Environment Definition

1
Environment - Definition

• Etymologically Environment means surroundings
• Environment
• the sum total of all conditions, agencies,
  influences which affect the development, growth,
  life and death of an organism, species or race
• Source The Universal Encyclopedia

2
The Environment - Definition

• Environment
• The entire range of external influences acting
  on an organism, both the physical and biological
  (in other organisms ) forces of nature
  surrounding an individual Encyclopaedia
  Britannica

3
Environmental Studies

• Environmental studies is the systematic study of
  human interaction with their environment. It is a
  broad field of study that includes the natural
  environment, built environments, and the sets of
  relationships between them.

4
Environmental studies - Scope

• Environmental Studies
• Vast in scope related to Physical Environment
  and Socio-cultural or man-made Environment
• Related to both Natural and Social Sciences
• Inter-related and Inter-dependent

5
Environmental studies - Scope

• Distinct from ecology and environmental science,
  the discipline encompasses study of the basic
  principles associated with subjects such as
  policy, politics, law, economics, social aspects,
  planning, pollution control, natural resources,
  and the interactions of human beings and nature.

6
Environmental studies - Scope

• Current environmental problems have evolved into
  a complex set of interdisciplinary issues
  involving ecological, political, economic,
  social, as well as physical and biological
  considerations. Modern environmental studies must
  include the study of the urban environment as
  well as the natural environment.

7
Environmental studies - Importance

• Necessary to understand the environment, ecology
  and their impact on man
• Necessary for the existence of life in all forms
  on Earth
• To develop awareness on the threats to the
  environment
• To explain man-environment relationship

8
Environmental studies - Importance

• To explain causes effects of environmental
  degradation
• To explain causes and effects of the air, water,
  land, soil, noise and radio-active pollution
• To study the natural hazards their impact on
  environment

9
Environmental studies - Importance

• To discuss the issues debates surrounding
  economic development vis-à-vis environment
• To discuss population explosion its impact on
  environment
• To study the conservation of natural resources
• To study global, national, regional local
  environment

10
Environmental studies - Importance

• To explain -
• Bio-diversity
• Global warming
• Climate change
• Ozone layer depletion
• Deforestation
• Desertification

11
Environmental studies - Importance

• To educate people at all levels about environment
• To develop long-term and short term plans for
  conservation of environment
• To develop strategies for sustainable development

12
Environmental studies - Importance

• Create an atmosphere in which individuals in
  society protect environment for themselves but
  also for future generations