Major Components of Environmental Science We can learn what to do to protect and keep our

environment intact, preserve natural resources and

protect the habitats of endangered species.
What is Environmental Science?
Educating and helping others to avoid pollution of rivers,
Environmental science can be defined as the systematic oceans, soils, air, etc.
study of our environment, i.e., earth, air, water, and living
environments and our place in it. It helps us to

Environmental science is a multidisciplinary academic · To gain a complete clear concept about our
field that integrates physical and biological sciences, environment
(including but not limited to ecology, physics, chemistry, · Proper use and management of our environment and
biology, soil science, geology, atmospheric science and resources
geography) to the study of the environment, and the · Discovering the interaction between living and nonliving
solution of environmental problems. part of the environment
· Have clear knowledge about the factors disturbing
A key aspect of the environmental science is the important cycles and systems
“interrelatedness” of things, the influence that one thing, · Indicate the factors disturbing these cycles
action or change may have on one Another. · Prevent pollution and control of pollutant sources
· To take appropriate decision in proper time
Significance of studying environmental science · To raise the standard of living.

Life is a function of the environment. So we need a finer Environment

environment for a better quality of life. All living things
strive for a better life. Environmental science enables us The sum total of all surroundings of a living organism,
to take steps in making a more beautiful world. including natural forces and other living things, which
provide conditions for development and growth as well as
By studying environmental science danger and damage.
A person’s environment is made up of everything which all plants grow, and virtually all terrestrial
that surrounds him or her. It encompasses all living organisms depend upon it for their existence. Good soil –
and non-living things occurring naturally on Earth and a climate conducive to its productivity – is the most
or some region thereof. At the very fundamental level, the valuable asset a nation can have. The productivity of soil
planet Earth is our environment. is strongly affected by environmental conditions and
pollutants.
Major components of the environment
Hydrosphere
The environment may broadly be considered to comprise
the following five segments. The hydrosphere contains Earth’s water. It is a vitally
important substance and occurs in all parts of
● Lithosphere the environment.
● Atmosphere
● Ecosphere A fragile resource—water is perhaps the most
● Hydrosphere fundamental of the resources we require. It is
● Biosphere unquestionably the lifeblood of the Earth—no animal or
plant life would exist without it. Water is an essential part
of all living systems and is the medium from which life
Lithosphere evolved and in which life exists. Energy and matter are
carried through various spheres of the environment by
The Lithosphere, or solid Earth, is that part of the Earth water.
upon which humans live and from which they extract
most of their food, minerals, and fuels. Water covers about 70% of Earth’s surface. So the total
amount of water on our planet is immense—more than
The most important part of the lithosphere for life on 1.4 billion km3. If the Earth had a perfectly smooth
Earth is soil formed by the disintegrating weathering surface, an ocean about 3 km deep would cover
action of physical, geochemical, and biological processes everything. Over 97% of Earth’s water is in oceans and
on rocks. It is the medium upon most of the remaining fresh water is in the form of ice.
· All water (100%): Oceans and saline lakes = 97.5%;
· Freshwater = 2.5% held close to Earth’s surface by a balance between
Ice caps and glaciers = 1.97%; gravitation and thermal
Groundwater = 0.5%;
Other water (lakes, rivers, soil moisture, atmosphere, etc)
= 0.03%. movement of air molecules. It is the source of carbon
Thus, not even 1% of the total world’s water resources is dioxide for plant photosynthesis and oxygen for
available for exploitation by man for domestic, agricultural respiration. It provides the nitrogen that nitrogen-fixing
and industrial purposes. It is a critical, limited, renewable bacteria and ammonia-manufacturing industrial plants
resource in many regions on Earth. use to produce chemically-bound nitrogen. As a basic
part of the hydrologic cycle, The atmosphere transports
Atmosphere water from the oceans to land. The atmosphere serves a
vital protective function, absorbing harmful ultraviolet
The atmosphere is the thin layer of gasses that (UV) radiation from the sun and stabilizing Earth’s
envelopes earth and is a great resource to all living temperature.
things on the planet. It is composed of gas molecules

Anthrosphere
want; how they produce food, fiber and wood; how they
The anthrosphere may be defined as that part of the obtain,
environment made or modified by humans and used for distribute, and use energy; how they communicate; how
their activities. they extract and process nonrenewable minerals; how
they collect, treat and dispose of wastes. It is obvious
It consists of a number of different parts. These may be that the anthrosphere is very complex with an enormous
categorized by considering where humans live; how they potential to affect the environment.
move; how they make or provide the things or services
they need or they
chemical reactions take place in the atmosphere;
The atmosphere is a dynamic system, changing changing from day to night and with chemical elements
continuously. Many complex available.
 exists while vegetation contributes to the minerals
Biosphere of the soil when they die. The living component of
the ecosystem affects and is affected by the
Biosphere is the life zone of the earth, including the lower abiotic components, such as air, temperature,
part of the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, soil, and the land. Inter-specific relationships create a
lithosphere to a depth of about 2 kilometers. The dependency with each other so that they both
biosphere covers the entire realm of living organisms and have to co-exist to live. All these relationships
their interactions with other segments of the environment, provide dependencies, checks and balances that
namely lithosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere. The compose the details of our life-support systems.
biosphere is strongly influenced by the other parts of the
environment. Ecosphere is the regions of the universe, ● Human interaction with nature often alters
especially on the earth, that are capable of supporting ecosystems. The waste we improperly dispose of
life; the biosphere. brings about the deterioration of land and water
quality. This may in turn reduce their capacity to
The Seven Environmental Principles* provide life for other organisms. Deforestation
causes soil erosion and the earth deposited on the
1. Everything is connected to everything else. (Ang water bodies covers the coral reefs resulting in
lahat ng bagay ay magkakaugnay.) fishery loss. Suspended particulates from
vehicular and stationary sources may cause lung
● The intricate relationships of various elements of problems among city residents. War causes
the ecosystem bind the components together into destruction of wildlife and habitats. There is a
one functional unit. The trees in the forest are cause and effect chain, even when it is neither
home to ferns, orchids, birds, insects and always visible nor observable.
mammals. When these plants and animals die,
their products of decomposition contribute to soil ● Global economic systems affect the distribution of
fertility. Plants provide oxygen to animals for biological goods worldwide. Through the Galleon
aerobic respiration while animals furnish carbon trade, spices reached different parts of the world.
dioxide to plants for photosynthesis. The quality of Today, oranges and apples from China have
the soil determines the type of vegetation that become easily accessible to the Filipino market.
 Developing countries argue that globalization are endemic. Some of the threatened species are
promotes the introduction of species detrimental to the Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi),
the recipient habitat and market. Philippine crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis), and
Tamaraw (Bubalus mindorensis).
2. All forms of life are important.(Ang lahat na may
buhay ay mahalaga.) ● The composition of biological diversity naturally
changes slowly but the rate of transition has
● All living organisms were created for a purpose in become faster due to factors such as habitat
relation to humans, other species on earth and the destruction. Deforestation may diminish forest
global ecosystem in general. Thus, when a species such as birds that are vulnerable to
species becomes extinct, it is like removing a modification of their home. Pollution of waters
piece of a jigsaw puzzle from the web of life. The reduces the quantity of fishes, shells, algae and
variety of life forms, manifested by the different other aquatic life. Over harvesting of natural
levels of biological diversity – community, species products likewise contributes to the unsustainable
and genes – contributes to the stability of the use of food and material resources.
environment. Food webs, food chains and
ecological relationships link plants and animals ● To maintain ecological balance, therefore, the
together in the web of life. Even bacteria, insects, conservation of genes, species and ecosystems
snakes and rats have ecological functions even becomes essential to keep life together.
though humans perceive them as parasites or Biodiversity conservation strategies commence
pests. with the protection of both terrestrial and aquatic
ecosystems. Land uses, such as protected areas,
● The Philippines ranks high among the biodiversity ensure that the natural state of these habitats
hotspots – the richest but the most threatened of continue to exist in designated areas.
terrestrial ecosystems in the world. The Community-based approaches in conservation
Philippines has rich flora and fauna: an estimated maximize citizens’ participation in protected areas.
13,500 plant species, 80 amphibians, 240 reptiles, Integrity of natural ecosystems can likewise be
556 birds, 174 mammals, 300 corals, 27 guarded through the preservation of indigenous
mangrove species. Of these, approximately 75% species.
 plants and eaten by animals. In short, they enter
● Strategies outside of the protected areas can be into a material cycle that is an integral part of the
adopted. Cities and human settlements can still ecosystem. But what happens if what we throw is
keep trees, patches of forests and gardens as an artificial product such as plastic? Then natural
home for wildlife like birds, butterflies, and insects. bacteria can not recognize them and may not be
Agricultural ecosystems sustain the variety of capable of breaking them apart. These
plants and animals through intercropping, non-biodegradable products must enter another
multi-cropping and crop rotation. Plant and animal material cycle – the one that goes to the factory to
breeding can increase the population of be manufactured into a new product. Thus the
commercially important species without directly retrieval, collection and recycling of these
harvesting from the wild. The captive breeding of materials become necessary so that they do not
Pag-asa, the Philippine eagle, provided a solution pollute land and water habitats.
to the diminishing eagle population. Although it is
still recommended that habitat protection must be ● In our present consumer-oriented, setting up an
the first step to species protection. ecological solid waste management system
becomes necessary for maximizing the use of
3. Everything must go somewhere. (Ang lahat ng resources. Ecological solid waste management
bagay ay may patutunguhan.) recommends that solid wastes be reduced,
segregated, reused and recycled. Biodegradable
● By-products of consumption go back to the materials are either to be eaten again or
environment. Everything that we throw away – composted. Non-biodegradable materials have to
pieces of paper, left-over food, peelings of fruits, be segregated and collected for recycling.
plastic wrappers, used containers – have to go
somewhere. Even plants and animals have their ● Industries have their own responsibility in reducing
own wastes – feces, urine, dead leaves and their effluents. End-of-the-pipeline technologies
branches. It is the law of nature that the are augmented by clean technologies in raw
by-products of metabolism return to the soil, acted product extraction and manufacturing. The
upon first by worms, bacteria and fungi, and then “polluters pay” principle adopted by governments
converted into minerals, to be again absorbed by intensifies the campaign for clean land, water and
 air. Waste exchange programs by industry turn ecosystem to support a number of people, may be
wastes of one industry into raw products of influenced by limit of resources due to an
another. In that way, habitats for organisms are not increasing population. Competition increases as
destroyed or deteriorated the carrying capacity is reached. Per capita
consumption must also be taken into account
4. Ours is a finite earth. (Ang kalikasan ay may because people in Northern countries generally
hangganan.) consume more food, energy and resources than
people in the developing Southern countries.
● Everything that we need is provided by nature in Carrying capacity may be addressed two ways:
abundance – food, water, energy, minerals and air. increase resources and reduce population growth.
However, some resources that we depend upon Agricultural productivity for instance may be
nowadays are extracted excessively but are slow increased with better availability of water and farm
to replace. These non-renewable resources inputs.
experience limits of supply. For instance, fossil
fuels produced over thousands of years may be ● Pollution reduces the absorbing capacity of air and
exhausted in a hundred years. Some energy water. Pollution likewise reduces the availability of
sources like water, and wood may be replaced land and water to produce food for human
easier but have become inaccessible due to consumption. A river classified a Class IV means
pollution and excessive extraction. Diminishing that it becomes fit only for navigation and can no
forest cover has resulted from logging, ineffective longer sustain life forms. Likewise, oil spills from
reforestation and continued land conversion. accidents or war destroy bays and rivers.
However, food scarcity and poverty may have Waterways that have become cesspools of
resulted from failed distribution systems rather domestic wastes cannot contain fishes and shells
than inability of the land and water bodies to yield or if they do might transmit toxins and harmful
food. bacteria to consumers.

● It can be argued that increasing population ● Several solutions have been suggested to solve
decreases the amount of resources available to this problem: reduction of consumption, increased
each person. Carrying capacity, or the ability of the use of renewable energy, emissions trading, and
 pollution control. The conservation ethic and provide the means for all living organisms to
technological solutions have become viable acquire nutrition. Population control also occurs
strategies to address finiteness of resources. naturally through predator – prey relationships.
Biodiversity conservation is anchored on the
principle that lost species are irreplaceable. Thus, ● The equilibrium in the ecosystem is maintained,
extinct species have acquired a greater value – thus if humans intervene, unforeseen negative
more effort has to be exerted to protect and save impacts known as ecological backlash, may arise.
endangered species. The conservation ethic Floods are oftentimes backlashes of excessive
supports the belief that we should tread lightly on felling of trees. The importation of golden kuhol,
the earth by using only what we need. The that became a pest, reminds us that biological
philosophy of “sapat”, meaning “enough” suggests organisms may not acclimatize in a new
that we should buy and consume only what we environment or may cause harm to indigenous
need and leave some for the less privileged and species.
the next generation.
● Environmental ethics promote that we conform to
5. Nature knows best. (Ang kalikasan ang mas ecological principles and stay close to natural
nakakaalam.) products and processes. We should patronize
natural food and consumable materials.
● Nature manifests certain processes that enable it Organically grown vegetables provide healthy food
to maintain balance and remain in a state of without the side effects that may arise from
equilibrium. The nutrient cycling of nitrogen, pesticides. Ecological technology offers an option
carbon, sulfur and phosphorus in the air, water for us to choose, that which is closest to nature.
and land indicates that minerals are utilized within The extent to which Genetically Modified
the confines of the earth. The flow of energy from Organisms (GMOs) affect health remains
the sun enables light to be converted into sugar in debatable and the formidable task of providing
plants through photosynthesis, and later for adequate safe food for a growing population
consumer organisms to obtain energy from plant continues to challenge agricultural scientists and
starch. Food chains and food webs allow transfer environmental managers worldwide
of energy from producers and consumers and
6. Nature is beautiful and we are stewards of God’s ● Different religions from Islam to Buddhism to
creation. (Ang kalikasan ay maganda at tayo ang Judeo-Christian to indigenous people’s animism
tagapangasiwa ng lahat na nilikha ng Diyos.) express the belief of caring for the earth, including
all creatures. Thus it is the goal of environmental
● Creation presupposes the existence of a Creator. education and biodiversity conservation education
The beautiful nature around us, perfect by itself, to motivate target audiences towards developing
has deteriorated due to the negative impacts of an eco-spirituality that moves them into a more
human use. This principle suggests how a meaningful relationship with nature and a greater
Human-Creator relationship is translated in our participation in the biophysical economic
attitude towards creation. Theologians explain that processes that make this world a better place to
there are different levels of this relationship. First live in.
is a relationship determined by dominion of
humans over creation, that humans can do as they 7. Everything changes. (Ang lahat ay nagbabago.)
wish because this was given by God. The book of
Genesis says “have dominion over the fish of the ● Changes in the biophysical world occur naturally.
sea and the birds of the air…” The second level is As they say, there is nothing more permanent in
one of stewardship, that of a caretaker where this world than change. Consider the following
humans are not owners but guardians of the examples. Metamorphosis of caterpillars to
integrity of nature. The third level promotes a butterflies illustrates morphological changes that
kinship relationship postulated by St. Francis de occur in living forms. The increase of vegetation
Assisi in the famous verse “Bother sun, Sister on earth augmented the amount of oxygen in the
moon”, where humans are no higher than the birds atmosphere through time. Seasons are cyclic
and fishes of the sea. Fourth is one of sacrament, changes that contribute to the diversity of flowers,
where nature becomes a testimony of God’s love. fruits, vegetables and other crops during the year.
Fifth is a covenant relationship, where protection Random changes manifested by natural
of the earth is a life mission manifested in the catastrophe such as typhoons destroy forests,
things that we do and say. coral reefs and mangroves. Volcanic eruptions
annihilate surface flora and submerge rivers.
● Human-induced alteration such as climate change
may cause more massive repercussions. Land Lesson 3: Biogeochemical Cycles and Human
use change – from forests to agricultural land to Activities Science
human settlements – changes the composition of
vegetation and animals. Human-induced changes A biogeochemical cycle is one of several natural cycles,
can be managed so that the negative impacts are in which conserved matter moves
minimized and positive changes accentuated. through the biotic and abiotic parts of an ecosystem. In
Environmental impact assessment (EIA) provides geography and Earth science, a
a tool for the projection, planning and biogeochemical cycle or substance turnover or cycling of
management of change brought about by substances is a pathway by which a
industrialization and human settlement expansion. chemical substance moves through biotic (biosphere)
Effluents can be managed through policy and and abiotic (lithosphere, atmosphere, and
pollution control techniques by both industry and hydrosphere) compartments of Earth. The following
government to achieve clean air and water. presentation discusses the role of humans
Sustainable development presents a paradigm of in the biogeochemical cycles.
change for the 21st Century.
Biogeochemical Cycles and Human Activities
● Sustainable development promotes ecological
integrity, equitable sharing of resources and 2. Objectives
people empowerment as pillars of growth. ● Identify and describe the flow of nutrients in each
Biodiversity conservation contributes to ecological biogeochemical cycle.
integrity, through both in-situ and ex-situ ● Explain the impact that humans have on the
techniques. Biodiversity conservation becomes biogeochemical cycles.
successful only if coupled with poverty alleviation,
improving equity of access to resources and 3. Food for thought:
instituting social change. Environmental education What happens to energy in an ecosystem?
facilitates social transformation by modifying ● Energy is transferred between organisms in
attitudes and behavior of people towards an food webs from producers to consumers. The
ecological ethic energy is used by organisms to carry out complex
 tasks. The vast majority of energy that exists in
food webs originates from the sun and is
converted (transformed) into chemical energy by
the process of photosynthesis in plants.
What happens to matter in an ecosystem? 7. MATTER CYCLING IN ECOSYSTEMS
● Unlike energy, matter is recycled in
ecosystems. Decomposers release nutrients ● Nutrients are the elements and compounds that
when they break down dead organisms. nutrients organisms need to live, grow, and
are taken up by plants through their roots. ● reproduce.
nutrients pass to primary consumers when they ● Biogeochemical cycles move these substances
eat the plants. through air, water, soil, rock and living
● organisms.
4. Solar Energy Sustains Life on Earth
8. Unique Properties of Water
The cycling of matter, and gravity sustain the earth’s life
● There are strong forces of attraction between
5. Survival Secrets molecules of water.
● Two Secrets of Survival: Energy Flow and Matter ● Water exists as a liquid over a wide temperature
Recycle range.
● An ecosystem therefore survives by a combination ● Liquid water changes temperature slowly.
of energy flow and matter recycling. ● It takes a large amount of energy for water to
● evaporate.
6. Energy Flow and Matter Recycle ● Liquid water can dissolve a variety of compounds.
● Water expands when it freezes.
● Biotic chemicals ( carbon dioxide, oxygen,
nitrogen, minerals) 9. The Water Cycle
● Decomposers ( bacteria, fungi )
● Producers ( plants) ● Precipitation
● Consumers ( herbivores, carnivores ) ● Precipitation
 ● Transpiration Condensation
● Evaporation The GLOBE Carbon Cycle Project is one of the four
Ocean storage Transpiration from plants Precipitation to Earth System Science Projects funded by NASA and The
land Groundwater movement (slow) National Science Foundation to develop hands-on,
Evaporation from land Evaporation from ocean science-based activities for intermediate and secondary
Precipitation to ocean Infiltration and Percolation school students in the GLOBE Program.
Rain clouds Runoff Surface runoff (rapid) Surface runoff
(rapid) 13. The Carbon Foot Print

10. Effects of Human Activities A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse
gasses (including carbon dioxide and methane) that are
Humans alter the water cycle through: generated by our actions. The average carbon footprint
● Withdrawing large amounts of freshwater. for a person in the United States is 16 tons, one of the
● Clearing vegetation and eroding soils. highest rates in the world. Globally, the average carbon
● Polluting surface and underground water. footprint is closer to 4 tons.
● Contributing to climate change.
14. Effects of Humans on the Carbon Cycle

Humans alter the carbon cycle by adding excess CO2 to

the atmosphere through:
11. The Carbon Cycle
● Burning fossil fuels.
The carbon cycle describes the process in which carbon ● Clearing vegetation faster than it is replaced.
atoms continually travel from the atmosphere to the Earth
and then back into the atmosphere. Since our planet and 15. The Nitrogen Cycle
its atmosphere form a closed environment, the amount of
carbon in this system does not change. The nitrogen cycle is a repeating cycle of processes
during which nitrogen moves through both living and
12. Globe Carbon Cycle nonliving things: the atmosphere, soil, water, plants,
animals and bacteria. In order to move through the atmosphere and deplete ozone.
different parts of the cycle, nitrogen must change forms.
19. The Nitrogen Footprint
16. Modified Nitrogen Cycle
A nitrogen footprint is a measure of the amount of
The modified nitrogen cycle refers to the changes that reactive nitrogen that is released into the environment as
have occurred in the natural nitrogen cycle due to human a result of an individual's activities. Reactive nitrogen is a
activities such as industrialization, agricultural practices, form of nitrogen that can contribute to environmental
and urbanization. The nitrogen cycle is the process by problems such as eutrophication, acidification, and
which nitrogen is converted into different forms and greenhouse gas emissions.
transferred between the atmosphere, living organisms,
and soil. 20. The Phosphorous Cycle

17. Effects of Human Activities Dissolved in Ocean Water Marine Sediments Rocks
uplifting over geologic time settling out
● Adding gasses that contribute to acid rain. weathering sedimentation Land Food Webs Dissolved in
● Contaminating groundwater from nitrate ions in Soil Water, Lakes, Rivers death,
inorganic fertilizers. decomposition uptake by autotrophs agriculture leaching,
● Releasing nitrogen into the troposphere through runoff uptake by autotrophs excretion
deforestation. death, decomposition mining Fertilizer weathering Guano
Marine Food Webs

18. Effects of Human Activities 21. Effects of Human Activities

● Human activities such as production of fertilizers ● We remove large amounts of phosphate from the
now fix more nitrogen than all natural earth to make fertilizer.
sources combined. ● We reduce phosphorus in tropical soils by clearing
● Adding nitrous oxide to the atmosphere through forests.
farming practices which can warm the
 ● We add excess phosphates to aquatic systems ● The strong Gaia hypothesis: life controls the
from runoff of animal wastes and earth’s life-sustaining processes.
Fertilizers. ● The weak Gaia hypothesis: life influences the
earth’s life- sustaining processes.
22. The Sulphur Cycle Hydrogen sulfide Sulfur
Sulfate salts Decaying matter Animals Plants Lesson 4:
Ocean Industries Volcano Hydrogen sulfide Oxygen Human Population and the Environment: Coevolution
Dimethyl sulfide Ammonium sulfate and Coadaptation
Ammonia Acidic fog and precipitation Sulfuric acid Water
Sulfur trioxide Sulfur dioxide Metallic Coevolution and Coadaptation are a game of mutual
sulfide deposits adjustment and change that never
Ends.
23. Effects of Human Activities
COEVOLUTION is “The Process By Which Two Species
Humans add sulfur dioxide to the atmosphere by: Evolve In Response To Changes
● Burning coal and oil In Each Other” Species that live in a close relationship
● Refining sulfur containing petroleum. with each other, such as a
● Convert sulfur-containing metallic predator-prey or symbiotic relationship, often evolve
● ores into free metals such as copper, lead, and adaptations to each other in a
zinc releasing sulfur dioxide into the process called coevolution.
environment.
Types of Coevolution
24. Is the Earth Alive? Parasite – host coevolution
Mutualistic/Beneficial coevolution
Some have proposed that the earth’s various forms of life Predatory/prey coevolution
control or at
least influence its chemical cycles and other Examples of Coevolution
earth-sustaining processes.
Parasite-host coevolution
 ● One organism lives on other organisms, harming it ● Evidence of parallel evolution between taxa is
and possibly causing death. required.
● The parasite live on or in the body of the host
● Maize plant (host) and Oospores (parasite) The Human Population and the Environment
● Cor/ Maize disease
1 The Human Population and the Environment
Mutualistic/Beneficial coevolution
● yucca moth (Tegeticula yuccasella) A female The relationship between the human population and the
yucca moth pushing pollen into the environment is complex, and there are many factors that
stigma tube of the yucca flower while visiting the can impact this relationship. To ensure a sustainable
flower to deposit her eggs. future, it is important to find ways to manage human
population growth in a way that is consistent with
Predatory-prey coevolution environmental sustainability. This includes promoting
● One common example is the relationship between sustainable consumption and production patterns,
some species of birds and investing in renewable energy and conservation
Butterflies. measures, and addressing social and economic
inequalities that can drive population growth.
CO-ADAPTATION
2 Human Population and the environment
● reciprocal adaptation of two species could refer to
species adaptation possessed by individuals Population- It is defined as a group of individuals of the
genotypes etc. same species
living in the same area in a given time.
● Caterpillar secrets honeydew that ants drinks Population density- It is expressed as a no. of
● Ants defend caterpillar against parasitic wasps individuals of the
● Honeydew and defense are Coadaptations population per unit area or per unit volume
Does Coadaptation demonstrate Coevolution?
● Biologist often have a strict definition of 3 Parameters affecting population size
coevolution;
 ● Birth rate or Natality : It is the no. of birth per
1000 people in a population
in a given year
● Death rate: It is the no. Of deaths per 1000
people in a population in a
given year
● Immigration : It denotes the arrival of individual
from neighboring
population
● Emigration: It denotes the dispersal of individuals
from the original population to new areas.

4 Population Growth

The rapid growth of the global population for the past 100
6 Causes of Rapid population growth
years results from the difference between the rate of birth
and death.
● It is due to the decrease in death rate and
In 1980 the global population was about 1 billion people.
increase in birth rate.
It took 130 years
● Availability of antibiotics, immunization, increased
(1930) to reach 2 billion. But the population reached to 4
food production, clean water, air etc decreases the
billion with in 45 years (1975).
famine related deaths and infant mortality.
Now we have already crossed 6 Billion and may have to
● In agriculture based countries the children are
reach about 10 billion by 2050 as per the World Bank
required to help their parents in the field.
calculations.
7 Global population growth trends

5 Trends of Global Population

 If a nation has 2% annual growth rate, its population will
double in nest
35 years.

9. Total Fertility rates (TFR)

● It is one of the key measures of a nation’s

population growth
● TFR is defined as the average number of children
that would be
born to a woman in her lifetime if the age specific
birth rates
remain constant
● The value of TFR varies from 1.9 in developed
nations to 4.7 in
8 Characteristics of Population growth developing nations

● Exponential growth: Now population growth 10. Infant mortality rate

occurs exponentially like
10, 102, 103, 104 etc, which shows the dramatic ● It is an important parameter affecting future growth
increase in global of a population
population in the past 100 years ● It is the percentage of infants died out of those
● Doubling time: It is the time required for a born in a year
population to double its size ● Although this rate has declined in the last 50
at a constant annual rate. It is calculated as years, but the pattern differs widely in developed
follows and developing countries

Td (doubling time) = 70/r 11. Male - female ratio:

Where, r = annual growth rate The ratio of girls and boys should be fairly balanced in a
society to flourish. But the ratio has been upset in many the rate of less than 1%per year, but in the LDCs tit is
countries including China and India. In China the ratio of greater than 1% per year.
girls and boys is 100:
Demographic transition: 14. Kenya is the fastest population growing country,
Population growth is generally related to be economic where 20 million people are residing. China and India’s
development. The death rates and birth rates fall due to population was above 1000 million in 2000 years.
improved living conditions. This results in the population Its share is about one-third of the world's population.
growth. This phenomenon is referred Europe and North America accounts for 14% of the world
as demographic transitions. Variation of Population based on age structure
1. Pre –productive population (0-14 years)
12. Problems of Population growth 2. Reproductive population (15-44 years)
3. Post reproductive population (above 45 years)
● Increasing demands for food and natural
resources 15. Age Structure
● Inadequate housing and health service
● Loss of agricultural land Pyramid Shaped-
● Unemployment and socio-political unrest Pre pre-reproductive age group is more. A large group of
● Environmental pollution young people will enter in to the reproductive age group
which will increase the pop growth.
13. Variation of population among nations Less no of old age people – less death

At present the world’s population has crossed 6 billions. Bell Shaped-

The existing population is also not evenly distributed, less Pre reproductive age group population and reproductive
developed countries have 80% population while the age group population is more or less equal. So the
developed countries have only 20%.LDC (Africa, Asia, people entering into the reproductive age group will not
South America) have 80% of the total population and change. Thus population growth is stable.
occupy less than 20% of the total land area. In the MDC
like USA, Canada, Australia the population increases at Urn shaped-
Pre reproductive age group population is smaller than the
reproductive age group population. In the next 10 years ● Poverty: Infant mortality is one of the most tragic
the people enter into reproductive age group will be less indicators of poverty. There are still 34 developing
than before resulting in decrease of population countries where more than 1 in 10 children die
before she reaches the age of five.
16. Population Explosion ● Population explosion leads to environmental
degradation
The enormous increase in population due to low death ● Pop. Exp. Causes over exploitation of natural
rate and high birth rate is termed as population explosion. resources. So shortage
The human population is not increasing at a uniform rate ● of resources for future generation
in all parts of the world. ● Increase in pop. increases the diseases
● Overcrowding of cities lead to development of
slums
● Unemployment
● Lack of basic amenities like water supply and
sanitation, etc

19. Family Welfare Programme

17. Causes of population explosion
It was implemented by the Govt. of India as a voluntary
● Inventions of modern medical facilities reduces programme.
death rate and increases birth rate Objectives of family welfare programme
● Increase of life expectancy is another important ● Slowing down the population explosion by
reason Eg. In 1959’s life expectancy – 40 years reducing the fertility
now it is 61 years ● Pressure on the environment due to
● Illiteracy is another one reason for population overexploitation of natural resources
explosion.

18. Effect of population explosion 20. Population stabilization ratio

 ● Encouraging breastfeeding
● It is derived from the crude birth rate to the death ● Enables to improve women’s health, education,
rate. employment
● Developed countries PSR is 1 (indicating zero ● Constrain the spread of AIDS/ HIV
pop. growth) ● Prevent and control of communicable diseases
● Developing countries PSR is nearing 3 ● Promote vigorously the small family norms
● Stabilization in developing countries is possible
only through various family welfare programmes. 23. Fertility control methods (or) methods of family
planning (sterilization)
21. Family welfare programme ● Traditional method – It includes some traditions
like taboos and folk medicine
● It provides educational and clinical services that ● Modern method
help couples to choose Permanent method - is done by a minor surgery
● how many children to have and when to have a) Tubectomy – It is female sterilization done by tying the
them? tubes that carry the ovum to the uterus
● It proves information on birth spacing, birth control b) Vasectomy – It is male sterilization done by tying the
and health care for pregnant women and infants It tube that carry the sperm
also has reduced the no. of illegal abortions per Both are simple procedures, done under local
year and decreased the risk of death from anesthesia, which are
pregnancy painless and patients have no postoperative problems.

22. Objectives of Family Planning Programme (Or) 24. Temporary method

Factors influencing family size
a. Condoms : Condoms are used to prevent sperms
● Reduce infant mortality rate to below 30 per 1000 b. Copper Ts: Copper Ts are small objects and can be
infants placed by a doctor in the uterus so that the ovum cannot
● Achieve 100% registration of births, deaths, be implanted, even if fertilized. They do not
marriage and pregnancy. disturb any functions in the woman’s life.
● Encourage late marriages and late child bearing
c. Oral contraceptive pills and injectable drugs are 27. Chemical hazard and their health effects.
available that prevent sperm from fertilizing the ovum.
Biological hazard and their health effect Bacteria, viruses
25. Environment and Human health and parasites - Diarrhea, malaria, parasitic worms,
anemia, respiratory diseases, chorea
● Human health and the environment are two
inseparable entities.
● Generally a physically fit person, not suffering from
any disease is called a healthy person.
Factors influencing human health
● Nutritional factor
● Biological factors
● Chemical factors
● Psychological factors 28. Preventive measures
The environmental degradation is caused by dramatic
increase in the world population. Millions of people die ● Always wash your hands before sitting for food
every year due to the illness caused by environmental ● Cut short and clean your nails systematically
pollution ● Maintaining the skin, teeth, hair of our body
● Drinking chemically treated and filtered water
26. Important Hazards and their heath effects ● Eat food always while it is in hot condition
Physical hazards and their health effects ● Before cooking wash the raw vegetables and fruits
with clean water
● Do physical exercise to have proper blood
circulation in the body

29. NIMBY Syndrome

● NIMBY means not in my back yard, which

describes the opposition of residents to the nearby
 location of something they consider undesirable, ● Freedom to for unions or associations
even if It is clearly a benefit for many. Eg. An ● Freedom to build their houses wherever they like
incinerator, an ethanol plant, a nuclear power plant ● Full right to start any profession
etc 1. Human Right to property – rights to earn property
anywhere
● An airport is a typical example of a NIMBY 2. Human right to freedom of religion – All religions
complex. It benefits a city economically, but are equal before law. So any one can follow any religion
no-one wants it near them because of the noise according to his wish.
pollution and traffic it generates. 3. Human right to culture and education - minority
communities like Christians and Muslims have their own
30. Human Rights rights to conserve the culture , language and to establish
their educational institutions
● Human rights are the fundamental rights, which 4. Human right to constitutional remedies – anyone
are possessed by all human beings irrespective of can go to the court to protect their rights
their caste, nationality, sex and language. 5. Human right to equality – all are equal before the law
● These rights cannot be taken away by any 6. Human right to equality – all are equal before the
legislature or any government act. Every citizen law. No discriminations
must enjoy certain rights and also has certain on the grounds of religion, sex, place of birth. Equal
duties towards the country. opportunity for employment
7. Human right against exploitation – children should
31-32-33. Universal declaration of Human Rights not be employed as labors
(UDHR) 8. Human right to food and environment – everyone
has the right to get sufficient healthy food, safe drinking
It was established in 1948 by the UN. Some of the main water and healthy environment
declarations of Human Rights, which are globally 9. Human right to good health – physical and mental
accepted are as follows, health
● Human Right to freedom
● Freedom to express his views 37. Value Education
● Freedom to assemble to express their views
Education is nothing but learning through which ● To create attitudes and improvement towards
knowledge about a particular thing can be acquired. sustainable lifestyle
Types of education. ● To increase awareness about our national history,
Formal Education our culture, heritage, constitutional rights, national
All learning processes in formal education are self integration, community development and
related. All people will read, write, will get good jobs and environment
tackle any problems only with the help of formal ● To create and develop awareness about the
education values and their significance and role
Value education ● To understand about our natural environment in
It is an instrument to analyze our behavior and provide which how land, air, water are interlinked
proper direction to our youths. IT teaches them the
distinction between right and wrong, to be 40. Concepts of Value Education
compassionate, helpful, loving, generous and tolerant.
1. Why and how can we use less resources and
38. Value based environmental education energy?
Reducing the amount of resources and energy we
Environmental education provides knowledge about the use is important for a number of reasons, including:
principles of ecology, fundamentals of environment and
biodiversity. It creates a sense of duty to care for the Environmental sustainability: Resources and energy
natural resources and to manage them in a sustainable are often derived from non-renewable sources, which
way. When the environment gets degraded it affects our means that their extraction and use can have a negative
health, well being and our Future. It is important to know impact on the environment. By using less of these
all about the environment and also have a right have resources, we can reduce our overall impact on the
a safe and clean environment. environment.
Cost savings: Using less resources and energy can also
39. Objectives or Need of Value Education result in cost savings for individuals, businesses, and
governments. By using resources more efficiently, we can
● To improve the integral growth of human being reduce the amount of money we spend on them.
Climate change mitigation: The use of fossil fuels is a 3. Why should we use less fertilizers and pesticides
major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and on farms?
climate change. By using less energy, we can reduce our To use less fertilizers and pesticides on farms, farmers
overall carbon footprint and help mitigate the effects of can adopt a range of practices such as crop rotation,
climate change. integrated pest management, and using organic
To use less resources and energy, we can: fertilizers. These practices can help to reduce the use of
Increase efficiency: One of the most effective ways to chemicals and promote sustainable agriculture.
reduce resource and energy use is to increase efficiency. 4. Why should we save water and keep our water
This can involve using more efficient equipment and sources clean?
appliances, optimizing processes and systems, and To save water and keep our water sources clean, we can
reducing waste. adopt a range of practices such as reducing water waste,
Adopt sustainable practices: We can also adopt using water-efficient appliances, and avoiding the use of
sustainable practices such as using renewable energy harmful chemicals that can pollute water sources.
sources, recycling and reusing materials, and reducing Additionally, we can support policies and initiatives that
water consumption. promote sustainable water management and
conservation.
Change behavior: Finally, we can change our behavior 5. What is the necessity to separate the garbage in to
to reduce our overall consumption of resources and degradable and non degradable?
energy. This can involve simple actions such as turning separating garbage into degradable and non-degradable
off lights when we leave a room, using public categories is an important step in promoting sustainable
transportation or carpooling, and reducing meat waste management and reducing our environmental
consumption. impact.

2. Why do we need to keep our surroundings clean? All these issues are linked to the quality of human life and
Keeping our surroundings clean is essential for go beyond simple economic growth. They deal with a
maintaining a healthy, safe, and sustainable environment love and respect for nature.
for ourselves and future generations. It is important to
dispose of waste properly, reduce littering, and practice 41. Method of imparting value education
good hygiene to help keep our surroundings clean.
1. Telling: It helps to enable a pupil to have a clear 43. Global values:
picture of a value-laden situation by means of his own
narration of the situation. It stress the concept, that the human civilization is a part
2. Modeling: The ideal values are presented to the of the planet and similarly nature and natural phenomena
learners as model over the earth are interconnected and interlinked with
3. Role playing: Acting out the true feelings of the actor special bonds of harmony. If the harmony is disturbed
by taking the role of another person anywhere there will be an ecological imbalance.
4. Problem solving: It is a method where in a dilemma is Spiritual Values:
presented to learners asking them what decisions they It promotes conservatism and transforms our
are going to take. consumerist approach. It is reflected in self-restraint ,
5. Studying biographies of great people self-discipline, contentment, reduction etc. of wants.

42. Types of Value Education 44-45 . HIV / AIDS

1. Universal values or Social values: It tells about the AIDS is the abbreviated form for Acquired Immuno
importance of the human condition. These values are Deficiency Syndrome caused by a virus called HIV
reflected in life, joy, compassion, tolerance, service, (Human Immuno deficiency Virus).Many myths have
truth etc been spread about AIDS and it is very important for
2. Cultural values: It varies with respect to time and everyone to know the facts about HIV and AIDS.
place. These values are concerned with right, wrong, Origin of HIV / AIDS AIDS was discovered in 1983.
good and bad, true and false behavior of human beings. Though sufficient knowledge has been gained about the
It reflects in language, aesthetics, education, law, disease. Yet a definite source of this virus could not be
economics, etc identified. But the following theories have been
3. Individual values: They are the personal principles suggested.
and the result of individual personality and experiences.
Parents and teachers are the main key to shaping our
individual values. It reflects in the individual goals, 46. Through African Monkey
relationships, commitments etc
 ● Most of the evidence has suggested that AIDS has alone. till September 2003 a total of 24.667 cases of
spread from Africa. It has been believed that the AIDS have been found out.
HIV has transferred to humans from African
monkeys or Chimpanzees. 48. Factors influencing modes of Transmission of
● Through Vaccine Programmes HIV
(a) HIV has spread in Africa through HIV contaminated
polio vaccine, HIV is spreading due to the following activities.
prepared from a monkey's kidney. ● HIV from an infected person can pass to a normal
(b) It has spread through hepatitis-B viral vaccines in Los person through blood contact, generally during
Angeles and New York. unprotected sex with an infected person.
(c) It has also spread through the smallpox vaccine ● Using needles or syringes, contaminated with
programme of Africa. small quantities of blood from HIV positive person,
also transmit HIV to others.
● HIV can also pass from infected mothers to their
47. World Scenario babies during pregnancy,delivery or breast
feeding.
Nearly 90% of the people who are infected with AIDS live ● Blood transfusion from the infected person, at the
in developing countries. 13% of world's population time of accidents or pregnancy also results in
live in Africa, almost all states of African countries were HIV/AIDS.
affected by HIV. About 3 million people so far died due to ● Women are more vulnerable to HIV. Biologically
HIV/AIDS in 2003. AIDS is rapidly spreading in eastern the male to female transmission of HIV is 2 to 4
Europe and Asia. India ranks IInd in the world with 5.1 times more efficient than female to male
million HIV/AIDS affected people. The percentage is transmission.
lower than Thailand, Myanmar and South Africa. ● Women around 18-20 years are at more risk, since
their cervical tissue is more vulnerable to invading
Scenario in India: The largest number of infected cases HIV.
have been found in Maharashtra and TamilNadu, ● Since the majority of HIV infections occur in
followed by Delhi, UP, Karnataka and Goa. In Tamil Nadu women of child-bearing age,transmission of HIV to
their new born babies happens easily.
 ● HIV is very active inside a persons body. The virus
Factors Not influencing transmission of HIV multiples and kills more and more T-cells of the
HIV is not spreading by the following activities. Tears, immune system.
food and air. Cough, handshake. mosquito. flies. insect ● Consumption of alcohol increases the
bites. urine. saliva during normal kissing. sharing of susceptibility to infection and
utensils, clothes, toilet, bathroom etc.. progress of AIDS.

49. Functions of HIV in human body 51. Minor symptoms

● AIDS itself does not kill humans. The death occur 1. Persistent cough for more than one month.
due to the attack by diseases because of the 2. General skin disease.
weakening of the immune system. 3. Viral infection.
● White Blood Cells (WBC), responsible for the 4. Fungus infection in mouth and throat.
formation of antibodies, are called T-helper cells. 5. Frequent fever. headache, fatigue.
T-helper cells are the key infection fighters in the Major symptoms
immune system. HIV enters into the human body 1. Fever for more than one month.
and destroys the T-cells. as a result of which 2. Diarrhea for more than one month.
various types of infectious diseases occur. Even 3. Cough & TB for more than 6 months.
Cancer can easily develop in HIV infected 4. Fall of hairs from the head.
persons. 5. 10% of body weight get reduced within a short period.

50. Symptoms (or) Diagnosis of HIV/AIDS 52-53. Control and Preventive measures of AIDS

● Many people have no symptoms when they are Once a person is infected with HIV the person remain
first infected with HIV. But some people get fever, infected for life.
headache, fatigue. During this time, HIV is present There is neither a cure nor a vaccine but it can be
in large amounts in semen and vaginal fluids and it prevented . Prevention is better
is very easy to pass the infection to another than cure.
person. Basic approaches to control AIDS
1. Education: Health education enables to avoid 1. Generally women suffer gender discrimination and
indiscriminate sex and encourages the use of condoms. devaluation at home, work place, in public life, matrimony
One should avoid use of sharing razors, needles and etc
syringes 2. High no. of cases of dowry deaths, rape, domestic
2. Prevention of Blood borne HIV transmission: violence, criminal offences and mental torture
3. People in high risk groups should not donate blood. 3. Human rights of women are violated in the male
Blood should be screened for HIV dominated society
Primary health Care: AIDS awareness programmes 4. Generally in policy making and decision making
should be encouraged. Voluntary health agencies should processes, women are neglected.
participate at large. Training programmes to doctors and
paramedical workers should be conducted 55. Objectives of women welfare
Counseling services – Counseling services should be
provided either in person or through telephone ● To provide education
Drug Treatment – Testing HIV positive does not mean ● To vocational training
the end. They can still stay healthy leading productive ● To generate awareness about the environment
lives for many years. Seeking early medical care and ● To improve the employment opportunities
staying active are very vital in managing HIV. The ● To aware problems of population
immune system has to be kept boosted by taking ● To restore dignity, status, equality and respect for
nutritious diet and maintaining a stress women
free mind ●
56. Objectives of a National Commission for Women
54. Women Welfare
1. To examine constitutional and legal rights for women
The main aim of women welfare is to improve the status 2. To review existing legislations
of the women by providing opportunities in education, 3. To sensitize the enforcement and administrative
employment and economic machinery to women's
independence. causes
Need for women welfare Measures or various schemes of various organizations
towards Women welfare
1. The National Network for Women and 2. Want of money – parent require more money for their
Mining(NNWM). It is fighting fora gender audit of India’s family so they send their children for work
mining companies
2. United Nations Decade for women 59-60. Measures or Various schemes of various
3. International Convention on the Elimination of All organizations towards Child Welfare
Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) –
It has created international standards for the protection 1. UN conventions on Right of Child or International Law
and promotion of women’s human and socio-economic It formulated a set of International standards and
upliftment measures to promote and protect the well being of
4. NGOs as Mahila Mandals – Creates awareness children in the society Rights of the Child: It defines the
among women of remote villages to empower them, train right of the child to survival, participation, development
them, educate them and help them to become and protection.
economically self dependent a. The right to survival : It emphasizes on good
5. Ministry for Women and Child Development – It standards of living, good nutrition and health
works for the upliftment of women by family planning, b. The right of participation : means freedom of
healthcare, education and awareness thought and appropriate information to the child
c. The right of development: It ensures access to
education , childhood care and support, social
58. Child Welfare security and recreation
d. The right to protection: Means freedom from
Children occupy nearly 40 % of the total population. They exploitation, inhuman treatment and neglect
are considered to be the assets of a society. 20 million 2. World summit on Children: Focused agenda for the
children in our country are estimated to be working as well being of children targeted to be achieved in the
child labors in various hazardous industries like match beginning of the new millennium
industry, fireworks and pottery industry. 3. Ministry of Human Resource Development
(MHRD): It concentrates on Child’s health, education,
Reason for Child labors nutrition, clean and safe drinking water, sanitation and
environment
1. Poverty - is the major reason
61. Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) ● Usages of resources is maintained
● Human health is improved
Its scientific report says, “children consume more water,
food and air than adults and hence are more susceptible 64-65. Process of EIA or Key elements of EIA
to any environmental contamination. So, it is essential to
keep a cleaner environment for our children for a better 1. Scoping
and healthy life. 2. Screening
3. Identifying and evaluating alternatives
62. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) 4. Mitigating measures dealing with uncertainty
5. Issuing environmental statements
● EIA is defined as a formal process of predicting
the environmental consequences of any
development projects
● It is used to identify the environmental, social and 1. Scoping
economic impacts of the project prior to decision It is used to identify the key issues of concern in the
making planning process at an early stage. It is also used to aid
site selection and identify any possible alternatives
63. Objectives of EIA 2. Screening
Used to decide whether an EIA is required or not based
● To identify the main issues and problems of the on information collected
parties 3. Identifying and evaluating
● To identify who is the party IT involves knowing alternative sites and alternative
● To identify what are the problems of the parties techniques and their impacts.
● To identify why the problems are 4. Mitigating measures dealing with uncertainty
Benefits of EIA It reviews the action taken to prevent or minimize the
● Cost and time of the project is reduced adverse effects of the project
● Performance of the project is improved 5. Environmental statements
● Waste treatment and cleaning expenses are This is the final stage of the EIA process. It reports the
minimized findings of the EIA
 Remote sensing data/images have been used to derive
66. Role of Information Technology in Environment thematic information on various natural resources and
Protection the environment. The type and level of information
extracted depends on the expertise of the analyst and
Information technology means collection, processing , what he is looking for in the data. Eg. To derive
storage and dissemination of information. A number of information on vegetative cover, water bodies, land use
software has been developed to study about the etc.
Environment The internet facilities, information through
satellites, www and GIS provide us up to date information 69-70. Application of Remote sensing 1
of various aspects of environment and weather
1. In Agriculture India being an agriculture based
67. Softwares for environment education country requires judicious and optimal management of
both land and water resources along with the use of high
1. Remote sensing yielding variety seeds, optimal fertilizer input etc. RS can
● Remote sensing refers to any method, which can provide valuable information for land and water
be used to gather information about an object management
without actually coming in contact with it. 2. In Forestry Sustainable forest management requires
● Force field like acoustics, gravity, magnetic, reliable information on the type, density and extent of
electromagnetic etc could be used for remote forest cover, wood volume and biomass, forest fire, pest
sensing. and disease, encroachment etc.. RS provides all such
● Presently the term “remote sensing” is used more info clearly
commonly to denote identification of earth surface 3. In Land cover Spatial info on land use is required at
by detecting the characteristics of the EMR the is different scales depending on use. RS data is converted
reflected /emitted by the earth. to map, the spatial resolution plays a role on the scale
of mapping
68. Remote sensing system for Resource 4. Water resources RS data has been used in many
Management applications related to water resources such as surface
water body mapping, groundwater targeting, wet land,
flood monitoring, runoff modeling, snow cover monitoring, Application of GIS
irrigation water management etc. 1. Different thematic maps containing digital information
on various aspects like water resources, soil type, forest
71-72. Database land, crop land, grassland are superimposed on a layer
form in
Database is the collection of interrelated data on various computer using softwares
subjects. In the computer the information of the database 2. Interpretation of polluted ones, degraded lands can be
is arranged is a systematic manner that is easily made based on GIS
manageable and can be very quickly retrieved 3. GIS can be used to check unplanned growth and
Application of database related environmental problems
1. Ministry of forest and environment They are
compiling the database on various biotic communities 74. Satellite data
Databases is also available for diseases like HIV/ AIDS,
Malaria, Fluorosis etc 1. Satellite data helps in providing correct and reliable
2. National Management Information system They information about forest ecosystem
compiled a database on R&D projects along with 2. Provides information like monsoon, ozone layer
information about research scientists and personnel depletion, smog etc
involved. 3. Info about new reserves of oil, minerals etc can be
3. Environmental Information system It functions in 25 discovered.
centers all over the country. They generate a network World wide web – more current data is available on
database in areas like pollution control, clean www
technologies, remote sensing, biodiversity,environmental Important online learning center
management, desertification etc. 1. Multimedia digital content manager (DCM) in the form
of CD-ROM
73. Geographical Information system (GIS)
75. Applications
GIS is a technique of super imposing various thematic
maps using digital data on a large number of interrelated
aspects
1. These online learning center provides the current and 1. The data regarding birth and death rates, immunization
relevant information on, principles, problems, quarries, and sanitation programme are maintained more
application of EVS accurately using IT packages
2. It has digital files of photos , power points lecture 2. It helps the doctor to monitor the health of the people
presentations, animations, web exercises and quiz effectively
They are useful to both students and teachers of 3. The information regarding the outbreak of epidemic
environmental studies diseases can be conveyed easily
4. On-line help of expert doctors can be consulted to
76-79. Case studies on role of IT in Environment provide better treatment and services to the patient
protection 5. With a control system the hospital can run effectively
6. Drugs and its replacement can be administered
1. Study on polluted backwaters of Kerala efficiently
2. Ocean Color Monitor (OCM) to study phytoplanktons
3. GIS for Forest Management 82. Case studies on Role of IT in Human Health
4. National Emission Data System (NEDS)
5. Environmental Information system (ENVIS) Health service in New South Wales
● The health services of NSW are dominated by the
80. Role of IT in Human Health Protection state-administered public health service providing
integrated hospitals and community services to the
IT plays a key role in human health. It has changed the population of 3 million people.
human lifestyle. The health service technology mainly ● The It packages purchased from the U.S company
involves three systems. was successful in the finance, accounting and
They are: pathology systems. But there were difficulties in
● Finance and accounting implementing the Patient Administrative System
● Pathology (PAS) or clinical system which involves the
● Patient administration: clinical system registration, admission and transfer of patients,
medical records etc.
81. Application of IT in health services
 ● The implementation of IT packages of the PAS The goals of sustainable development were first adopted
went off successfully without much complications by the United Nations Member States in 2015. The
than in larger hospitals with networks. concept of sustainable development aims to encourage
the use of products and services in a manner that
Lesson 5: Fundamentals of Sustainable reduces the impact on the environment and optimizes the
Development: Principles and Concepts, Economic, resources in order to satisfy human needs. To
and Social Development, Environmental Protection, understand why sustainable development is the need of
and The History of Sustainability. the hour, take a look at the following key pointers that
elucidate upon its importance:
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PRINCIPLE ● Development of non-polluting renewable energy
systems
The concept of sustainable development has been there ● Population stabilization
for decades and as a modern concept, it was originally ● Integrated land-use planning
brought forward by the Brundtland Report in 1987 in ● Healthy cropland and grassland
which it was simply defined as “development that meets ● Woodland and re-vegetation of marginal lands
the needs of the present world without compromising the ● Conservation of biological diversity
ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. ● Control of pollution in water and of the air
Sustainable development can be facilitated through five ● Recycling of waste and residues
guiding principles, i.e. living within environmental limits, ● Ecologically compatible human settlements
ensuring a strong, healthy and just society, achieving a ● Environmental education and awareness at all
sustainable economy, promoting good governance and levels
utilizing information communication technology as a ● Related Read: How to Become an
social responsibility. This blog delves deeper into what Environmentalist?
the concept of sustainable development entails, why is it
important as well as its major types and benefits. Three Pillars of Sustainable Development

Concept of Sustainable Development: Importance The concept of sustainable development is rooted in

three main pillars that aim to achieve inclusive growth as
well as create shared prosperity for the current
generation and to continue to meet the needs of future growth, i.e values and valuation, policy
generations. These three pillars are Economic, Social instruments and poverty and environment.
and Environmental Development and are interconnected
and reflect the goals of community development and Social Sustainability
social and environmental stability. Let’s take a look at
these the pillars of sustainable development in further Social sustainability is a form of social responsibility that
detail: significantly takes place when a community’s stable and
unstable components need a revival of depleted
Economic Sustainability resources. It combines the design of the physical
environment with the social environment and focuses on
Economic sustainability strives to promote those activities the needs of different sections in a community and puts
through which long-term economic growth can be special emphasis on providing the right infrastructure
achieved without having a negative impact on the and required support to weaker sections. It is another
environmental, social, and cultural aspects of the parameter involved in understanding the concept of
community. As a key facilitator for the concept of sustainable development and the key fundamentals of
sustainable development, the basic fundamentals of social sustainability are:
economic sustainability are as follows: ● Systematic community participation
● Finding effective solutions for hunger and poverty ● Strong civil society, including government
in the world in environmentally sound ways; ● Commonly accepted standards of honesty
● Economics is the study of how societies use their (tolerance, compassion, forbearance, love)
resources (water, air, food, fuel, etc.) and when ● Gender equality
combined with the concept of sustainable
development, it focuses on attaining economic Cultural Sustainability
growth which is only sustainable and
simultaneously improves our quality of life and Culture is one of the main components of the concept of
environment; sustainable development. The need for cultural
● Economic sustainability is grouped into three sustainability arises from the growing awareness of the
general categories to encompass sustainable importance of cultural rights and the preservation of
cultural heritage. Some of the major factors that cultural Physical Sustainability: Recognition of the limits to
sustainability is based on are: nature and striving towards an overall global ecological
Cultured Individual: A developed state of mind can balance.
result in increasing awareness among communities Intergeneration Equity: Environmental resources and
which will protect and promote cultural diversity vital to economic welfare should be available for future
universal human rights generations at least equal to the present ones.What are
Globalization: With diverse cultures spread across the three pillars of sustainable development?
different countries, the effects of globalization need to be
imperatively discussed to address the rise of multicultural Hence, the concept of sustainable development is an
nations as well as the different issues faced by them. essential one to understand in
contemporary times as it can help us address some
grave economic, social and environmental
concerns.

What is environmental protection sustainability?

● Environmental protection is aimed at maintaining

(and recovering when necessary) a healthy natural
environment. Sustainable development embraces
Benefits of Sustainable Development
environmental, social and economic objectives, to
deliver long-term equitable growth which benefits
Here are some of the pivotal benefits that can be reaped
current and future generations.
by implementing the concept of sustainable development:
● All government departments have been expected
Global Equity: Environmental benefits need to be
to embed sustainable development across their
equitably distributed over the present and future
activities: policymaking, procurement, and estates.
generations.
The Department of Energy & Climate Change
Ethical Guiding Principle: Incorporation of the
(DECC) and Department for Environment, Food
characteristics and values that most people associate
& Rural Affairs (Defra) have key roles in
with ethical behavior democracy, equality or social
justice.
 environmental protection and sustainable Ancient Sumerian Agriculture
development.
● Measuring expenditure on environmental ● Between 8000 and 10 000 years ago, groups of
protection is not straightforward due to the range people found a more permanent solution through
of government activity involved. Under an agriculture, setting up farms to produce their local
international framework for classifying government food supply. This resulted in the depletion of
Expenditure. critical resources (water and soil for example) and
they would be forced to move onto another area.
MANILA -- Budget and Management Secretary Benjamin ● The Industrial Revolution in the 18th and 19th
Diokno told the foreign business centuries led to significant technological advances,
community that they are in the right place at the right time including the discovery of fossil fuel and coal to
because the country is poised to keep power engines and later to generate electricity.
its position as one of the region;s economic growth These technological advances led to an
leaders. exponential increase in human consumption of
non-renewable resources.
Brief History of Sustainability ● Advances in medicine contributed to increased
populations through increased life expectancy,
How long has the concept of sustainability been improved fertility, and reduced infant and child
around? mortality rates resulting in over-population.
● We can trace the history of sustainability back to Between 1650 and 1800, the world population
early human civilizations, where society would doubled from about 500 million to 1 billion people,
flourish, followed by a sustainability crisis that was and between 1800 and today, the world population
either successfully resolved or led to its decline. increased significantly from 1 billion
● Very early civilizations were hunter-gatherers who to 7.7 billion.
moved around to where they could find food and
water, they would take what they could from the ● During the 19th century, ecologists, botanists and
land and then move on. There was no guarantee enlightened political economists such as the
of food or water, so it was a precarious existence. Reverend Thomas Malthus warned of the
 environmental and social impacts of industry on ● In 1980 the International Union for Conservation
civilizations and the world. of Nature published the World Conservation
● In the 1950s, after World War II and the great Strategy.
depression, developed nations began to grow ● In 1982 it published the ‘World Charter for Nature’
sharply. Concerned environmental groups warned citing the decline of the world’s ecosystems.
of the costs associated with many modern benefits ● In 1987 the Brundtland Commission (United
and innovations such as plastics, chemicals, Nations World Commission on Environment and
synthetics, nuclear energy, pesticides, synthetic Development) delivered its report ‘Our Common
fertilizers, and the increasing use of fossil fuels on Future’ stating that development should be
the environment and rural wildlife. In the 1970s, sustainable, meet the needs of the poor and not
environmentalists predicted the peak in oil add to the world’s environmental problems.
production given the concerns with pollution, the ● By the mid-2000s, many countries could not
population explosion, consumerism, and the sustain themselves, needing to import
depletion of finite resources. resources from other countries to support their
● By the late 20th century, the world was facing needs. Public awareness led to more sustainable
significant environmental problems. The energy living choices, and the first alternate renewable
crisis in the 1970s alerted the world as to how energy sources such as wind turbines,
reliant it had become on non-renewable hydroelectricity, and solar and wind power plants
resources. In developing countries, people faced emerged.
poverty and starvation and regarded development ● Throughout the 21st century, many commissions
as essential to raise their standards of living while and agencies have alerted countries to
developed counties were concerned with the environmental catastrophes and the threat posed
over-usage of resources. by the greenhouse effect (where the earth’s
surface temperature increases causing ice sheets
The last 50 years to melt, rising sea levels, ocean acidification, and
extreme climate events such as hurricanes, floods,
Over the last 50 years, significant historical events have and tsunamis). United Nations Environment
drawn attention to the world’s
environmental crisis:
2030 UN sustainable goals
United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals

In 2016, the United Nations issued a more ambitious set

of Seventeen Sustainable Development Goals said to
“banish a whole host of social ills by 2030”. The 2030 193
Heads of State and other top world leaders unanimously
adopted the Agenda for Sustainable Development, at a
summit at UN Headquarters in New York. At the time, UN
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said, “The seventeen
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are our shared
vision of humanity and a social contract between the
world’s leaders and the people.” “A to-do list for people
and planet and a blueprint for success” “the 17 goals and
169 targets are to wipe out poverty, fight inequality and
tackle climate change over the next 15 years”.