ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES

CEM 123: Environmental Impact Studies Lecture # 1

Define Environment.

INTRODUCTION
The science of Environment Studies is a multidisciplinary science because it comprises various branches of studies like chemistry, physics, medical science, life science, agriculture, public health, sanitary engineering, among others. It is the science of physical phenomena in the environment. It studies the sources, reactions, transport, effect and fate of physical and biological aspects in the air, water and soil and the impacts of human activities.

Environment Explained
Literary Environment means the surrounding external conditions influencing development or growth of people, animal or plants; living or working conditions, etc. This involves three questions:
What is surrounded? living objects in general, and man in particular By what surrounded? the physical attributes that becomes the environment

Where surrounded? Earth

Definitions of Environment
Some important definitions of environment are as under: Boring: A persons environment consists of the sum total of the stimulation which he receives from his conception until his death.

Douglas and Holland: The term environment is used to describe, in the aggregate, all the external forces, influences and conditions, which affect the life, nature, behaviour and the growth, development and maturity of living.

Scope of the Environment

Atmosphere it implies the protective blanket of gases surrounding the Earth.
(a) It sustains life on the Earth (b) It saves it from the hostile environment of outer space (c) It absorbs most of the cosmic rays from outer space and a major portion of the electromagnetic radiation from the sun (d) It transmits only ultraviolet, visible, near infrared radiation and radio waves, while filtering out tissue-damaging ultraviolet waves.

Scope of the Environment

Hydrosphere it comprises all types of water resources, including oceans, lakes, rivers, streams, reservoir, polar ice caps, glaciers and groundwater.
(a) 97% of the Earths water supply is in the oceans (b) About 2% of the Earths water supply is in the oceans (c) Only about 1% is available as freshwater fit to be used for human consumption and other uses.

Scope of the Environment

Lithosphere is the outer mantle of the solid earth. It consists of minerals occurring in the Earths crusts and the soil (e.g. minerals, organic matter, air and water)

Scope of the Environment

Biosphere it indicates the realm of living organisms and their interactions with the environment

Elements of the Environment

Physical physical elements are space, landforms, water bodies, climate, soils, rocks and minerals. They determine the variable character of the human habitat, its opportunities as well as limitations Biological biological elements such as plants, animals, microorganisms and man constitute the biosphere Cultural cultural elements such as economic, social and political elements are essentially man-made features, which make cultural milieu.

CLASS EXERCISE

CLASS EXERCISE

CLASS EXERCISE

Importance of Environment Studies

Environment studies enlighten us about the importance of protection and conservation of our indiscriminate release of pollution into the environment. Environment studies have become significant because of the following reasons:
Environment issues being of international importance Problems cropped in the wake of development Explosively increase in pollution Need for an alternative solution Need to save humanity from extinction Need for wise planning and development Misras Report (holism, ecosystem, succesion , conservation)

Most Common Environmental Challenges

It is essential to make the public aware of the formidable consequences of environmental degradation. If not retorted and reformative measures were also not undertaken, the extinction of life on Earth will become a reality. It is essential to get the country acquainted with the following common challenges: (refer to succeeding slides)

Overpopulation

Poverty

Agricultural Growth

Groundwater Depletion

Forests and Development

Land Degradation

Reorientation of Institutions

Loss of Genetic Diversity

Rapid Urbanization

Air and Water Pollution

How can we then identify if a certain project would induce negative impacts to the environment?

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STUDIES (Environmental Impact Assessment)

Next Session (January 18):

INTRODUCTION TO EIA

EIA AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT TOOL