Unit 1 Introduction to Environmental Studies
The word ‘Environment’ is derived from the French word ‘Environner’ which means to
encircle, around or surround.
Some important definitions of environment are as under:
1. According to Boring, ‘A person’s environment consists of the sum total of the stimulation
which he receives from his conception until his death.’ Indicating that environment comprises
various types of forces such as physical, intellectual, mental, economical, political, cultural,
social, moral and emotional.
2. Douglas and Holland defined that ‘The term environment is used to describe, in aggregate,
all the external forces, influences and conditions, which affect the life, nature, behaviour and
the growth, development and maturity of living organisms’.
Multidisciplinary nature of environmental studies- Environmental studies is a
multidisciplinary subject wherein understanding of various disciplines such as life sciences,
physical sciences, mathematical sciences, engineering, social sciences, etc. is quintessential.
Knowledge and understanding of these disciplines help us better understand our environment,
any undesirable change that has taken place and find out solutions for better management of
the environment.
Components of environment: atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere
1. Atmosphere: The Atmosphere forms a distinctive protective layer about 100 km thick
around the earth. A blanket of gases called the atmosphere surrounds the earth and
protects the surface of earth from the Sun’s harmful, ultraviolet rays. It sustains life on
the earth. It also regulates temperature, preventing the earth from becoming too hot or
too cold. It saves it from the hostile environment of outer space. The atmosphere is
composed of nitrogen and oxygen besides, argon, carbon dioxide and trace gases.
The atmosphere has a marked effect on the energy balance at the surface of the Earth.
It absorbs most of the cosmic rays from outer space and a major portion of the
electromagnetic radiation from the sun. It transmits only ultraviolet, visible, near
infrared radiation (300 to 2500 nm) and radio waves. (0.14 to 40 m) while filtering out
tissue-damaging ultra-violate waves below about 300 nm.
2. Hydrosphere: The Hydrosphere comprises all types of water resources oceans, seas,
lakes, rivers, streams, reservoirs, polar icecaps, glaciers, and ground water. Oceans
represent 97% of the earth’s water and about 2% of the water resources is locked in the
polar icecaps and glaciers. Only about 1% is available as fresh water as surface water
in rivers, lakes, streams, and as ground water for human use.
3. Lithosphere: Lithosphere is the outer mantle of the solid earth. It consists of minerals
occurring in the earth’s crusts and the soil e.g. minerals, organic matter, air and water.
4. Biosphere: Biosphere indicates the realm of living organisms (plant, animals and
microorganisms) and their interactions with environment, viz. atmosphere, hydrosphere
and lithosphere.
Scope and Importance of Environment Studies
The environment consists of four segments of the earth namely atmosphere, hydrosphere,
lithosphere and biosphere. These four spheres interact with each other forming a complex
system. Therefore, the scope of environmental studies is very wide and it deals with many areas
like i) conservation of natural resources, ii) ecological aspects, iii) pollution of the surrounding
natural resources, iv) controlling the pollution, v) social issues connected to it, and vi) impacts
of human population on the environment.
Environment studies as a subject if important for the following reasons:
1. Global Environment Issues: Issues such as global warming and ozone depletion, acid
rain, marine pollution and biodiversity loss require international efforts and cooperation
to solve them.
2. Development and Environment: Development has led to Urbanization,
Industrialization, Infrastructure, Telecommunication and Transportation Systems,
Intensive Agriculture and Construction, etc. Development has undesirable effects on
the environment of the entire world.
3. Increase in Pollution: Pollution of air, water and soil adversely affects human health
and is a cause of concern.
4. Need for an Alternative Solution: It is essential, especially for developing countries
to find alternative paths to solve environmental issues.
5. Need for Judicious Planning of Development: Our survival and sustenance depend
on resources availability. Hence, proper management of resources is the need of the
hour.
6. R. Misra (1991) recognized four basic requirements of environmental management as
under:
i. Impact of human activities on the environment,
ii. Value system,
iii. Plan and design for sustainable development,
iv. Environment education.
Concept of sustainability and sustainable development
Sustainable development is the overarching paradigm of the United Nations. The concept of
sustainable development was described by the 1987 Bruntland Commission Report as
“development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their own needs.”
There are four dimensions to sustainable development–
a. society,
b. environment,
c. culture, and
d. economy
The abovementioned dimensions to sustainable development are intertwined, not separate.
Sustainability is a paradigm for thinking about the future in which environmental, societal
and economic considerations are balanced in the pursuit of an improved quality of life. For
example, a prosperous society relies on a healthy environment to provide food and
resources, safe drinking water and clean air for its citizens.
What is the difference between sustainable development and sustainability?
Sustainability is often thought of as a long-term goal (i.e. a more sustainable world), while
sustainable development refers to the many processes and pathways to achieve it (e.g.
sustainable agriculture and forestry, sustainable production and consumption, good
government, research and technology transfer, education and training, etc.).
A Brief History of Environmentalism
The Industrial Revolution sparked between 1730 and 1850, which has significantly altered our
planet Earth in a very short span. This concern for the environment protection led to the
movement known as “environmentalism”. There are various reasons for protecting the planet.
For some it's just for the benefit of humans, for others it's because nature. The movement has
become a force to protect environment.
1850-1900 – Environmentalists such as Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) and writers like
John Muir (1838-1914) find their tongue Inspired by visionaries like Thoreau and Muir,
environmental awareness began to spread through the western world.
1900-1950s – The growing awareness
William Hornaday (1854-1937) wrote Our Vanishing Wildlife (1913). Hornaday was one of
the first conservationists to draw attention to the plight of endangered wildlife. In 1949, Aldo
Leopold (1887-1948) published A Sand County Almanac – often regarded as the most
influential book on conservation ever written.
1960s – The movement is born
Many would agree that the milestone marking the birth of the environmental movement was
Rachel Carson's 1962 book Silent Spring.
Carson, a nature lover and former marine biologist, told of how chemicals like pesticides and
insecticides, used on farms, forests and gardens, were contaminating the environment. Wildlife
was being poisoned, she said. The insect life was dying (and not just the pest species) which
meant no food for the birds. No birds, no bird song = a silent spring. People were in grave
danger too. She described in detail how the chemicals, like the insecticide DDT, enter the food
chain and accumulate in the fatty tissues of animals, humans included, resulting in higher risks
cancer.
Despite media criticism and attempts by the chemical industry to ban the book, many reputable
scientists backed her up and her work was validated. President John F Kennedy ordered an
investigation into the issues highlighted in the book. Carson was found to be correct – DDT
was banned, and the effects of other chemicals were scrutinised.
But the real legacy of Silent Spring was a new public awareness that the environment was being
damaged by humans. Previously, degradation of the planet had been the concern of just a few
people – those that were bothered by the loss of wilderness. But the news had now spread that
our own lives were at risk and the issues could no longer be ignored. The necessity to regulate
our behaviour in order to protect the environment became a widely debated notion. Modern
environmentalism was born.
1970s – International co-operation
Environmental pressure groups Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace were both established in
1971. They introduced flagship campaigns for threatened species like pandas and tigers and
they informed the world of the trade in elephant ivory, rhino horn and seal fur.
The year 1972 saw the first of the 10-yearly Earth Summits. Held in Stockholm, Sweden, it is
generally considered to be the primary defining event of international environmentalism. The
Earth Summit (officially called the United Nations Conference on the Human
Environment) was initiated by the developed world to address the environmental effects of
industrialization (113 nations attended). Sweden was concerned about acid rain. Japan was
concerned about the industrial poisoning of their seas. Oil tankers spilling their cargoes were a
concern worldwide.
The conference produced some successes, including the 26 principles of the Declaration of the
United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, an Action Plan for the Human
Environment and an Environment Fund. Another significant outcome was the establishment of
UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme), designed to promote environmental
practices across the globe. UNEP has coordinated the subsequent Earth Summits.
1980s – Small steps
The year 1982 was Earth Summit time again. But the Cold War was at its height, the world
was distracted, and the meeting, held in Nairobi, Kenya, was considered ineffective.
In 1983, the UN General Assembly created the UN World Commission on Environment and
Development. It appointed Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland, the first woman prime minister of
Norway, as chairperson. Four years later, she published the Brundtland Report, and coined
the term 'sustainable development'. The Report combines environmental and economic
considerations, and famously defines sustainability as: 'Development that meets the needs of
the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
“Sustainability” became the buzzword.
1990s – The warming planet
This decade's Earth Summit occurred in Rio, Brazil, in 1992. It emphasised how the planet's
environmental problems are linked to the economy and to social justice issues. The world
leaders agreed to combat global warming, protect biodiversity and stop using dangerous
poisons.
But Global warming was the major issue at Rio.
The Kyoto Protocol, introduced at Rio, required signatories to cut carbon dioxide
emissions by 5% between 2008 and 2012.
2002 – Johannesburg Earth Summit (Joburg 02)
