LESSON-1
INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL
STUDIES
INTRODUCTION
The term Environment is derived from French word ‘Environ’ which literally means
‘surrounding’. Anything and everything which surrounds us i.e. all living beings or
biotic components (microbes, plants and animals) and non-living or abiotic
components (air, water, sunlight etc.) present in the nature, form the environment.
The Environmental Protection Act, 1986 defines Environment as “environment
includes water, air and land and the inter- relationship which exists among and
between water, air and land, and human beings, other living creatures, plants, micro-
organism and property”. Interactions between the biotic and abiotic components lead
to a functional ecosystem and sustainable life on the planet earth. We get all the basic
goods and services (clean air and water, food, fodder, medicines, raw materials for
the industries, tourism etc.) from the environment. It is a well-known fact that the
anthropogenic activities and unsustainable consumption of natural resources by the
human race have significantly damaged the environment and mother earth and the
degradation is still going on at a fast pace. Therefore, it is our responsibility to
protect the environment from getting degraded and polluted. Environmental
education is indispensable to create environmental awareness which ultimately will
lead to environmental conservation.
1. Components of Environment
Planet earth is the only known planet in the universe having diversity of life. As
earlier mentioned, life could have been possible on the planet only because of the
healthy interactions between biotic and abiotic components in such a manner
where the flow of energy and biogeochemical cycle follows a well-defined path.
The planet earth is categorized into different spheres which represent solid
(rock/soil), liquid (water) and gaseous (air) phases. The overlapping zone of the
three spheres, where life is available, is called the biosphere. A brief description of
the spheres is given below:
Lithosphere: (Greek: Lithos means rock) Earth’s structure can be stratified into
outer crust, middle mantle and inner core regions (Fig. 1). Lithosphere is the
outermost layer of the crust which represents the land mass of the planet. It consists
of rocks, soil, sediments and minerals. Various geological structures or landforms
like high mountains, plateau, deep valleys and sea beds make the surface of
lithosphere uneven. Mount Everest is the highest point on the lithosphere. Various
geological processes like weathering & erosion, volcanic eruptions, biogeochemical
cycles take place at the lithosphere. Different terrestrial ecosystems like forests,
grasslands, deserts etc. are found on the lithosphere.
Figure 1: Cross section of Lithosphere
(Source: https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/lithosphere/)
Hydrosphere: (Greek: Hydor means water) Hydrosphere represents water masses on
the planet present in solid (ice cover, glaciers etc.), liquid (water bodies) and gaseous
(water vapors) phases. Hydrosphere covers almost three-fourth of the total surface
area of the earth. Oceans and seas represent marine ecosystem which contains 97
percent of the total water content (having very high concentration of salts) of the
planet. Remaining 3 percent of the water resources are freshwater present in the form
of glaciers, rivers, lakes, ponds etc. (Figure 2). Hydrosphere is an integral part of the
water cycle and plays a crucial role in maintaining normal climatic, meteorological,
physical, chemical and biological functions on the planet. Oceans and seas are the
largest sink of carbon in the environment.
Figure 2: Distribution of Water Resources on the Earth
Atmosphere: (Greek: Atmos means vapor) the thin sheet of gaseous mixture which
envelops the planet earth is called atmosphere. Content of water vapor, density of the
air mass and atmospheric pressure decreases rapidly with the increase in altitude. The
composition of dry air is as follows:
Table 1: Composition of dry air
Component Volume (%)
Nitrogen 78.084
Oxygen 20.946
Argon 0.934
Carbon di oxide 0.04
Gases in traces Remaining
The rate of change of temperature with the altitude is called lapse rate. The
atmosphere has been stratified into major four layers where temperature decreases
(negative lapse rate) or increases (positive lapse rate). Brief description of
atmospheric layers is as follows:
• Troposphere: the altitude of this layer varies from 16 km at equator to 8 km at
poles. Largest percentage of the air mass found in this region. The upper layer is
called tropopause. Temperature decreases with increase in altitude (-6.4 0C per
km) in this layer and varies from 15 0C (ground Level) to – 56 0C (tropopause).
• Stratosphere:temperature starts rising in this layer from tropopause (-56 0C) to
stratopause (-2 0C)as ozone (O3) layerin the upper stratosphere absorbs solar
radiation and temperature rises. Ozone layerin this region absorbs harmful UV
radiation, particularly UV-B radiation (280 nm to 315 nm), because of which life
is possible on earth’s surface. However, the ozone layer is depleting at a fast pace
due to the presence of ozone depleting substances (like chlorofluorocarbons-
CFCs). Ozone holes are the places in the upper stratosphere where the
concentration of ozone has depleted drastically.
• Mesosphere: temperature starts decreasing again and reaches at -96 0C at the
upper boundary of the layer i.e. mesopause. Density of air is very low and
important chemical species found in this region are O2+ and NO+ which do not
absorb much solar radiation. This causes the decline in ambient temperature in
this region.
• Thermosphere: ionic oxygen atoms and other ions in this layer absorb short
wave solar radiation which increases the temperature in this layer rapidly from -
96 0C (lower boundary) to 1200 0C (upper layer).
Table 2: Layers of atmosphere and their composition (Source:
Environmental Chemistry by A.K. Dey)
Layer Average Altitude Temperature Variation Prominent Chemical
(km) (0C) Species
Troposphere 0 - 11 15 to (-56) N2, O2, Ar, CO2, H2O
Stratosphere 11-50 (-56) to (-2) O3
Mesosphere 50-85 (-2) to (-96) O2+, NO+
Thermosphere 85-500 (-96) to 1200 O2+, O+, NO+
Layers of atmosphere and temperature change with latitude (Source: Britannica
Encyclopedia; https://www.britannica.com/science/ozone-layer)
Biosphere:(Greek: Bios means life) this is the self-regulating overlapping region of
atmosphere, lithosphere and hydrosphere in the environment where life sustainably
exists, nourished and flourished by the healthy interaction between biotic (autotrophs
and heterotrophs) and abiotic components (air, water, sunlight, soil, rock etc.) of the
nature.
Biosphere (Source: Britannica Encyclopedia;
https://www.britannica.com/science/biosphere)
2. Multidisciplinary Nature of Environmental Studies
Multidisciplinary means interaction of various subjects or disciplines. Environmental
studies deal with all the aspects of biotic and abiotic components of the environment.
Also, Environment and environmental issues are complex in nature. Therefore,
expertise from different subjects or disciplines is required to understand different
aspects of the environment. We may require expertise from different disciplines to
resolve various environmental issues.
Multidisciplinary Nature of Environmental Studies may be understood by a small
case study. Suppose a developmental activity (Dam, Mining, Highway etc.) is
proposed within a given region. Before starting such projects, an Environmental
Impact Assessment (EIA) is conducted to assess and mitigate the possible
degradation to the environment and population living within the region. To
effectively conduct the EIA, expertise from the following disciplines will be
required:
• Life Sciences (Zoology and Botany): to assess the biodiversity richness and
endemism of the given region and possible reversible or irreversible changes
in the biological diversity of the region by the anthropogenic activities. An
expert from life sciences will also assess the ecosystem goods and services
being provided by the nature in the specific region.
• Earth Sciences (Geology, Geography, Geochemistry etc.): Earth Sciences
will study about the details of geological and geographical terrain, soil/rock
profile, tectonic and seismic activity in the region etc.
• Chemical Sciences: it will be helpful in understanding various chemical
processes and reactions taking place in different matrices of the environment.
It is also important to understand the fate and effect of pollutants on air,
water, soil and
• Anthropology, History and Archaeology: to assess the historical or
archaeological importance of the monuments, tribal population, traditions or
practices in a region or at the site of the construction.
• Social Sciences, Sociology and Economics: to assess the socio-economic
stature of the population and possible changes the same with on-going
developmental projects.
• Law and Legal Aspects: expertise from legal background is also required to
satisfy different legal aspects during a developmental project activity (like
land acquisition, relocation and rehabilitation etc.).
• Mathematics, Computer Modelling and Statistics: we need different
statistical tools and models to statistically validate the obtained data from the
study. Also, we are using numerous mathematical and computational models
in day-to-day activities like meteorological predictions.
Multidisciplinary Nature of Environmental Studies
3. Scope and Importance of Environmental Studies
The multidisciplinary approach of the subject can be implemented in wide range of
applications and fields related to the environmental awareness, education and
conservation. Hence, the subject has a vast scope and the expert of the subject can
serve in numerous ways in different spheres of the society. Students may opt the
subject and make a professional career in Environmental Studies or Environmental
Science. The experts and professionals of the subject are required and recruited in
various sectors like:
• Academics: as discussed above, the subject has been introduced in numerous
schools, colleges and universities in India and abroad, at school, under-
graduation and post- graduation levels. The student may pursue the subject.
Worldwide, large number of dedicated departments, centers, universities and
institutions have been established for the subject. An interested professional
may join the teaching and academics and make the next generation aware
about the environmental issues and its tangible solutions. Many dedicated
institutes, like WII Dehradun, FRI Dehradun, IIFM Bhopal etc., have been
established to propagate education in specialized fields of the environment.
• Research & Development: research and post-doctoral works have been
going on worldwide to understand the environmental mechanisms and to get
cost-effective cutting-edge technologies to mitigate environmental issues and
challenges.
• Industries: in order to effectively implement the environmental guidelines
and technologies and to mitigate the environmental degradation directly or
indirectly caused by the industries, a large number of industries have been
recruiting environmental engineers/scientists/experts.
• Ministries and Agencies: ministry of environment and various
environmental agencies & conventions of national and international repute
frequently create vacancies for the environmental experts. Few of the
examples of such agencies are UNEP, IPCC, CITES, RAMSAR, USEPA etc.
• Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Consultancy: a large
number of national and international NGOs and consultancies are working as
an extended hand to conserve the environment and its various components.
Most of the NGOs and consultancies are old and have an experienced
workforce. Some of the examples are Bombay Natural History Society,
IUCN, Conservation International, World Wide Fund for Nature, Wildlife
Trust of India, Centre for Environmental Education, Centre for Science and
Environment, Kalpavriksha, Madras Crocodile Bank Trust etc.
• Green Journalism: environmental awareness is indispensable for the
environmental conservation and media (print, electronic and social media) is
the strongest medium to propagate the awareness. Green journalism is the
term given when media raises the environmental issues and its practical
solutions suggested by the experts of the subject.
• Environmental legislation and Green Advocacy: for an effective
environmental conservation, it is indispensable to have stringent legislative
provision and effective implementation of the same. Legal experts specialized
in environmental law may act significantly in environmental conservation.
In the last five decades, Environmental Studies or Environmental Science has
emerged as an important multidisciplinary subject dealing with all the aspects of
issues and challenges of the environment and it also suggests practical solutions to
the environmental problems. The subject is still evolving as the environmental
problems are also growing in intensity and magnitude at a fast pace. Anthropogenic
activities have created the issues like pollution caused by conventional and emerging
pollutants, biodiversity loss, global warming-climate change, growing global energy
demands, utmost pressure on the natural resources etc., which are causing serious
threats to the life on the planet. Environmental Studies has given tangible solutions to
the environmental problems. Some of the prominent fields, which the subject
addresses may be summarized as Environmental Education and Ethics, Ecosystem
and ecology, Natural Resources Management, Energy Efficiency and Audit,
Renewable sources of energy, Global warming-climate change, Biodiversity
Conservation, Pollution monitoring and mitigation, Population and Environment,
Waste management etc. Hence, it is necessary to make the newer generations aware
about the basics and details of the subject.
4. Important landmarks in Environmentalism
In the western world, first ever concern about the environmental degradation was
raised after publication of the book ‘Silent Spring’ by Rachael Carson in 1962. This
book raised the issue of excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in the
U.S. and its impact on different biotic and abiotic components of the environment. In
1970, book ‘Limit to Growth’ by the Club of Rome attracted the global attention.
Ramsar Convention came into existence on 02nd February 1971 with the aim to
conserve wetlands globally. Hence, World Wetlands Day is observed every year on
02nd February. In 1972, United Nations Conference on Human Environment was
organized at Stockholm between 5th June – 16th June where India also presented its
view on environmental degradation. In the remembrance of this conference, World
Environment Day is celebrated every year on 05th June. India started Project Tiger
in 1973 to save is national animal of India. In between, India and the world witnessed
worst industrial disasters, Bhopal Gas Tragedy (02nd and 03rd December, 1984)
and Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster (26th April, 1986), which taught many lessons to
globe. Vienna Convention (1985) and Montreal Protocol (16th September 1987) were
signed to protect the Ozone layer from getting depleted by the ozone depleting
substances (ODS). The concept of Sustainable Development was introduced to the
world by Brundtland Commission Report (Our Common Future) in 1987.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) came into the existence in 1989
to formulate the framework to combat global warming-climate change. The Agenda
21 was adopted in the Earth Summit at Rio de Janeiro in 1992. UN trio sister
conventions (UNFCCC, UNCBD and UNCCD) were also signed in 1992. In 1997,
Kyoto Protocol was signed to curb down the emission of greenhouse gases
responsible for the global warming. The World Summit on Sustainable Development
(Rio + 10) was conducted in 2002 at Johannesburg. The Govt. of India took the
initiative to form the International Solar Alliance (30 November 2015; headquartered
at Gurugram, India) during the famous Paris convention of UNFCC, in order to
motivate the tropical and sub-tropical countries to maximize the use of solar energy
instead of the conventional sources of energy. A large number of organizations of
national and international repute, working in the field of environmental awareness,
education and conservation have also been established in the last one century.
5. Concept of Sustainability and Sustainable Development
It was the global perception that the environmental conservation and economic development
cannot be pursued together. With the onset of 1980s, the world started finding the middle
path so that the long-term economic development may be pursued without harming the
environment. With this aim, the United Nations established World Commission on
Environment and Development (WCED), under the chairmanship of Geo Harlem Brundtland
(former Prime Minister of Norway) in December 1983. Hence, this commission is commonly
known as the Brundtland Commission. The task of the commission was to formulate “A
global agenda for change”. Brundtland Commission submitted its report entitled “Our
Common Future” in 1987 which gave the concept of Sustainable Development to the world.
Report defines Sustainable Development as “development that meets the needs of the
present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
Sustainability (Latin: sustinere means to hold up) is a long-term idea that means making the
entire world sustainable. However, sustainable development refers to pathways by which the
goal of sustainability and sustainable world can be achieved.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): these are the seventeen goals set as the ‘2030
agenda for sustainable development’. It was adopted by the United Nations state members in
2015 as ‘a blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and planet, now and into the future.’
All the developed and developing countries have been called to achieve the goals by global
partnership.
Society, environment and economy, collectively considered as the three pillars of sustainable
development. When the three pillars harmonically interact with each other, sustainability and
sustainable development is achieved.
The three pillars intersect each other giving the concept of bearable, equitable and viable
globe, which collectively forms sustainable world.
✓ Social Sustainability + Economic Sustainability = Equitable
✓ Social Sustainability + Environmental Sustainability = Bearable
✓ Economical Sustainability + Environmental Sustainability = Viable
✓ (Social + Economical + Environmental) Sustainability = Sustainable
Development
Venn Diagram of Pillars of Sustainable Development
Sustainable Development Goals
(Source: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/blog/2015/12/sustainable-development-
goals-kick-off-with-start-of-new-year/)
