![References
• Asthana, DK and Asthana, M 2003, Environment: Problems &
Solutions, 2nd
Ed., S. Chand & Co Ltd.
• 2. Cunningham, WP 2006, Principles of Environmental Science,
McGraw-Hill, Inc.
• 3. Dey, AK 2000, Environmental Chemistry, New Delhi: New Age
International (P) Ltd Publishers.
• 4. IPCC 2007, Climate Change: The Scientific Basis, Contribution of
Working Group I to the Third Assessment Report of the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Houghton, JT et al.
(ed)], Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and
New York, NY, USA.
• 5. Miller Jr. GT 1985, Living in the Environment: An Introduction to
Environmental Science, 4th
Ed, Wadsworth Publishing Co. Inc.
• 6. WebPages on Internet.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/l-2m1introductiontoenvsci-241028031612-4d57ec17/85/Introduction-to-the-Environmental-Science-32-320.jpg)
Introduction to the Environmental Science
- 1. Environmental Science – Basics Khan Ferdousour Rahman Associate Professor & Head Dept of Env Sc, SUB
- 2. Environment Consists of both: • Biotic factors (living things) & • Abiotic factors (non-living things) that surround us and with which we interact.
- 3. 3 Environment Abiotic: All non living things around us Biotic: All living things around us ANIMALS ANIMALS HUMANS HUMANS TREES TREES AIR AIR WATER WATER
- 4. Environment is comprised by all living (known as biotic) and non-living (known as abiotic) things, according to human use this is again two types: • Green (ecologically sustainable); and • Brown (not ecologically friendly). Environment (natural environment)
- 5. What is Science? Why Science is Essential? • To sort fact from fiction; and • To develop solutions to the problems. Science asks and answers questions, which is an incremental approach to the truth. Scientists do not simply accept conventional wisdom.
- 6. Humans and the Environment • We humans exist within the environment and are a part of the natural world. • Like all other species, we depend for our survival on a properly functioning planet. • Thus, our interactions with our environment matter a great deal.
- 7. Importance to have a Degree in Environmental Science • Provides academic tools needed to address fundamental and applied problems related to human interactions with natural systems for a 21st century workforce. • ‘Environment’ is a compulsory component of present day’s any development project. • Prepares graduates for teaching, research, consultancy and profession at public, corporate and development sectors. • Demands for Environmental Experts at all level are at rapid increase both at home and abroad.
- 8. Environmental education focuses on: Engaging with citizens of all demographics to: • Think critically, ethically, and creatively when evaluating environmental issues; • Make educated judgments about those environmental issues; • Develop skills and a commitment to act independently and collectively to sustain and enhance the environment; and, • Enhance their appreciation of the environment; resulting in positive environmental behavioural change (Bamberg & Moeser, 2007; Wals et al., 2014).
- 9. Why to Study MS in Env Sc at SUB • SUB is pioneer for introducing the program among both public and private universities in Bangladesh in 2002. • Multidisciplinary cutting-edge world class academic program with North American curriculum approved by UGC; 48 credits with 14 courses and independent Thesis work. • Covers all major aspects of the discipline. • Renowned teachers. • Supportive atmosphere. • Classes held only on Friday at a prime location of Dhanmondi (Road 27). • Open to students of all background/streams. • Integrates and applies research. • Field visit. • Cont…
- 10. Why to Study MS in Env Sc at SUB…cont • Affordable tuition fee (provision of group waiver). • Degree is widely accepted at home and abroad (number of M.Phil/Ph.D enrolment both at home and abroad). • Strong/active alumni body. • SUB Environmental Science Graduates have already excelled in various positions at local, regional, national and international levels with remarkable reputation even at top level of renowned public organizations, e.g. LGED and RAJUK. • Our students base includes government organizations such as Armed Forces, BCS (Administration, MoFA, Police & Ansar), BADC, BCSIR, BEPZA, BJMC, BMDF, BWDB, CEGIS, City Corporations, DAE, DoE, DoF, WASA, LGED, PDB (dpdc, wzpdc), PHE, RAJUK, Railway, REB, RHD, SDF, and Seed Wing; international organization such as ADB, WFP, FAO, development partners; multinational corporations such as Chevron, GrameenPhone, KFC, Lafarge Cement, Perfetti Van Melle & SGS; manufacturing sector such as ACI, power generation and real estate companies, footwear industries; NGOs, financial institutions, research institutions, other private universities and renowned English medium schools; and also from Overseas.
- 11. Our Faculties
- 12. What is ‘Development’? What is a ‘Project’?
- 13. What is this?
- 14. The “Ecological Footprint” • The environmental impact of a person or population – Amount of biologically productive land + water – For resources and to dispose/recycle waste • Overshoot: humans have surpassed the Earth’s capacity to support us We are using 30% more of the planet’s resources than is available on a sustainable basis!
- 15. Ecological footprints are not all equal
- 16. Industrial Revolution & World War II • Industrial Revolution (1760 onward) • The years after World War II brought technological optimism – Tremendous production capacity and new technology were redirected to peacetime applications • Environmental problems became obvious – Polluted air, fouled rivers and beaches, species declines
- 17. A Divided World! • Rich vs. Poor • North vs. South • Developed countries vs. undeveloped countries – First, Second, Third and Fourth World Countries
- 18. Global Human Population Growth • World population at present has skyrocketed to 7 billion. • The agricultural and industrial revolutions drove population growth.
- 19. Global human population growth • More than 7 billion humans • Why so many humans?
- 20. Thomas Malthus and human population: “An Essay on the Principle of Population” (1789) • Thomas Malthus • Population growth must be restricted, or it will outstrip food production • Starvation, war, disease • Neo-Malthusians • Population growth has disastrous effects • Paul and Anne Ehrlich, The Population Bomb (1968) → didn’t explode - Must Be Controlled Cf. China: One Child Policy (Deng, 1989)
- 21. Climate System
- 22. 22 What Is Environmental Science? Environmental Science is the study of how humans interact with their environment. Our environment is everything that surrounds us, both natural and man- made. … can help us avoid mistakes made by past civilizations.
- 23. Environmental Science • … is an interdisciplinary field, drawing on many diverse disciplines.
- 24. Environmental Science: How does the natural world work? Environment impacts Humans (2M yrs) • It has an applied goal: developing solutions to environmental problems • Most interdisciplinary field –Natural sciences: information about the world • Environmental Science programs –Social sciences: values and human behavior • Environmental Studies programs Total Science – inclusive, comprehensive, or holistic
- 25. 25 Relation of Environment with other Sciences Biology Chemistry Engineering Physics Mathematics Religion Political Science Sociology Law Art Literature History Nature Culture Society Environment
- 26. 26 Early Environmentalists President Theodore Roosevelt and naturalist John Muir were two of the first environmental activists. T. Roosevelt established the National Park System and the system of wildlife refuges found across the country. However, much of the preservation system was based upon utilitarian conservation-the preserving of resources so they can provide homes and jobs for people.
- 27. Early Environmentalists John Muir was a geologist, author and founder of the Sierra Club. Muir argued that nature deserved to exist for its own sake, regardless of its usefulness to us. His view was called altruistic preservation-emphasizing the fundamental right of other organisms to exist and to purse their own interests. Muir and Roosevelt both saw the need to preserve natural resources
- 28. Natural resources: vital to human survival • Renewable resources: – Perpetually available: sunlight, wind, wave energy – Renew themselves over short periods: timber, water, soil • These can be destroyed • Nonrenewable resources: can be depleted - Oil, coal, minerals Natural resources : matter & energy sources needed for survival
- 29. 29 A Century of “Growth” The inventions of the twentieth century had a remarkable effect on daily life. They also had a devastating effect on the environment. Human population reached 6,000,000,000 in 1999 and continues to grow. In 1962 Rachel Carson wrote a ground- breaking book on what was happening to the environment. Her book was called “Silent Spring”. It became a warning to change our ways.
- 30. 30 The Growth of Environmentalism In 1970, the first Earth Day was celebrated to honor the Earth and shine a light on the damage being done to her. Thousands of people turned out across the country for rallies and demonstrations to bring attention, both political and popular to environmental problems. Later that same year, 1970, the first Clean Air Act was voted into law which made factories legally responsible for cleaning up what gases are produced through their smokestacks.
- 31. Environmental science is not environmentalism •Environmental science • The pursuit of knowledge about the natural world • Scientists try to remain objective •Environmentalism • A social movement dedicated to protecting the natural world
- 32. References • Asthana, DK and Asthana, M 2003, Environment: Problems & Solutions, 2nd Ed., S. Chand & Co Ltd. • 2. Cunningham, WP 2006, Principles of Environmental Science, McGraw-Hill, Inc. • 3. Dey, AK 2000, Environmental Chemistry, New Delhi: New Age International (P) Ltd Publishers. • 4. IPCC 2007, Climate Change: The Scientific Basis, Contribution of Working Group I to the Third Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Houghton, JT et al. (ed)], Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA. • 5. Miller Jr. GT 1985, Living in the Environment: An Introduction to Environmental Science, 4th Ed, Wadsworth Publishing Co. Inc. • 6. WebPages on Internet.
- 34. Grading • Class performance and Attendance : 10 • Class Tests : 10 • Midterm : 30 • Assignments & Presentation : 10 • Semester Final Exam : 40 -------------------------------------------------- Total :100
- 35. Grading
- 36. Course Outline
- 37. Important Point
- 38. Thank you for your attention! Questions?