Unit 1: Introduction and sustainable development

1. Introduction to Environment

Definition and Etymology

The term Environment is derived from the French word "Environner", which means "to surround" or "to enclose."

• General Definition: The environment refers to the sum total of all conditions and influences that surround and affect the life and development of an organism.
• Scientific Definition: It is the composite of physical (abiotic) and biological (biotic) conditions in which an organism lives.

Key Concepts

• The environment is not static; it is dynamic and constantly changing.
• It operates through the flow of energy and the cycling of matter.
• It includes both the natural world (forests, rivers) and the built environment (cities, infrastructure).

2. Components of Environment

The environment consists of three broad categories of components that interact with one another:

A. Abiotic Components (Non-living/Physical)

These determine the structure of the ecosystem and limit the growth of populations.

• Climatic Factors: Light, temperature, humidity, rainfall, wind.
• Edaphic Factors: Soil texture, soil pH, minerals, topography.
• Chemical Factors: Atmospheric gases (, , ), pH of water, salinity.

B. Biotic Components (Living)

All living organisms inhabiting the earth.

• Producers (Autotrophs): Green plants and algae that synthesize food via photosynthesis.
• Consumers (Heterotrophs): Animals that depend on plants or other animals (Herbivores, Carnivores, Omnivores).
• Decomposers (Saprotrophs): Microorganisms (bacteria, fungi) that break down dead organic matter, recycling nutrients back to the soil.

C. Social/Cultural Components

Specific to human beings, this includes the man-made environment:

• Sociological structures (family, community).
• Economic systems (markets, industry).
• Political atmosphere (laws, governance).

3. Spheres of Earth

The natural environment consists of four interlocking systems or "spheres."

1. Lithosphere (Land)

• The solid, outer part of the Earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle.
• Contains rocks, minerals, and soil.
• Importance: Provides the platform for terrestrial life, agriculture, and housing; source of mineral resources and fossil fuels.

2. Hydrosphere (Water)

• Comprises all water on, under, and above the Earth's surface.
• Distribution:
  • 97% is saline (Oceans).
  • 3% is fresh water (Glaciers, groundwater, rivers).
• Importance: Essential for all life processes; regulates climate; habitat for aquatic life.

3. Atmosphere (Air)

• The gaseous envelope surrounding the Earth, held by gravity.
• Composition: Nitrogen (~78%), Oxygen (~21%), Argon (0.9%), Carbon Dioxide (0.04%), and trace gases.
• Structure (from bottom up):
  • Troposphere: Weather phenomena occur here.
  • Stratosphere: Contains the Ozone layer (protects from UV radiation).
  • Mesosphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere.

4. Biosphere (Life)

• The narrow zone where the Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, and Atmosphere interact to support life.
• It extends from the deepest ocean trenches to the highest mountains.
• This is the global ecological system integrating all living beings and their relationships.

4. Multidisciplinary Nature of Environmental Studies

Environmental studies is not a single subject but a confluence of many disciplines. It deals with complex issues that cannot be solved using a single branch of science.

Contributing Disciplines:

5. Scope and Importance

Scope (What it covers)

1. Conservation of Natural Resources: Management of water, forests, minerals, and energy.
2. Ecology and Biodiversity: Studying ecosystem structures and protecting endangered species.
3. Pollution Control: Monitoring and mitigating air, water, soil, and noise pollution.
4. Social Issues: Addressing population explosion, urbanization, and displacement.
5. Human Health: Understanding the link between environmental quality and disease.

Importance (Why we study it)

1. Survival: We depend on the environment for basic needs (air, water, food).
2. Sustainable Solutions: It helps find alternative solutions to current problems (e.g., solar energy vs. coal).
3. Public Awareness: Educates citizens on their duties regarding waste disposal and consumption.
4. Legal Necessity: Understanding laws like the Environmental Protection Act is crucial for industries and citizens.
5. Global Perspective: Many problems (Global Warming, Acid Rain) are transboundary and require global cooperation.

6. Concept of Sustainability

Sustainability is the capacity to endure. In ecology, it describes how biological systems remain diverse and productive indefinitely.

Core Philosophy

• It rejects the "take-make-waste" linear model of production.
• It advocates for a Circular Economy (Reuse, Recycle, Refurbish).
• It acknowledges that resources are finite.

Gandhi’s Dictum: "Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's needs, but not every man's greed."

7. Sustainable Development

Definition

The most widely accepted definition comes from the Brundtland Commission Report (1987), titled Our Common Future:

"Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

Key Objectives

1. Equity: Fair distribution of resources between rich and poor nations (Intragenerational equity) and between current and future generations (Intergenerational equity).
2. Integration: merging environmental considerations into economic planning.
3. Resilience: Building systems that can recover from environmental shocks (e.g., climate change adaptation).

8. Carrying Capacity

Definition

Carrying capacity is the maximum population size of a biological species that can be sustained in a specific environment, given the food, habitat, water, and other resources available.

Two Components:

1. Supporting Capacity: The ability of the environment to supply necessary resources (regenerative capacity).
2. Assimilative Capacity: The ability of the environment to absorb and render harmless waste and pollution.

Relationship to Sustainability

• Unsustainable: If extraction of resources > regeneration rate.
• Unsustainable: If waste generation > assimilative capacity.
• Overshoot: When a population exceeds the carrying capacity, it leads to resource depletion and eventual population crash.

9. Pillars of Sustainability (The Triple Bottom Line)

Sustainability is often represented as three intersecting circles. True sustainable development occurs at the intersection of all three.

1. Environmental Pillar (Planet)

• Focuses on ecological integrity.
• Goals: Reduce carbon footprint, protect biodiversity, manage waste, conserve water, and switch to renewable energy.

2. Economic Pillar (Profit)

• Focuses on economic growth that is efficient and responsible.
• Goals: Profitability without corruption, fair trade, subsidies for green technology, and ensuring businesses can survive long-term without depleting their resource base.

3. Social Pillar (People)

• Focuses on human well-being and equity.
• Goals: Access to education, healthcare, gender equality, fair labor practices, and community development.

10. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. There are 17 Goals aimed at ending poverty, protecting the planet, and ensuring prosperity for all.

The 17 Goals:

1. No Poverty: End poverty in all its forms everywhere.
2. Zero Hunger: End hunger, achieve food security, and promote sustainable agriculture.
3. Good Health and Well-being: Ensure healthy lives for all ages.
4. Quality Education: Inclusive and equitable quality education.
5. Gender Equality: Empower all women and girls.
6. Clean Water and Sanitation: Availability and sustainable management of water.
7. Affordable and Clean Energy: Access to reliable, sustainable energy.
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth: Sustained, inclusive economic growth.
9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: Resilient infrastructure and innovation.
10. Reduced Inequalities: Reduce inequality within and among countries.
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities: Make cities safe, resilient, and sustainable.
12. Responsible Consumption and Production: Ensure sustainable consumption patterns.
13. Climate Action: Urgent action to combat climate change.
14. Life Below Water: Conserve oceans and marine resources.
15. Life on Land: Protect terrestrial ecosystems, manage forests, halt biodiversity loss.
16. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: Promote peaceful societies and access to justice.
17. Partnerships for the Goals: Strengthen global partnerships for sustainable development.