Environmental studies is a multidisciplinary field aiming to understand and address human interactions with the environment to tackle complex ecological challenges. It encompasses various subjects like ecology, economics, and social sciences, focusing on issues such as resource conservation, pollution control, and sustainable development to ensure a balanced and healthy ecosystem. The discipline emphasizes the need for international collaboration and sustainable practices to protect natural resources and enhance quality of life for current and future generations.

1. INTRODUCTION TO
ENVIRONMENTAL
STUDIES
MODULE 1

2. INTRODUCTION
Individuals study the environment to gain an awareness of living things and
environmental characteristics and how to handle difficult ecological challenges
impacting nature. Learning how humans should live or how they might build viable
solutions to safeguard the global ecosystem is the central focus of the academic
discipline known as environment studies.

3. DEFINITION
• Environmental studies are a multidisciplinary study that focuses on examining human
interactions with the environment in order to address complex issues. It combines principles
from the physical sciences, economics, and social sciences to tackle current environmental
challenges. Its systematic approach aims to find solutions to environmental problems that are
beneficial to society and the planet.
• Environmental studies include all aspects that impact organisms and their environment. It is an
applied science that makes an effort to find practical solutions for achieving the sustainability of
human civilization within the limits of the earth’s finite resources.
• Its components encompass physics, chemistry, biology, geology, engineering, health, sociology,
statistics, economics, computers, and philosophy.

4. SCOPE
• Natural resources
• Ecosystems is a geographical area where plants , animals , and other organisms , as well as
weather and landscape , work together to form a bubble of life
• Biodiversity (and conservation) is the variety of all living things and their interactions
Eg : A forest containing many types of trees , dozens of bird species , and both big and small
mammals
• Environmental pollution
• Social issues and environment
• Human population
• Sustainable development

5. • Environmental study is necessary for human beings, and it is a broad field that encompasses a wide range of topics
related to the natural environment and the impact of human activities on it. The key areas to focus on in this study
are
i. Conservation of natural resources: Natural resources (i.e., air, water, soil, sunlight, etc.) are the sources for human
beings from the earth without which human beings cannot survive. Conservation means to protect and take care of.
In today’s world, human activities have caused an irreparable damage to the environment. Without these natural
resources, human life is nothing on this earth. Hence, it is important to protect or conserve the natural resources in
such a way that they meet the needs of our present and future.
ii. Ecological aspects: This involves the study of the physical and biological components of ecosystems and how they
interact with each other. Ecological aspects include the study of ecosystems, biodiversities and the impact of human
activities on the natural environment. Ecological aspects are a critical component of environmental studies,
informing efforts to manage and conserve ecosystems for future generations.

6. iii. Pollution of natural resources: This includes study of various pollution of
natural resources like water pollution, air pollution, and soil pollution. The aim is
to understand the source of pollution and its effects on the environment and human
health.
iv. Control of pollution: This involves developing strategies and policies to reduce
and control pollution. This includes measures such as pollution prevention, waste
reduction, and the use of cleaner technologies

7. IMPORTANCE
• According to National Education Policy 1986, “it is a basic need to develop
consciousness regarding the environment in children, youth, older people and in
all citizens, and every field.” Environment studies enlighten us, about the
importance of protecting and conserving our indiscriminate release of pollution
into the environment.
• Some important features that make environmental studies significant are as
follows

8. 1.Environmental studies provide basic knowledge of the environment to all
individuals and help in understanding present environmental projects.
2.It helps us to know a more sustainable way of living and provides the necessary
skills to solve environmental problems.
3.It helps us to use natural resources more efficiently.

9. 4. The significance of environmental concerns such as global warming, ozone
depletion, acid rain, marine pollution, and biodiversity are widely acknowledged
as not limited to specific countries but rather having global implications. Therefore,
addressing these issues necessitates international collaboration and collective
efforts.
5. With the increase in population, there is an increase in the use of natural
resources including land. With this, the soil health problems like soil salinity,
deficiency in micronutrients, etc., have been recognized by agricultural experts. So,
it is important to study the land environment of nature.

10. MULTIDISCIPLINARY NATURE OF THE STUDY
A. Environment and Economics – When we link the study of environment to
economics the following issues are coming to the forefront
1 Economic Growth and Environmental Balance
– to achieve higher economic growth, resources have to be exploited and environment
has to be affected
- environment balance can be obtained , if the resources are not exploited and pollution
is not formed.
11Pollution Control and Environment
- it is the society that feels the harmful effects of pollution

11. 111 Conservation of Resources
- Renewable and non-renewable resources
Optimal use of these resources is a must and wastage must be avoided because
without these resources , man cannot carry on any economic activity
(Renewable resources – natural resource which will replenish to replace the portion
depleted by usage and consumption , either through natural reproduction or other
recurring processes in a finite amount of time)
(Non renewable resources – is a substance that is used up more quickly than it can
replace itself. The supply of a nonrenewable resource is finite , which means it cannot
be replenished)

12. B. Environment and Sociology
- Sociology is a study of family , society , social status , social mobility and attitudes
of people, values and beliefs
- Developmental projects are intended to modify social and natural environment in
order to create or enhance the economic , health , educational and other benefits
that are valued by society . This goal however can be denied through unanticipated
or unintended negative social or environmental impacts that threaten sustainability
of the project.

13. Key issues in social analysis related to environmental review :
-Variation within communities
staying in forest vs those who cut down trees (endangered)

14. - Social issues in ecologically sensitive areas like Coastal Marine Areas
Marine reefs. Tourist who swim right near Great Barrier Reef vs ecologists conserve
vs those who fish

15. C. Environment and Chemistry ( man made chemicals and effect on environment)
- the relation between chemistry and environment
- one of environmental chemistry’s major challenges is the determination of the
nature and quantity of specific pollutants in the environment
D. Environment and Biology
- not man-made , say naturally existing (nutrients )
- food waste that you drop in , with the extra manure , weeds …over
growth..species

16. • E. Environment and Ecology and Eco system
The word ecology is derived from the Greek words ‘oikos’ meaning habitation and
‘logos’ meaning study.
The study of relation of organism or groups of organisms to their environment
The essence of this science is a comprehensive understanding of the importance of
these phenomena on :
The local and geographical distribution and abundance of organisms
The interrelations between organisms in populations and communities (population
ecology)
The structural adaptations and functional adjustments of organisms to their physical
environment (physiological ecology)

17. CONCEPT OF SUSTAINABILITY AND
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
• Sustainability means meeting our own needs without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their own needs. In addition to natural resources, we
also need social and economic resources. Sustainability is not just
environmentalism.

18. • Why is sustainability important?
• Sustainability is important for preserving our planet and natural resources like water
and air. Building a sustainable future and cultivating sustainable ways of living will
reduce pollution and protect habitats of plants and animals.
• A key part of sustainability involves sustainable business practices and economic
development, including green technology, eco-friendly supply chains, and more.
When businesses and government follow sustainable sustainable practices, it creates
a ripple effect on individuals and communities to decrease greenhouse gas emissions
and fossil fuels. All of this contributes to a better quality of life.
• Brief history of sustainability

19. • The three pillars of sustainability (environmental, economic, and social) can help us to pave a path
toward a sustainable future.
• Environmental sustainability: The principle of maintaining ecological integrity and ensuring that
Earth’s environmental systems remain balanced as natural resources such as air, water, soil, forests,
and animals are being consumed by humans.
• Economic sustainability: The goal for humans on Earth to maintain independence and be able to
get a job or acquire other resources to meet their needs. Economic systems must be in place and
accessible to all.
• Social sustainability: The principle of ensuring that basic human needs are attainable by all and that
there are enough resources available to all within a community. Strong social systems can ensure
healthy, happy communities whose human rights such as labor, health care, and equality are
respected.

20. • Sustainable development can be defined as an approach to the economic
development of a country without compromising with the quality of the
environment for future generations. In the name of economic development, the
price of environmental damage is paid in the form of land degradation, soil
erosion, air and water pollution, deforestation, etc. This damage may surpass the
advantages of having more quality output of goods and services.

21. • Sustainable development can be defined as an approach to the economic
development of a country without compromising with the quality of the environment
for future generations. In the name of economic development, the price of
environmental damage is paid in the form of land degradation, soil erosion, air and
water pollution, deforestation, etc. This damage may surpass the advantages of
having more quality output of goods and services.
• Sustainable Development Goals
• To promote the kind of development that minimises environmental problems.
• To meet the needs of the existing generation without compromising with the quality of
the environment for future generations.

22. • Achieving Sustainable Development
• Sustainable development can be achieved if we follow the following points:
• It can be achieved by restricting human activities.
• Technological development should be input effective and not input utilising.
• The rate of consumption should not surpass the rate of salvation.
• For renewable resources, the rate of consumption should not surpass the rate of production of
renewable substitutes.
• All types of pollution should be minimised.
• It can be achieved by sensible use of natural resources.

23. • Examples of Sustainable Development
• Wind energy
• Solar energy
• Crop rotation
• Sustainable construction
• Efficient water fixtures
• Green space
• Sustainable forestry