Introduction and sustainable development

Introduction and sustainable development

Introduction to environment, components of

environment, spheres of earth, multidisciplinary nature,
scope and importance of environmental studies,
concept of sustainability, sustainable
 They are not the same
 Environmental Studies
 It is a broad interdisciplinary field of study which studies
the interaction of human beings with the environment.

 Environmental Science
 It is an interdisciplinary academic field that integrates
physical, chemical and biological sciences to address the
environmental problems.

 Environmental Engineering
 It is the application of science and engineering principles
to improve the quality of environment to provide healthy
living conditions.
 Environment
Environment (French word: Environer ) is the surrounding things. It
includes living things and natural forces. The environment of living
things provides conditions for development and growth, also causes
danger and damage.

Environment consists of the interactions among plants,

animals, soil, water, temperature, light, and other living
and non-living things.
Surrounding
Components of Environment

There are two main components of Environment

Biotic Components(all living things)

Abiotic Components(Non living things)

 Biotic Components of Environment
• Producers (or autotrophs)

Green plants and some bacteria which manufacture their own food.

• Consumers (or heterotrophs)

Animals which obtain their food from producers

•Primary consumers
•Secondary consumers
•Tertiary consumers

• Decomposers

Bacteria and fungi that decompose dead

organic matter and convert it into
simpler parts
Biotic Components
Abiotic Components
(All non living things)
Types of Environment (Realms of the Earth)

Natural Environment Anthropogenic Environment

(an environment that is created by
humans)
 Lithosphere
 Hydrosphere
 Atmosphere
 Biosphere
 Spheres of Earth

•Lithosphere: This is the solid outer layer of the Earth, consisting of the crust

and upper mantle. It includes the landforms like mountains, valleys, and plains.

•Atmosphere: The layer of gases surrounding the Earth. It is composed mainly

of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other gases. The atmosphere is crucial

for supporting life by providing oxygen, regulating temperature, and protecting

from harmful solar radiation.

•Hydrosphere: This sphere includes all the water on Earth, whether it is in

liquid, solid, or gaseous form. It encompasses oceans, rivers, lakes, ice

caps, glaciers, and water vapor in the atmosphere.

•Biosphere: The biosphere encompasses all living organisms on Earth,

including plants, animals, and microorganisms. It extends across all the

other spheres, as life interacts with the lithosphere, atmosphere, and

hydrosphere
 Types of Environment

 Natural Environment
 Components such as air, water, soil, land, forest,
wildlife, flora , fauna, etc. constitute the Natural
Environment.
 Anthropogenic Environment
 Alteration of the natural environment to serve
specific uses by the human beings is termed as
Anthropogenic Environment. For eg agricultural
field is an anthropogenic environment and so are
the gardens and aquaculture farms.
Multidisciplinary Nature of
Environmental Studies
 Multidisciplinary Nature of
Environmental Studies

•Ecology: Focuses on relationships between organisms and their

environments, studying ecosystems, biodiversity, and species

interactions.

•Biology: Examines living organisms, their physiology, and genetics,

providing insights into conservation and ecosystem health.

•Chemistry: Analyzes environmental pollutants, chemical cycles (like

carbon and nitrogen), and the impacts of chemicals on ecosystems and

human health.
•Geography: Explores spatial relationships, land use, and
the impacts of human activity on landscapes, integrating
physical and human geography.
•Economics: Evaluates the economic impacts of
environmental policies, resource management, and
sustainability, emphasizing cost-benefit analyses and market
solutions.
• Political Science: Studies environmental policies,
governance structures, and the role of politics in
environmental decision-making and advocacy.
 Multidisciplinary Nature of Environmental Studies

•Sociology: Investigates the social dimensions of environmental

issues, including community responses, cultural values, and
social justice.
•Anthropology: Examines human interactions with the
environment across cultures and time, highlighting indigenous
knowledge and practices.
•Engineering: Focuses on sustainable design and technology to
address environmental challenges, such as renewable energy,
waste management, and pollution control.
 Scope of Environmental studies
Interdisciplinary Approach: Integrates knowledge from various
fields—biology, chemistry, geography, sociology, economics, and
more—to understand complex environmental issues.
Environmental Assessment: Involves evaluating the impact of human
activities on the environment, including pollution, deforestation, and
climate change.
Resource Management: Focuses on sustainable management of
natural resources, such as water, soil, minerals, and forests, to ensure
their availability for future generations.
Conservation and Biodiversity: Addresses strategies for
conserving ecosystems and protecting endangered species,
emphasizing the importance of biodiversity for ecological health.
Climate Change Studies: Examines the causes and
consequences of climate change, along with mitigation and
adaptation strategies to reduce its impact.
Environmental Policy and Legislation: Analyzes laws and
regulations aimed at protecting the environment and promoting
sustainable practices, influencing public policy and governance.
 Scope of
environmental studies

Environmental Education and Awareness: Promotes understanding

and awareness of environmental issues through education,
encouraging responsible behavior and community action.

Sustainable Development: Explores pathways for balancing

economic growth, social equity, and environmental protection, aiming
for a sustainable future.
 Importance of Environmental
Studies
 To get basic knowledge of our surroundings.
 To develop skills for identifying and solving environmental
problems in our surroundings.
 World population is increasing at an alarming rate especially in
developing countries.
 The natural resources endowment in the earth is limited.
 The methods and techniques of exploiting natural resources are
advanced.
 The resources are over-exploited and there is no foresight of
leaving the resources to the future generations.
 The urban area, coupled with industries, is major sources of
pollution.
 The pollution and degraded environment seriously affect the health
of all living things on earth , including man.
 Education and training are needed to save the biodiversity and
species extinction.
 Importance of Environmental
Studies

•Community Empowerment: Fosters local engagement and empowerment,

encouraging communities to participate in environmental stewardship and advocacy.
•Economic Benefits: Supports the development of green technologies and
sustainable industries, creating jobs and promoting economic resilience.
•Cultural Preservation: Recognizes the importance of cultural and indigenous
knowledge in environmental conservation, promoting respect for diverse
perspectives.
•Global Cooperation: Encourages international collaboration to address
transboundary environmental issues, fostering a sense of shared responsibility for
the planet.
 What is Sustainability?
 Sustainability focuses on meeting the needs
of the present without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their
needs.
 What is Sustainability?

Environmental

Economic Social

Three pillars of Sustainability

 Environmental Sustainability

• Focuses on preserving natural resources and

ecosystems.

• Involves practices that protect biodiversity,

reduce pollution, and combat climate change.

• Promotes renewable energy sources,

sustainable agriculture, and responsible
consumption.
 Social Sustainability

• Addresses the social dimensions of sustainability,

including equity, justice, and community well-being.

• Ensures that all individuals have access to

resources, opportunities, and a healthy
environment.

• Encourages social cohesion, cultural diversity,

and participatory governance.
 Economic Sustainability

•Aims for economic systems that are viable in the

long term.

•Emphasizes responsible resource management,

efficient use of materials, and support for local
economies.

•Encourages innovation and the development of

sustainable technologies and practices.
 Measures for Sustainable
Development

 Using appropriate technology

 Reduce, Reuse, Recycle approach
 Prompting environmental education and
awareness
 Resource utilization as per carrying capacity
 Implementing effective planning for
Population Control
 Less dependence on non-renewable natural
resources
 Carrying capacity

Maximum number of individuals of a species that an

environment can support sustainably over time, without
degrading the environment's ability to support future
generations.

This concept is commonly used in ecology to describe

the limits of population growth in an ecosystem based on
factors such as food, water, space, and other resources.
 Factors can influence the carrying capacity

•Resource Availability: The amount of food, water, and shelter

available can limit population size. When resources become
scarce, the population may stabilize or decrease.
•Predation: The presence of predators can limit population size
by reducing the number of individuals in a species.
•Disease: The spread of disease can also limit population growth
by increasing mortality rates.
•Climate and Weather: Environmental factors, such as
temperature, rainfall, and natural disasters, can
influence the carrying capacity by affecting the
availability of resources.
•Human Activity: In human-dominated ecosystems,
urbanization, agriculture, and pollution can alter carrying
capacity by either reducing resources or introducing new
challenges for species survival.
 Sustainable development goals

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of

17 global objectives established by the United Nations in

2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable

Development. These goals aim to address a range of

global challenges and ensure that all people can live in

prosperity and peace while protecting the planet.

•No Poverty: End poverty in all its forms
everywhere.
•Zero Hunger: End hunger, achieve food
security and improved nutrition, and promote
sustainable agriculture.
•Good Health and Well-being: Ensure healthy
lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
•Quality Education: Ensure inclusive and
equitable quality education and promote
lifelong learning opportunities for all.

•Gender Equality: Achieve gender equality

and empower all women and girls.
•Clean Water and Sanitation: Ensure availability and
sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

•Affordable and Clean Energy: Ensure access to affordable,

reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.

•Decent Work and Economic Growth: Promote sustained,

inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive
employment, and decent work for all.
•Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure:
Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive
and sustainable industrialization, and foster
innovation.
•Reduced Inequality: Reduce inequality within
and among countries.
•Sustainable Cities and Communities: Make
cities and human settlements inclusive, safe,
resilient, and sustainable.
•Responsible Consumption and Production:
Ensure sustainable consumption and production
patterns.
•Climate Action: Take urgent action to combat
climate change and its impacts.
•Life Below Water: Conserve and sustainably use the

oceans, seas, and marine resources.

•Life on Land: Protect, restore, and promote sustainable

use of terrestrial ecosystems, manage forests

sustainably, combat desertification, and halt and reverse

land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.

•Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: Promote peaceful

and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide

access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and

inclusive institutions at all levels.

•Partnerships for the Goals: Strengthen the means of

implementation and revitalize the global partnership for

sustainable development.