Environmental Studies Definition And Scope

THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY NATURE OF

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES Definition, scope and importance, Need for public awareness.

Definition of Environment  Environment -French word - 'environ’ meaning ‘surroundings’. • Hence, everything surrounding us -"ENVIRONMENT".  Environmental Protection Act (1986) defined Environment as “the sum total of air, water and land, their interrelationship among themselves and with the human beings, other living beings and property.”  It can also be defined as “ external surroundings and conditions which directly or indirectly affects the living organisms.”  Environmental science is a systemic study of our environment and our place in it - mainly the abiotic and biotic components.  It is a comprehensive sum of all living and non – living things and their interactions.  It is an applied science as its seeks practical answers to making human civilization sustainable on the earth’s finite resources.  Its components include biology, geology, chemistry, physics, engineering, sociology, health, anthropology, economics, statistics, computers and philosophy.

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Environment is defined as “The Complex of Physical, Chemical & Biotic factors affecting an organism and ultimately determining its form and survival”. “All the living and non living factors affecting an organism and ultimately determining its form and survival is known as Environment.” Some other Definitions of Environment:“ All the external factors influencing the life and activity of people, plant and animals”. “ All the things (i.e. Object & Circumstances) surrounding us is known as Environment”. Environmental Science:

Environmental Studies:

“The systematic & scientific study of • our environment and our role in it. This branch include the knowledge of Pure science & to some extent Social Sciences”.

“The branch of Study concerned with environmental issues. It has a broader coverage than environment science and includes the social aspects of the environment”.

EVS is an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary field, drawing on many diverse disciplines.

Scope of Environmental Studies • Natural resources- their conservation and management • Ecology and biodiversity • Environmental pollution and control • Social issues in relation to development and environment • Human population and environment

Objectives of Environmental Education • An AWARENESS of the environment and its problems. • Basic KNOWLEDGE and understanding of the environment and its inter-relationship with man. • Social VALUES and ATTITUDES which are in harmony with environmental quality. • SKILLS to solve environmental problems. • Sense of responsibility and urgency towards environment so as to ensure appropriate ACTIONS to solve environmental problems. • Consider environment in its totality.

Components of Environment • Environment can be divided into following Components • Biotic components: It Includes all the living organisms. e.g. plants, animals, etc. • Abiotic components: All the non living things are included in this category. e.g. Climatic conditions, soil, minerals etc.

Physical components of environment Atmosphere - The atmosphere implies the protective blanket of gases, surrounding the earth. Hydrosphere – The Hydrosphere comprises all types of water resources oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, streams, reservoirs, polar icecaps, glaciers, and ground water. Lithosphere - Lithosphere is the outer mantle of the solid earth. Biosphere – Biosphere indicates the realm of living organisms and their interactions with environment, viz. atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere

Elements of Environment • Physical elements - space, landforms, water bodies, soils, rocks and minerals. • Biological elements - plants, animals and microorganisms. • Cultural elements - economic, social and political elements are essentially manmade features.

The importance of Environmental studies • To clarify modern environmental concept like how to conserve biodiversity. • To know the more sustainable way of living. • To use natural resources more efficiently. • To know the behavior of organism under natural conditions. • To know the interrelationship between organisms in populations and communities. • To aware and educate people regarding environmental issues and problems at local, national and international levels.

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