INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING (EVS)

Scope & Importance Definitions Need for Public Awareness Classification of Environment

SCOPE & IMPORTANCE / SIGNIFICANCE OF EVS Rapid industrialization, development, consumerism and population explosion have upset the ecological balance. Our dependence on nature is so great that we cannot continue to live without protecting the earths environmental resources. The importance of environmental studies cannot be disputed since the need for sustainable development is a key to the future of man kind. Recognizing this, and the deteriorating status of the environment, the Honorable Supreme Court of India directed the UGC to introduce a basic course on environmental education for UG courses of all branches of higher education, to be implemented by every University and College in the country since 2005. The mother Earth is the most precious gift of the Universe. It is the sustenance of nature and that is a key to the development of the future of man kind. The degradation of our environment is linked with the development processes and the ignorance of the people about retaining the ecological balance. It is the duty & responsibility of each one of us to protect nature by conservation of resources, biodiversity, controlling pollution , population, etc. Therefore it is essential to study about the environment
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DEFINITIONS Environment Environment is defined as surroundings in which an organization operates, including air, water, land, natural resources , flora, fauna, humans and their inter relation (or) The term Environment can be broadly defined as ones surroundings. It is the inter-relation between biological (Biotic) and nonbiological (Abiotic) components surrounding an organism.

Environmental Studies / Science It is the scientific study of the environmental system and the status of its inherent or induced changes on organisms. It includes not only the study of physical & biological characters of the environment but also the social & cultural factors and the impact of the man on the environment. (or) Environmental science A group of sciences that attempts to explain how life on earth is sustained, what leads to environmental problems and how these problems can be solved Environmental Science requires interdisciplinary knowledge such as biology, chemistry, geology, and other sciences Environmental studies are multidisciplinary in nature.

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Environmental Engineering Environmental engineering deals with the study of technical processes involved in the protection of the environment from the adverse effects of human activities & improving the environmental quality for the health & well beings of humans They include the gadgets for industry to clean their effluents before release. Green Chemistry To promote research and development and implementation of innovative chemical technologies that accomplishes pollution prevention in scientifically sound and cost effective manner is called as Green Chemistry. Green Chemistry emphasizes on reducing the hazardous waste or by not generating it and gives importance for selection of materials.

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Green Chemistry is a revolutionary philosophy that makes the Government, Industries and academics think about the environmental impacts before any invention.

Objectives of Environmental Studies According to United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO (1971) the objectives are as follows Creating awareness about environmental problems among people Imparting basic knowledge about the environment and its allied problems Developing an attitude of concern for the environment Motivating public to participate in environment protection & improvement Acquiring skills to help the concerned individuals in identifying & solving environmental problems Striving to attain harmony with nature

Need For Public Awareness To develop environmental consciousness, sensitivity & values towards sustainable development To provide a clear awareness of economic , ecological and political interdependence To provide importance of the day to day issues related to the environment through proper system This will help individual to create awareness among the family members
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To create awareness by writing environmental related articles in the news papers & discuss the same in forums Motivate the individuals through popular lectures by the eminent environmentalist in the educational institutions Govt. has instituted awards to individual and organization to promote conservation of the nature Govt. has also made environmental legislation to ensure that people & organization abide the rules. The following centers have been established by the Ministry of Environment & Forest, Govt. of India National Environment Awareness Campaign (NEAC) Centre for Environment Education (CEE) CPR Environment Education Center, Chennai Paryavaran Vahini Eco-Clubs Many other NGOs

Role of an individual in environmental protection One should honor the earth as it has blessed us with life and governs our survival. No one should feel that they are above other living things and have no right to drive them to extinction. One should be grateful to plants and animals as they nourish one by giving food One should know about family planning program since too many children will overburden the family and economy One should not waste resources on destructive weapons One should not steal from future generations their rights to live in a clean and safe planet by polluting it

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World Environment Day (June 5th every year) The world environment day (WED) was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 at Stockholm Conference on Human Environment in Stockholm, Sweden. Objective of the World Environment Day Celebration World Environment day is the main weapon of the United Nation to make people aware of the worldwide environmental destruction and drag the attention and action of various political sources and human resource. WED is utilized to reaffirm our commitment to protect, improve, preserve and enhance the environment for our future generations and to restore the ecological balance on earth. World Environment day is celebrated each year by various means like: street rallies bicycles parades green concerts essay and poster competitions in schools tree planting recycling efforts clean-up campaigns and much more. Methods to create Environmental Awareness Schools & Colleges in curriculum Through mass media Cinema in theatre News papers Voluntary Organisations Rotary clubs, NCC, NSS Traditional plays, dramas in rural areas Competitions story writing, essay writing, painting etc. NGOs Celebrating World Environment Day on June 5th every year

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Theme of World Environment Day 2010 Many Species, One Planet, One Future United Nations has declared the Year 2010 as International year of Biodiversity Theme of World Environment Day 2011 Forests: Nature At Your Service United Nations has declared the Year 2011 as International Year of Forests Types of environment / classification: Physical Environment / Abiotic Environment: External factors like Air, Water and Land. Biotic / Living Environment: All living organisms around us viz., plants, animals and microorganisms.
Lithospheric Environment Atmospheric Environment Hydrospheric Environment Physical Environment Biological Environment Floral Environment Faunal Environment Microbial Environment

Environment

Cultural Environment

Social Environment

Economic Environment

Political Environment

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