ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
INTRODUCTION
Definition-Environment - The word Environment is derived from the French word
“Environ” which means “surrounding”. Our surrounding includes biotic factors like
human beings, Plants, animals, microbes, etc and abiotic factors such as light, air,
water, soil, etc.
Environment is a complex of many variables, which surrounds man as well as the
living organisms. Environment includes water, air and land and the interrelation ships
which exist among and between water, air and land and human beings and other
living creatures such as plants, animals and micro organisms.
The natural environment consist of four interlinking systems namely, the atmosphere,
the hydrosphere, the lithosphere and the biosphere. These four systems are in constant
change and such changes are affected by human activities and vice versa
Environment Studies and its Importance to a students
Environment studies are all about learning the way we should live and how we can
develop sustainable strategies to protect the environment. It helps individuals to
develop an understanding of living and physical environment and how to resolve
challenging environmental issues affecting nature. In addition to studying the physical
aspects of the environment, it also emphasizes the need to conserve biodiversity and
adopt a more sustainable lifestyle and utilize resources in a responsible way. To create
awareness among today’s generation on pressing environmental problems, the
University Grants Commission (UGC) has made it mandatory for the universities to
introduce a course in environmental studies and teach students about the eco-system,
pollution and problems concerned with the environment. Let us discuss the dire need
to include environmental studies in the course curriculum. Learn how to use resources
sustainably With natural resources such as air, water, oil, minerals are getting
depleted rapidly, the environmental studies course can help students understand the
importance of these resources and how we can improve the situation by taking
appropriate actions in our regular lives to preserve these resources. Create awareness
about preserving the environment
Whether it is spreading awareness against plastic use or air pollution, universities can
conduct various beyond-the-classroom activities as a part of this course to make
students understand the significance of protecting the environment. Activities such as
conducting awareness programs and rallies can prevent the degradation of the
environment. Participate in the mass movement to protect nature While pursuing a
course in environmental studies, students can be a part of mass public awareness
movements and encourage their fellow batchmates to participate. Whether it is taking
an initiative by planting trees in the campus, conducting workshops on various
pressing issues or joining an NGO that supports environmental, conservation, students
can learn about various ways of protecting and conserving the environment.
Foster a healthy learning environment Such important non-academic courses
empower students to take a lead in creating a healthier, greener and sustainable
learning environment where students understand the importance of saving the
, environment and take necessary steps to conserve the natural resources. Environment
studies also help them develop the knowledge and skills required to address
challenging environmental issues.
Pursue a full-time career in environment studies. Career opportunities in
environmental studies are thriving with multiple options in the energy industry,
animal conservation and more. You can prepare yourself for a fulfilling career that
will include everything from conducting research, protecting the environment,
crunching statistics, analyzing data, working in the field, interviewing people about
disaster management and drafting policies with lawmakers to conserve the planet.
To sum up the importance of introducing environment studies in course curriculum,
the objectives are mainly to help students realize the significance of natural resources
and learn to develop solutions to pressing environmental problems. The aim should be
developing a world where every individual is aware of and concerned about
environmental issues and work towards creating sustainable strategies for the current
situation and preventing future problems.
Components of Environment
Our environment has been classified into four major components:
1. Hydrosphere
2. Lithosphere
3. Atmosphere
4. Biosphere
Hydrosphere
Hydrosphere includes all water bodies such as lakes, ponds, rivers,
streams and ocean etc. Hydrosphere functions in a cyclic nature, which is termed as
hydrological cycle or water cycle.
Lithosphere
Lithosphere means the mantle of rocks constituting the earth’s crust.
The earth is a cold spherical solid planet of the solar system, which spins in its axis
and revolves around the sun at a certain constant distance .Lithosphere mainly,
contains soil, earth rocks, mountain etc. Lithosphere is divided into three layers-
crusts, mantle and core (outer and inner).
Atmosphere
The cover of the air, that envelopes the earth is known as the
atmosphere. Atmosphere is a thin layer which contains gases like oxygen, carbon
dioxide etc. and which protects the solid earth and human beings from the harmful
radiations of the sun. There are five concentric layers within the atmosphere, which
can be differentiated on the basis of temperature and each layer has its own
characteristics. These include the troposphere, the stratosphere, the mesosphere, the
thermosphere and the exosphere.
INTRODUCTION
Definition-Environment - The word Environment is derived from the French word
“Environ” which means “surrounding”. Our surrounding includes biotic factors like
human beings, Plants, animals, microbes, etc and abiotic factors such as light, air,
water, soil, etc.
Environment is a complex of many variables, which surrounds man as well as the
living organisms. Environment includes water, air and land and the interrelation ships
which exist among and between water, air and land and human beings and other
living creatures such as plants, animals and micro organisms.
The natural environment consist of four interlinking systems namely, the atmosphere,
the hydrosphere, the lithosphere and the biosphere. These four systems are in constant
change and such changes are affected by human activities and vice versa
Environment Studies and its Importance to a students
Environment studies are all about learning the way we should live and how we can
develop sustainable strategies to protect the environment. It helps individuals to
develop an understanding of living and physical environment and how to resolve
challenging environmental issues affecting nature. In addition to studying the physical
aspects of the environment, it also emphasizes the need to conserve biodiversity and
adopt a more sustainable lifestyle and utilize resources in a responsible way. To create
awareness among today’s generation on pressing environmental problems, the
University Grants Commission (UGC) has made it mandatory for the universities to
introduce a course in environmental studies and teach students about the eco-system,
pollution and problems concerned with the environment. Let us discuss the dire need
to include environmental studies in the course curriculum. Learn how to use resources
sustainably With natural resources such as air, water, oil, minerals are getting
depleted rapidly, the environmental studies course can help students understand the
importance of these resources and how we can improve the situation by taking
appropriate actions in our regular lives to preserve these resources. Create awareness
about preserving the environment
Whether it is spreading awareness against plastic use or air pollution, universities can
conduct various beyond-the-classroom activities as a part of this course to make
students understand the significance of protecting the environment. Activities such as
conducting awareness programs and rallies can prevent the degradation of the
environment. Participate in the mass movement to protect nature While pursuing a
course in environmental studies, students can be a part of mass public awareness
movements and encourage their fellow batchmates to participate. Whether it is taking
an initiative by planting trees in the campus, conducting workshops on various
pressing issues or joining an NGO that supports environmental, conservation, students
can learn about various ways of protecting and conserving the environment.
Foster a healthy learning environment Such important non-academic courses
empower students to take a lead in creating a healthier, greener and sustainable
learning environment where students understand the importance of saving the
, environment and take necessary steps to conserve the natural resources. Environment
studies also help them develop the knowledge and skills required to address
challenging environmental issues.
Pursue a full-time career in environment studies. Career opportunities in
environmental studies are thriving with multiple options in the energy industry,
animal conservation and more. You can prepare yourself for a fulfilling career that
will include everything from conducting research, protecting the environment,
crunching statistics, analyzing data, working in the field, interviewing people about
disaster management and drafting policies with lawmakers to conserve the planet.
To sum up the importance of introducing environment studies in course curriculum,
the objectives are mainly to help students realize the significance of natural resources
and learn to develop solutions to pressing environmental problems. The aim should be
developing a world where every individual is aware of and concerned about
environmental issues and work towards creating sustainable strategies for the current
situation and preventing future problems.
Components of Environment
Our environment has been classified into four major components:
1. Hydrosphere
2. Lithosphere
3. Atmosphere
4. Biosphere
Hydrosphere
Hydrosphere includes all water bodies such as lakes, ponds, rivers,
streams and ocean etc. Hydrosphere functions in a cyclic nature, which is termed as
hydrological cycle or water cycle.
Lithosphere
Lithosphere means the mantle of rocks constituting the earth’s crust.
The earth is a cold spherical solid planet of the solar system, which spins in its axis
and revolves around the sun at a certain constant distance .Lithosphere mainly,
contains soil, earth rocks, mountain etc. Lithosphere is divided into three layers-
crusts, mantle and core (outer and inner).
Atmosphere
The cover of the air, that envelopes the earth is known as the
atmosphere. Atmosphere is a thin layer which contains gases like oxygen, carbon
dioxide etc. and which protects the solid earth and human beings from the harmful
radiations of the sun. There are five concentric layers within the atmosphere, which
can be differentiated on the basis of temperature and each layer has its own
characteristics. These include the troposphere, the stratosphere, the mesosphere, the
thermosphere and the exosphere.
