Introduction - Understanding Environment

Introduction - Understanding Environment

Meaning of Environment

• The literal meaning of environment is the 'surroundings of an object'.

• The root word 'environ' of environment is a French word meaning 'surround' or 'encircle'. Thus, anything that surrounds us is collectively known as the environment.

Elements of Environment

The environment consists of two elements— the Physical & Biological environment.

1. Physical / Abiotic / Non-living Environment

• The non-living environment is called the Physical Environment.

• The Physical environment comprises the land, water, and air.

2. Biological / Biotic / Living Environment

• The living environment is called the Biological Environment.

• The biological environment comprises flora (plants) and fauna (animals & other organisms).

Subject-matter of Environment

Environment is an overlapping area or subject matter of Arts, Science & Commerce.

• It is a multi-disciplinary subject (discipline).

• It studies the interaction between the physical environment and biological environment and provides guidelines for the way forward.

For the convenience of study, the Environment is broadly divided into 4 chapters:

1. Lithosphere, Hydrosphere & Atmosphere

• The Earth comprises three spheres— Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, and Atmosphere.

• These spheres are generally considered as land (soil), water, and air, respectively.

• The study of lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere is known as 'Geomorphology', Oceanography, and Climatology, respectively.

2. Ecology: Study / Science of Biosphere

• As we know that there are three spheres of the earth, namely the lithosphere, the hydrosphere, and the atmosphere.

• Biosphere is not a separate or fourth sphere of the Earth, as many think, but it is the common part of the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere where life exists.

Don't confuse Biological Environment with Biosphere, because these two are different concepts.

Biological Environment is a small concept compared to Biosphere.

Biological Environment includes only biotic or living beings/things i.e., flora (plants) & fauna (animals), but Biosphere includes biological environment (flora & fauna) plus physical environment (land, water & air).

In the mathematical language, Biological Environment + Physical Environment = Biosphere

• Every living being is continuously influenced by its physical environment, and on the contrary, the physical environment is also continuously influenced by every living being.

• All organisms in the biosphere not only interact with one another, but also with the physical environment.

• A study of these interrelationships between the various life forms and their environment is the major concern of the science of ecology.

• Thus, the study of the relationship of organisms to one another and to the environment is called Ecology.

• Simply, ecology is the study/science of the biosphere.

• Ecology is also called Environmental Biology.

• This means Ecology is a part of Environmental Studies / Science.

• Since Ecology is a part of the Environment, therefore Environment is a comprehensive word compared to Ecology.

3. Biodiversity

• Biodiversity is the acronym for Biological Diversity.

• Biodiversity means the diversity of life.

• The Biosphere is the measure of the variety of life forms, that is, flora (plants) and fauna (animals and other organisms).

• In ecology, the diversity (number & variety of species) of flora and fauna within a given region or area is called Biodiversity.

• As far as variety of life is possible, up to that extent, there must be a biosphere. In another way, the biosphere extends to any place where life of any kind might exist.

• Since the biosphere is the dwelling place of all organisms, every variety of organism becomes part of the biosphere.

• The Biodiversity and Biosphere depend on each other. Naturally, the more diverse the flora and fauna are, the more the biosphere expands to include new species of flora and fauna, and vice versa.

• In other words, the Biosphere is the sphere where Biodiversity exists, and Biodiversity is the total of all organisms that are found in the Biosphere.

• Severe biodiversity loss is occurring all over the world due to human activities.

• Many initiatives have been taken to recover biodiversity loss at personal, social, national & international levels.

4. Environmental Issues / Problems & Their Management / Measures

• Pollution, Biodiversity Loss & Climate Change.

• Environmental issues, environmental problems, environmental crisis, environmental threats, and environmental challenges are loosely synonymous with one another.

• The biophysical wealth of our planet Earth has been declining rapidly, and the accusing finger is pointing to human activities.

• Thus, environmental issues are effects of human activities on the biophysical environment, often of which are harmful effects that cause environmental degradation.

According to the 'Making Peace With Nature' report, 2021 (UNO), there are three key environmental issues that are named the Triple Planetary Crisis:

• Pollution

• Biodiversity loss

• Climate change

This is the biggest threat humanity has ever faced.

Examples of Climate Change Effects:

• Sea level rise and severe weather are two major examples of the impact of climate change.

• Worldwide, extreme weather, including droughts, floods, and storms, has become more common.

• Glaciers all over the world are melting, for example:

  • Melting of a hanging glacier in Uttarakhand (2021)

  • Melting of a hanging glacier in Chile (2022)

• Similarly, many islands are vanishing, and so on.

Environmental Conservation & Environmentalism

Environmental conservation is the practice of protecting the natural environment at the individual, organisational, and governmental levels, for the benefit of both the environment and humans.

Environmentalism is an environmental movement that addresses environmental issues through activism, legislation, and education.

Books like Rachel Carson's Silent Spring (1962) set the background for an environmental movement.

Key Global Initiatives & Milestones

• The UN conference on Human Environment in 1972, held in Stockholm, was the first international initiative to discuss environmental problems.

• In this conference, it was decided that every year, 5th June will be celebrated as World Environment Day (official name: UN World Environment Day).

• In the year 1973, the first World Environment Day was celebrated, and henceforth every year, 5th June is celebrated as World Environment Day.

Brundtland Commission & Sustainable Development

• In 1983, the UN set up the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED), with Gro Harlem Brundtland as the chairperson.

• The WCED report, called Our Common Future, emphasized the need for an integration of economic and ecological systems.

• The commission supported the concept of Sustainable Development.

• The WCED defined Sustainable Development as:

  • "Sustainable Development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

Challenges in Implementation

• While we have many environmental laws, rules, and regulations, the implementation has always been lax.

• In addition, the rules are often seen as impediments to rapid economic growth, and the government is always under pressure to relax them.

• Ultimately, it is a question of changing mindset and taking greater care in the use of natural resources so that we leave a habitable planet for the coming generations.

Final Thoughts

The environment is the foundation of all life on Earth, comprising both physical elements like land, water, and air, and biological elements such as plants and animals. Understanding how these systems interact is crucial for addressing modern challenges like pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change.

Through the study of ecology and sustainable development, we learn how to balance human needs with the planet’s ability to regenerate. Environmental conservation must be a collective responsibility, involving individuals, communities, and governments. By adopting a more conscious lifestyle and supporting eco-friendly policies, we can help ensure a healthier planet for future generations.

Protecting our environment today is an investment in tomorrow’s survival.