CHAPTER-1
MULTIDISCIPLINARY NATURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
AND NATURAL RESOURCES
UNIT I MULTIDISCIPLINARY NATURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
Definition – Scope and importance – Need for public awareness
NATURAL RESOURCES
Renewable and Non-renewable resources- Natural resources and Associated problems-
Forest resources:-Use and over – Exploitation – Deforestation – Case studies – Timber
extraction – Mining – Dams and their ground water – Floods – Drought – Conflicts over
water – Dams – Benefits and Problems – Mineral Resources:- Use Effects on Forests and
Tribal People – Water Resources:- Use and Over-Utilization of Surface and Exploitation,
Environmental Effects of Extracting and Using Mineral Resources, Case Studies – Food
Resources: World Food Problems, Changes caused by Agriculture and Overgrazing, Effects
of Modern Agriculture, Fertilizer- Pesticide Problems, Water Logging, salinity, Case Studies
– Energy Resources:- Growing Energy Needs, Renewable and Non Renewable Energy
Sources, Use of Alternate Energy Sources, Case Studies
1.1 MULTIDISCIPLINARY NATURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
1.1.1 INTRODUCTION
The word environment is derived from the French word ‘environner’ which means
to ‘encircle or surround’.
Thus our environment can be defined as “the Social, Cultural and Physical
conditions that surround, affect and influence the survival, growth and
development of people, animals and plants”
This broad definition includes the natural world and the technological environment
as well as the cultural and social contexts that shape human lives.
It includes all factors (living and nonliving) that affect an individual organism or
population at any point in the life cycle; set of circumstances surrounding a
particular occurrence and all the things that surrounds us.
Environmental Science 1 AITT & H&S
, 1.1.2 SEGMENTS OF ENVIRONMENT
Environment consists of four segments.
1. Atmosphere- Blanket of gases surrounding the earth.
2. Hydrosphere- Various water bodies present on the earth.
3. Lithosphere- Contains various types of soils and rocks on the earth.
4. Biosphere- Composed of all living organisms and their interactions with the
environment.
1.1.3 MULTIDISCIPLINARY NATURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
The Environment studies is a multi-disciplinary science because it comprises various
branches of studies like chemistry, physics, medical science, life science,
agriculture, public health, sanitary engineering etc.
It is the science of physical phenomena in the environment. It studies about the
sources, reactions, transport, effect and fate of physical and biological species in
the air, water, soil and the effect of from human activity upon these.
As the environment is complex and actually made up of many different
environments like natural, constructed and cultural environments, environmental
studies is inter disciplinary in nature including the study of biology, geology,
politics, policy studies, law, religion engineering, chemistry and economics to
understand the humanity’s effects on the natural world.
This subject educates the students to appreciate the complexity of environmental
issues and citizens and experts in many fields.
By studying environmental science, students may develop a breadth of the
interdisciplinary and methodological knowledge in the environmental fields that
enables them to facilitate the definition and solution of environmental problems.
1.1.4 SCOPE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
Environmental studies as a subject has a wide scope. It includes a large number of
areas and aspects, which may be summarized as follows:
Natural resources- their conservation and management
Ecology and Biodiversity
Environmental pollution and control
Human population and environment
Social issues in relation to development and environment
Environmental Science 2 AITT & H&S
, These are the basic aspects of environmental studies which have a direct relevance
to every section of society. Several career options have emerged in these fields that are
broadly categorized as:
(i) Research and development in environment:
Skilled environmental scientists have an important role to play in examining various
environmental problems in a scientific manner and carry out R&D activities for
developing cleaner technologies and promoting sustainable development.
(ii) Green advocacy:
With increasing emphasis on implementing various Acts and Laws related to
environment, need for environmental lawyers has emerged, who should be able to
plead the cases related to water, air, forest, wildlife, pollution and control etc.
(iii) Green marketing:
While ensuring the quality of products with ISO mark, now there is an increasing
emphasis on marketing goods that are environment friendly. Such products have
ecomark or ISO 14000 certification. Environmental auditors and environmental
managers would be in great demand in the coming years.
(iv) Green media:
Environmental awareness can be spread amongst masses through mass media like
television, radio, newspaper, magazine, hoardings, advertisements etc., for which
environmentally educated persons are required.
(v) Environmental consultancy:
Many non-government organizations, industries and government bodies are
engaging environmental consultants for systematically studying and tackling
environment related problems.
1.1.5 IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
The importance of environmental studies is that, the current trend of environmental
degradation can be reversed if people of educated communities are organized,
empowered and experts are involved in sustainable development.
Environmental factors greatly influence every organism and their activities.
Environmental Science 3 AITT & H&S
, At present a great number of environmental issues, have grown in size and
complexity day by day, threatening the survival of mankind on earth. These issues
are studied besides giving effective suggestions in the environment studies.
The environment studies enlighten us, about the importance of protection and
conservation of our natural resources, indiscriminate release of pollution into the
environment etc.
Environment studies have become significant for the following reasons:
1. Environment Issues being of International Importance:
It has been well recognized that environment issues like global warming, ozone
depletion, acid rain, marine pollution and loss of biodiversity are not merely national
issues but are global issues and hence must be tackled with international efforts and
cooperation.
2. Problems Cropped in The Wake of Development:
Development, in its wake gave birth to Urbanization, Industrial Growth,
Transportation Systems, Agriculture and Housing etc. However, it has become
phased out in the developed world. The North, to cleanse their own environment has,
fact fully, managed to move ‘dirty’ factories to South. When the West developed, it
did so perhaps in ignorance of the environmental impact of its activities. Evidently
such a path is neither practicable nor desirable, even if developing world follows that.
3. Explosively Increase in Pollution:
World census reflects that one in every seven persons in this plant lives in India.
Evidently with 16 per cent of the world's population and only 2.4 per cent of its land
area, there is a heavy pressure on the natural resources including land. Agricultural
experts have recognized soils health problems like deficiency of micronutrients and
organic matter, soil salinity and damage of soil structure.
4. Need for An Alternative Solution:
It is essential, specially for developing countries to find alternative paths to an
alternative goal. We need a goal as under:
(1) A goal, which ultimately is the true goal of development an environmentally
sound and sustainable development.
(2) A goal common to all citizens of our earth.
Environmental Science 4 AITT & H&S
MULTIDISCIPLINARY NATURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
AND NATURAL RESOURCES
UNIT I MULTIDISCIPLINARY NATURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
Definition – Scope and importance – Need for public awareness
NATURAL RESOURCES
Renewable and Non-renewable resources- Natural resources and Associated problems-
Forest resources:-Use and over – Exploitation – Deforestation – Case studies – Timber
extraction – Mining – Dams and their ground water – Floods – Drought – Conflicts over
water – Dams – Benefits and Problems – Mineral Resources:- Use Effects on Forests and
Tribal People – Water Resources:- Use and Over-Utilization of Surface and Exploitation,
Environmental Effects of Extracting and Using Mineral Resources, Case Studies – Food
Resources: World Food Problems, Changes caused by Agriculture and Overgrazing, Effects
of Modern Agriculture, Fertilizer- Pesticide Problems, Water Logging, salinity, Case Studies
– Energy Resources:- Growing Energy Needs, Renewable and Non Renewable Energy
Sources, Use of Alternate Energy Sources, Case Studies
1.1 MULTIDISCIPLINARY NATURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
1.1.1 INTRODUCTION
The word environment is derived from the French word ‘environner’ which means
to ‘encircle or surround’.
Thus our environment can be defined as “the Social, Cultural and Physical
conditions that surround, affect and influence the survival, growth and
development of people, animals and plants”
This broad definition includes the natural world and the technological environment
as well as the cultural and social contexts that shape human lives.
It includes all factors (living and nonliving) that affect an individual organism or
population at any point in the life cycle; set of circumstances surrounding a
particular occurrence and all the things that surrounds us.
Environmental Science 1 AITT & H&S
, 1.1.2 SEGMENTS OF ENVIRONMENT
Environment consists of four segments.
1. Atmosphere- Blanket of gases surrounding the earth.
2. Hydrosphere- Various water bodies present on the earth.
3. Lithosphere- Contains various types of soils and rocks on the earth.
4. Biosphere- Composed of all living organisms and their interactions with the
environment.
1.1.3 MULTIDISCIPLINARY NATURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
The Environment studies is a multi-disciplinary science because it comprises various
branches of studies like chemistry, physics, medical science, life science,
agriculture, public health, sanitary engineering etc.
It is the science of physical phenomena in the environment. It studies about the
sources, reactions, transport, effect and fate of physical and biological species in
the air, water, soil and the effect of from human activity upon these.
As the environment is complex and actually made up of many different
environments like natural, constructed and cultural environments, environmental
studies is inter disciplinary in nature including the study of biology, geology,
politics, policy studies, law, religion engineering, chemistry and economics to
understand the humanity’s effects on the natural world.
This subject educates the students to appreciate the complexity of environmental
issues and citizens and experts in many fields.
By studying environmental science, students may develop a breadth of the
interdisciplinary and methodological knowledge in the environmental fields that
enables them to facilitate the definition and solution of environmental problems.
1.1.4 SCOPE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
Environmental studies as a subject has a wide scope. It includes a large number of
areas and aspects, which may be summarized as follows:
Natural resources- their conservation and management
Ecology and Biodiversity
Environmental pollution and control
Human population and environment
Social issues in relation to development and environment
Environmental Science 2 AITT & H&S
, These are the basic aspects of environmental studies which have a direct relevance
to every section of society. Several career options have emerged in these fields that are
broadly categorized as:
(i) Research and development in environment:
Skilled environmental scientists have an important role to play in examining various
environmental problems in a scientific manner and carry out R&D activities for
developing cleaner technologies and promoting sustainable development.
(ii) Green advocacy:
With increasing emphasis on implementing various Acts and Laws related to
environment, need for environmental lawyers has emerged, who should be able to
plead the cases related to water, air, forest, wildlife, pollution and control etc.
(iii) Green marketing:
While ensuring the quality of products with ISO mark, now there is an increasing
emphasis on marketing goods that are environment friendly. Such products have
ecomark or ISO 14000 certification. Environmental auditors and environmental
managers would be in great demand in the coming years.
(iv) Green media:
Environmental awareness can be spread amongst masses through mass media like
television, radio, newspaper, magazine, hoardings, advertisements etc., for which
environmentally educated persons are required.
(v) Environmental consultancy:
Many non-government organizations, industries and government bodies are
engaging environmental consultants for systematically studying and tackling
environment related problems.
1.1.5 IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
The importance of environmental studies is that, the current trend of environmental
degradation can be reversed if people of educated communities are organized,
empowered and experts are involved in sustainable development.
Environmental factors greatly influence every organism and their activities.
Environmental Science 3 AITT & H&S
, At present a great number of environmental issues, have grown in size and
complexity day by day, threatening the survival of mankind on earth. These issues
are studied besides giving effective suggestions in the environment studies.
The environment studies enlighten us, about the importance of protection and
conservation of our natural resources, indiscriminate release of pollution into the
environment etc.
Environment studies have become significant for the following reasons:
1. Environment Issues being of International Importance:
It has been well recognized that environment issues like global warming, ozone
depletion, acid rain, marine pollution and loss of biodiversity are not merely national
issues but are global issues and hence must be tackled with international efforts and
cooperation.
2. Problems Cropped in The Wake of Development:
Development, in its wake gave birth to Urbanization, Industrial Growth,
Transportation Systems, Agriculture and Housing etc. However, it has become
phased out in the developed world. The North, to cleanse their own environment has,
fact fully, managed to move ‘dirty’ factories to South. When the West developed, it
did so perhaps in ignorance of the environmental impact of its activities. Evidently
such a path is neither practicable nor desirable, even if developing world follows that.
3. Explosively Increase in Pollution:
World census reflects that one in every seven persons in this plant lives in India.
Evidently with 16 per cent of the world's population and only 2.4 per cent of its land
area, there is a heavy pressure on the natural resources including land. Agricultural
experts have recognized soils health problems like deficiency of micronutrients and
organic matter, soil salinity and damage of soil structure.
4. Need for An Alternative Solution:
It is essential, specially for developing countries to find alternative paths to an
alternative goal. We need a goal as under:
(1) A goal, which ultimately is the true goal of development an environmentally
sound and sustainable development.
(2) A goal common to all citizens of our earth.
Environmental Science 4 AITT & H&S
