GURU GOBIND SINGH INDRAPRASTHA UNIVERSITY
(UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF AUTOMATION & ROBOTICS)
Revision Notes on Environmental
Studies
Multidisciplinary Nature of Environmental Studies
Environmental studies is a field that explores how living and non-living
things interact and affect each other. It combines knowledge from various
subjects like biology, botany, zoology, soil science, oceanography,
atmospheric science, economics, sociology, anthropology, and ethics. This
multidisciplinary approach helps us understand our natural world and the
impact of human activities on it. The goal is to find practical ways to make
human life sustainable using the Earth’s limited resources.
Definition of Environment
The environment includes all the social, cultural, and physical conditions
around us that influence the survival, growth, and development of people,
animals, and plants. It consists of both living (biotic) components, like
plants and animals, and non-living (abiotic) components, such as air, water,
and soil.
Segments of the Environment
The environment is divided into four main segments:
1. Atmosphere: The layer of air surrounding the Earth, containing
life-sustaining gases like oxygen (O₂) for animals and carbon dioxide
(CO₂) for plants.
2. Hydrosphere: All water bodies, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and
ponds, covering over 75% of the Earth’s surface.
1
, 3. Lithosphere: The solid part of the Earth, including soil, rocks, and
mountains.
4. Biosphere: The region where the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and
lithosphere interact to support life, containing air, water, and land that
influence all living and non-living systems.
Scope of Environmental Studies
Environmental studies covers a wide range of areas to protect and sustain
the environment:
● Conservation of Resources: Protecting natural resources like
forests and water.
● Biodiversity Conservation: Preserving ecosystems and species
diversity.
● Pollution Control: Managing air, water, soil, and noise pollution.
● Population Control: Addressing the impact of human population
growth.
● Sustainable Development: Balancing development like urbanization
and industrialization with environmental protection.
● Awareness and Skills: Encouraging awareness, active participation,
and skills to solve environmental problems.
● Evaluation: Assessing environmental programs based on social,
economic, ecological, and aesthetic factors.
Importance of Environmental Studies
Environmental studies highlight the need to protect our planet from
pollution and overuse of resources. It addresses growing issues like
population growth and industrialization, which make survival challenging.
Key reasons for its importance include:
● Global Issues: Problems like global warming, ozone depletion, acid
rain, and marine pollution require international cooperation.
2
(UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF AUTOMATION & ROBOTICS)
Revision Notes on Environmental
Studies
Multidisciplinary Nature of Environmental Studies
Environmental studies is a field that explores how living and non-living
things interact and affect each other. It combines knowledge from various
subjects like biology, botany, zoology, soil science, oceanography,
atmospheric science, economics, sociology, anthropology, and ethics. This
multidisciplinary approach helps us understand our natural world and the
impact of human activities on it. The goal is to find practical ways to make
human life sustainable using the Earth’s limited resources.
Definition of Environment
The environment includes all the social, cultural, and physical conditions
around us that influence the survival, growth, and development of people,
animals, and plants. It consists of both living (biotic) components, like
plants and animals, and non-living (abiotic) components, such as air, water,
and soil.
Segments of the Environment
The environment is divided into four main segments:
1. Atmosphere: The layer of air surrounding the Earth, containing
life-sustaining gases like oxygen (O₂) for animals and carbon dioxide
(CO₂) for plants.
2. Hydrosphere: All water bodies, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and
ponds, covering over 75% of the Earth’s surface.
1
, 3. Lithosphere: The solid part of the Earth, including soil, rocks, and
mountains.
4. Biosphere: The region where the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and
lithosphere interact to support life, containing air, water, and land that
influence all living and non-living systems.
Scope of Environmental Studies
Environmental studies covers a wide range of areas to protect and sustain
the environment:
● Conservation of Resources: Protecting natural resources like
forests and water.
● Biodiversity Conservation: Preserving ecosystems and species
diversity.
● Pollution Control: Managing air, water, soil, and noise pollution.
● Population Control: Addressing the impact of human population
growth.
● Sustainable Development: Balancing development like urbanization
and industrialization with environmental protection.
● Awareness and Skills: Encouraging awareness, active participation,
and skills to solve environmental problems.
● Evaluation: Assessing environmental programs based on social,
economic, ecological, and aesthetic factors.
Importance of Environmental Studies
Environmental studies highlight the need to protect our planet from
pollution and overuse of resources. It addresses growing issues like
population growth and industrialization, which make survival challenging.
Key reasons for its importance include:
● Global Issues: Problems like global warming, ozone depletion, acid
rain, and marine pollution require international cooperation.
2
