INTRODUCTION TO

ENVIRONMENTAL
STUDIES
INTRODUCTION

 MEANING AND DEFINITION

 NATURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
 IMPORTANCE AND SCOPE OF ES
 SUSTAINABILITY AND SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT
WHAT IS ENVIRONMENT

 The word is derived from French word

“Environner” which means to encircle, around or
surround THAT IS the surroundings or conditions –
of organisms
 Definition - a sum total of all the living and non-
living elements and their effects that influence an
organism’s life.
WHAT IS ENVIRONMENT

- Living or biotic – consists of living components such as – microorganism, plants,

animals, forests etc.
- Non- living or abiotic – components like water, air, sunlight, land
 Environmental science is hence the study concerned with environmental
issues.
 Nature of ES

 Known as ‘Multidisciplinary academic field’

 Environmental studies deals with every issue
that affects an organism.
 An academic field that integrates disciplines
of various branches of studies like chemistry,
physics, medical science, life science, public
health, economics, law and social science.
Hence it applies knowledge from both core
scientific as well as non scientific areas.
 NATURE OF ES
 This field seeks practical answers in making
human civilization sustainable on the earth’s
finite resources and hence solve
contemporary environmental problems.
 Since there is a complex relationship that’s
exists in our natural environment among
people, animals, other organisms, oceans,
forests and so on, we need inputs from
diverse disciplines to deal with the subject
in a holistic manner.
 Multidisciplinary EVS
 Atmospheric Science– study of the Earth's atmosphere and
its various inner-working physical processes.
 Environmental Chemistry- study of the changes chemicals
make in the environment, such as contamination of the
soil, pollution of the water, degradation of chemicals, and
the transport of chemicals upon the plants and animals of
the immediate environment.
 Geosciences-the study of geology, soil science, volcanoes,
and the Earth’s crust as they relate to the environment
 Ecology- study of organisms and the environment
interacting with one another
ELEMENTS OF ENVIRONMENT
Hydrosphere (WATER)
Atmosphere (AIR)
Lithosphere (LAND)

Biosphere- Common living component

of each sphere forms the biosphere
Meaning of living component of each
• Atmosphere – birds
• Hydroshphere – All aquatic animals,
aquatic plants, seaweed
• Lithosphere – Terrestrial animals,
insects etc.
 SCOPE
1. Developing an awareness and sensitivity to the
total environment and its related problems
2. Motivating people for active participation in
environmental protection and improvement
3. Developing skills for active identification and
development of solutions to environmental
problems.
4. Imbibe and inculcate the necessity for conservation
of natural resources.
5. Evaluation of environmental programmes in terms
of social, economic, ecological and aesthetic
factors.
 IMPORTANCE
Global issues- Evergreen subject that concerns our daily life. Issues like Global warming, ozone
depletion, rise in water level etc. are global and have grown in size and complexity day by day
threatening survival of mankind.
Impact of Development- Urban development causing pollution, global warming, deforestation
resulting in soil erosion, flooding, landslides, droughts etc.
Sustainability- that is, utilizing present resources in a manner that conserves their supplies for the
future. Renewable and non renewable resources
Awareness at local, national, international level – shed light on issues like biodiversity
• Use natural resources efficiently-
• Using the right tools to explore resources
• Adding value to our resources
• Making sure machines are maintained appropriately
• Thorough training of human resources
• Provision of effective and efficient supervision
• Using the right techniques to minimize exploitation
• To understand the behavior of organisms under natural conditions
 CAREER
 Environmental engineer
 Environmental biologist/microbiologist
 Environmental biotechnologist
 Environmental geologist
….. just to name a few!
Sustainable development

 The environment provides Life on Earth

 Environment is part of the society. As it decides the very
existence, growth and development of mankind and all its
activities.
 It is a Multidisciplinary area of study which has several factors that
prevails upon the Social lives of the people such as Economic,
Political, Ethical, Scientific, Technological ,Spiritual etc.
 Environmental governance advocates sustainability as the supreme
consideration in managing all human activities –political, social
and economic.
What is SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

 Sustainable development is development that meets the

need of the present without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their own needs.

 3 pillars of sustainability
1.Economic
2.Environmental
3. Social sustainability
Definition

 Sustainable development is a process of

economic development ,which aims at
maintaining the quality of both present and future
generations without harming natural resources
and environment .It is the process of development
which can be sustained over a long period of time
without causing fall in the quality of life of future
generations.
Evolution of sustainable development

 It represents an approach to development concerned with such

fundamental human concerns like poverty, environment, equality,
democracy ,development and peace.

 The term Sustainable development was coined by Barbara Ward , the

founder of the International Institute for Environment and Development
,said that development and environment protection must be linked.

 The Sustainable Development was popularised in 1987.

Evolution
 World Commission on Environment and Development through
the Brundland Report entiltled ,’ Our Common Future’,
produced the most widely accepted definition of Sustainable
of the of the present without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their own needs.
 In 1992 the U.N Conference on Environment & Development
( UNCED) in Rio de Janerio , the Earth Summit ,called for
Sustainable Development, “ to ensure socially responsible
economic development while protecting the resources base
and the environment for the benefit of future generation.
Sustainable has to be adopted
1. The climate changes
2. Biodiversity
3. Disposal of hazardous and toxic
wastes.
4. Disposal pollution
M S Swaminathan

 For achieving the sustainable agricultural and rural development.

 The 4C paradigm that was evolved over a period of two decades giving emphasis on
mutually interlinked aspects like (1) conservation, (2) cultivation, (3) consumption and
(4) commerce strives to strike a balance among these aspects to achieve sustainable
agriculture and rural development
Elements for sustainable development
 Land
 Water
 Energy
 Pest Management
 Genetic diversity
 Nutrient supply
 Post harvest system
 System approach
 Location specific research & development
Steps for sustainable development

Hygiene-Sanitation: To provide clean & hygienic living & working conditions for
Steps for sustainable development
the people.

R & D: To undertake research & development on local environment issues.

Industry: - Safety devices must be provided in all factories.

- Ensure better treatment method of disposing hazardous industrial waste.
Steps for sustainable development
 Industry:
Create substitute for proven
hazardous material on local resources need.
 Companies must produce eco-friendly
products.
 Education & Awareness: Introduce
environment education as part of school and
college curriculum.
 SaveEnergy: Practice non-conventional
sources of energy like Solar ,wind and tidal
energy.