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 ones 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 humanitys 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
Indias 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 Praters 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 organizations 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 organizations 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.