Module 1

Environmental
studies
Course Outline
• Introduction,
• definition and importance of environmental studies,
• need for public awareness,
• sensitization and participation
Companies fined for environmental rules violation
 Environment
• Environment (derived from French word “environner” ,
meaning to encircle or surround) can be defined as the
circumstances and conditions that surround an organism or
group of organisms or the social and cultural conditions that
affect an individual or community.
 Importance of Environmental
studies
• Environment issues being of international importance
• Problems have cropped in the wake of development
• Explosive increase in pollution
• Need for an alternative solution
• Need to save humanity from extinction
• Need for wise planning of development
 Multidisciplinary approach
• The components of EVS are Biology, Geology, Chemistry,
Physics, Engineering, Sociology, Health sciences,
Anthropology, Economics, Statistic and Philosophy.
 Environmental Changes
• Stress on natural resources
• Decreased quality of life
• Increasing pollution
• Deteriorating air and water quality
• Higher noise levels
• Increasing vehicular emission
E Waste

• People discard computers every two to four years on average.

• Cell phones have a life-cycle of less than two years in industrialized
countries.
• Each computer screen contains about 20% lead by weight.
• A mobile phone, is 19 % copper and 8% iron.
• Informal name for electronic products nearing end of their “useful life”.
• Large household appliances - Refrigerators Air conditioners, computers
& Stereo systems, Mobile phones. Its volume increases by 3-5% per
annum.
• International Scenario

• 20-50 MT / yr of e waste are generated world-wide.

• USA accounts 1% to 3% of the total municipal waste generation.
• EU - 5 to 7 million tonnes per annum or about 14 to 15 kg per capita and is expected to grow at a rate
of 3% to 5% per year.
• In developed countries, currently it equals 1% of total solid waste generation and is expected to grow
to 2% by 2010.

• Magnitude of the problem in India

• India – 1,46,000 tonnes to 4.7 lakh tonnes by 2011.
• India's e-waste generation is growing at the rate of 15per cent and is expected to cross 800,000 tonne
by 2012.
• Sixty-five cities generate more than 60% of the total e-waste in India.
• Top cities (70%) – Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Pune,
Surat and Nagpur.
• 50,000 MT / yr illegally imported.
Need for public awareness
• Important to understand that natural environment and
man made environment are interdependent.
• Essential to make the public aware of the formidable
consequences of environmental degradation.
• Reformative measures if not undertaken, would result
in the extinction of life.
• Environmental protection is every individuals obligation
and duty
• Therefore, environmental consciousness needs to be
propagated at all levels