Importance of Environmental Studies


What is Environmental Studies?

Environmental studies refer to the science of learning about nature and environment. It may include studies about pollution, conditions of life, and the phenomena affecting the lives of flora and fauna of a region. Environmental studies may also include studying biology for a special ecosystem. It includes studying various stages of the lifecycle of flora and fauna and learning about the various steps that may repair the destroyed regions containing the lives of organisms of an ecosystem.

The environmental studies are aimed to provide necessary information about the lives of organisms and plants in an ecosystem, and offer an insight into what needs to be done to safeguard the ecosystem and keep it in balance. Environmental studies encompass a huge field of research and study which contains all forms of life of flora and fauna and their surrounding environment. In a nutshell, environmental studies include the physics, chemistry, biology and social factors of the environment and offer policies and instructions on how to use them for the benefit of one and all.

Need for Environmental Studies

Human beings are in charge of maintaining the balance of the world ecosystem. However, the balance of the ecosystem is getting out of control because of the humans’ own activities.

  • People are irresponsible in their behavior in terms of protecting the environment. They need to be aware about the processes of destruction and the treatment of such processes. All of these can be acquired through the knowledge contained in environmental studies.

  • The resources of the earth are depleting very fast due to human activities. As we draw huge amounts of resources for our energy needs, the resources left on the Earth are dwindling very fast. Environmental studies can provide an idea of the dwindling resources and offer insight into the harmful activities of human beings. As we continue to live a sustainable life, we will need to study environmental sciences to progress ahead and keep the resources of the Earth intact.

  • Environmental pollution, growth of population, climate change, natural calamities and disasters are all parts of Environmental Studies. By studying these subjects, we can better prepare and take corrective measures to solve the problems that are faced by the human population during their survival. Environmental studies offer knowledge to all these domains.

  • Environmental studies offer various solutions to man made mistakes in relation to the environment. The global environment is changing drastically at a rapid rate. In most of the cases the changes are negative and harmful. Human beings are abusing the environment for their needs. The general population is ignorant and uninterested about these changes. Environmental studies open the eyes of human beings about such aspects. Therefore, the study of environmental sciences is the need of the hour.

Significance of Environmental Studies

  • Knowledge of various processes to survive human life − Various physical, chemical, biological and social processes that occur in the environment affect human lives. These effects may be either positive or negative. Knowing these processes help human survival in a sustainable form. The knowledge of various such processes is important for the survival of human beings. That is why studying the environment is important.

  • To maintain ecological balance − It is important for human beings to maintain ecological balance because they are the most advanced species able to change the environment according to their needs. By learning various processes of changing the environment, human beings can maintain the ecological balance in various ecosystems. For this reason, too, study of environmental sciences is necessary and important.

  • To manage the environment − Environmental studies contain various economic methods, concepts of environmental policy analyses, and management of the environment. Such studies help us understand the real threats to the environment and ecosystems. By learning about these threats, one can apply the procedures to balance the ecosystem and treat the environment. Hence, the study of environmental sciences is necessary for managing the environment too.

  • To under stance the biodiversity − Another important factor that is key to environmental studies is biodiversity. Loss of biodiversity is detrimental in nature. By understanding the maintenance policies of biodiversity, we can keep the natural balance of an ecosystem intact. However, for this, knowledge of ecosystems and their nature are important. These aspects can be found in environmental studies. That is why it is important.

  • To learn and apply methods offered by environmental studies − Environmental studies contain the topics of growth of human population, use of raw materials, depleting resources of Earth and technological development that may affect the environment. By learning and applying methods offered by environmental studies, one can keep the balance of the ecosystems intact. That is why studying about the ecosystem via environmental studies is important.

  • To tackle problems in managing the environment − Loss of forest cover and animal extinction are the hot topics nowadays. While the forest lands are getting erased by humans for their needs, biodiversity loss is occurring due to this at a rapid rate. Extinction is a harmful natural process and it can affect human beings too. Therefore, studying environmental sciences to tackle these problems is an important step in managing the environment.

  • To learn about the duties and responsibilities of the general population − In a world that is facing a high environmental threat, it is important to learn about the duties and responsibilities of the general population. Knowing about the duties to protect the wildlife and forests to maintain the ecological balance is a burning issue nowadays. Environmental studies help us to tackle such issues and so it is very important.

  • To learn about agencies that are responsible for the upkeep of the environment − Environmental studies can also let us learn about agencies that are responsible for the upkeep of the environment. Therefore, if any misbehavior is observed, we may complain about it to associated authorities. This is also a great feature of learning environmental studies.

Key Takeaways

  • Environmental studies include all aspects of sciences related to the environment. It includes the arts and sciences of geography, chemistry, physics and biology related to the environment.

  • Studying the environment is becoming increasingly important because the resources of the Earth are depleting very fast. Something needs to be done right now to live sustainably on Earth for a distant future.

  • Environmental studies are important because they take up the topics like management and policies related to it. By knowing these factors one can better cope with the environment.

  • The range of environmental studies is very vast and it is one of the most important fields of studies and research nowadays.

Conclusion

Environmental studies deal with the environmental sciences, management, and policies that govern the environmental sciences. It is a very important field of study that impacts human lives from all angles. That is why it must be studied for the benefit of all lives and it should reflect in the responsibilities taken up by the learners of the subjects falling under the purview of the studies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Qns 1. Which subjects fall under the purview of environmental studies?

Ans. Physics, Chemistry, Geography, and biology falls under the purview of environmental sciences.

Qns 2. Why is studying environmental sciences needed? Give any one reason.

Ans. It is important to study environmental science to understand the basics of ecological balance and how to maintain it. This is helpful for human survival.

Qns 3. Give one importance to environmental studies.

Ans. It is important to learn about the depleting natural resources of Earth. Environmental sciences provide idea about this issue and so it is important.

Updated on: 15-Nov-2023

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