Unit- I

Multidisciplinary Nature of Environmental Studies

1.1 Introduction : The word environment is derived from the French word environner which

means to encircle or surround . Earlier environment was defined as the surround of organism or

group of organisms. But today everything out a person affecting him is considered as

environment. Environment refers to the physical and social conditions in which people live.

Environment can be defined as the complex set of physical , chemical, biological factors and

social factors in which living organism of community exists. The factors included are air, water,

land and natural resources, flora, fauna, human and their interrelationship. In other words

environment is “ the sum total of water , air , land and the interrelationship that exit among them

and with living organism including human beings.

The interactions of human being with environment influence the human being and activities

carried out by human being influence the environment overuse of the resources and discharge of

pollutants in the air water and land influence our environment . Urban environment is more

influenced by human activities than the rural environment . Urban air, water, soil are loaded with

various types of chemicals and wastes . The plant and animal diversity is much less in urban than

the rural.

Natural environment includes , atmosphere, forest , hydrosphere, rivers and mountains. The

environment has been classified into:-

a) Physical or Abiotic Environment :- It is composed of external physical factors like

temperature , humidity, water , minerals and gases etc.

b) Living or biotic Environment : It is composed of all the living components – plants animals and

micro- organisms.

1.2 Environmental Studies : - Environmental studies systematic deals with every issue of

environment . It is multidisciplinary in nature . It is an applied science and seeks practical

solution to make human civilization sustainable on the earth. The environmental studies include

life science , physical science , mathematics , engineering and technology , management and

social sciences.

1.3. Multidisciplinary Nature of Environmental studies : The environmental studies is

multidisciplinary in nature and inputs of knowledge from various disciplines of science , social

science , technology and engineering , policy related issues (law) , psychological issues ,

development issues etc.

microbiology , biochemistry and provided inputs of the interaction of biotic (i.e. living) with

environment, whereas physical science includes chemistry , physics, geology atmospheric

science , oceanography and geography. The physical sciences provide information about the

interactions of abiotic components with environments. The social science which includes

economics , sociology , management education , physchology provide inputs for explaining the

socioeconomic aspects and psychology aspects associated with various development activities.

Education and mass communication are important instruments in disseminating environmental

awareness.

The technology and engineering disciplines includes , mathematics and engineering

disciplines . The mathematics , statistics and computer science provide effective tools for

environmental , modeling whereas engineering disciplines provide technical solution to the

environment pollution control waste management , waste treatment that are extremely important

for protection of environment.

Law is related to the policy related issues to provide the guidelines and legal measures

for effective management and protection of the environment. This shows that environmental

science is multidisciplinary subject.

1.4 Scope of Environmental Studies : Environmental Studies is multidisciplinary in nature and

has great scope. Environment problem is not limited to issues of sanitation and health but it is

now also concerned with pollution control , biodiversity conservation , waste management and

conservation of natural resources. The solution to the environmental problems are creating new

opportunities for engineer , scientists biologists and social works. The environmental science

can be applied in the following areas:

1.4a Ecosystem Structure and Function : The study of ecosystems mainly consists of the study

of processes that link the leaving organism or in other words biotic component to the non living

organism or biotic component. So far study of environment is concerned we should be aware

with biotic and abiotic components.

1.4b Natural Resource Conservation :- For managing and maintenance of forests which are

natural resources and for the maintenance resource conservation.

1.4c Environmental Management :- There are independent environmental consultants who are

working with central and state pollution control board. They offer advice to solve the problems

of environment , the optimum solution for the upcoming problems. They give direction for

controlling pollution due to industrial development. There are several current consultants who

are working with government pollution control board, involved in policy making , pollution

control , maintenance of ecological balance.

1.4d) The Scope of Environmental Studies in Industries : - Environmental scientists work

towards maintenance of ecology balance, they also work towards conservation of biodiversity

and regulation of natural resources as well as on preservation of natural resources. Most of the

industries have a separate environment research and development section. These section govern

the impact that their industry has on the environment our environment is being degraded by the

rapid industrialization. To combat this menace there is growing trend towards manufacture of

green goods and products . So we can say that there is good scope in the field of industry from

environmental studies.

1.4e) Research and Development : Research and development has tremendous scope due to

increment in public awareness regarding the environment . Various Universities and government

organization offer a scope for such research . These university conduct research studies in order

to develop the methods toward monitoring and controlling the sources of environmental

pollution. Due to an increasing threat from global warming , may steps are being undertaken for

the reduction of greenhouse gases and the adoption of renewable energy resources. They

generate awareness now regarding the use of solar energy for variety of purpose.

1.4f) Social Development : - Non government organization (NGO) help in creating awareness

regarding the protection of the environment and making the masses aware of various

environmental issues . They also generate public opinion in this field . They work towards

disseminating information and in bringing about changes in political policies that are personally

effect the environment. The social dimension of this profession includes controlling population

explosion through organizing advisory awareness camps.

1.4f) Green Advocacy : To implement various Acts and Laws related to environment. Many

environmental lawyers has emerged . These lawyers plead the cases related to water and air

pollution, forest , wildlife etc.

1.4g) Green Marketing : - There is an increasing emphasis on marketing of goods those are

manufactured by environment friendly procedure (s) . Such products have eco-mark of ISO

14000 certification . Environmental auditors and environmental managers would be in great

demand in the coming year.

1.4 h) Green Media : - Media persons with interest in environment will have great opportunity to

spread environment awareness through mass media like television , radio , newpapers ,

magazines , hoardings , a advertisements etc.

1.5 Importance of Environmental Studies : - We all are embed in the environment . We are

affected by our activities. Our life is supported by the resources such as water , air, soil, minerals

oil, the products of forest grass land , ocean and from agriculture and live stock.

The world population is increasing continuously and quality of resources used by each one is

also increasing . The earth resource base is continuously shrinking . The speed with which

resources are getting depleted, the earth cannot be expected to sustain this expanding level of

utilization.

Another problem caused by human being is the pollution in the form of solid waste , liquid waste

or gaseous waste . Increasing pollution cannot be managed by process of cycles. These waste

accumulate into our environment, leading to a variety of diseases and other adverse

environmental impacts now seriously affecting all our lives. This is also disrupting natural

cycles or ecology balance on the earth. This is the duty of each of us to prevent environmental

damage.

Therefore understanding of the environmental problems will help to maintain ecological balance

by providing a basic knowledge of environmental systems and their processes. By giving

information regarding the changes that take place due to anthropogenic factors environmental

study help us to understand environment better. It also helps to gain a skill in using techniques

to analyze various environmental systems and the effect of human activities on that system.

Environmental studies applies economical methods and concepts to the issues of the

environmental management , environmental policy analysis . Environmental study includes

diverse area such as property right , economics, instruments for pollution control etc. The

concepts from environmentally studies can be applied to the study of agriculture and design of

sustainable production systems . We need to study the physical , biological , chemical and social

processes that forms the basis of the problems of environment. Environmental studies provide

skills necessary to raise the questions and often answers to some of the environmental problems

which our planet is facing today.

Environmental Goal : The goal of environmental activities is to improve all ecological

relationships , including the relationship of humanity with nature and people with each other.

There are two preliminary objectives :-

1. For each nation according to its culture, to clarify for itself the meaning of basic concepts

such as “ quality of life and human happiness” in context of the total environment , with an

extension of the classification and appreciation to other cultures beyond one’s own national

bound areas.

2. To identify which action will ensure the preservation and improvement of the humanity ‘s

potentials and develop social and individual well being in harmony with the biophysical and

man-made environment.

Environmental Education Goal : The goal of environmental education is to develop a world

population that is aware of , and concerned about the environment and its associated problems ,

and which has the knowledge , skill , attitudes, motivations and commitment to work

individually and collectively toward solutions of current problems and prevention of new ones.

1.6 Environmental Education objectives :- The objectives of environmental education are :

1. Awareness :- To help individual and social groups acquire an awareness of and sensitivity to

the total environment and its allied problems.

2. Knowledge : To help individual and social groups acquire basic understanding of the total

environment, its associated problems and humanity’s critically responsible presence and role in

it.

3. Attitude :- To help individuals and social groups acquire social values , strong feeling of

concerned for the environment and motivation for actively participating in its protection and

improvement.

4. Skills :- To help individuals and social group acquire the skills for solving environment

problems.

5. Evaluation Ability :- To help individuals and social groups evaluate environmental measures and

education programmes in terms of ecological , political , economic , social and educational

factors.

6. Participation : to help individual and social groups develop a sense of responsibility and urgency

regarding environmental problems to ensure appropriate action to solve those problems.

1.7 Guiding Principles of Environmental Education Programmes:- The guiding principles of

environmental education are :-

1. Environmental education should consider the environment in its totality – natural and man

made ecological potential , economic , technological , social , legislative , culture and

aesthetic.

2. Environmental education should be a continuous life – long process.

3. Environmental education should be interdisciplinary in its approach.

4. Environmental education should emphasize active participation in preventing and solving

environmental problems.

5. Environmental education should examine major environmental issues from a world point of view

, while paying due regard to regional differences.

6. Environmental education should focus on current and future environmental situation.

7. Environmental education should examine all development and growth from an environmental

perspective.

8. Environmental education should promote the value and necessity of local , national and

international co-operation in the solution of environmental problems.

1.8 Need for Public Awareness:-

Due to fast exploitation of natural resources by the human beings our environment is being

degraded fast. Many species have already disappeared from the earth. The rate of extinction of

species is very-very high as compared to past. We people think that prevention of degradation of

environment is the job of state. But if we will keep on degrading the environment there is no

mechanism by which state alone or Government will be able to prevent the degradation of

environment. The prevention of degradation is the duty of each of us. The perceptions to prevent

degradation of environment do not develop by themselves. The perception have to be developed

consciously to all the levels of community. Public awareness , mass media such as newspapers ,

radio , television, strongly influence public opinion. The conservation of environment is ancient

India’s culture ,but this culture is disappearing now. Therefore there is great need for public

awareness for the prevention of environment. The major role of government is to enact

legislation for the prevention of environment and make sure people and organization follow

them.

There have been several Government and non-government organizations that have led to

environmental in our country. The role of some of well known organization is described below.

1. Role of Ministry of Environment and Forests , Govt. of India:- Ministry of Environment and

Forests is most effective public instrument in spreading / awareness . The various awareness

programmes initiated by the Ministry are as follows:-

a) National Environment Awareness Campaign (NEAC):- NEAC utilizes all types of conventional

and non conventional media of communication to spread various messages relating to

environment issues . NEAC also provides financial assistance for organizing activities such as

padyatras, (street walks), rallies , public meetings , Universities. NEAC also provides financial

assistance to Schools and NGOs for easy /debate/poster competitions for children, seminars,

workshops, training courses etc. , as well as for preparation and distribution of environment

education resource material.

b) Paryavaran Vahini (Environmental Brigade) : Paryavaran Vahini was initiated in 1992 to involve

people in environmental protection measures through reporting of illegal acts pertaining to forest

, wildlife and cruelty to animals . Vahini also takes up the issues regarding afforestation survival

of plants , quality of air and water.

c) Production of Films and Audio – Visuals :- The Ministry of Environment and Forests produces

good quality films , vediospots and other audiovisuals on various environmental issues and made

available to various TV channels for telecast purpose.

d) Eco – clubs :- The Ministry is provided financial assistance to state environment departments and

NGO to set up eco-clubs in different schools. The objectives of the eco club is to impart

environment education and also to mobilize school children and teachers to participate actively

in environmental protection efforts at local community level.

e) Natural History Museum :- The Ministry set up two Natural History Museum in New Delhi

and Mysore to promote non – formal environment awareness among people and particularly in

school children.

2. Role of Institution : There are several Government and Nongovernment organization

involved in the public awareness of environment issues. The activities of some of well

known organization is listed below:-

a) Centre for Environment Education (CEE) Ahmedabad :- The centre was established in

1989. It has a wide range of programmes on the environment and produces a variety of

education material . A eight long Training in Environment Education program (TEE) to

train post graduate students and others working in NGOs is being attended by even

candidates from other developing countries. The course prepare candidates to understand

environmental issues and techniques of communication.

b) CPR Environmental Education Centre , Chennai ( Madras) :- The centre was set up in

1988 by Sir C.P. Ramaswamy Aiyer Foundation at Channai. The centre organizes a

variety of programs spread environment awareness and creates an interest in

conservation among the general public . The centre works on issues related wildlife and

biodiversity.

c) Center for Science and Environment ( CSE) , Delhi:- The center organizes campaigns ,

workshops and conferences related to environment issues. The center publishes popular

magazines Down to Earth and Gobar Times.

d) Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS):- The BHNS began as a small society of six

members in 1883 . This organization influences on the conservation policy in the

country . The society publishes a popular magazines called Hornbill. The important

publications of society include Salim Ali Hand Book on birds , JC Dainels book on

Indian Reptiles,SH Prater’s book on Indian Mammals , PV Boles book dirreon Indian

Trees.

Formal Environmental Education:- In 1991, the Supreme Court of our country issued directive

to make all curricula environment- oriented . This directive was in fact in response to a Public

Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by M.C.Mehta vs Union of India (1998) that prompted the apex

court to give a mandate on the Judgement , environmental studies is being taught as a

compulsory course to all students.

At school level text books in Science , Social Science and languages of middle school level have

been modified to strengthen the environment concepts. Several teachers have also been trained

to effectively teach modified textbooks. At undergraduate level in all progammes one 3-4 credit

course on environmental studies is compulsory. At College and University level at present there

are more than two hundred department of environmental studies. These departments offers

Diplomas , Bachelor degree , M. Sc , M. Phil , M.Tech and Ph. D in environment science and /or

environmental engineering/environmental chemistry /biology /geology or environmental

toxicology . An environmental appreciation course of three months duration is being conducted

by Indira Gandhi National Open University.

Green Technology : - Green technology means clean technology . The field of green technology

is combination of methods ,materials and techniques for generating energy to non- toxic cleaning

products. The innovation of green technology may changes in daily life of similar magnitude to

the information technology. At present green technology is in early stage and not possible to

provide what benefits green technology may provide. The goals of green technology are:-

a) Sustainability :- meeting the needs of society in ways that can continue indefinitely into

the future without damaging or depleting natural resources. In short , meeting present

needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

b) Source reduction:- Reducing waste and pollution by changing patterns of production and

consumption.

c) Innovation :- Developing alternatives to technologies – whether fossil fuel or chemical

intensive agriculture that have demonstrated to damage health and environment.

d) Viability :- Creating a centre of economic activities around technologies and products

that benefits the environment , speeding their implementation and creating new carrier

that truly protect the planet .

Examples of Green Technology Subject Areas:-

Energy :- The most urgent issue for green technology is the development of alternative fuels

, new means of generating energy and energy efficiency.

Green Purchasing :- Government should purchase products which are environmental friendly

and have smallest possible impact on the environment’

Green Chemistry :- The chemical products should be produce by the processes which

reduce or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances.

Green Building :- Buildings should be constructed of green materials and should require

minimum energy . Buildings should have provision for recycling the waste material and

waste disposal.

Green Nanotechnology :- Nanotechnology involves the manipulation at scale of nanometer ,

one billionth of a meter. The technology developed at nano scale will reduce the problem of

waste disposal and requirement of large quantity of resources. Some recent examples of green

technology are:-

1. Solar bus stops

2. Solar park lamps

3. Solar Street Stand booths

4. Solar Phone booths and ATMs.

Environmental Management System (EMS)

EMS refers to the management of an organization’s environmental programs in a

comprehensive , systematic , planned and documented manner . It includes the organization

structure , planning and resources for developing , implementing protection. The term can also

refer to software systems for organizational environment management.

What is the definition of an Environmental Management System?

1.Serves as a tool to improve environmental performance.

2.Provides a systematic way of managing an organization's environmental affairs.

3.Is the aspect of the organization's overall management structure that addresses immediate and

long-term impacts of its products, services and processes on the environment.

4.Gives order and consistency for organizations to address environmental concerns through the allocation

of resources, assignment of responsibility and ongoing evaluation of practices, procedures and

processes.

5. Focuses on continual improvement of the system.

EMS Model : An EMS model follows a Plan- Do – Check act cycle , or PDCA . The diagram

shows the process of first developing an environmental policy , planning the EMS , and then

implementing it . The process also include checking the system and acting on it . The model is

continuous because an EMS is a process of continual improvement in which an organization is

constantly reviewing and revising the system.

The model can be used by wide range of organizations from manufacturing facility to service

industries to government agencies. Here we describe key elements of ISO 14001:2004 EMS.

17 requirements of the ISO 14001:2004 standard:-

Environmental policy - Develop a statement of your organization’s commitment to the

environment. Use this policy as a framework for planning and action.

Environmental aspects - Identify environmental attributes of your products, activities,

and services. Determine those that could have significant impacts on the environment.

Legal and other requirements - Identify and ensure access to relevant laws and

regulations, as well as other requirements to which your organization adheres.

Objectives and targets - Establish environmental goals for your organization, in line

with your policy, environmental impacts, the views of interested parties, and other

factors.

Environmental management program - Plan actions necessary to achieve your

objectives and targets.

Structure and responsibility - Establish roles and responsibilities for environmental

management and provide appropriate resources.

Training, awareness, and competence - Ensure that your employees are trained and

capable of carrying out their environmental responsibilities.

Communication - Establish processes for internal and external communications on

environmental management issues.

EMS documentation - Maintain information on your EMS and related documents.

Document control - Ensure effective management of procedures and other system

documents.

Operational control - Identify, plan, and manage your operations and activities in line

with your policy, objectives, and targets.

Emergency preparedness and response - Identify potential emergencies and develop

procedures for preventing and responding to them.

Monitoring and measurement - Monitor key activities and track performance. Conduct

periodic assessments of compliance with legal requirements.

Nonconformance and corrective and preventive action - Identify and correct problems

and prevent their recurrence.

Records - Maintain and manage records of EMS performance.

MS audit - Periodically verify that your EMS is operating as intended.

Management review - Periodically review your EMS with an eye to continual

improvement.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) : The objective of environmental

Impact assessment is to achieve sustained development with (a) minimal environmental

degradation , (b) prevention of long term environmental adverse effected by incorporating

suitable mitigating measures.

Impact assessment is a concept that evolved in the search for ways to render development and in

the complex and interdependent world of today. To be really meaningful impact assessment has

to taken up at the project inception stage so that the selection of the site (location) , choice of

process technology, selection of appropriate layout and building materials can be done to ensure

environmental compatibility. Planning is not done for an individual project but for the

ecosystem as a whole by fully utilizing the concept of carrying capacity of the system which

essentially consists of air, water , soil, flora and fauna.

The environmental appraisal of project is an important responsibility of the Department of

Environment (DoE) Government of India. Presently the have Environmental Appraisal

Committee for following sectors of development project /activities.

● River vally project / irrigation hydel power and multipurpose

● Minning projects

● Industrial projects

● Thermal power projects

Special expert groups/ committees and task force are constituted for assessment of other major

projects referred to the DoE from time to time.

Environmental Inventory :- Environmental Inventory is a complete description of the

environment as it exists in an area where a particular proposed action is being considered. The

inventory is compiled from a cheek list of descriptors for the physical and biological

environment.

Physical : Geology, topography , surface –water and ground water resources, water quality , air,

quality and climatology.

Biological : Flora and fauna of the area, including species of trees ,grasses, fish , birds and

mammals.

Environmental Assessment : The environmental Assessment is an attempt to evaluate the

consequences of a proposed action on each of the descriptor (parameters) in the environmental

inventory. The essential steps in an environmental impact assessment are:

1. Prediction of an anticipated change is an environmental descriptor.

2. Determination of the magnitude of scale of the particular change .

3. Application of an importance of significance factor to the change

In order to accomplish an environmental assessment as well as to prepare an statement, an

interdisciplinary , systematic and reproducible approach is used.

Environment Impact Statement (EIS) : The environmental impact statement is a document

written in the format as specified by DoE. The EIS represents a summary of the environmental

inventory and the finding of the environmental assessment.

There are two categories of EISs draft statements in document prepared by an agency proposing

an action ; it is circulated for review and comment to other federal agencies, state and local

agencies and public and private interest groups. The final statement is the draft statement

modified to include a discussion of problems and objections raised by reviewers. The final

statements must be on file with DoE for least 30- days period prior to initiation of construction

on a project.

Aims and objectives of EIA :- The aims and objectives of EIA can be divided into two

categories . The immediate aim of EIA is to inform the process of decision making by

identifying the potentially significant environmental effects and risks of development proposals.

The ultimate (long term) aim of EIA is to promote sustainable development by ensuring that

development proposal donot undermine critical resources and ecological functions or the well

being lifestyle and livelihood of the communities and peoples who depend on them.

Immediate objective of EIA are :

1. Improve the environmental design of the proposal

2. Ensure that the resources are used appropriately and efficiently.

3. Identify appropriate measures for mitigating the potential impacts of the proposal , and

4. Facilitate informed decision making including setting the environmental terms and

conditions for implementing the proposal.

Long term objective of EIA are :

1. Protect human health and safety

2. Avoid irreversible change and serious damage to the environment;

3. Safe guard valued resources, natural areas and ecosystem components ; and

4. Enhance the social aspect of the proposal.