AEC Env SCN Evernote
AEC Env SCN Evernote
AEC Env SCN Evernote
Environmental scientist: An environmental scientist is a professional who applies scientific methods and principles to investigate and
solve environmental problems, such as climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss, and natural resource management.
Environmental engineer: An environmental engineer is a professional who designs and develops new and sustainable technologies and
practices that can enhance the efficiency and productivity of environmental resources and services, and reduce the environmental
footprint of human activities and systems.
Environmental educator: An environmental educator is a professional who educates and trains people about the environment and
sustainability, and the environmental and sustainability issues and challenges.
Environmental communicator: An environmental communicator is a professional who communicates and exchanges the environmental
and sustainability information, messages, and narratives among different audiences and platforms.
It provides a comprehensive and holistic understanding of a complex and dynamic problem or question, by considering its various
aspects and dimensions.
It offers a diversity and richness of perspectives and insights, by incorporating the views and experiences of different disciplines or
fields of study.
It enhances the creativity and innovation, by generating new and novel ideas and solutions, by combining and synthesizing the
knowledge and methods of different disciplines or fields of study.
It fosters the collaboration and cooperation, by facilitating the communication and exchange of information and resources, among
different disciplines or fields of study.
The multidisciplinary nature of environmental studies also reflects the reality and complexity of the environment and its issues, which
cannot be understood or solved by a single discipline or field of study. The environment and its issues are influenced and affected by
various factors, such as physical, biological, social, economic, political, and cultural, which require a multidisciplinary approach to
address them.
Conclusion
In conclusion, environmental studies is a multidisciplinary field that combines the knowledge and methods of various disciplines to
understand and address the complex and dynamic issues surrounding the environment. The multidisciplinary nature of environmental
studies provides a comprehensive and holistic understanding of the environment and its issues, offers a diversity of perspectives and
insights, enhances creativity and innovation, and fosters collaboration and cooperation.Environmental studies offers a wide range of
career opportunities and prospects for graduates, and the multidisciplinary nature of the field is crucial in addressing the complex and
dynamic environmental challenges facing the world today.
Sustainability and Sustainable Development -
What is Sustainability and What is Sustainable Development?
The definition of sustainability is not nearly as simple as it might seem, likewise with the definition of sustainable development. This is
best illustrated by the fact that there are over 200 different definitions to answer what is sustainable development.
However, the most common definition was defined by the Brundtland Commission in 1987, who documented the sustainable
development definition as:
“Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs.”
This implies that we need to look after our planet, our resources and our people to ensure that we can live in a sustainable manner.
Furthermore, that we can hand down our planet to our children and our grandchildren to live in true sustainability.
So to achieve true sustainability we need to balance economic, social and environmental sustainability factors in equal harmony. These
may be defined as:
• Environmental Sustainability:Environmental sustainabilitymeans that we are living within the means of our natural resources. To
live in true environmental sustainability, we need to ensure that we are consuming our natural resources, such as materials, energy
fuels, land, water…etc, at a sustainable rate. Some resources are more abundant than others and therefore we need to consider
material scarcity, the damage to environment from extraction of these materials and if the resource can be kept within Circular
Economy principles. We need to aspire to net zero carbonand then move beyond to ultimately achieve climate positive principles.
Environmental sustainability should not be confused with full sustainability, which also need to balance economic and social factors.
• Economic Sustainability:Economic sustainabilityrequires that a business or country uses its resources efficiently and responsibly
so that it can operate in a sustainable manner to consistently produce an operational profit. Without an operational profit a
business cannot sustain it’s activities. Without acting responsibly and using its resources efficiently a company will not be able to
sustain it’s activities in the long term.
• Social Sustainability:Social sustainabilityis the ability of society, or any social system, to persistently achieve a good social well
being. Achieving social sustainability ensures that the social well being of a country, an organisation, or a community can be
maintained in the long term.
Taking these three pillars of sustainability further if we only achieve two out of three pillars then we end up with:
Unit 2.........
Ecosystem
An ecosystem is a geographic area where plants, animals, and other organisms, as well as weather and landscape, work together to
form a bubble of life. Ecosystems contain biotic or living, parts, as well as abiotic factors, or nonliving parts. Biotic factors include
plants, animals, and other organisms.
An ecosystem is a structural and functional unit of ecology where the living organisms interact with each other and the surrounding
environment. In other words, an ecosystem is a chain of interactions between organisms and their environment. The term “Ecosystem”
was first coined by A.G.Tansley, an English botanist, in 1935
Biotic Components
Abiotic Components
Biotic Components
Biotic components refer to all living components in an ecosystem. Based on nutrition, biotic components can be categorised into
autotrophs, heterotrophs and saprotrophs (or decomposers).
Producers include all autotrophs such as plants. They are called autotrophs as they can produce food through the process of
photosynthesis. Consequently, all other organisms higher up on the food chain rely on producers for food.
Consumers or heterotrophs are organisms that depend on other organisms for food. Consumers are further classified into primary
consumers, secondary consumers and tertiary consumers.
Primary consumers are always herbivores as they rely on producers for food.
Secondary consumers depend on primary consumers for energy. They can either be carnivores or omnivores.
Tertiary consumers are organisms that depend on secondary consumers for food. Tertiary consumers can also be carnivores or
omnivores.
Quaternary consumers are present in some food chains. These organisms prey on tertiary consumers for energy. Furthermore, they are
usually at the top of a food chain as they have no natural predators.
Decomposers include saprophytes such as fungi and bacteria. They directly thrive on the dead and decaying organic matter.
Decomposers are essential for the ecosystem as they help in recycling nutrients to be reused by plants.
Abiotic Components
Abiotic components are the non-living component of an ecosystem. It includes air, water, soil, minerals, sunlight, temperature,
nutrients, wind, altitude, turbidity, etc.
Types of Ecosystem
An ecosystem can be as small as an oasis in a desert, or as big as an ocean, spanning thousands of miles. There are two types of
ecosystem:
Terrestrial Ecosystem
Aquatic Ecosystem
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Terrestrial Ecosystem
Terrestrial ecosystems are exclusively land-based ecosystems. There are different types of terrestrial ecosystems distributed around
various geological zones. They are as follows:
Forest Ecosystem
Grassland Ecosystem
Tundra Ecosystem
Desert Ecosystem
Forest Ecosystem
A forest ecosystem consists of several plants, particularly trees, animals and microorganisms that live in coordination with the abiotic
factors of the environment. Forests help in maintaining the temperature of the earth and are the major carbon sink.
Grassland Ecosystem
In a grassland ecosystem, the vegetation is dominated by grasses and herbs. Temperate grasslands and tropical or savanna grasslands
are examples of grassland ecosystems.
Tundra Ecosystem
Tundra ecosystems are devoid of trees and are found in cold climates or where rainfall is scarce. These are covered with snow for most
of the year. Tundra type of ecosystem is found in the Arctic or mountain tops.
Desert Ecosystem
Deserts are found throughout the world. These are regions with little rainfall and scarce vegetation. The days are hot, and the nights
are cold.
Aquatic Ecosystem
Aquatic ecosystems are ecosystems present in a body of water. These can be further divided into two types, namely
Freshwater Ecosystem
The freshwater ecosystem is an aquatic ecosystem that includes lakes, ponds, rivers, streams and wetlands. These have no salt
content in contrast with the marine ecosystem.
Marine Ecosystem
The marine ecosystem includes seas and oceans. These have a more substantial salt content and greater biodiversity in comparison to
the freshwater ecosystem
During this biological process, light energy is converted into chemical energy and is passed on through successive trophic levels. The
flow of energy from a producer, to a consumer and eventually, to an apex predator or a detritivore is called the food chain.
Dead and decaying matter, along with organic debris, is broken down into its constituents by scavengers. The reducers then absorb
these constituents. After gaining the energy, the reducers liberate molecules to the environment, which can be utilised again by the
producers.
2. Ecological Pyramids
An ecological pyramid is the graphical representation of the number, energy, and biomass of the successive trophic levels of an
ecosystem. Charles Elton was the first ecologist to describe the ecological pyramid and its principals in 1927.
The biomass, number, and energy of organisms ranging from the producer level to the consumer level are represented in the form of a
pyramid; hence, it is known as the ecological pyramid.
The base of the ecological pyramid comprises the producers, followed by primary and secondary consumers. The tertiary consumers
hold the apex. In some food chains, the quaternary consumers are at the very apex of the food chain.
The producers generally outnumber the primary consumers and similarly, the primary consumers outnumber the secondary consumers.
And lastly, apex predators also follow the same trend as the other consumers; wherein, their numbers are considerably lower than the
secondary consumers.
For example, Grasshoppers feed on crops such as cotton and wheat, which are plentiful. These grasshoppers are then preyed upon by
common mouse, which are comparatively less in number. The mice are preyed upon by snakes such as cobras. Snakes are ultimately
preyed on by apex predators such as the brown snake eagle.
In essence:
Grasshopper →Mouse→ Cobra → Brown Snake Eagle
3. Food Web
Food web is a network of interconnected food chains. It comprises all the food chains within a single ecosystem. It helps in
understanding that plants lay the foundation of all the food chains. In a marine environment, phytoplankton forms the primary producer.
Unit 3...........
Deforestation caused by mining and dam building has significant environmental, social, and economic impacts.
**Causes:**
1. **Mining:** Clearing of forests to access mineral deposits disrupts ecosystems.
2. **Dam Building:** Large-scale infrastructure projects for dams require clearing of forests to create reservoirs and infrastructure.
**Impacts:**
1. **Environmental:** Deforestation leads to habitat loss, soil erosion, and disruption of ecosystems. It affects water cycles and
contributes to climate change.
2. **Forest:** Loss of forests reduces biodiversity, disrupts ecological balance, and decreases carbon sequestration, exacerbating
climate change.
3. **Biodiversity:** Destruction of habitats threatens plant and animal species, leading to extinction or migration.
4. **Tribal Population:** Indigenous communities reliant on forests for their livelihoods face displacement, loss of cultural heritage, and
social unrest.
Addressing these impacts requires sustainable practices, conservation efforts, and respect for indigenous rights.
**Benefits:**
1. **Hydropower Generation:** Dams produce renewable energy through hydropower, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating
greenhouse gas emissions.
2. **Flood Control:** Dams regulate river flows, reducing the risk of flooding downstream by storing excess water during heavy rainfall
and releasing it gradually.
3. **Water Supply:** Dams provide water for irrigation, drinking, and industrial purposes, supporting agriculture, urban development,
and economic activities.
4. **Recreation:** Reservoirs created by dams offer opportunities for recreation, including boating, fishing, and tourism, benefiting local
economies and communities.
5. **Navigation:** Dams facilitate inland navigation by maintaining water levels and improving navigability on rivers, supporting
transportation of goods and fostering economic growth.
**Problems:**
1. **Ecological Impact:** Dams alter natural river ecosystems, affecting water quality, sediment transport, and aquatic habitats, leading
to loss of biodiversity and disruption of fish migration.
2. **Displacement:** Construction of dams displaces communities living in affected areas, leading to loss of homes, livelihoods, and
cultural heritage, often without adequate compensation or resettlement.
3. **Siltation:** Dams trap sediment, reducing downstream sediment transport and causing sedimentation in reservoirs, which
decreases storage capacity and impairs dam efficiency over time.
4. **Downstream Effects:** Alterations to river flow regimes and sediment transport can have downstream impacts, including erosion,
habitat degradation, and reduced nutrient deposition in floodplains.
5. **Risk of Failure:** Dams pose risks of failure due to factors such as structural deficiencies, inadequate maintenance, or extreme
weather events, leading to catastrophic flooding and loss of life and property.
Balancing the benefits and drawbacks of dams requires careful planning, incorporating environmental and social considerations, and
adopting sustainable dam management practices to maximize benefits while minimizing negative impacts.
Renewable Resources
The resources which cannot be exhausted even after continuous utilisation are termed renewable resources. Examples of renewable
The resources which cannot be exhausted even after continuous utilisation are termed renewable resources. Examples of renewable
resources are the sun, wind, and tidal energy.
Non-renewable Resources
The resources which cannot be immediately replaced once they are depleted are called non-renewable resources. Examples of non-
renewable resources include fossil fuels, such as coal, petroleum, natural gas and rare minerals typically found in meteorites.
In summary, renewable energy sources offer a sustainable alternative to non-renewable sources by harnessing naturally replenished
resources with lower environmental impacts. Transitioning to renewable energy is crucial for reducing greenhouse gas emissions,
mitigating climate change, and ensuring a more sustainable energy future.
1. **Solar Energy:** Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity, providing clean and renewable power for homes, businesses, and
utilities. Solar energy can be harnessed through photovoltaic (PV) panels or concentrating solar power (CSP) systems.
2. **Wind Energy:** Wind turbines capture kinetic energy from the wind and convert it into electricity. Wind farms are established on
land and offshore to generate renewable power for communities and industries.
3. **Hydropower:** Hydropower utilizes the kinetic energy of flowing water to generate electricity. It is produced by dams and
hydroelectric power plants, providing reliable and renewable energy with minimal greenhouse gas emissions.
4. **Biomass:** Biomass energy involves the combustion or conversion of organic materials such as wood, agricultural residues, and
waste to produce heat, electricity, or biofuels. Biomass is a versatile renewable energy source that can be used for heating, power
generation, and transportation.
5. **Geothermal Energy:** Geothermal energy harnesses heat from the Earth's interior to generate electricity and provide heating and
cooling for buildings. Geothermal power plants tap into underground reservoirs of steam or hot water to produce renewable energy.
6. **Tidal and Wave Energy:** Tidal and wave energy technologies capture the energy from ocean tides and waves to generate
electricity. These renewable energy sources offer potential for clean power generation in coastal areas.
7. **Hydrogen:** Hydrogen can be produced from renewable sources such as electrolysis of water using electricity from solar or wind
power. It can be used as a clean fuel for transportation, heating, and industrial processes.
The use of alternative energy sources helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, mitigate climate change, and promote energy security
and independence. Governments, businesses, and individuals are increasingly investing in and adopting renewable energy technologies
to transition to a more sustainable energy future.
Unit 4.........
Biodiversity, or biological diversity, is the variety of life on Earth, including all living things and their interactions. It's measured by the
number of different species in a specific region, such as animals, plants, fungi, algae, and microorganisms. Biodiversity is a key
indicator of ecosystem health.
Unit 5.....
Environmental pollution
https://byjusexamprep.com/upsc-exam/environmental-pollution#toc-2
Also known as waste prevention, this is a crucial component of waste management. It involves lowering the amount of hazardous waste by
implementing new or alternative methods.
Recycle
This involves the collection and reuse of everyday waste materials. It's a good way to save resources and energy.
Compost
This is a form of waste prevention that involves diverting materials from disposal facilities. Composted materials don't require management or
transportation.
Regular collection
This is a waste treatment process that involves the combustion of organic substances in waste materials.
Biological treatment
This can effectively treat a significant proportion of municipal solid waste and certain industrial wastes.
Unit 6........
Sure, here's a brief overview of each terminology along with its impacts on humans and agriculture:
1. **Climate Change:**
- Increase in global average temperatures.
- Changes in precipitation patterns.
- More frequent and severe extreme weather events (e.g., storms, droughts, floods).
- Impacts on human health include heat-related illnesses, respiratory problems, and increased spread of diseases.
- Agriculture is affected by changes in growing seasons, water availability, and the prevalence of pests and diseases.
2. **Global Warming:**
- Rise in Earth's average surface temperature due to greenhouse gas emissions.
- Melting of polar ice caps and glaciers, leading to sea level rise.
- Health impacts include heat stress, worsened air quality, and increased risks of heat-related illnesses and diseases.
- Agriculture faces challenges such as shifting planting zones, altered growing seasons, and changes in pest and disease patterns.
3. **Acid Rain:**
- Precipitation with acidic components, primarily sulfuric acid and nitric acid.
- Damages aquatic ecosystems, including fish populations and freshwater habitats.
- Harmful to vegetation, leading to forest decline and reduced crop yields.
- Acidic soil affects plant nutrient uptake and can lead to aluminum toxicity in plants, hindering agricultural productivity.
Addressing these issues requires interdisciplinary efforts involving policymakers, scientists, industries, and individuals to mitigate
emissions, adapt to changing conditions, and protect human health and agricultural systems.
Environmental Laws:
In India, several environmental laws and regulations have been enacted to address various environmental challenges. Here are some
key environmental laws in the Indian context:
1. **The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986:** Provides the framework for the protection and improvement of the environment and the
prevention of hazards to human beings, other living creatures, plants, and property.
2. **The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974:** Aims to prevent and control water pollution and establish authorities
for implementing measures to improve water quality.
3. **The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981:** Addresses air pollution by regulating emissions from industries and
vehicles and establishing measures for the prevention, control, and abatement of air pollution.
4. **The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972:** Protects wildlife and their habitats by regulating hunting, trade, and transportation of wildlife
species, and establishing protected areas such as national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
5. **The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980:** Regulates the diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes and requires prior approval
for such activities to ensure the conservation of forests and biodiversity.
These laws, along with various policies and guidelines, form the legal framework for environmental protection and conservation in India.
Enforcement and implementation of these laws are essential for effectively addressing environmental issues and promoting sustainable
development in the country.
Unit 7.....
Human population growth impacts.
1. **Environmental Impact:**
- Habitat loss, resource depletion, pollution, and biodiversity loss due to increased demand and urbanization.
2. **Earthquakes:**
- Preparedness: Seismic building codes, public education on earthquake safety, and development of emergency response plans.
- Response: Search and rescue operations, medical assistance, and coordination of humanitarian aid.
- Recovery: Reconstruction of damaged infrastructure, retrofitting of buildings, and psychological support for affected communities.
3. **Cyclones (Hurricanes/Typhoons):**
- Preparedness: Early warning systems, evacuation planning, construction of cyclone shelters, and strengthening of infrastructure.
- Response: Evacuation orders, emergency medical services, distribution of relief supplies, and restoration of essential services.
- Recovery: Reconstruction of homes and infrastructure, livelihood support for affected populations, and measures to enhance
resilience to future cyclones.
4. **Landslides:**
- Preparedness: Slope stabilization measures, land use planning, and early warning systems.
- Response: Evacuation of at-risk areas, search and rescue operations, and provision of emergency assistance.
- Recovery: Clearing debris, repairing damaged infrastructure, and implementing slope protection measures to prevent future
landslides.
Effective disaster management requires coordination among government agencies, community organizations, and international
partners, as well as investment in risk reduction measures and resilience-building efforts to minimize the impact of disasters on human
lives and livelihoods.
Water management..:
Water conservation, rainwater harvesting, watershed management, and wasteland reclamation are essential practices for sustainable
water resource management and environmental stewardship. Here's a brief overview of each:
1. **Water Conservation:**
- Involves reducing water usage through efficient technologies and practices.
- Includes measures such as fixing leaks, using water-saving appliances, and adopting water-wise landscaping techniques.
- Promotes awareness and education to encourage responsible water use among individuals, industries, and agricultural sectors.
2. **Rainwater Harvesting:**
- Collects and stores rainwater for various purposes, including irrigation, domestic use, and groundwater recharge.
- Methods include rooftop harvesting, surface runoff collection in ponds or tanks, and recharge pits to replenish groundwater.
- Helps mitigate water scarcity, reduce dependence on groundwater, and alleviate flooding by capturing rainwater during heavy
rainfall events.
3. **Watershed Management:**
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- Focuses on holistic management of entire watersheds or catchment areas to sustainably manage water resources and ecosystems.
- Involves activities such as soil conservation, afforestation, land use planning, and restoring natural hydrological processes.
- Aims to enhance water quality, regulate water flow, and preserve biodiversity while promoting sustainable livelihoods for local
communities.
4. **Wasteland Reclamation:**
- Involves restoring degraded or barren land to productive use through various rehabilitation measures.
- Techniques include afforestation, soil conservation, reclamation of mining sites, and restoration of wetlands.
- Helps improve soil fertility, enhance biodiversity, mitigate erosion, and provide ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration
and water regulation.
By implementing these practices, communities can conserve water resources, improve water quality, enhance ecosystem resilience,
and promote sustainable development. Collaboration among stakeholders, including governments, communities, NGOs, and private
sectors, is crucial for successful implementation and long-term effectiveness of these initiatives.