Chapter 1

Text A Environment and Environmental Science

Definition of Environment

Environment literally means surroundings and anything that affects an organism during its lifetime.In other words,"environment is a total sum of water,air and land interrelationships among themselves as well as their relationships with human beings,other living organisms and property".It includes all the physical and biological surroundings and their interactions.Environmental studies provide an approach towards understanding the environment of our planet and the impact of human life upon the environment.Thus environment is actually global in nature,and it is a multidisciplinary subject including physics,geology,geography,history,economics,physiology,biotechnology,remote sensing,geophysics,soil science and hydrology,etc..

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;

•development of non-polluting renewable energy system.

lmportance of Environmental Science

Environment belongs to all the living beings and thus is important to all.Everybody,whatever occupation he or she may have,is affected by environmental issues like global warming,depletion of ozone layer,dwindling forest,shortage of energy resources,loss of global biodiversity,etc.Environmental study deals with the analysis of the processes in water,air,land,soil and organisms which leads to pollution or degradation of the environment.It helps establish standards for a safe 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,business administration,and environmental engineering are emerging as new career opportunities for environmental protection and management.

Enhance Public's Awareness

With the ever increasing development by modern men,large scale of degradation of natural resources has occurred.The public has to be educated about the fact that if we continue degrading our environment,we are actually harming ourselves.To encourage meaningful public participation,it is necessary to enhance the public's awareness of environmental pollution and the related adverse effects.Any Government can't achieve the goal of environment conservation by itself until the public has a participatory role in it.Public participatory role is possible only when the public is aware of the ecological and environmental issues.In the next text,we are going to learn about some global environmental problems.

Comprehension Questions:

(1) What's the definition of "environment"?Can you express it in your own words?

(2) How can we understand the multidisciplinary nature of environmental science?

(3) Please list several main aspects of environmental science.

(4) What does environmental science deal with?

(5) What are the new career opportunities for environmental protection and managements?