Chapter 1 ES

What is Earth & Environmental Science?

Environmental Science provides an overview of how science affects our
environment. We focus on interactions between the solid Earth, its water, its
air and its living organisms, and on dynamic, interdependent relationships
between these four components.

Earth and environmental scientists also consider how these relationships

produce environmental change at different timescales. To do this, they
combine knowledge, models and methods drawn from geology, biology,
physics and chemistry.

We also strive to understand past and present environmental processes so

that reliable and scientifically based predictions can be made about the future.

Environmental science, interdisciplinary academic field that draws

on ecology, geology, meteorology, biology, chemistry, engineering,
and physics to study environmental problems and human impacts on
the environment. Environmental science is a quantitative discipline with both
applied and theoretical aspects and has been influential in informing the
policies of governments around the world. Environmental science is
considered separate from environmental studies, which emphasizes the
human relationship with the environment and the social and political
dimensions thereof. For example, whereas a researcher in environmental
studies might focus on the economic and political dimensions of international
climate-change protocols, an environmental scientist would seek to
understand climate change by quantifying its effects with models and
evaluating means of mitigation.

Environmental science can be defined as a quantitative discipline that has

aspects of both theoretical and applied science. This field is influential when it
comes to informing the different policies of the government in safeguarding
the environment all over the world. Environmental studies and environmental
science have a lot of differences, the emphasis of which is on the human
relationships with the current environment as well as the political and social
dimensions pertaining to it.
What is the Scope of Studying Environmental Sciences?

Environmental science is sometimes also called environmental engineering. It is one of the most
prominent fields of study that students opt for these days. The basic definition of environmental science
consists of fields such as ecology, biology, chemistry, geology, and much more. It is an interdisciplinary
field and that is because it consists of different aspects of social science as well as humanities too.

Apart from studying the physical and biological aspects of different characteristics of the environment,
this field also consists of certain cultural and social impacts that humans have made on the environment
today. Hence, it is really important for students to delve into environmental science study to understand
what factors affect the environment.

Environmental science is basically a branch where students will be able to find different ways to protect
our environment with the reliable utility of resources. So, individuals have a wide range of opportunities
in their careers. They can apply for the roles of environmental engineers, environmental biologists,
environmental scientists, environmental journalists, and much more. These roles are influential in
fertilizer plants, mines, dying industries, textile industries, food processing units, and many other areas.
So, the students can have a lot of opportunities to choose from. They can look for work in these
organizations which will hire them in a snap. The students having a higher degree in environmental
science can actually apply to universities and colleges to teach others about environmental science.

Importance of Environmental Science

After understanding what is environmental science, students have to figure out its importance.
Environmental science is crucial for the following reasons:

 To figure out a more sustainable way of living. Understanding the behaviour exhibited by
organisms under some natural conditions.
 Educating and making people aware of different environmental issues and problems.
 Using natural resources in an effective manner without actually causing any harm to the
environment.
 Teaching human beings how important environmental conservation is for the rest of
humanity.

 Environment belongs to all living beings and thus is important for all. Each one is
affected by environmental issues like global warming, depletion of ozone layer,
dwindling forest, energy resources, loss of global biodiversity etc

 Environment study deals with the analysis of the processes in water, air, land, soil
and organisms which lead to pollute or degrade the environment. It helps us to
establish a standard for a safe, clean and healthy natural ecosystem.

  It also deals with important issues like safe and clean drinking water, hygienic
living conditions and clean and fresh air, fertility of land, healthy food and
development.
 Sustainable environmental law, environmental protection, management and
environmental engineering are emerging as dimensions in environment protection
and management.

There are some other branches of environmental science such as atmospheric science that deals with
the atmosphere of the Earth. Ecology is another branch of environmental science that focuses on the
interaction of organisms with our environment. It also teaches the impact of certain environmental
factors such as water and air pollution on the environment.

What are Natural Resources?

Natural resources can be defined as the resources that exist (on the planet)
independent of human actions.
These are the resources that are found in the environment and are developed without
the intervention of humans. Common examples of natural resources include air,
sunlight, water, soil, stone, plants, animals and fossil fuels.

Natural resources are naturally occurring materials that are useful to man or could be
useful under conceivable technological, economic or social circumstances or supplies
drawn from the earth, supplies such as food, building and clothing materials, fertilizers,
metals, water and geothermal power. For a long time, natural resources were the
domain of the natural sciences.

What are the Different Types of Natural Resources?

Based on the availability are two types of natural resources:

1. Renewable: resources that are available in infinite quantity and can be used repeatedly are
called renewable resources. Example: Forest, wind, water, etc.
2. Non-Renewable: resources that are limited in abundance due to their non-renewable nature
and whose availability may run out in the future are called non-renewable resources.
Examples include fossil fuels, minerals, etc.

Renewable
 Solar energy: – It is derived from the Sun’s energy. Solar energy is captured and used to generate
heat or electricity via panels or mirrors. Photovoltaic (PV) cells It is derived from the Sun’s energy.
 Solar energy is captured and used to generate heat or electricity via panels or mirrors. Solar cells
directly convert sunlight into electricity. This heat absorption panel is used by solar thermal collectors
to generate electricity.

 Wind energy: – Wind energy can be used to get mechanical power to electric generators with
turbans, allowing them to function as pumping systems. It is made up of a rotor that is linked to a
generator. Wind energy is used to generate electricity. A windmill is a structure with blades that
convert wind energy into rotational energy. It generates electricity using renewable resources.

 Geothermal energy: – it is energy derived from thermal energy stored in the earth. Volcanoes and
hot beverages used to capture this energy and then transformed or used by industries for water
heating and other tenacities.

 Hydropower: – Hydropower is the energy produced by the use of water. It is created by utilising
tides, which is recognised as tidal energy. Ocean surface vibrations are also used to generate
electricity, which is known as wave energy.

 Bioenergy: – Bioenergy is created from biomass, which is animal and plant waste. This biomass
contains chemical energy and, when burned, provides bioenergy. The heat produced is being used
to generate electricity and power generators.

Non-renewable resources

The formation of all fossil fuels is very similar. Earth’s geography was very different hundreds of
millions of years ago, even before the appearance of the dinosaurs. A large portion of the planet was
covered by broad, shallow seas and swamps.

These ancient wetlands were home to plants, algae, and plankton. Photosynthetically, they took in
the sun’s rays and converted them into energy. Upon their death, the organisms sank to the bottom
of the ocean or lake. When plants and animals died, their stored energy was released.

It took a long time for the dead plants to sink to the seafloor. As more rocks and sediment were
deposited on top, the pressure and heat in the earth increased. Fossil fuels were created from plant
and animal remnants in this environment (coal, natural gas, and petroleum). A large number of non-
renewable energy sources can be found in large subsurface pockets (known as reservoirs).

Use and overexploitation over-utilization of various resource

Exploiting natural resources means extreme usage of energy resources for economic growth, which
leads to climate degradation, and then finally, economic growth also slows down. Exploitation of
natural resources refers to human beings' extraction, use, and use of environmental aids. These
resources include minerals, forests, water, soil, and air. Exploitation is an inherent part of human
existence, as societies have always relied on natural resources for survival and development.

Reasons for Overexploitation of Natural Resources

1. Overpopulation

Over 7.8 billion people are living on the planet today. This population
is consistently increasing, and that has been a major contributor
towards accelerating the exploitation of natural resources. That’s
because an increase in population expands the demand for resources
and the conditions necessary to sustain life. Additionally, an increase
in population leads to increased ecological contamination.

2. Poor Farming Practices

Approximately 1.5 billion hectares (11%) of the world’s land surface is

used for crop production. That’s about 36% of the total global land
suitable for crop production. While there are still 2.7 billion hectares
more that could be used for agricultural purposes, overreliance on
land resources for food production could lead to serious issues in the
future. Poor irrigation practices are a major contributor to the
depletion of land resources. It leads to alkalization and salination of
the soil needed for plant growth. The use of heavy farming equipment
and machinery and poor soil management practices also destroys the
soil structure and makes it unsuitable for growing plants. Other
farming practices like the use of excess fungicides, herbicides, and
pesticides also kill important micro-organisms in the soil essential for
replenishing its nutrients.

Logging is the main cause of forest degradation - Image source: Pixabay - Image from Pixabay

3. Logging

According to the World Bank, the net loss of world forests was 1.3
million square kilometers between 1990 and 2016. At the same time,
the loss of tropical forests is estimated to happen at the rate of 1% per
year, mainly in Latin America. That’s because people are cutting down
forests mainly for agricultural purposes to satisfy the growing
population’s demand.

More trees are cure every year for building residential complexes and
as a source of fuel. These deforestation activities not only lead to the
loss of trees but also hundreds of plants and animals. Even worse,
increased logging activities contribute to soil erosion.
4. Pollution

The increase in pullulation and anthropogenic activities contributes to

the disposal of different pollutants in the environment, gradually
exposing the natural ecosystems to degradation. As a result, the air,
soil, seas, and lakes are contaminated with sewage, plastics,
radioactive materials, and other toxic chemicals. Additionally,
the uncontrolled release of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur
oxide, and nitrous oxide leads to global warming and the degradation
of our ozone layer.

5. Overconsumption of natural resources

Since the first industrial revolution, which opened the door for the
exploitation of oil and minerals, the process has been growing
gradually over the centuries. Together with advancements in science
and technology in the contemporary era, mineral exploitation has
become easier and faster. This increased exploitation rate of different
minerals has led to a production decline for some materials. For
instance, copper, zinc, and oil are expected to decline significantly in
the next decade.
6. Industrial and Technological Development

With major technological breakthroughs, more and more countries are

becoming industrialized. However, this technological advancement is
giving rise to more industries that exploit natural resources and
release toxins into the environment. These toxins are deposited in
lands, lakes, and soils, altering natural habitats like wildlife and
aquatic systems.
Consequences of Overexploiting Our Natural Resources

1. Water Shortages

Deforestation, poor farming practices, and pollution are three main

causes of depletion of water resources because of wastage,
contamination, and destruction of water catchment areas. In fact,
about a billion people suffer from water shortage due to deforestation
and groundwater contamination. That further results in food
insecurity and famine.

Industries pollute the environment - Image source: Pixabay

2. Oil Depletion

A non-renewable resource, oil accounts for approximately 40% of the

energy used globally. As such, research suggests that the remaining oil
deposits might not last for the next three decades, considering the
high rate of exploitation. Its depletion will have devastating effects on
several industries, as it’s an essential commodity in mining, planting,
transportation, and manufacturing.

3. Loss Of Forest Covers

With over 15 million acres of forests destroyed annually, the world’s

natural forest cover is now endangered. Even worse, deforestation has
increased greenhouse gasses by 12% to 17% over the last three
decades. Other devastating effects include loss of biodiversity, soil
erosion, and dramatic climate change.
4. Mineral Depletion

With gasoline, zinc, phosphorous, and others being essential

ingredients in manufacturing processes, there has been an increase in
the exploitation of these minerals in the last decade. However, that has
several devastating effects on nature as minerals like Phosphorous are
essential for plant growth.
5. Extinction of Species

Because of deforestation and habitat degradation, some animal species

are going extinct. That’s because forest regions host thousands of
animals, which are endangered by deforestation and exploitation of
forest resources. Other practices like lake pollution and overfishing
also drastically reduce the number of marine species.

Solutions To Avoid Overexploitation Of Natural Resources

1. Controlling Deforestation

With programs aimed at reducing deforestation becoming more and

more popular worldwide, governments are embracing the initiative
and passing laws against the exploitation of forests. Some initiatives
also work as incentives to encourage the public to participate in forest
conservation to protect animal habitats and unique animal & plant
species.
2. Reducing the consumption of oil and other minerals

Oil-rich countries, consumables regulatory bodies, and World Bank

should join hands and work towards the common goal of reducing oil
and mineral consumption worldwide. Manufacturers may also be
educated on alternative ways to replace the minerals, while consumers
can be sensitized to re-using some products to reduce wastage.
3. Use of Renewable Energy Sources

Renewable energy sources like wind power and solar can reduce the
high dependency on fossil fuels. That will positively impact the
environment, as fossil fuel is a major contributor to environmental
pollution, global warming, climate change, and natural habitat
degradation.
4. Sensitization and awareness creation
The public must be educated on how their daily practices strain the
environment and result in the degradation of natural resources.
Creating awareness makes it easy to encourage people to restore and
preserve the natural environment by participating in conservation
initiatives and efforts.

: Renewable energy is the future - Pixabay

5. Protecting coastal and Wetland ecosystems

Wetlands are areas with lots of groundwater that sustain vegetation

cover. Coastal and wetland ecosystems are therefore crucial in
sustaining the food chain because they replenish the food chain and
avail the nutrients and minerals necessary for animal and plant
biodiversity. Coastal ecosystems also help to protect marine life from
overfishing.

Role of an Individual

Natural resources like forests, water, soil, food, minerals and energy resources
play an important role in the economy and development of a nation. Humans can
play important role in conservation of natural resources. A little effort by
individuals can help to conserve these resources which are a gift of nature to the
mankind. Brief description of role of individual to conserve different types of
natural resources is given below
• To minimise the evaporation losses irrigate the crops, the plants and the lawns in the evening, because
water application during day time will lead to more loss of water due to higher rate of evapo-
transpiration.

• Improve water efficiency by using optimum amount of water in washing machine, dishwashers and
other domestic appliances, etc.

• Install water saving toilets which use less water per flush.

• Check for water leaks in pipes and toilets and repair them promptly.

• Don’t keep water taps running while they are not in use.

• Turn off all electric appliances such as lights, fans, televisions, computers, etc when not in use.
• Clean all the lighting sources regularly because dust on lighting sources decreases lighting levels up to
20-30%

• Try to harvest energy from natural resources to obtain heat for example drying the cloths in sun and
avoid drying in washing machine.

• Save liquid petroleum gas (LPG) by using solar cookers for cooking.

• Design the house with provision for sunspace to keep the house warm and to provide more light

• Use organic manure/compost to maintain soil fertility

• To avoid soil erosion does not irrigate the plants by using fast flow of water.

• Use sprinkler irrigation to conserve the soil.

• Design landscape of lawn in large area which will help to bind soil to avoid erosion.

• Diversify the existing cropping pattern for sustainability of agriculture

• Cultivate need based crop

• Maintain soil fertility

• Make optimum use of fertilizers, pesticides and other chemicals for production and processing of
agriculture products

• Save grains in storage to minimise the losses

Equitable Use of Resources for Sustainable Lifestyles

Scarcity of resources is the burning problem of modern technology. The
twenty-first centurywill see growing human needs for resources since
many parts of the world are using naturalresources at a rate faster than
the natural processes can replenish it. Natural resources are limited. For
example, the existing water sources are being subjected toheavy
pollution. Global climatic changes are altering the quality
of fresh water sources as aconsequence of unknown effects on the
hydrological cycle.
Sustainable development is currently being discussed as a f
ocal theme in the field of development, planning and other
associated aspects. In the light of self-defeating currentmode of
development and recurrent natural calamities, people are urged to
ponder over thefaults, shortcomings, lacunae, discrepancies and
limitations of the ongoing developmental process and production
system.It is essential to sustain the natural resources. We should
conserve natural resources so that itmay yield sustainable benefit to the
present generation while maintaining its potential to meetthe needs of
the future generation. There are three specific objectives to
conserve living resources:
1. To ensure that any utilisation of the ecosystem is sustainable.
2. To preserve biodiversity and
3. To maintain essential ecological processes.Resource management
should be less energy-intensive, suitable to local ecology and needs
of the people, less cost-intensive and more viable in terms of economy,
ecology and culture. TheSrilankan team, for example studied traditional
paddy irrigation systems as a model for water management