Environmental Science – Brief Notes
1. Environment
The environment includes all living and non-living things around us. It consists of air, water,
soil, plants, animals, and microorganisms. It plays a vital role in sustaining life on Earth.
2. Ecosystem
An ecosystem is a system formed by the interaction of a community of organisms with their
physical environment. Examples include forests, grasslands, deserts, and aquatic
ecosystems.
3. Biodiversity
Biodiversity refers to the variety of life forms in a particular habitat or on Earth as a whole.
It includes genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity. It is crucial for
ecosystem stability and human survival.
4. Natural Resources
Natural resources are materials obtained from nature that are used to support life and fulfill
human needs. These include water, air, minerals, forests, fossil fuels, and soil.
5. Renewable Resources
Resources that are replenished naturally over time, such as sunlight, wind, and water. They
are sustainable if managed properly.
6. Non-Renewable Resources
Resources like coal, oil, and natural gas that take millions of years to form and cannot be
replaced in a human lifetime. Overuse leads to depletion.
7. Pollution
Pollution is the introduction of harmful substances into the environment, leading to adverse
effects on living organisms and natural systems.
8. Air Pollution
Caused by emissions from vehicles, industries, and burning of fossil fuels. Major pollutants
include carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides.
9. Water Pollution
Occurs when harmful chemicals, waste products, and microorganisms contaminate water
bodies, affecting aquatic life and human health.
10. Soil Pollution
Degradation of land due to excessive use of fertilizers, pesticides, deforestation, and
improper waste disposal.
11. Solid Waste Management
Involves the collection, transportation, processing, recycling, and disposal of solid waste to
reduce its impact on health and the environment.
12. Climate Change
A long-term change in global or regional climate patterns. It is mainly driven by increased
levels of greenhouse gases from human activities.
13. Global Warming
The rise in Earth's average temperature due to greenhouse gas emissions, leading to ice
melting, sea-level rise, and extreme weather events.
14. Sustainable Development
Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their own needs.
15. Environmental Laws
Rules and regulations designed to protect the environment, including the Air Act, Water Act,
and Environmental Protection Act.
16. Environmental Ethics
A branch of philosophy that studies the moral relationship of human beings to the
environment and its non-human contents.
17. Conservation
The protection, preservation, and careful management of natural resources and the
environment to ensure their sustainability.
18. Deforestation
The large-scale removal of forests for agriculture, urbanization, and logging, leading to loss
of biodiversity and climate imbalance.
19. Ozone Layer Depletion
Caused by the release of CFCs and other chemicals, leading to the thinning of the ozone
layer and increased UV radiation reaching Earth.
20. Greenhouse Effect
A natural process where greenhouse gases trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, maintaining
the planet's temperature. Excess gases enhance this effect, causing global warming.
