Lesson 1

DEFINITION, SCOPE, AND IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

‘There is a sufficiency in the world for man's need but not for man's greed’ ~Mohandas K. Gandhi

1.1 Introduction
Environment consists of surroundings which includes abiotic and biotic environment.
Environment refers to sum of all i.e. water, air and land, along with their inter-relationships
among themselves and also other living organisms. Environment can be studied by interpreting
the knowledge from all the disciplines. Global environment constitutes important segment i.e.
atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere. Nitrogen, oxygen and argon are major gases which
account for 99% of air. Hydrosphere consist of sea, ocean, rivers, glaciers, lakes, reservoirs,
polar ice caps, and shallow water ground bodies and about 70% of earth’s surface covered with
water . In the modern era, human beings have exploited natural resources making the use of
latest techniques in fields of information technology, genetic engineering, and others
technologies for enhancing productivity and income which may lead to brighten our future. Over
exploitation of natural resources may lead to starvation for resources and can create an
environment which is not suitable for living organisms. So, there is a need to keep the balance to
sustain production level and maintain environment. Polluted air, water, and soil have negative
impact on health and economic opportunities for the humans. Polluted environment gives birth to
harmful biological and chemical agents which have direct or indirect threats to human health. To
face these threats, there is a growing realization at national and international that proper
utilization of environmental endowments of life support systems such as air, water and soil is a
must for sustainable development. Environmental problems created by large population of
human beings may due to individual or collective actions influence the environment greatly, so
there is need to identify environment problems and to find solution. Individuals should be
involved in the process of improving the environment.

Academic disciplines are created to help us understand the universe better. While nature can be
understood using the disciplines, but not be ‘divided’ into disciplines. For instance, a certain
phenomenon may be referred to as a chemical change while another as a physical one. But these
categories are only perceptions. ‘Environmental studies’ is study about the environment.
Environment cannot be studied from the point of view of any one particular discipline, but
understanding of the interlinks between the complex ways in which one phenomenon; how one
action is connected to another, how the same thing can be understood from different
perspectives, perspectives often rooted in different disciplines.

There is need to create a consensus at national level to give emphasis to environment science
involving the application of scientific and technical information to understand, manage and
conserve the environment and its resources.

1.2 Definitions
Some of the frequently used terms in study of environment are defined as follows:
1.2.1 Environment
The word environment is derived from the French word ‘environner’, which means surrounding.
Thus, Environment can be defined as the combined interaction of physical, chemical and
biological conditions affecting an individual or community in the complex of social and cultural
conditions.

1.2.2 Environmental science

Environmental science is a systematic study of our environment under different micro climatic
conditions and it is multi-disciplinary in nature.

Environmental science can also be defined as the application of scientific principles to

understand environmental issues by studying the impact of interaction between different
parameters of environment. Many times, environmental science is related to other sciences like
ecology, environmental education and engineering.

A relatively new field, environmental science has evolved from integrated use of many
disciplines which include important topics of modern civilization and applied aspects of
environmental science need the basic knowledge of physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics,
engineering, anthropology, sociology, economics, management, ecology, etc.

Environmental science integrates natural sciences, social sciences with environmental ethics,
environmental impact and planning.

Environmental science has emerged as a multi-disciplinary field of study to access the impact of
interaction of living beings and micro environments in which they live.
1.3 Environmental Science as a Multi-Disciplinary Field
Environmental Science is interconnected to many branches of sciences. Some of these are:
1.3.1 Environmental science and biology
Biology mainly deals with life and environment factors have affect on living organisms.
Interaction between living things and different components of environment will affect the
efficiency and combined effect can be known as environmental biochemistry.

Biological processes in nature profoundly influenced by chemical species existing and these
processes will determine the nature of species, their degradation, and synthesis, both in the
aquatic and soil environments. Study of such phenomena are the basis of biochemistry of
environment

1.3.2 Environmental science v/s chemistry

Chemistry deals with chemical processes occurring in nature. When these processes are studied
in the shape of reaction which affects the existence of different species, with special reference to
air, soil and water environment, this relationship is termed as environmental chemistry.

One of environmental chemistry’s major challenges is the determination of the nature and
quantity of specific pollutants in the environments

1.3.3 Relationship between environment and economics

Economic environment refers to all factors or forces, which contribute to economic impact on
the man, his activities and his region.

Resources such as agriculture, dairying, fisheries poultry, horticulture, floriculture and

machinery help to improve economic condition. Economic conditions, internal and external
factors such as export and import balances create favourable economic environment for fast
development of the country.

1.3.4 Social system and environment

Social environment of the society indicates the mental makeup of man’s activities and helps the
individual to decide his occupation and use of resources for his development. Infrastructure such
as roads, buildings, settlements, communication setup plantation of horticulture and cropped
fields are major component which helps to create social environment.

Using the combination of tools of modern technology indigenous technical knowledge (ITK) can
help to fasten the change of physical environment into cultural environment.

1.3.5 Impact of population on environment

Work force is a major factor to fasten the role of individual in socio-economic environment of a
country. Population density can have significant effect on natural environment. It can be
observed that high population density has negative effects on environment.

The world population, which is growing at alarming rate (annually 1.7 %) has damaged the
environment significantly. The growing trend which is likely to continue for another three to four
decades, which may further damage physical, social and economic environment at both global
and national level. On the other hand, negative growth rate of population in developed countries
is likely to hamper the development. Many policy makers are considering the availability of
young work force in India asset for development in this changed scenario.

1.3.6 Political climate and environment

Main political institutions such as Legislature, executive and judiciary which constitutes the
political setup of any country can help to provide visionary leadership. Political decisions by
policy makers can have a direct effect on development and control of various human activities,
which includes formulation of laws related to increase the productivity, income and town
planning. The executives are pillars of policy implementation decided by legislature. A stable
and dynamic political setup is pre-requisite for development of the nation. Stable government
can guide the nation by taking firm decisions. In a democratic setup, the executive should
function in public interest and within the boundaries of the constitution.

1.4 Importance
Earth’s living components establish equilibrium with their environment. Environmental science
helps to understand the scientific basis to establish different standards which help to keep the
equilibrium in the ecosystem.

Majority of environmental scientists are of the view that if environmental pollution i.e. air, water
and soil continued at the present rate the change will be irreversible and may cause damage to
ecological cycles and balances in the ecosystem which is may harm the life of living organisms
on the earth.

To maintain the ecological balance in the ecosystems, drastic changes have to be inculcated in
the human behaviour. There is well known fact that universe does not have infinite resources to
support the future generation. Earth’s limited resources must be conserved and reused where ever
possible. Policy makers at global level must devise new strategies to protect natural ecosystem,
keeping balance with economic growth. Future growth of developing nations depends upon the
development of sustainable conservation methods that protect the environment, while also
meeting the basic needs of citizens.

An environmental study is the subject in which we examine important issues relating to

environment as they affect our lives. It is an exploratory description of issues. Each issue can be
probed more deeply.

Many a time development and economic growth cannot go hand on hand. Development activities
are inversely related to environment because development leads to industrialisation for
employment which leads to depletion of natural resources and affect the standard of living of the
citizens. Developing nations are compromised with environment for fast growth in different
sectors to produce goods for domestic use and export which in turn pollute the environment at
the expense of development.

It is hard fact that consumption levels of the consumer life-style of humans is directly related to
environmental problems. Therefore, living habits attitude and ethical standards are the areas of
concern to keep the ecological balance intact.

The government and their agencies, the non-governmental organizations, the judiciary and now
the corporate sector also express a great concern on matters relating natural environment and
ecosystem. Many environmental problems such as depletion of ozone layer, global warming,
destruction and extinction of species, decreasing water table, contamination and depletion of
ground water and problem of increasing population can be solved by educating the future
generations about the impact of development activities on environment.

1.5 Objectives of Environment Education

The objectives of Environmental Education are classified as follows:
Knowledge: to help social groups and individuals, gain a variety of experiences and acquire a
basic understanding of the environment and its associated problems.
Awareness: to help social groups and individuals acquire an awareness of and sensitivity to the
total environment and its allied problems.
Attitudes: to help social groups and individuals to acquire a set of values and promote a feeling
of concern for the environment and provide motivation for actively participating in
environmental improvement and protection.
Participation: to provide social groups and individuals with an opportunity to be actively
involved at all levels, working towards the resolution of environmental problems.
Skills: to help social groups and individual to acquires the skills for identifying and solving
environmental problems
Evaluation Ability: to evaluate environmental measures and education programs in terms of
ecological, economic, social and aesthetic factors.
The overall goal of environmental education can be expressed in another form as three principal
objectives (UNESCO, 1977a).
To foster clear awareness and concern about economic, social, political and ecological
interdependence in urban and rural areas.
To create new patterns of behaviors of individuals, groups and society as a whole towards the
environment.
To provide every person with opportunities to acquire the knowledge, values, attitudes,
commitment and skills needed to protect and improve the environment
1.6 Scope
The wide spread use of chemicals in agriculture and industry has introduced new dimensions to
sustain eco balance in the system. This possesses potential threat to human health through the
spread of pollutants through water and soil, as well as through food chain. The need for use of
environment science is drawing the intention of policy makers for pollution control to sustain the
life and nature. Study of environmental science helps us to understand the various components of
environment and disturbing factors and helps to find solution to overcome the negative effect of
these factors. The industrial waste which contains highly toxic elements like lead, mercury and
arsenic is discriminately discharged into the rivers. The water used for drinking, irrigation and
other purposes from these contaminated sources is a serious threat to the human health. Study of
environment science has helped in manufacturing pollution control equipment, sewage and
effluent treatment plants, and biomedical waste treatment. The essence of environmental science
is multidisciplinary in nature and helps to identify environmental issues which are directly or
indirectly concerned with environment. College and university students, corporate houses can
prove leaders to protect the environment and conservation of natural resources by understanding
the multidisciplinary nature of environment studies. Policy makers from various government
organisations can play an important role to protect and conserve environment by understanding
the nature of environmental issues facing the country. Natural resources of any country are either
renewable or non-renewable. Most countries are exploiting their resources at fast rate. Increased
population is creating stress on these resources. India, being in the phase of development is
exploiting its resources at a fast rate. Increasing industrialisation, deforestation, soil erosion,
increased mode of transformation and adoption of high intensity agriculture has contributed to
degradation of environment. Our ecosystem which is constituted of air, soil and water cannot
survive for long, unless efforts are made to protect the environment from pollutants. Without
suitable habitat, living organisms cannot survive. With increased level of living standards, rate of
consumption and disposal of waste has created problems due to enhanced activities for product
manufacturing, marketing, and management, etc. Changed environment doesn’t affect only the
poor but also affects the rich people. Environmental studies have lot of scope in the areas like
control of environment pollution, conservation and management of natural resources, balance
disturbance in ecology and biodiversity, control and education of human population and
systematic development with keeping eye on environment pollution. Environmental science is
problem oriented and seeks knowledge about the natural environment and its impact on living
organisms. So there is a need of best idea and information to deals success fully with
environmental problems.

1.7 Need for Awareness

Life on earth emerged approximately 2.6 billion years ago and since then planet is being affected
by number of species of organisms which flourished and died. Men acquired the capacity to
change the environment faster than any other organisms on this planet. For his comfort he has
exploited soil for agriculture industry, for manufacturing goods , transport and communication,
which has lead to disturbing the ecological balance due to degradation of life supporting system
including air ,water and land. It is the need of the hour that humans are educated about the effect
of degraded environment on human health. Degraded environment is going to affect both
developed and developing countries alike. Following steps can be initiated to educate the masses
about the pathetic state of environment and to improve the environment for future generations.
Environmental science knowledge should be used to educate the masses about the problems
being faced by present generation as well as the problems to be faced by future generation.
Government of India, particularly ministry of agriculture in cooperation with ministry of
environment and forest can launch campaigns, so that people can be educated about the
importance of environment healthy plantation. State governments should activate the machinery
to generate awareness about the impact of forest in maintaining ecological balance. At global
level world environment day celebrated on 5th June every year which can be undertaken as
plantation day.
Multimedia can play leading role for dissemination of information by using different tools like
advertisements, group discussion, feature films, video conferencing, and website and internet
services.
Printing media can initiate the campaigns regarding impact of degraded environment on living
organisms by publishing articles through newspapers, magazines, newsletters.
Awareness campaign can be launched through displaying several holdings, posters at prominent
places and organising exhibitions, face to face interaction, online e-mail service, SMS service
throughout the country.
Individual actions can inspire large number of people. Therefore individual efforts can
significantly influence the environment. Individuals can involve themselves in different activities
for improving environment.
Social and political movement, environmentalism (code of conduct for achieving better
environmental management) can have significant effect to save the ecosystem for future
generations.
Lot of people talk about degradation of environment and preach for clean environment, but only
selective people have clear vision about this scope and need of safe guarding the interest to keep
balance between development and degradation of environment. There is a need to use the
experience of experts to implement the developmental projects. Many times environment
awareness campaign have been exploited for political propaganda rather than educational
programmes to educate the people about actual impacts of the project, for example the issue of
Enron Power Project (Dabhol Power Project) now called Ratnagiri Power Project in Konkan area
of Maharashtra, was much politicized and the environmental issues were put forth as political
propaganda.
Awareness regarding the state of environment is must for every human being living on this
planet. Already world is surrounded by several environmental problems, the effect of which is
directly felt by its inhabitants. Nobody can escape the wrath if fallen, may it be the people of
developing countries or those from the developed ones.

Looking at the present pathetic state of environment and the knowledge people have about it, it
has become evident for every country to educate their masses, so that they could start
understanding the problems that they are facing at present and would have to face in future. In
fact, almost all nations of world have geared up in creating awareness in their people.

The media is playing a leading role in this process. Several means are being employed to educate
the masses. Various advertisements, documentaries, feature films etc. are being made to be
telecasted on the video media. Newspapers and other magazines are publishing out lot of articles
on this subject.

Government with its separate ministry - Ministry of Environment and Forest has also launched
many campaigns like displaying several hoardings, posters etc. throughout the country. The state
ministries are also playing important roles in generating awareness in masses.

Plantation of several trees on various occasions, especially on World Environment Day which
falls on 5th June is undertaken on large scale.

The complex link between human activities and the loss of biodiversity is rapidly coming to
light. Loss of habitats and poaching of wildlife is more obvious now a day. But more complex
and unsuspected links are being thrown up as scientists go deeper into the subject. For example,
the recent study suggests that rapid decline of species of vultures in South Asia could be result of
a veterinary drug given to cattle which is eventually passed on to vultures when they feed one of
the carcasses of these animals. This particular observation and many much more complex
observations are based on deep study that is being done in field of Environment Sciences.

Similarly, while atmospheric science and chemistry may seem distantly related subjects, it was
the study of CFCs (chloro fluoro carbon) and their impact on ozone that finally led to an
understanding of the ozone ‘hole’ and the Montreal Protocol (a commitment by governments to
phase out the use of CFCs), which has been one of the success stories of a global response to a
global problem.