K L UNIVERSITY FRESHMAN ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT Second Semester, 2010-11

Environmental Studies

Introduction
1. Environment: Definition scope importance of Environmental education Definition: The physical, chemical and biological presence of living and non-living things outside an individual species is called as its environment. Each and every living organism (whether it belongs to the highest or the lowest life form) has its own environment.

Biotic environment includes assembly of plants, animals and microbes Abiotic components are physical factors and physiochemical substances (light, heat, wind, moisture, tide, solar energy, pH, soil, topography minerals etc.) Scope: It creates awareness among the people to know about various natural resources available in a region. It provides the knowledge about ecological systems, causes, effects and relationships between the components. It provides information on biodiversity at local, national and global level and threats to plants, animals and microorganisms. This study enables to understand the causes and consequences of natural and man induced disasters and measures be followed to minimize the effects. It enables to evaluate alternative responses to environmental issues before deciding an alternative course of action or projects.

 This study enables environmentally literate citizens (by knowing the environmental acts, rights, rules, legislations, etc.) and to make appropriate judgment and decisions for the protection and improvement of the environment. This study exposes the problems of over pollution, health, hygiene, etc. and the role of arts, science and technology in eliminating /minimizing the evils from the society This study tries to identify and develop appropriate and indigenous, eco-friendly skills and technologies of various environmental issues The need for sustainable utilization of natural resources, which are inherited from the ancestors to us without deteriorating their quality. This study enables theoretical knowledge into practice and the multiple uses of environment 2. Multidisciplinary nature of Environmental science Environmental issue/topic Nature and reactions of pollutants Effects of pollutants on human beings, animals and plants Effects of pollutants on materials Effect of climate on pollution Pollution control devices History of air pollution and pollution episodes Economic impacts of pollution Sociological impacts of pollution Alternative fuels Conservation of resources and pollution control Ozone hole and global warming Major Subject required Chemistry and Chemical engineering Zoology and botany and various branches of life science. Physics, Chemistry Meteorology, Thermodynamics, Geography, Mathematical modeling etc. Physics, Chemistry and various branches of Engineering. History Economics, Demography Sociology Various branches of physical sciences Various branches of physical and political sciences Almost all fields of study under the sun has got something to contribute to the understanding and prevention of these phenomenon.

3. Explain the need for public awareness on all environmental aspects? Besides natural and man-made hazards, the earths surface is polluted by number of sources. The land is polluted by millions of tones of solid wastes disposed from mines and urban centers while industries and cities discharge enormous quantity of liquid wastes outside their locations. Air is polluted by burning of fossil fuels and wastes.

As a consequence of all these disasters and pollutions, the environment is over burdened. Agriculture, the life line of Indian economy, is threatened by the application of enormous quantity of chemical fertilizer and pesticides to crops. This has not only polluted the land and water resources but also the food grains, vegetables and other product. The natural and man-made forest fires deforestation, pollution etc. lead to extinction of sensitive species and loss of biodiversity in different environments. In industrial sector, the pollution generated in several industries is irreparable in nature. These lead to global warming, acid rain, stratospheric ozone depletion, snow melt, sea level rise and the consequent impacts to various components of environment The individual and industries, responsible for depleting and deteriorating the resources of environment, should realize and take appropriate measures to minimize the sources of pollution

4. Explain the importance of Environmental education ? Environment is the physical and biotic habitat that surrounds us. Environmental issues affect, and are affected by, all our activities to varying degrees The knowledge and understanding of a range of concepts and connections are required in order for an interested person to think and make decisions coherently about individual and societal behaviors that affect the environment.