1 Environmental Science

Module 1: Environmental Science: Definition, Scope, and Importance

INTRODUCTION:

What do you think would happen if all of the trees in the rainforest were cut down, or if chemicals were spilled
in a river, or if snow and rain fall increased drastically?
These are some of the many topics that are studied in the field of environmental science.
Overall, environmental science is the field of science that studies the interactions of the physical, chemical,
and biological components of the environment and also the relationships and effects of these components with
the organisms in the environment. The field of environmental science can be divided into three main goals,
which are to learn how the natural world works, to understand how we as humans interact with the environment,
and also to determine how we affect the environment. The third goal of determining how humans affect the
environment also includes finding ways to deal with these effects on the environment.
Environmental science allows scientists to examine how the biological, chemical, and physical parts of an
environment work with or perhaps in spite of each other. Explore more about the definition of environmental
science, and learn about the scope of the field, including its interdisciplinary nature with other fields.

The science of Environment studies is a multi-disciplinary science because it comprises various branches of
studies like chemistry, physics, medical science, life science, agriculture, public health, sanitary engineering etc.
It is the science of physical phenomena in the environment. It studies of the sources, reactions, transport, effect
and fate of physical a biological species in the air, water and soil and the effect of from human activity upon
these.

Interdisciplinary Field
Environmental science is also referred to as an interdisciplinary field because it incorporates information and
ideas from multiple disciplines. Within the natural sciences, such fields as biology, chemistry, and geology are
included in environmental science. When most people think of environmental science, they think of these
natural science aspects, but what makes environmental science such a complex and broad field is that it also
includes fields from the social sciences and the humanities.
The social science fields that are incorporated into environmental science include geography, economics, and
political science. Philosophy and ethics are the two fields within the humanities that are also included in
environmental science. By combining aspects of the natural sciences, social sciences, and the humanities, the
field of environmental science can cover more concepts and also examine problems and topics from many
different points of view.
Environmental science also branches out into environmental studies and environmental engineering. It provides
an integrated and interdisciplinary approach to the study of environmental problems.

 Environmental studies are the study of social sciences to understand human interactions with the
environment.
 Environmental engineering is the focus on analyzing and deducing problems with the
environment and the effect of man-made programs on the environment, and for finding solutions
to help protect and preserve the environment by disposing of pollution in the air, water, and land.
2 Environmental Science
Module 1: Environmental Science: Definition, Scope, and Importance
Environmental science involves different fields of study. Most often, the study of environmental science
includes the study of climate change, natural resources, energy, pollution, and environmental issues.

 In environmental sciences, ecologists study how plants and animals interact with each other, chemists
study the living and non-living components of the environment, geologists study the formation,
structure, and history of the earth, biologists study the biodiversity, physicists are involved
in thermodynamics, computer scientists are involved in technical innovations and computer modeling
and biomedical experts study the impact of environmental issues on our health and social lives.

Components of Environmental Science

1. Ecology

 Ecology is the study of organisms and the environment interacting with one another. Ecologists, who
make up a part of environmental scientists, try to find relations between the status of the environment
and the population of a particular species within that environment, and if there are any correlations to be
drawn between the two.

 For example, ecologists might take the populations of a particular type of bird with the status of the part
of the Amazon Rainforest that the population is living in.

 The ecologists will study and may or may not come to the conclusion that the bird population is
increasing or decreasing as a result of air pollution in the rainforest. They may also take multiple species
of birds and see if they can find any relation to one another, allowing the scientists to come to a
conclusion if the habitat is suitable or not for that species to live in.

2. Geoscience

 Geoscience concerns the study of geology, soil science, volcanoes, and the Earth’s crust as they relate to
the environment. As an example, scientists may study the erosion of the Earth’s surface in a particular
area. Soil scientists, physicists, biologists, and geomorphologists would all take part in the study.

 Geomorphologists would study the movement of solid particles (sediments), biologists would study the
impacts of the study to the plants and animals of the immediate environment, physicists would study the
light transmission changes in the water causing the erosion, and the soil scientists would make the final
calculations on the flow of the water when it infiltrates the soil to full capacity causing the erosion in the
first place.

3. Atmospheric Science

 Atmospheric science is the study of the Earth’s atmosphere. It analyzes the relation of the Earth’s
atmosphere to the atmospheres of other systems. This encompasses a wide variety of scientific studies
3 Environmental Science
Module 1: Environmental Science: Definition, Scope, and Importance
relating to space, astrology, and the Earth’s atmosphere: meteorology, pollution, gas emissions, and
airborne contaminants.

 An example of atmospheric science is where physicists study the atmospheric circulation of a part of the
atmosphere, chemists would study the chemicals existent in this part and their relationships with the
environment, meteorologists study the dynamics of the atmosphere, and biologists’ study how the plants
and animals have affected and their relationship with the environment.

4. Environmental Chemistry

 Environmental Chemistry is the study of the changes chemicals make in the environment, such as
contamination of the soil, pollution of the water, degradation of chemicals, and the transport of
chemicals upon the plants and animals of the immediate environment.

 An example of environmental chemistry would be the introduction of a chemical object into an

environment, in which chemists would then study the chemical bonding to the soil or sand of the
environment. Biologists would then study the now chemically induced soil to see its relationship with
the plants and animals of the environment.

Environmental science is an active and growing part of the scientific world accelerated by the need to address
problems with the Earth’s environment. It encompasses multiple scientific fields and sciences to see how all
interchange and relate with one another in any of the above four components.

What is an Environment?
Environment is derived from the French word “Environner”, which mean encircle or surrounding. Environment
is a complex of many variables, which surrounds man as well as the living organisms. Environmental studies
describe the interrelationships among organisms, the environment and all the factors, which influence life on
earth, including atmospheric conditions, food chains, the water cycle, etc. It is a basic science about our earth
and its daily activities, and therefore, this science is important for one and all.
Environment, the complex of physical, chemical, and biotic factors that act upon an organism or an
ecological community and ultimately determine its form and survival.

Some important definitions of environment:

1. Boring: ‘A person’s environment consists of the sum total of the stimulation which he receives from his
conception until his death.’ It can be concluded from the above definition that Environment comprises
various types of forces such as physical, intellectual, economic, political, cultural, social, moral and
emotional. Environment is the sum total of all the external forces, influences and conditions, which affect
the life, nature, behavior and the growth, development and maturation of living organisms
2. 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, behavior and the growth, development and maturity
of living organisms.’
4 Environmental Science
Module 1: Environmental Science: Definition, Scope, and Importance

Scope of Environmental Studies

Environmental studies discipline has multiple and multilevel scopes. This study is important and necessary not
only for children but also for everyone. The scopes are summarized as follows:
1. The study creates awareness among the people to know about various renewable and nonrenewable
resources of the region. The endowment or potential, patterns of utilization and the balance of various resources
available for future use in the state of a country are analyzed in the study.

2. It provides the knowledge about ecological systems and cause and effect relationships.
3. It provides necessary information about biodiversity richness and the potential dangers to the species of
plants, animals and microorganisms in the environment.

4. The study enables one to understand the causes and consequences due to natural and main induced disasters
(flood, earthquake, landslide, cyclones etc.,) and pollutions and measures to minimize the effects.
5. It enables one to evaluate alternative responses to environmental issues before deciding an alternative course
of action.
6. The study enables environmentally literate citizens (by knowing the environmental acts, rights, rules,
legislations, etc.) to make appropriate judgments and decisions for the protection and improvement of the earth.

7. The study exposes the problems of over population, health, hygiene, etc. and the role of arts, science and
technology in eliminating/ minimizing the evils from the society.
8. The study tries to identify and develop appropriate and indigenous eco-friendly skills and technologies to
various environmental issues.

9. It teaches the citizens the need for sustainable utilization of resources as these resources are inherited from
our ancestors to the younger generating without deteriorating their quality.
10. The study enables theoretical knowledge into practice and the multiple uses of environment.

Importance of Environmental Study

Environmental study is based upon a comprehensive view of various environmental systems. It aims to make
the citizens competent to do scientific work and to find out practical solutions to current environmental
problems. The citizens acquire the ability to analyze the environmental parameters like the aquatic, terrestrial
and atmospheric systems and their interactions with the biosphere and anthrosphere. (The anthrosphere may be
defined as that part of the environment made or modified by humans and used for their activities).
5 Environmental Science
Module 1: Environmental Science: Definition, Scope, and Importance

Importance
• World population is increasing at an alarming rate especially in developing countries.
• The natural resources endowment in the earth is limited.

• The methods and techniques of exploiting natural resources are advanced.

• The resources are over-exploited and there is no foresight of leaving the resources to the future generations.
• The unplanned exploitation of natural resources leads to pollution of all types and at all levels.

• The pollution and degraded environment seriously affect the health of all living things on earth, including
man.
• The people should take a combined responsibility for the deteriorating environment and begin to take
appropriate actions to space the earth.
• Education and training are needed to save the biodiversity and species extinction.
• The urban area, coupled with industries, is major sources of pollution.

• The number and area extinct under protected area should be increased so that the wild life is protected at least
in these sites.
• The study enables the people to understand the complexities of the environment and need for the people to
adapt appropriate activities and pursue sustainable development, which are harmonious with the environment.
• The study motivates students to get involved in community action, and to participate in various environmental
and management projects.

• It is a high time to reorient educational systems and curricula towards these needs. • Environmental studies
take a multidisciplinary approach to the study of human interactions with the natural environment. It integrates
different approaches of the humanities, social sciences, biological sciences and physical sciences and applies
these approaches to investigate environmental concerns.
• Environmental study is a key instrument for bringing about the changes in the knowledge, values, behaviors
and lifestyles required to achieve sustainability and stability within and among countries.

References:
What is Environmental Science: Retrieved from: https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/what-is-
environmental-science-and-its-components.php

Singh, Y. K., Environmental Science: Retrieved from: https://www.hzu.edu.in/bed/E%20V%20S.pdf