The document discusses the multidisciplinary nature of environmental studies. It notes that most environmental issues involve interactions between the physical/natural environment and social/economic factors. It also outlines the three main environmental compartments - atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere - and describes the biosphere as the relatively thin layer where millions of living species interact in complex ecological relationships. The document argues that while natural processes can upset this equilibrium, human activities like overpopulation, industrialization, urbanization, and increasing consumption are now the primary causes of imbalance. It concludes that solving environmental problems requires considering the links between science, technology, and social sciences.

3. THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY
NATURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL
STUDIES
Prof. T.Swaminathan

4. Importance of Environment
• Types of Environment:
• Physical / Natural
• Social / Political / Economic
• Most environmental issues primarily focus
on Physical & Natural environment

5. Significance of Biosphere
• 3 Environmental compartments
• Atmosphere
• Hydrosphere
• Lithosphere
• Biosphere – Living species
• Relatively thin layer shared by millions of species
• Natural biodiversity
• Interdependence of species
• Delicate equilibrium
• Divided into ecosystems

6. Upsets in the equilibrium results in adverse impacts on
the ecosystems
Causes for upsets : Natural ---- Volcanos, landslides
Matter of concern -- Anthropogenic ( manmade)
Human beings are the most dominant species on earth
Try to dominate nature and modify nature for its benefit
e.g. Basic human need - Food - Agriculture
Cloth -- Synthetics
Shelter - Building materials

7. Real Problem : Over population, industrialization
and urbanization Increasing
consumptive lifestyle
Paradigm of sustainable development
Human Beings two-way interaction
Environment
All resources obtained from environment, wastes
discharged into environment
Environment uses the wastes to recycle them
into resources - Biogeochemical cycles

8. Natural processes are slow Human activities fast
Difference in rates leads to accumulation of
wastes and causes adverse impacts
Solutions for environmental problems are also
engineered by manmade processes (waste
treatment) --- but at a cost!!!!!!
It is here that most issues become problems
The multidisciplinary nature of environment
become evident
Links between science & technology with social
sciences

9. Case study 1
• Thermal power plant using coal :
– Mining of coal
– Transportation
– Combustion
– Electricity generation, transmission
– Employment generation
– Infrastructure development
– Land degradation, displacement
– Loss of biodiversity
– RM & product pricing

10. Conclusions
• Environmental studies involves complex
interactions between several disciplines
• No simple solutions
• Careful evaluation of positive and negative
impacts of activities on environment will
help in developing optimal strategies and
lead to sustainable development