases. As the temperature decreases, water vapour in the air
mass may condense or solidifies, releasing latent heat that further uplifts the air
16
mass. This process determines the maximum rate of decline of temperature with Introduction to
Environmental Science
height, called the adiabatic lapse rate. The troposphere shows a positive lapse
rate. The uppermost boundary of the troposphere is called the tropopause. The
height of the tropopause depends on geographical latitude and weather conditions.

Stratosphere

The word stratosphere originates from the Latin word “stratum,” meaning layer.
The stratosphere lies above the troposphere to about 50 km. It is characterized by
an increase of ozone with a maximum ozone concentration at about 30 km of
height, though the ozone thickness varies seasonally and geographically. The
atmospheric temperature increases along with increasing altitude and reaches 0°C
at about 50 km show a negative lapse rate. This increase is mainly caused by the
ozone that absorbs the UV radiation coming from the sun. This region’s main
functions are absorption of UV rays through the ozone layer and protect the earth
from harmful radiations. About 90% of the ozone in our atmosphere is present in
the stratosphere. Ozone concentrations are greatest between about 20 and 40 km,
ranging from about 2 to 8 ppm. The atmospheric pressure in this layer is about 1/
1000th of sea level.

The stratosphere is almost without clouds because water vapours from the
troposphere are very limited due to the extremely low tropopause temperature.
The stratosphere may be divided into a lower stratosphere with a constant
temperature of about -56°C and an upper stratosphere above 20 km of height,
where temperature increases to about 0°C by absorption of UV radiation. The
uppermost portion of the stratosphere is called stratopause and characterized with
a temperature of approximately 0°C and distinguished as the warmest region
between the mesosphere and the stratosphere.

Mesosphere

Derived from the Greek word “meso,” means middle, the mesosphere extends
from about 50 km to the range of 80–85 km. Temperature decreases with height,
reaching -100 °C in the upper mesosphere. Most meteors burn up when entering
the atmosphere. It is the coldest place on earth’s atmosphere, with a minimum
temperature of -100 °C at the mesosphere’s uppermost boundary. The boundary
between the mesosphere and the thermosphere is called mesopause.

Thermosphere
The thermosphere named from the Greek word ‘Thermos’ means heat and begins
from 85 to 500 km. The temperature can rise to 1500 °C in this region. The
International space station orbits are situated in this layer in between 320 and
380 km. The boundary above the thermosphere varies in height from 500-
1,000 km. The thermosphere exhibited a negative lapse rate and is characterized
by the high kinetic energy of gas molecules.

Exosphere
The exosphere is the outermost layer of the atmosphere and extends from the outer
thermosphere known as exobase, at the height of about 500 km, to the edge of
interplanetary space (about 10,000 km). It contains free-moving particles that
may migrate into outer space. The region where atoms and molecules have sufficient
velocity to escape from the earth’s gravitation into space is referred to as the
exosphere. 17
Concepts of Environmental
Science Exosphere

e
r
e
Thermosphere

h
100

p
Mesopause

s
o
e
n
r
75 Mesosphere

e
o
Altitude (km)

r
I
Stratopausee
50

Stratosphere
25
Tropopause
Troposphere
0
-100 0 100
Temperature (°C)

Figure 1.1 Structure of the Atmosphere

Ionosphere
The atmosphere ionized by solar radiation extends from near about 50 to 1000 km
and typically overlaps the mesosphere, the thermosphere, and the exosphere.
Ionosphere may be divided into D (50 - 90 km), E (about 90-150 km), and F-
layers (150 - 800 km). The ionosphere is an example of plasma, neither gas, liquid,
nor solid; it is the fourth state of the matter and represents 99% of visible matter
in the Universe. The dominant ions in the D and E layers are NO+ and O2+; in the F
region, where the bulk of the ionospheric plasma resides, O+ predominates. These
layers play an important role in communication engineering since they reflect radio
waves (short waves).

1.3.2 Hydrosphere
The word “hydrosphere” is generated from two Greek words ‘hydor’ means water,
and ‘sphaira’ means sphere and, in a nutshell, can be defined as the combined
mass of water found on, under, and over the surface of the planet. The hydrosphere
is composed of all the waters on or near the earth, including oceans, rivers, lakes,
and moisture in the air. Hydrosphere covers about 70% of the earth’s surface and
provides a home for many plants and animals. The hydrosphere contains about
1.36×109 km3 liquid in the form of water. The second most common form of the
water molecule on our planet is ice that is sufficient to raise the sea level by about
70 meters. Ninety-seven percent of the earth’s water is present in the ocean. The
remaining three percent is freshwater. Three-quarters of the freshwater present in
solid form and exists in ice sheets.

Water is highly essential for life and a major constituent of almost all life forms.
Most life forms like plants and animals contain more than 60% water by volume
of their body. Without water, life on the planet would probably never have
18 developed. The abundance of water on earth is a unique feature that clearly
distinguishes our “Blue Planet” from other solar system planets. The range of Introduction to
Environmental Science
surface temperatures and pressures of our planet permit water to exist in three
states viz. solid (as ice), liquid (as water), and gas (as water vapours). The Ocean
is the principal component of the hydrosphere. Approximately 71% of the earth’s
surface is covered by the ocean, a continuous water body that is divided into
several major oceans and smaller seas. More than half of this area is over 3000
meters deep. Average oceanic salinity is around 3.5 percent, and nearly all seawater
has a salinity in the range of 3 to 3.8 percent. The major oceanic divisions are
defined in parts by the continents, and these divisions are the Pacific Ocean, the
Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, the Southern Ocean, and the Arctic Ocean. The
equator may further subdivide the Pacific and Atlantic into northerly and southerly
portions. Smaller regions of the oceans are called seas, gulfs, bays, etc. There are
also salt lakes, which are smaller bodies of landlocked saltwater that are not
interconnected with the World Ocean.

1.3.3 Lithosphere
The lithosphere, also known as the Geosphere, is the “solid” part of the Earth and
consisted of crust and upper mantle. The crust is the Earth’s outermost layer, varies
from 5 to 70 km in thickness, made up of rocks, minerals, and soil. The crust is inorganic
and is composed of minerals. There are two kinds of crust, i.e., continental and oceanic.
The crust is constantly moving, and by the movement of continents, earthquakes
happen. Earth’s oceanic crust is a thin layer of dense rock about 5 km thick. The
continental crust is less dense than oceanic crust, and lighter-colored rock that
varies from 30 to 70 km are also present in it. These crusts are made mainly of
eight elements: Oxygen, Silicon, Aluminium, Iron, Calcium, Sodium, Potassium,
and Magnesium. The oceanic crust has more Silicon, Oxygen, and Magnesium,
while the continental crust is rich in Aluminium.

The crust is chemically and mechanically different from the underlying mantle
and has been generated largely by igneous processes in which magma (molten
rock) cools and solidifies to form solid land. The mantle is present under the
Earth’s crust, heated by the radioactive decay of elements. The mantle is not quite
solid and consists of magma. The convection process causes movement of the
lithospheric plates, and the resulting process is known as plate tectonics. Volcanoes
result primarily from the melting of subducted crust material.

1.3.4 Biosphere
The term “biosphere” was coined by the famous geologist ‘Eduard Suess’ in
1875 and was defined as the place on earth’s surface where life dwells. The
biosphere begins through the process of biogenesis about 3.5 billion years ago.
The biosphere is composed of all living organisms (from the smallest bacterium
to the largest whale). Most of the life is found from 3 m below ground to 30 m
above the ground and in the top 200 m in the oceans and seas. The biosphere is
divided into biomes, inhabited by broadly similar flora and fauna. The biomes
are classified based on the climate and geography of the region. Major biomes
include deserts, forests, grasslands, tundra, and several types of aquatic
environments. Each biome consists of more than one ecosystem whose communities
have adapted to smaller differences in climate and the environment of the biome.
The biological manifestation of life is characterized by organization, metabolism,
growth, adaptation, response to stimuli, and reproduction. Properties common to
most organisms (plants, animals, fungi, protists, archaea, and bacteria) are cellular, 19
Concepts of Environmental carbon, and water-based organisms, having metabolism, capacity to grow, respond
Science
to stimuli, and reproduce the same organism.

1.4 MULTIDISCIPLINARY NATURE OF

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Environmental science is a multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary subject which
deals with every aspect of life. That requires the knowledge of various subjects
like biology, chemistry, physics, microbiology, biochemistry, statistics, geology,
economics, management, law, sociology, etc. Environmental study has evolved
from the integrated use of many disciplines. Environmental quality is the most
important issue for development. To ensure environmental quality, there is a
need to find a sustainable environmental management approach to assure a better
quality of life and protect the environment and natural resources that are the
foundations of well-being. In order to face these challenges, it is necessary to
establish a multidisciplinary approach for a deeper understanding of the
technological, political, and social options and strategies for managing the
relationship between society and the environment. Thus the environmental study
requires the knowledge developed in many different disciplines (Figure 1.2), e.g.

Life sciences, including botany, zoology, genetics, ecology, biochemistry,

biotechnology, microbiology, etc., help understand the environment’s biotic
components.

Figure 1.2: Multidisciplinary nature of Environmental studies

Physical sciences, including chemistry and physics, geology, atmospheric

science, oceanography, geography, etc., provide knowledge of the physico-
chemical structure of the environment’s abiotic components.
Economics, sociology, management, mass communication furnish inputs to
deal with socio-economic aspects associated with various developmental
activities.
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 Mathematics, statistics, computer science, serve as effective tools in resources Introduction to
Environmental Science
management.
Synthesis of civil engineering, hydraulics, chemical engineering, and
nanotechnology provides the technical solutions to environmental pollution
control and waste treatment that are extremely important for protecting the
environment.
• Political science and environmental law provide a tool for the guidelines
and judicious management for effective management and environment
protection.
• Education and mass communication helps in making people aware of various
environmental problems and their solutions.
The study of the environment with a multi-disciplinary approach helps to
generate a sustainable use of resources for present and future generations.
Check Your Progress 1

Note a) Use the space given below for your answers.

b) Check your answers with those given at the end of the unit
1) Define environment
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2) What is the importance of environment?
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3) Discuss in brief the segments of the environment
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4) What is the atmosphere? Describe the different layers of the atmosphere.
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Concepts of Environmental 5) Elaborate the statement “Multidisciplinary nature of Environmental Science”.
Science
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1.5 SCOPE OF THE ENVIRONMENT

The environment includes all those areas which can affect well being of living
organisms and must be related to all processes which would affect the well-
being, whether it is physical (global warming, climate change, etc.), chemical
(ozone layer depletion), or biological (deforestation). Atmosphere, hydrosphere,
lithosphere, and biosphere are the four segments, which make environment.
Atmosphere saves us from the hostile environment of outer space. It also protects
us from cosmic, UV, and electromagnetic radiations. Hydrosphere provides water
to all organisms, and the lithosphere provides minerals, nutrients, etc., which take
part in biomass’s primary production. The biosphere designates living organisms’
realm by creating their interactions with air, water, and soil; without that, life will
not exist anymore. The environment is established by the interaction of physical
(water bodies, soil, mineral, rocks, etc.), biological (plant, animal, and other
living organisms), and cultural (social, economic, political, etc.) elements in several
ways, individually as well as communally.

Environmental sciences provides knowledge about what we should do to make a

sustainable environment and what should not. It suggests solutions to combat the
forthcoming problems/disasters, viz. global warming, environmental pollution, climate
change, etc. It also tells about the components of the environment, the issues affecting
the environment, the role of organisms in these issues, how best we can handle the
negative issues, and how best to enhance the positive ones.

1.6 NEED FOR PUBLIC AWARENESS

The unthoughtful and unabated consumption of natural resources to fulfill different
needs such as the development of sciences, technologies, agriculture, industries,
transport and communication services, comfort, and pleasure has depleted the
natural resources and degraded the vital life-supporting systems, e.g., air, water,
and soil besides disturbing the delicate ecological balance. Hence, to improve
the deteriorated environment and avoid further pollution, degradation of natural
resources, and maintaining sustainable ecological balance, there is a strong need
to educate everybody to contribute to protecting our environment by using natural
resources in an eco-friendly manner and avoiding further pollution.

Environmental issues received international attention about 36 years back in

Stockholm Conference, held on 5 June 1972. Since then, we celebrate World
Environment Day on 5 June. The United Nations Conference on environment and
development held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, popularly known as ‘Earth Summit,’
first highlighted the key issues of global environmental concern and attracted the
22 general public’s attention toward the degrading environment. Any Government on
its own can not achieve the goals of sustainable development until the public has Introduction to
Environmental Science
not participated actively. Public participation is possible only by generating
awareness about ecological and environmental issues. Individuals can actively
participate in the progression of environmental improvement in the following
ways.
1) By minimization of natural resources consumption and saving them from
unwanted exhaustion such as rainwater harvesting, etc.
2) Energy should not be harnessed too much from fossil fuels’ burning (solid
fuels like coal, coke, etc. in thermal power plants, liquid and gaseous fuels
like petrol, diesel, LPG, automobiles, etc.
3) By step down in cutting trees for timber production to get aesthetic pleasure,
such as drawing rooms and houses.
4) Every individual can formulate and obey the moral codes meant for achieving
a better environment.
5) By preserving the greeneries and wildlife on a vast area of land.
The main goals targeted by various environmental scientists to protect our
environment include:
• Reduction of pollution from all sources to get zero pollution in future.
• Reduction, Recycling, and Reuse of waste materials.
• Cleanly converting non-recyclable materials into energy through direct
combustion or after conversion into secondary fuels.
• Minimizing societal consumption of non-renewable fuels.
• Development of alternative, green, low-sulfur, and renewable bio-energy
sources.
• Conservation and sustainable use of various natural resources, viz. water,
land, and air.
• Protection of representative ecosystems.
• Preservation of threatened and endangered species.
• The establishment of National Park, Sanctuaries, and Biosphere Reserves to
protect the biodiversity and ecosystems.

1.7 IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENT

The environment is never static. The physical forces continuously change the earth’s
surface through weather, waves, and natural phenomena, such as earthquakes,
volcanoes, etc. These phenomena release gases, heat, vapor, and dust into the
atmosphere and reach the land or sea at a great distance from their sources. Ozone is
produced in the high atmosphere by chemical reactions and protects us from harmful
ultraviolet radiation coming from the sun.

The current increasing interest in the environment roots from the concern about
the disruption of natural processes and destruction of natural resources and
ecosystems by anthropogenic activities to the extent that threatened the quality of
life of living organisms. Many indicators would suggest that the world is at a
crisis point due to a drastic increase in population and consumption of natural
resources and a significant increase in waste and pollution, damaging the
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Concepts of Environmental environment. The increased consumption of natural resources is responsible for
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the higher production of waste, which enhanced the pollution levels and generates
several unavoidable problems such as global warming, climate change, depletion
of the ozone layer, the introduction of incurable diseases, etc.

The environment belongs to all and is important to all without making any
differentiation between races, ages, types, etc. The importance of the environment
lies in the fact that human beings, well acquainted with nature, can lead a healthy,
spiritual, and long life. Study of environment helps us to maintain sustainable
environment all through in our vicinity.

A few importances of environmental science are pointed out below:

• Environmental science is concerned with the day to day interaction with the
surroundings, which are closely related to living beings
• Associated with most of the branches of science in an interdisciplinary
approach
• Concerned with the importance of wildlife and its protection
• Explains the significance of biodiversity conservation in establishing an
ecological balance
• Deals with different types of ecosystems, biotic and abiotic factors, and their
role in maintaining the ecological balance
• Concerned with different types of food chains, food webs, ecological
pyramids, productivity, biomass production, carrying capacity of ecosystems,
etc.
• Deals with various inter-relationships that exist between living organisms
and non-living things and among different living organisms such as symbiosis,
mutualism, commensalisms, parasitism, competition, antibiosis, etc.
• Describes the impact of population growth on the resource consumption,
national economy, and sustainability
• Deals with the impact of ethical principles in the conservation of wildlife,
biodiversity, and ecosystems
• Gives information about water conservation, watershed management,
rainwater harvesting, and their importance in various physiological,
biochemical, internal, and external environments.
• At present, many environmental issues have grown in size and complexity
day by day, threatening humanity’s survival on earth. Environment science
have become significant for the following reasons:
1) The global environmental issues are global warming, ozone layer depletion,
dwindling forest and energy resources, loss of global biodiversity, etc.
2) The localized environmental problems include the impact of mining, a
hydraulic project in an area, disposal, and management of solid waste, river
and lake pollution, soil erosion, water logging, salinization of soil, heavy
metal pollution, etc.
3) A few environmental problems associated with an individual are safe and
clean water, hygienic living conditions, clean and fresh air, fertile land, healthy
food, etc.
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4) The importance of the environment can also be understood by different Introduction to
Environmental Science
environmental celebrations given in Table 1.2.
Table 1.2. Different environmental celebrations and their date.
Environmental celebration Date
World wetland day 2 February
World forest day 21 March
World day of water 22 March
World meteorological day 23 March
National Maritime day 5 April
Earth day 22 April
International biodiversity day 22 May
Anti-tobacco day 31 May
Van Mahotsava week 1-7 June
World Environment day 5 June
World ocean day 8 June
World day to combat desertification and drought 17 June
World population day 11 July
Ozone Week 16-23 September
World car-free day 22 September
Green consumer day 28 September
World farm animal day 2 October
World habitat day 3 October
Wildlife week 1-7 October
World food day 16 October
World conservation day 24 October
International day for natural disaster reduction day 13 October
National Children day 14 November
World fishery day 21 November
National Land resource and conservation week 21-27 November
World Aids day 1 December
Global day of action against corporate crime
(Bhopal Gas tragedy day) 3 December
International Mountain day 11 December
National Energy conservation day 14 December

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Concepts of Environmental Check Your Progress 2
Science
Note: a) Use the space given below for your answers.
b) Check your answers with those given at the end of the unit
1. Discuss the importance of environmental issues
.......................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................
2. Why there is a need for public awareness to preserve the environment?
Describe various means to create awareness?
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.......................................................................................................................

1.8 LET US SUM UP

We have studied in this unit about the definition and importance of the environment.
We have discussed in detail the scope, importance, and need for public awareness to
preserve the environment. We have also described various international efforts that
have been made to protect the environment.

1.9 KEY WORDS

Atmosphere: The gaseous envelope surrounding the Earth, held in place by gravity.
Atmospheric Inversion (temperature inversion): A relatively stable atmospheric
condition in which cool air is trapped beneath a warmer air layer.
Atmospheric Water: Water occurring in the atmosphere, in vapour, liquid, or
solid forms.
Biosphere: All life on Earth, plus their ecosystems and environments.
Climate: The prevailing, long-term, meteorological conditions of a place or region,
including temperature, precipitation, wind speed, and other factors.
Climate Change: Long-term changes in the air, soil, water temperature;
precipitation regimes; wind speed; or other climate-related factors.
Crust: The outermost layer of Earth’s sphere, overlying the lithosphere and
composed mostly of crystalline rocks.
Environmental science: An interdisciplinary branch of science that investigates
questions related to the human population, resources, and damages caused by
pollution and disturbance.

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Environmental studies: An extremely interdisciplinary approach that examines Introduction to
Environmental Science
the scientific, social, and cultural aspects of environmental issues.
Habitat: The place or “home” where a plant or animal lives, including the specific
environmental factors required for its survival.
Hydrosphere: The parts of the planet that contain water, including the oceans,
atmosphere, on land, in surface water bodies, underground, and in organisms.
Igneous rock: Rock such as basalt and granite, formed by the cooling of molten
magma.
Life form: A grouping of organisms based on their common morphological and
physiological characteristics, regardless of their evolutionary relatedness.
Lithosphere: An approximately 80-km thick region of rigid, relatively light rocks
surrounding Earth’s plastic mantle.
Mantle: A less-dense region that encloses Earth’s core and is composed of
minerals in a hot, plastic state known as magma.
Mesosphere: The layer of the atmosphere extending beyond the stratosphere to
about 75 km above the Earth’s surface.
Stratosphere: The upper atmosphere, extending above the troposphere. from 8-17
km to as high as about 50 km. See also troposphere.

1.10 SUGGESTED FURTHERE READING\

REFERENCES
1. http://cuadernoilocano.blogspot.com/2011/10/cuaderno-ilocano-kdpy-7-
principles-of.html
2. Armstrong, S.J. and R.G. Botzler. 2003. Environmental Ethics: Divergence
and Convergence. McGraw-Hill, Columbus, OH.
3. Botkin, D. 1992. Discordant Harmonies. A New Ecology for the 21st Century.
2nd ed. Oxford University Press, New York.
4. Brown, L.R. 2003. Plan C: Rescuing a Planet Under Stress and a Civilization
in Trouble. W.W. Norton and Company, New York.
5. British Petroleum (BP). 2013. Statistical Review of World Energy 2013. BP,
London, UK. https://web.archive.org/web/20141023015532/http://
large.stanford.edu/courses/2013/ph240/lim1/docs/bpreview.pdf
6. Callicott, J.B. 1988. In Defense of the Land Ethic: Essays in Environmental
Philosophy. State University of New York Press, Albany, NY.
7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). 2014. The World Factbook. CIA, Langley,
VA. https://web.archive.org/web/20140701051751/https://www.cia.gov/
library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2001rank.html
8. DesJardins, J.R. 2000. Environmental Ethics: An Introduction to
Environmental Philosophy. 3rd ed. Wadsworth, Belmont, CA.
9. Devall, B. and G. Sessions. 1985. Deep Ecology: Living as if Nature Mattered.
Peregrine Smith Books, Salt Lake City, UT.
10. Ehrlich, P. and A.H. Ehrlich. 1991. The Population Explosion. Ballantine,
New York, NY.
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Concepts of Environmental 11. Evernden, L.L.N. 1985. The Natural Alien: Humankind and Environment.
Science
University of Toronto Press, Toronto, ON.
12. Evernden, L.L.N. 1992. The Social Creation of Nature. Johns Hopkins Press,
Baltimore, MD.
13. Freedman, B. 1995. Environmental Ecology: The Ecological Effects of
Pollution, Disturbance, and Other Stresses. Academic Press, San Diego, CA.
14. Hargrove, E.C. 1989. Foundations of Environmental Ethics. Prentice-Hall,
Englewood Cliffs, NJ.
15. Kuhn, T.S. 1996. The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. 3rd ed. University
of Chicago Press, Chicago, IL.
16. Leopold, A. 1949. A Sand County Almanac. Oxford University Press, New
York, NY.
17. Livingston, J.A. 1994. Rogue Primate: An Exploration of Human
Domestication. Key Porter Books, Toronto, ON.
18. Miller, G.T. 2006. Living in the Environment. Brooks Cole, Pacific Grove,
CA.
19. Nash, R.F. 1988. The Rights of Nature: A History of Environmental Ethics.
University of Wisconsin Press, Madison, WI.
20. Regan, T. 1984. Earthbound: New Introductory Essays in Environmental
Ethics. Random House, New York.
21. Rowe, J.S. 1990. Home Place: Essays on Ecology. NeWest Publishers,
Edmonton, AB.
22. Schumacher, E.F. 1973. Small Is Beautiful. Harper & Row, New York, NY.
23. Singer, P. 2003. Ethics. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK.
24. Singer, P. 2004. Animal Liberation. Ecco Press, New York, NY.
25. United States Census Bureau. 2015. International Programs. https://
www.census.gov/data-tools/demo/idb/informationGateway.php
26. Wackernagle, M. and E.E. Rees. 1996. Our Ecological Footprint: Reducing
Human Impact on the Earth. New Society Publishers, Gabriola Island, BC.
27. White, G.F. 1994. Reflections on changing perceptions on the Earth. Annual
Review of Energy and Environment, 19: 1–15.
28. White, L. 1967. The Historical Roots of Our Ecologic Crisis. Science 155:
1203–07.
29. Wilson, E.O. 1984. Biophilia. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA.

1.11 ANSWERS TO CHECK YOUR PROGRESS

Check Your Progress 1
1. The word ‘environment’ is most commonly used to describe nature and means
the sum of all living and non-living things that surround an organism or
group of organisms. The environment includes all elements, factors, and
conditions that impact certain organisms’ growth and development. The
environment includes biotic (all surrounding living organisms) and abiotic
factors (light, temperature, water, atmospheric gases that influence observed
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 organisms. In a nutshell, the environment is the sum total of all the conditions Introduction to
Environmental Science
(physical, chemical, biological, social, cultural, and economic) surrounding
the human being at a given point in space and time.
The environment is never static. The physical forces continuously change the
earth’s surface through weather, waves, and natural phenomena, such as
earthquakes, volcanoes, etc. These phenomena release gases, heat, vapour,
and dust into the atmosphere and reached to the land or sea at a great distance
from their original sources. Ozone is produced in the high atmosphere by
chemical reactions and protects us from harmful ultraviolet radiation coming
from the sun.
3. Environment is the sum total of all the conditions (physical, chemical,
biological, social, cultural, and economical) that surround the human being at
a given point in space and time. Environment generally represents four spheres,
the lithosphere, the hydrosphere, the atmosphere, and the biosphere; these
correspond to rocks, water, air, and life, respectively.
4. Composition of atmosphere
The atmosphere is comprised of mainly gases and water vapours. Fairly
large amounts of nitrogen, oxygen, and argon are present as elementary gases
in the lower atmosphere. Atmosphere works as a reservoir of gases, and
moderates the earth’s temperature.
Structure of atmosphere
The pressure and temperature are related to altitude within the atmosphere.
Due to the compressible nature of gases, the earth’s gravity causes atmospheric
pressure to increase as elevation decreases. These temperature variations
result from the variation of chemical and physical properties of the different
atmospheric layers as described below.
Troposphere
It is the lowest and most dense layer of the atmosphere, begins at the ground
or sea, and reached up to 10-12 km, with some variation due to weather
factors and thermal convection. The troposphere is characterized by a
continuous decrease of atmospheric temperature with increasing altitude, and
most of the weather phenomena like cloud formation and thunderstorms occur
in this region.
Stratosphere
The stratosphere lies above the troposphere to about 50 km. The atmospheric
temperature increases along with increasing altitude and reaches 0°C at about
50 km show a negative lapse rate. This increase is mainly caused by the
ozone that absorbs the UV radiation coming from the sun. This region’s main
functions are absorption of UV rays through the ozone layer and protect the
earth from harmful radiations. About 90% of the ozone in our atmosphere is
present in the stratosphere. Ozone concentrations are greatest between about
20 and 40 km, ranging from about 2 to 8 ppm.
Mesosphere
The mesosphere extends from about 50 km to the range of 80–85 km.
Temperature decreases with height, reaching -100 °C in the upper
mesosphere. Most meteors burn up when entering the atmosphere. It is the
coldest place on earth’s atmosphere, with a minimum temperature of (-)
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Concepts of Environmental 100 °C at the mesosphere’s uppermost boundary. The boundary between the
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mesosphere and the thermosphere is called mesopause.
Thermosphere
The thermosphere begins from 85 to 500 km. The temperature can rise to
1500 °C in this region. The International space station orbits are situated in
this layer in between 320 and 380 km. The boundary above the thermosphere
varies in height from 500-1,000 km. The thermosphere exhibited a negative
lapse rate and is characterized by the high kinetic energy of gas molecules.
The exosphere is the outer layer of the atmosphere and extends from the outer
thermosphere at the height of about 500 km to the interplanetary space’s edge
(about 10,000 km). It contains free-moving particles that may migrate into outer
space. The region where atoms and molecules have sufficient velocity to escape
from the earth’s gravitation into space is referred to as the exosphere.
Ionosphere
The atmosphere ionized by solar radiation extends from near about 50 to 1000 km
and typically overlaps the mesosphere, the thermosphere, and the exosphere.
The ionosphere is an example of plasma, neither gas, liquid, nor solid. This layer
plays an important role in communication engineering since they reflect radio waves
(short waves).
5. Environmental science is a multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary subject that deals
with each aspect of life. That requires the knowledge of various subjects like
biology, chemistry, physics, microbiology, biochemistry, statistics, geology,
economics, management, law, sociology, etc. Environmental study has evolved
from integrated use of many disciplines.
Check your progress 2
1. The global environmental issues are global warming, ozone layer depletion,
dwindling forest and energy resources, loss of global biodiversity, etc. The
localized environmental problems include the impact of mining, the hydraulic
project in an area, disposal, and management of solid waste, river and lake
pollution, soil erosion, water logging, salinization of soil, heavy metal pollution,
etc. A few environmental problems associated with an individual are safe and
clean water, hygienic living conditions, clean and fresh air, fertile land, healthy
food, etc.
2. The unthoughtful and unabated consumption of natural resources to fulfill
different needs such as the development of sciences, technologies, agriculture,
industries, transport and communication services, comfort, and pleasure has
depleted the natural resources and degraded the vital life-supporting systems,
e.g., air, water and soil besides disturbing the delicate ecological balance.
Hence, to improve the deteriorated environment and avoid further pollution,
degradation of natural resources, and maintaining sustainable ecological
balance, there is a strong need to educate everybody to contribute to protecting
our environment by using natural resources in an eco-friendly manner and
avoiding further pollution.
Public participation is possible only by generating awareness about ecological
and environmental issues. Individuals can actively participate in the progression
of environmental improvement in the following ways.

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• By minimizing natural resource consumption and saving them from unwanted Introduction to
Environmental Science
exhaustion such as rainwater harvesting, etc.
• Energy should not be harnessed too much from fossil fuels’ burning (solid
fuels like coal, coke, etc. in thermal power plants, liquid and gaseous fuels
like petrol, diesel, LPG automobiles, etc.
• By step down in cutting trees for timber production to get aesthetic pleasure
such as decorating drawing rooms and houses.
• Every individual can formulate and obey the moral codes meant for achieving
a better environment.
• By preserving the greeneries and wildlife on a vast area of land.
Seminar, workshop, T.V. and radio program, advertising campaign, and street
plays on various environmental topics are very effective means to generate
public awareness. Writing Environmental slogans in public places can play
an important role in creating awareness.

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