1. Multidisciplinary nature of environmental studies Lecture #1
Unit I
Multidisciplinary nature of environmental studies
Lecture #1

2. Outline Definition Scope and Importance Need for public Awareness
Green Technology

3. Introduction
“If you plan for one year, plant rice, if you plan for 10 years plant trees and if you plan for 100 years, educate people”
So, if we want to manage our earth, we must make people environmentally educated
Definition: Environmental Studies is the scientific study of the environmental system and the status of its changes on organism
Environment can be defined as the circumstances or conditions that surrounds an organism
Environmental Sciences, is the systematic study of our environment and existence in it

4. Framework for addressing environmental problem
Scientific Assessment:
Collection of information, data, simulations , model, predict the future
Risk Analysis:
Results from simulations are analyzed. Potential effects
Public Education and involvement:
Through publications, awareness through media
Explanation of the problem along with probable cost
Political Action:
Course of Action
Evaluation:
Actions to be evaluated, monitored
Improve the initial assessment
Scientific Assessment
Risk Analysis
Public Education and Involvement
Political Action
Evaluation

5. Objectives of environmental studies
Awareness
To help people acquire an awareness of and a sensitivity to the total environment and its allied problems
Knowledge
To help people acquire basic understanding of the total environment and associated problems
Attitude
To help people acquire social values, strong feelings of concern for the environment and the motivation to act in protecting and improving
Skills
To help people acquire the skills for identifying and solving environmental problems
Evaluation Ability
Evaluate environmental measures and education programs
Participation
Active involvement at all levels in working towards resolving environmental problems

6. Importance of Environmental Studies
Conservation of energy by introduction alternate sources, improved technologies, processes compatible with environment
Increase in economic productivity through improved health of people
Conservation of fast depleting natural resources
New ways and means to maintain ecological balance
Knowledge about waste management, treatment and disposal techniques
Social responsibility towards control of environmental pollution and protection

7. Major Global Environmental Problems
Rapid population growth
Food shortage and famines
Water Storage
Depletion of non renewable fossil fuels
Damage to the environment
Acid Rain
Global Warming
Deforestation
Disposal of solid and hazardous wastes

10. Solutions towards Global issues
REDUCE
Consumption of natural resources to the extent possible
Emission of carbon into atmosphere
Developmental projects affecting environment
Human activities accelerating global warming and climate changes
Deforestation for developmental activities
Consumption of non biodegradable materials in every day life
Human activities causing pollution of water bodies, air, forests, soil
Consumption of energy to reduce pollution and exploitation of nature
RECYCLE –
All wasted/spent natural resources to reduce their consumption
All used materials with the available technologies
All used materials manufactured with trees/plants to reduce deforestation
REUSE –
All spent natural resources to reduce more fresh consumption
All materials manufactured with trees/plants for their conservation
All recycled materials to reduce the demand

11. Solutions towards Global issues cont..
Increasing awareness towards environmental issues
Progress has been made in establishing laws, policies in controlling air and water pollution
Food production has improved the nutrition of millions in developing world
Decline in % of undernourished individual
“If we don’t act now, we may not have another chance to do so”

12. Public Awareness Major Goals of Environment Education
Environmental consciousness to be propagated at all the levels
Present and future generations all want to share and enjoy clean environment and natural resources
Sustainability development and conservation of natural resources and the eco system
Major Goals of Environment Education
development of educational material
Encourage NGO’s, media to promote awareness at all levels
Promote environmental education through existing educational / research institutes
Training in environment education
People’s awareness for preservation and conservation of environment

13. Environmental Education
Formal
Environmental education in school system
Environmental education at college & university level
Environmental Appreciation course
Environmental concepts in management and Business studies
Non- formal
NGO’s
Campaign
Eco Clubs

14. Green Technology It is also known as Clean Technology
It is application of environmental Sciences to conserve the natural environment and resources by curbing the negative impacts of human involvement
The field of "green technology" encompasses a continuously evolving group of methods and materials, from techniques for generating energy to non-toxic cleaning products.

15. Expected Goals from green technology
Sustainability
Meeting the needs of society in ways that can continue indefinitely into the future without damaging or depleting natural resources.
Cradle to Cradle design
Cycle of manufactured products, by creating products that can be fully reclaimed or re-used
Source Reduction
Reducing waste and pollution by changing patterns of production and consumption
Innovation
Developing alternatives to technologies - whether fossil fuel or chemical intensive agriculture - that have been demonstrated to damage health and the environment.
Viability
Technology used should not only be environmentally benign but also economical to enhance its implementation

16. Areas of Green Technology
Energy
The most urgent issue for green technology
Includes the development of alternative fuels, new means of generating energy and energy efficiency
Green Buildings
Green building encompasses everything from the choice of building materials to building’s location
Environmentally Preferred Purchasing
Search for products whose contents and methods of production have the smallest possible impact on the environment
Green Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology involves the manipulation of materials at the scale of the nanometer, one billionth of a meter
"Green nanotechnology" is the application of green chemistry and green engineering principles to this field
Green Chemistry
The invention, design and application of chemical products and processes to reduce or to eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances.

17. Example:
20 percent – of building materials were
from recycled content and over
75 percent of construction waste
was recycled
Power used for operations will be green power
supplied by wind energy
The office chair contains 42% recycled material and is 96% recyclable