Study of Environmental Sciences And its Importanc

If we look at the basic structure of environment, it includes land, air, water, Environmental Sciences. where animals, plants and people live. They are mixed with chemical, physical and biological components. There are different types of environment of which two are main and they are Micro and Macro environments. These two can further be divided into Physical and Biotic environments. All the living beings on this Earth are dependent on its environment for survival and sustenance which includes food, water, air and other essential needs. It becomes more important for human race to protect environment for our future generations.

To understand what consists of environment and how it is made of, one has to study environmental science. It is an interdisciplinary academy that combines physical, biological and information sciences. It also provides an understanding of effects of natural and unnatural and interactions of physical components of a planet on the environment. These sciences include chemistry, zoology, biology, geology, plant and soil science, etc to understand the environment and solutions for its problems. It has become all the more important in today’s world that we need more people to take up this science and provide alternative or solutions to some of the pressing issues surrounding the environment. Understand of earth processes, global warming, natural disasters, deforestation, depletion of underground water resources, soil erosion, untimely rains and the effects of all these changes on our environment is probably a step towards understanding the importance of study of environmental sciences.

5 major fields are:

Biology: Study of living organisms

Earth Science: Study of planet at its entirety including non-living things

Physics: Study of matter and energy

Chemistry: Study of chemicals and interactions

Social Sciences: Study of human population

Dr. Rex N. Olinares from Philippines who was a professor is considered as the ‘father of Environmental Science’ who had proposed cleanliness and sanitation are important to curb the spread of microorganism. Books such as Silent Spring by Rachel Carson in 1962 and The Population Bomb by Paul R. Ehrlich in 1968, combined with nuclear tests, rising concerns created awareness about the toxics released due to actions of humans on environment. This increased the need to study environmental sciences to understand the effects of direct and indirect actions of humans on the planet. Environmental scientists provide wide range of solutions and alternative energy sources to reduce or minimize the impact on environment. They analyze and quantify the disasters to understand it’s after affects. Practical and sustainable solutions such as pollution control, natural resource management are suggested who are employed by nonprofit organizations, government boards or universities.

Multiple disciplines of different streams came under one umbrella as all were interrelated. For example: due to increasing air pollution and growing awareness of its ill effects has made atmospheric process an important stream to study. The basics of physics, chemistry, biology, etc are applied to air pollution when studying the cause and effects. Soon, biologists and their sub disciplines started to specialize which we now know as environmental sciences.

Rapid industrialization and increasing population with growing needs has put undue pressure on our environment. Here comes the role of environmental scientists to put forth their studies and data to help governments draft policies that are in line in creating balance within the ecological system.

With the advancements in technologies and the way science is used to effectively implement solutions based on the data available through different studies goes to show us that we are in the right path to ensure safe environment for future generations. However, all is not rosy as it comes with thorns as well. Governments across the world should make use of these studies, come to a consensus and sincerely work for a better life on this planet. This can be achieved only with the help of people who are experts in environmental sciences and come up with better practical strategies to tackle the environment issues.