VEC-101-T
Environment Education-I
[Link] and [Link]
NEP-2020
What is Environment Education?
• It’s a process that helps people to understand
the Environment and its issues like,
a)Climate Change(High [Link] weather)
b)Pollution (Air,Water,Soil)
c)Loss of Biodiversity (Animals & plants species disappears)
d)Deforestation (Permanent removal of trees)
• World Environment Day is celebrated on June 5th.
Chapter-1
Humans and The Environment
• The Man-Environment Interaction
a)Humans as a Hunter-gatherers
Early humans were hunter-gatherers.
Means they obtained food by hunting animals &
gathering edible plants, insects and other natural
resources.
Life-style of Hunter-gatherers
a. Typically moved frequently to follow food sources.
This is called Nomadic Life style.
b. They live in small groups.
Mastery of Fire
• Control of fire by early humans was a pivotal
advancement in human history.
• Providing warmth, protection and enabling cooking.
• Evidence suggested humans were using fire by 2
millions (20 Lakhs) years ago.
• Homo erectus (Homo: Man ; erectus: Upright [straight man])
mastering it about 1 million years ago.
• This fire control helps into migration into unhabitable
colder regions.
• Expansion of human activities into night.
Question for Exam
1. What is Environment Education?
2. When is World Environment Day celebrated?
3. Write Man-Environment interaction.
4. Mastery of Fire(Short note)
5. What is Nomadic Life Style?
Origin of Agriculture
• Agriculture
• Ager: Land ; Culture: Cultivation
• Agriculture arose independently in several locations
around the world, beginning approximately 12,000
years ago.
• Question for Exam
1. Define Agriculture.
2. How many years ago did agriculture emerge?
Emergence of Cities & States
• Mesopotamia, Nile Valley, and Indus Valley are the first regions where
development occurs.
• Cities like Uruk,Memphis and Harappa arising thousand years ago.
• Neolithic Revolution
Development of agriculture, irrigation technology allowed for surplus (Extra) food
production enabling larger population to settle in one place.
• Examples of early cities- In Ancient Greece
a) Athence b) Sparta
• Around 6th century second wave of urbanization occurred in Ganga plains of India.
• Questions for Exams
1. Which are the regions where first development occur?
2. Which are the three cities arising thousand years ago?
3. Examples of early cities in Ancient Greece.
4. In which region in India where urbanization occurred?
Middle Ages
• Middle Ages --- Bridge between Ancient and modern
times.
• Also known as Medieval Period.
• It states relationship between human and environment
and how it shaped societies and their interaction.
• Middle ages includes Land,Forests,Water and climate as
well as agriculture and urbanization.
• Question for Exam
[Link] Middle Ages.
[Link] ages also known as?
Industrial Revolution & Its Impact
• Industrial Evolution brought significant technology & economic progress.
• But widespread negative impacts on environment .
• Because of that pollution occurs resource depeltion,deforestation,climate change.
• Environment Impact
1. Air Pollution
Burning Fossil fuels(Natural fuels such as Coal)
2. Water Pollution
Industrial waste such as chemicals.
3. Deforestation
Need for timber to build factories, houses
Clearing lands for agriculture.
4. Resource Depletion
Increased demand for raw materials like Coal,iron,and other .
These resulted in depletion of resources
Degradation of mining sites.
5. Climate Change
Release of Greenhouse gases from burning of fossil fuels changes the climate and temperature
increases.
Population Growth & Natural Resource
Exploitation
Population Growth
• Rapid population growth increases the demand & use of natural recourses.
A. Land Use Changes
I. Expanded population lead to deforestation.
II. Agriculture land expansion.
III. Biodiversity Loss.
Global Environmental Changes
I. Changes happen by human activities.
II. Warming & Its effect.
III. Land Degradation
IV. Ocean Acidification.
V. Pollution.
VI. Climate Changes
• Global Changes
• Melting ice & Glaciers
• Sea level rise.
VII Biodiversity Loss
• Many species are facing extinction because of habitat.
VIII Ocean Acidification
• Carbon-dioxide in the ocean increases & causes them to become more acidify.
Questions for Exam
1. What is Industrial Revolution? Write its
impact on environment.
2. What are the Global Environment Changes?
3. Resource Depletion means what?
4. Short Note on
a) Air Pollution
b) Water Pollution
5. How Natural Resource Exploitation occurs?
The Emergence of Environmentalism
• Anthropocentric & Eco-centric Perspective
(Major Thinkers)
Anthropocentric = Anthropos:Humans
Centric: Center
Anthropocentric refers to the belief that human beings are the
center of the universe.
• Key Points
a) Human Superiority
Humans are major thinkers.
Because of thinking capacity humans distinguished from animals.
b) Enlightenment Influence
Notable Thinkers
1. Rene Descartes
• His dualism separated mind (Human) from
matter (Non-Human) so it become more powerful
(Anthropocentrism)
2. Fancies Bacon
• Advocated for human dominion over nature for
human benefits.
3. John Locke
• Argued that humans have a right to exploit(use) nature
for their survival.
• Ecocentrism= Eco/oikos : House
Centrism : Center
Ecocentrism places the balance of the environment at the
center and recognizes intrinsic value in all living beings ,not
just humans
• Key Points
a) Holistic View
Ecocentrism considers ecosystems, species and the Earth as
interconnected wholes.
b) Nonhuman Rights
Fights for the protection if natural system.
Notable Thinkers
1. Aldo Leopold
• His “Land Ethics” emphasized the
interconnectedness of humans, land and other
species.
2. Arne Naess
• Introduced the Conceit of “Deep Ecology”
*Ecology= The study of how living things interact
with each other and their environment.*
3. Pal Plumwood
Critiqued anthropocentrism and highlighted
parallels with anthropocentrism in feminist theory.
Questions for Exam
1. Write the Definition of Anthropocentrism.
2. Anthropos means what? And Centrism means what?
3. Any 2 key points of Anthropocentrism.
4. Write the Names of the Notable Thinkers of
Anthropocentrism.
5. Write the definition of the Ecocentrism.
6. Eco means what?
7. Write the Names of the Notable Thinkers of the
Ecocentrism.
8. Who Introduced the Concept of “Deep Ecology”?
The Club of Rome- Limits to Growth
“Limits to Growth” significant work published in
1972 by the Club of Rome.
• It sates that, Continued exponential economic and
population growth on a finite planet will
automatically lead to a environmental and
economic collapse.
• It also suggest that, factors like resource depletion,
pollution and food production when combined
with unchecked population growth will create
limits.
• Message from the Book
1. The Earth’s interlocking system includes
relationship between
a. Population growth
• Increased population directly impact the demand for
resources like food,water,energy.
b. Agricultural Production
• Land use for agri affect natural habitats, biodiversity
and soil health.
c. Industrial Output
• Industrialization heavily depends on natural
resources. It also contribute to pollution,
deforestation and climate change.
2. The global system of nature in which we live
• Refers to the interconnected web of living organism, physical
environment and their interaction on earth.
• Includes elements of biosphere like Land, Water, air and
atmosphere.
Biosphere- Zone of life on earth
• Questions for Exam
1. Who Published The Limits of Growth book?
2. The Limits to Growth book published in which year?
3. Which is book is published by The Club of Rome?
4. What message has the book “Limits to Growth” given
to us?
5. Define Biosphere.
World Commission on Environment & Development &
the Concept of Sustainable Development (WCED)
• WCED also known as Brundland Commission.
• Led by its chairperson Gro Harlem Brundland.
• Established to address environmental challenges and promote sustainable
development.
• Aim to device strategies for protecting environment.
Strategies :
I. Sustainable Development
II. Equity & Common Interest
III. Food Security
IV. Energy Choice
V. Industrial Development
VI. Urban Challenges
VII. Managing Commons
VIII. Peace, Security and Environment
IX. Institutional & Legal Changes
Questions for Exam
1. Write the Full Form of the WCED.
2. Who is the Chairperson of the WCED?
3. WCED also known as ?
4. Which are the strategies of the WCED?
5. Why WCED is important?
Rio Summit & Subsequent International
Efforts
• The United Nations Conference on Environment and
Development(UNCED), commonly known as the Rio Earth
Summit, took place in Rio de janeiro, Brazil from June 3 to
14,1992.
• Some key principles from the Rio Declaration,
a. Human-centered development
b. Sovereign right and responsibility
c. Integral approach
d. Co-operation for poverty eradication
e. Special consideration for developing countries
f. Global partnership for ecosystem health
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change(UNFCCC)
• UNFCCC established in 1992.
• Its primary goal is prevent “Dangerous human interference with the climate
system”.
• Key points of UNFCCC
1. Purpose- Climate change is a common concern for humanity.
2. Responsibility- Required to reduce greenhouse gas emission.
3. Support for Developing Countries
4. Monitoring & Reporting
• Questions for Exam
1. What is Rio Summit?
2. Write the Full Form of UNCED.
3. UNCED commonly known as?
4. Where & when was the Rio Summit held?
5. Write the full form of the UNFCCC.
6. What Is the primary goal of the UNFCCC?
