Multidisciplinary nature of environmental studies Definition, scope and importance. Natural Resources- Renewable and Non Renewable

This lecture deals with the basics of environmental science

1. Lec 1- Multidisciplinary nature of environmental studies Definition, scope and importance. Natural Resources- Renewable and Non Renewable

2. Environmental studies The word environment is derived from the French word “ environ ” meaning surroundings. The social, physical and cultural conditions that surround, affect and influence the survival, growth and development of people, animals and plants. The sum total of water, air and land, the inter-relationships that exist among them and with the human beings , other living organisms & materials ” (EPA, 1986) Environmental studies is essentially a multidisciplinary approach that brings about an appreciation of our natural world and human impacts on its integrity.

3. Ecology and Ecosystem Ecology is the study of interaction among living organisms (plants, animals, microbes) as well as interaction with its abiotic environment (temperature, water, air, soil, light, etc .). An ecosystem  is the structural and functional unit of ecology. It is a community of living organisms along with the abiotic components interacting together through energy flows and nutrient cycles.

4. Scope of Environmental Studies Basic Scope Career oriented scope Specialized scope

5. Basic Scope 1. Natural Resource management & conservation  Study of different resources, (like forests, Mineral, Land, Energy, Food, Water) their conservation & Management. 2. Ecology & Biodiversity Study of Variety of flora and fauna and their interactions. Structure and function of ecosystem. 3. Environmental Pollution & Control Sources of pollution , their control measures.  4. Social Issues w.r.t to Environment Urban Problems, Sustainable Development, Reclamation  Projects etc. 5. Human population & environment Study of various population factors, Human Rights, value Education.

6. Career oriented scope of Environment studies 1. Research & Development in Environment (Environmental Scientists)- Pollution remedies, Clean up technologies, Energy solutions.  2. Green Advocacy Emerging requirement of environment Lawyers to plead for environment 3. Green Marketing Environment friendly or eco-friendly products with ISO 14000 certification or eco mark. 4. Green Media Magazines, Advertisements, Mass media. 5. Environment Consultancy Consultants working for Environmental Clearance

7. Specialized scope Environmental Engineering Environmental Biotechnology Environmental Management Environmental Law Environmental Economics Environmental Journalism Green technologies Clean development mechanisms

8. Multidisciplinary nature of environmental studies

9. In Life Sciences  ( Botany, Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Zoology) -  helps in understanding biotic components and its interaction with surroundings. Genetics and Biotechnology  - Used for finding the solutions for various environmental problems. Maths, Statistics, Computer Science -  used as an effective tool in environmental modelling . Economics, Management, Sociology  - used for dealing with Socio-economic aspects associated with variety of development activities. Law  - It provides guidelines and legal measures for effective management and protection  of environment. Education  - Teach in schools, colleges, universities, and awareness programes . Civil and Chemical Engineering, Hydraulics, Nanotechnology -  Provides technical solutions for environmental waste management and pollution control. Physical Sciences  ( Physics, Chemistry, Geography, etc.) -   used to understand the physical and chemical structure of abiotic components of environment along with mass and energy transfer.

10. Importance of Environment studies Environment Importance can be categorized at three different levels 1. Global Level Problems like global warming, ozone depletion, Dwindling of Resources 2. Local Level Issues which are area specific like mining problem in a particular area, Problems of solid waste handling etc. 3. Individual Level This level includes concerns at door step. Like safe drinking water, hygienic vicinity, etc.

11. Components of Environment Atmosphere Hydrosphere Lithosphere Biosphere

12. Physical components Atmosphere – Blanket of gases surrounding the earth. The earth’s atmosphere, a complex fluid system of gases and suspended particles, did not have its origin in the beginning of the planet. The gases like Nitrogen, Oxygen, Argon, Carbon dioxide and water vapour etc. together make up the total volume of atmosphere.

13. Hydrosphere The Hydrosphere comprises all types of water resources oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, streams, reservoirs, polar icecaps, glaciers, and ground water. Water is the most abundant substance on the earth’s surface. Three quarters of earth’s surface. Marine > Fresh water (rivers, lakes and glaciers)

14. Lithosphere Lithosphere is the outer mantle of the solid earth. It consists of minerals occurring in the earth’s crusts and the soil e.g. minerals, organic matter, air and water Crustal rocks are broken down by weathering processes and are transferred to fine porous crustal layer called soil Their minerals are also the raw material used in various industries. O- 47%, Si- 27%, Al- 8%, Fe- 5%, Ca- 4%, Mg and K – 2%.

15. Biosphere This is relatively thin layer on the earth in which life can exist. Within it the air, water, rocks, and soil and the living creatures, form structural and functional ecological units, which together can be considered as one giant global living system, that our Earth itself. Within this framework, those characterized by broadly similar geography and climate, as well as communities of plant and animal life can be divided for convenience into different biogeographical realms.

16. Natural Resources A natural resource is an element derived from the nature that is useful to man or may be useful to man depending on technology, economic or social circumstances. Natural resource include food, building materials, fabric, metals, water and geothermal energy. The natural sciences have long been associated with natural resource.

17. Some natural resources are Forest resources Water resources Mineral resources Food resources Energy resources Land resources

18. Types of natural resources

19. Renewable resources - The resources that can be replenished through rapid natural cycles are known as a renewable resources. Ex. Crops and animals, water and soil etc., Non - Renewable resources – The resources that cannot be replenished through natural processes are known as non-renewable resources. These are available in limited amounts, which cannot be increased. These resources include fossil fuels (Petrol, coals..), metals etc., Based on availability of natural resource

20. Non renewable resources Recyclable – These are non–renewable resources, which can be collected after they are used and can be recycled. These are mainly the non-energy mineral resources, which occur in the earth’s crust (Ex. Ores of aluminum , copper, mercury, etc.) and deposits of fertilizer nutrients ( eg. Phosphate rock and potassium and minerals used in their natural state (asbestos, clay, mica, etc.) Non-recyclable – These are non-renewable resources, which cannot be recycled in any way. Ex. Fossil fuels and uranium, provide 90 percent of our energy requirements.

21. Calendar for world environment Day Date World Wetlands Day February 22 World Forest Day March 21 World Water Day March 22 World Meteorological Day March 23 Earth Day April 22 International Day for Biological Diversity May 22 Anti-Tobacco Day May 31 World Environment Day June 5 World Ocean Day June 8 World Population Day July 11 World Ozone Day September 16 Green Consumer Day September 28 Wildlife Week October 1- 7

22. Institutes World Health Organization (WHO) Global Environment Facility (GEF) Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) World Nature Organization (WNO) World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)

23. Indian Institutions Bombay Natural History Society(BNHS) Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) Centre for Environment Education (CEE) Wildlife Institute of India (WII) Botanical Survey Of India (BSI) Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) Forest Survey of India (FSI)