ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE : ITS IMPORTANCE AND CHALLANGES Dr. Sristisri Upadhyaya Assistant Professor Dept. of Botany Mangaldai College Darrang-784125, Assam

What is called Environment ? French word ‘ENVIRON’ means encircle Everything that affects an organism during its lifetime is collectively known as its environment. Basic components of environment : Atmosphere Hydrosphere Lithosphere Biosphere

What is Environmental Science ? Environmental science is the understanding of the functions of various components of environment. OR It is the combination of physical and social science that integrates knowledge from several disciplines including physics, chemistry, biology (especially ecology), geology, geography, engineering, resource conservation and management, demography, economics, politics, sociology, psychology, law and ethics.

We can say environmental science is the study of interaction of biotic components ( plants, animals, microorganisms) among themselves and together with the abiotic component (temperature, rainfall, RH, soil, air, fire, atmosphere and topography) of nature = the environmental biology = ecology. OR In other words we can say that environmental science is the study of how all the components of nature and human societies adapt and interact. For example, the human environment.

IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE The study of environmental science is of great importance from the human perspectives. Because any kind of socioeconomic development plan of human is interrelated with the environment or vice versa. From a human perspective environmental issues involve concerns about science , nature , health , employment, profits , politics , ethics and economics.

On the other hand most social and political decisions are made with respect to political jurisdiction but environmental problems do not necessarily coincide with the artificial political boundaries. Study of environmental science receives top priority because there occur vast difference between resource need and its availability OR demand and supply.

Most of the environmental problems come from over utilization of Natural Resources. Many environmental problems presently we are facing are due to : Over population Wasteful use of resources Destruction and degradation of wildlife habitats Deforestation

All are interconnected. Depletion and contamination of surface and ground water. Depletion of non-renewable fuels and minerals. Conversion of productive croplands and grazing lands to desert and desertification or else. Loss of biodiversity due to extinction etc. All are interconnected.

Major Environmental Problems Major environmental problems arising out of the over utilization of earths resources Biodiversity Depletion Air Pollution Major Environmental Problems Waste Production Water Pollution Food Supply Problems

What are Natural Resources ? What are Resources ? All means of satisfying human needs, at a given time and place are resources. What are Natural Resources ? Natural components like land, rain, water, minerals, forest, wildlife, or even a man himself are considered as natural resources

Types of Natural Resources Renewable (Flow) Resources: Resources capable of natural regeneration; provided their capacity to regenerate is not damaged by natural catastrophe or human activities. Once degraded beyond a certain point, resources may never recover. Eg. Clean water, flora, fauna, soil, clear air. Non renewable (stock) resources: Available in finite quantities; renewal is very slow compared to human life. Eg. Oil and Natural gas, other minerals, ground water etc.

Continuous Resources: Continues to be available (with possible exceptions.) Eg. Solar energy, wind, gravity, tidal energy, geothermal energy etc. Extrinsic Resources: fickle resources prone to breakdown or degradation (need well management). Eg. Human skills, institutions, management abilities etc.

Environmental Management Control the population growth. Conserve natural resources like water, forest, soil, biodiversity. Reduce the waste of matter and energy resources. Place more emphasis on pollution prevention and waste reduction.

Compost, recycle and reuse atleast 60% by weight of matter from the resources we use. Make things that last longer and are easier to reuse, recycle and repair Shift to dependence on locally available renewable energy from the sun, wind, flowing water and biomass. Help sustain earth’s biodiversity with emphasis on protecting vital habitat for wild species. Use potentially renewable resources such as water, soil, plant and animals judiciously less faster then they are renewed.

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