Multidisciplinary nature of Environmental studies

Summary

This chapter introduces environmental studies as a multi-disciplinary field, emphasizing the need for knowledge from diverse areas like biology, chemistry, physics, sociology, and engineering to understand and address environmental issues. The environment is discussed as a complex system of interrelated biotic and abiotic components. Key environmental problems, such as air pollution and wildlife conservation, are explored through the lens of various disciplines. It also highlights the importance of institutions like BNHS, WWF, and CSE in promoting awareness, research, and conservation efforts, making a compelling case for a holistic, integrated approach to environmental challenges.

Takeaways

• 😀 Environmental studies encompass the total sum of external factors that influence organisms, including both living and non-living elements.
• 😀 The term 'environment' originates from the French word meaning 'to surround,' indicating the external influences on organisms.
• 😀 Environmental studies require knowledge inputs from multiple disciplines such as physical sciences, biology, economics, and engineering.
• 😀 The study of the environment involves understanding biotic and abiotic components, including air, water, land, animals, plants, and human society.
• 😀 Environmental issues like pollution, water scarcity, and conservation require multi-disciplinary approaches for effective solutions.
• 😀 Multi-disciplinary environmental science includes knowledge from fields like botany, zoology, microbiology, chemistry, physics, and sociology.
• 😀 For example, addressing air pollution requires expertise in chemistry, engineering, biology, sociology, and economics.
• 😀 Various Indian environmental organizations play crucial roles in wildlife conservation, environmental education, and research, such as BNHS and WWF.
• 😀 Environmental laws and policies are vital for regulating human activities that impact the environment, with sociology and law playing significant roles in shaping these regulations.
• 😀 Real-world applications of environmental science include addressing issues such as air pollution, water conservation, and sustainable resource use through multi-disciplinary knowledge.
• 😀 National institutions like the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and Kalpavriksh work towards environmental education and the sustainable use of natural resources in India.

Q & A

What is the definition of the environment as described in the transcript?

The environment is defined as the sum total of all external material, both living and non-living, events and forces of nature that influence an organism. It includes everything that affects an individual.

What are the components of the environment mentioned in the script?

The environment is divided into biotic and abiotic components, which include social and cultural, physical, climatic, and topographic factors, among others.

How does environmental science require a multidisciplinary approach?

Environmental science requires knowledge inputs from various fields such as physical science, biology, sociology, economics, engineering, and law to study and manage environmental issues effectively.

What are the three types of factors that affect the environment as outlined in the script?

The three types of factors affecting the environment are climatic factors (e.g., temperature, rainfall), topographic factors (e.g., sea level, mountains), and biological factors (e.g., plants, animals, microorganisms).

What is the significance of the Earth’s atmosphere as described in the transcript?

The Earth’s atmosphere, composed mainly of nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide, is vital for sustaining life, as it transmits electromagnetic radiation and protects life from harmful cosmic radiation.

What does the script highlight about the state of water resources on Earth?

The script highlights that only a small portion of the Earth’s water resources are available for human use: 1% of the water is fresh surface water, while the rest is either in the form of polar ice or inaccessible.

What is the role of the biosphere in environmental studies?

The biosphere represents the domain of living organisms and their interactions with each other and with the environment, specifically within the atmosphere and lithosphere.

What is the importance of studying environmental issues from different perspectives?

Studying environmental issues from various perspectives, such as physical, biological, sociological, and economic, is crucial for understanding the full scope of the problem and finding effective solutions.

What examples of environmental institutions in India were mentioned in the transcript?

The transcript mentions several environmental institutions in India, such as the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), and the Wildlife Institute of India.

How does the multidisciplinary nature of environmental science relate to real-world problems like air pollution?

The study of real-world problems like air pollution requires knowledge from various disciplines, including chemistry, biology, physics, economics, and engineering. This helps in understanding the causes, impacts, and solutions for such environmental issues.