Environmental Science

An interdisciplinary field that integrates scientific methods and disciplines to understand

and address real world environmental challenges. Or Environmental science is the
academic field that takes physical, biological, and chemical sciences to study the
environment and discover solutions to environmental problems.
Environment can be defined as “the sum total of all living and nonliving elements and
their effects that influence human life”. Environment is composed of biotic (Plants,
animals, fisheries, birds and microorganisms) and abiotic components (like water, air, soil,
sun light etc.)
Sciences used in environmental science include geography, zoology, Chemistry, physics,
ecology, oceanography, and geology.
Environmental science also branches out into environmental studies and environmental
engineering.
• Environmental studies are the study of the interaction of humans with their environment
and their impacts on the natural environment.
• Environmental engineering is the focus on analyzing problems with the environment
and the effect of man-made activities on the environment, and for finding solutions to
help protect and preserve the environment by disposing of pollution in the air, water,
and land. Environmental engineers apply engineering solutions to solve environmental
issues. For instance, scientists study pollutants effects on ecosystem where as engineers
create technologies to mitigate these pollutants.

Environmental science involves different fields of study. Most often, the study of
environmental science includes the study of climate change, natural resources,
energy, pollution, and environmental issues. In environmental sciences, ecologists study
how plants and animals interact with each other, chemists study the living and non-living
components of the environment, geologists study the formation, structure, and history of
the earth, biologists study the biodiversity, physicists are involved
in thermodynamics, computer scientists are involved in technical innovations and
computer modelling and biomedical experts study the impact of environmental issues on
our health and social lives.
Scope of Environmental Science
Environmental science is a multidisciplinary science whose basic aspects have a direct
relevance to every section of the society. Its main aspects are:
Conservation of nature and natural resources.
Conservation of biological diversity.
Control of environmental pollution.
Stabilization of human population and environment
Social issues in relation to development and environment (like food and water
insecurity, diseases etc.)
Development of a non-polluting renewable energy system and providing a new
dimension to the nation’s security.
Sustainable way of living
Natural Resource Management

Career in Environmental Science

It can be said without a single speck of doubt that the scope of studying the different types
of environmental studies can actually have a lot of scope in the employment sector. Both
the private as well as government sectors have their own list of reasons why individuals
with a degree in environmental science are important for their organizations.

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, environmental science teacher, environmental chemists,
ecologists and much more.

Basic concept of environmental science

Environmental Science attempts to explain how life on Earth is sustained, what
contributes to our many environmental problems, and how these problems can be solved.
Environmental Science & Management stands at the interface between humans and the
Earth and explores the interactions and relations between them.

Historical development of environmental science

If we see the history of human activities and its impact on natural environment then we
find that the impact of early human societies on physical environment was minimum
because the early human societies was busy in hunting, gathering and fishing and they
were also living in small groups and the population was small. The technological
development and human development were very low. This type of interaction between
primitive human society and strong natural forces was termed as ‘environmental
determinism’. But later human activities brought greater changes to the natural
environment because man started domestication of animals and cultivation of plants.
Lands were used for extensive grazing for domestication of animals and extensively
cultivated for cultivation of crop. Thus, availability of food allowed man to live in permanent
settlement and complex societies. The developments like clearing the forest for
cultivation, permanent settlement and growth of settlement brought greater changes to
the natural environment. As these societies became more successful and started to live
in larger concentration due to the development and expansion of settlement their social,
economic and political systems further developed. The rise of agriculture, resource
extraction, manufacturing activities led to the development of more complex social,
economic and political system. Later transportation and trade networks were established,
political boundaries were created, and settlement grew into towns and cities. This led to
the greater and more permanent changes in the natural environment and this led to
evolution of modern urbanized and industrialized world that we know today and this also
paved the way to study environmental studies as a separate branch of study to preserve
and conserve the environment. Thus, we can say that throughout human history, the
physical environment has provided raw materials for human use and influenced human
activities. In turn, human activities have altered the physical environment in dramatic ways
in many parts of the world. These lines provide a hint that the human beings interact with
their surrounding physical environment with the help of technology. It is the technology
that shows the level of cultural development of society. It is not an important matter of fact
that what human beings are producing and creating but important thing is that what tools
and techniques are used by man to produce those things.

• The Industrial Revolution and Environmental Awareness

The Industrial Revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries brought about unprecedented
changes in society, economy, and the environment. The rapid urbanization and
industrialization led to significant environmental degradation, prompting early
environmental awareness. Factories spewed pollutants into the air and waterways, and
the exploitation of natural resources reached alarming levels, leading to a growing
concern for the health of the planet.
Similarly, different writers and thinkers emerged during this period, advocating for the
preservation of natural landscapes and the importance of nature in human life.
• The modern field of environmental science
Though the study of the environment is as old as any human endeavor, the modern
field of environmental science developed from the growing public awareness and concern
about environmental problems in the 1960s and ’70s. The publication of books such
as Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring (1962) and Paul R. Ehrlich’s The Population Bomb (1968),
together growing concerns over the anthropogenic release of toxins and chemicals, raised
awareness about the need to study the effects of human actions on the environment. in
1970, the first ever Earth Day was celebrated worldwide and the United
States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was formed, legitimizing the study of
environmental science in government policy.

• The Global Perspective: Environmental Science in the 21st Century

As we entered the 21st century, environmental science evolved to address global
challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainable development. The
recognition of the interconnectedness of environmental issues led to a more holistic
approach to research and policy-making. Scientists began to collaborate across
disciplines, recognizing that complex problems required multifaceted solutions.
International agreements such as the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement
underscored the need for global cooperation in addressing climate change.
Environmental scientists played a crucial role in providing the data and analysis
necessary for informed decision-making at the international level. These agreements
highlighted the urgency of collective action and the importance of setting measurable
targets to mitigate climate impacts.
• Challenges and Future Directions
Despite significant advancements in environmental science, numerous challenges
remain. Climate change continues to pose an existential threat to ecosystems and human
societies, necessitating urgent action and innovative solutions. The increasing frequency
of extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and shifting ecosystems underscore the
need for adaptive strategies to mitigate these impacts.
interdisciplinary Nature of Environmental Science
The Interdisciplinary Nature of Environmental Sciences means that Environmental
Science is an interdisciplinary academic field that integrates with physical, biological, and
social sciences to study environment and environmental issues and to find the solutions
to tackle the issues. The multidisciplinary nature of environmental science is one of the
key features and strengths of this field.

The multidisciplinary nature of environmental science 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. The multidisciplinary
nature of environmental science is important for various reasons, such as:

• 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 raises the collaboration and cooperation, by facilitating the communication and
exchange of information and resources, among different disciplines or fields of
study.
• Environmental scientists often work in teams that include experts from these
various fields to develop a comprehensive understanding of environmental
problems and solutions
• Interdisciplinary approaches focus on solving real-world problems by
combining scientific research with practical applications.

Some of the major interdisciplinary subjects in Environmental Science are mentioned

below:

• Environmental Physics
• Environmental Biology
• Environmental Chemistry
• Environmental Microbiology
• Environmental Toxicology
• Environmental Biotechnology
• Environmental Geography
• Environmental Geology
• Environmental Economics
• Environmental Sociology

• Environmental Chemistry: Looks at how human activities affect chemical

processes in ecosystems. The subject deals with the study of the origin, transport,
effects, and fate of chemical species present in the environment.
• Environmental Physics: Studying the interactions between organisms and their
environment, including the biosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere
is done through Environmental Physics.
• Environmental Biology: This field combines study of climatology, evolution,
ecology, as well as the study of behavioral changes in living organisms caused by
natural and human activities over time. The subject studies how organisms
interact, evolve and adapt with and to changing environments.
• Environmental Sociology: Environmental sociology is the study of human-
environment interactions. It focuses on the cultural and social aspects of the
Environment.
• Environmental Geology: Environmental geology studies human interactions with
the geological environment. It studies the soil, air, water, and rocks, etc in the
context of how they play a role in the biosphere.
• Environmental Geography: The field of environmental geography is concerned
with the spatial aspects of interactions between humans and societies with the
nature.
• Environmental Microbiology: Microbiology is the study of microorganism.
Environmental microbiology studies microorganisms in the ecosystems of the
planet and their interactions with their surroundings.
• Environmental Biotechnology: Environmental biotechnology uses, analysis and
evaluates the natural environment with latest technological advancements for the
betterment of mankind in an environmental-friendly development.
• Environmental Planning: Involves decision-making for sustainable land
development, considering environmental, economic, political, and social factors.
• Environmental Economics: Environmental Economics addresses the economic
consequences associated with environmental laws and regulations.
• Ecology: Ecology studies the interaction of living and nonliving components in
ecosystems.
• Environmental Toxicology (ENTOX): Studies the impact of chemicals on the
environment and health. The field is concerned with the harmful effects of various
chemicals, biological, and physical agents on living organisms.
• Environmental Forensics: Assesses chemical, physical, and historical facts to
determine the origin of pollutant.
The interdisciplinary nature of environmental science is essential for addressing the
multifaceted challenges posed by environmental issues, such as climate change,
pollution, and resource management. By combining insights and methods from
various fields and engaging with diverse stakeholders, environmental science aims to
create holistic and sustainable solutions.