Introduction: -
The environment includes all living organisms and all natural resources on planet Earth. These biotic and abiotic factors influence each other. Microorganisms, plants, animals, and human beings are examples of biotic factors, while abiotic factors include air, water, soil, land, sunlight, etc. There is an interlinking and interdependence among these biotic and abiotic factors. Environmental science includes systematic and scientific study of all these factors.
Environmental resources are very important for all living organisms. Resources are both renewable and non-renewable. Renewable resources are those that can be used without the possibility of the resource becoming depleted or exhausted. That is, a continuous supply of the resource remains available. Examples of renewable resources are the trees in the forests and the fish in the ocean; on the other hand, non-renewable resources are those that get exhausted with extraction and use, for example, fossil fuel. The environment also assimilates waste generated by all living organisms. It sustains life by providing genetics and biodiversity and it also provides aesthetic services like scenery, etc.
The increase in population, unlimited use of natural resources, accumulation of solid waste, including hazardous waste, and pollution of all kinds of environments to a large extent have deteriorated the environment at the global level. Today the world is facing its consequences. We all have to take steps for the conservation of the environment at local, national, and global levels. Sustainable development is a development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The concept of sustainable development can be interpreted in many different ways, but at its core is an approach to development that looks to balance different, and often competing, needs against an awareness of the environmental, social, and economic limitations we face as a society.
Objectives: -
- To understand the concept of environmental science, environmental awareness, and conservation
- To create awareness about environmental conservation needs and importance
- To analyze the causes and effects of ‘environmental degradation’ and natural ‘resource depletion
- To understand environmental challenges at the local, national, and global levels.
- To study the concept of Sustainable Development and Sustainable Development Goals
- To understand the importance of environmental legislation for sustainable development
Outcomes: -
- At the end of the programme participants will be able to:
- Accept the importance of Environmental science, awareness, Consciousness and Conservation
- Understand the importance of Sustainable Development Goals for a future society
- Identify the critical role of teachers in attaining Sustainable Development Goals
- Realize their role by appropriately integrating Sustainable Development Goals for environmental conservation into their teaching and research
- Course Coordinator: Dr. Varsha S. Kumar
- Course Coordinator: UGC MMTTC