University Environmental Science Lecture Notes
Compiled for Academic Use
1. Introduction to Environmental Science
Environmental Science is the interdisciplinary study of the environment and human interactions with
it.
It combines biology, chemistry, physics, geology, and social sciences.
Key focus: sustainability, conservation, and addressing environmental problems.
2. Ecology and Ecosystems
Ecology: Study of relationships between organisms and their environment.
Ecosystem: A system of living organisms interacting with non-living components.
Energy flow: Producers → Consumers → Decomposers (trophic levels).
Nutrient cycles: Carbon, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Water cycles.
3. Biodiversity and Conservation
Biodiversity: Variety of life forms at genetic, species, and ecosystem levels.
Hotspots: Amazon Rainforest, Coral Reefs, Madagascar, Himalayas.
Threats: Habitat destruction, overexploitation, invasive species, climate change.
Conservation methods: Protected areas, wildlife corridors, ex-situ conservation (zoos, seed banks).
4. Natural Resources
Renewable resources: sunlight, wind, water, forests, fisheries.
Non-renewable resources: coal, oil, natural gas, minerals.
Soil: Essential for agriculture, threatened by erosion and degradation.
Water: Freshwater scarcity is a global issue affecting billions.
Energy: Fossil fuels vs. renewable sources (solar, wind, hydro, biomass, geothermal).
5. Pollution
Air Pollution: CO2, SO2, NOx, particulate matter → health problems, acid rain, smog.
Water Pollution: Industrial waste, sewage, oil spills → eutrophication, disease.
Soil Pollution: Pesticides, heavy metals, plastics → reduced fertility, food chain contamination.
Noise Pollution: Transport, industry, urbanization → stress, hearing loss.
Thermal Pollution: Hot water discharges affect aquatic life.
6. Climate Change and Global Warming
Climate Change: Long-term changes in temperature, rainfall, weather patterns.
Causes: Greenhouse gas emissions (CO2, CH4, N2O).
Effects: Rising sea levels, melting glaciers, extreme weather, biodiversity loss.
Global Warming: Average temperature rise due to greenhouse gases.
Mitigation: Renewable energy, carbon capture, reforestation.
7. Sustainable Development and Renewable
Energy
Sustainable Development: Meeting present needs without compromising future generations.
Principles: economic growth, social equity, environmental protection.
Renewable energy: Solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, biomass.
Circular economy: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (3Rs).
8. Environmental Laws and Policies
Global efforts: Stockholm Conference (1972), Rio Earth Summit (1992), Paris Agreement (2015).
Key treaties: Kyoto Protocol, Montreal Protocol, CITES, Convention on Biological Diversity.
National policies: Environmental Protection Acts, Clean Air Acts, Renewable Energy Missions.
9. Case Studies
Chernobyl Disaster (1986): Nuclear accident with long-lasting environmental impacts.
Amazon Deforestation: Driven by logging, agriculture, cattle ranching → biodiversity loss.
Bhopal Gas Tragedy (1984): Industrial accident highlighting need for stricter safety regulations.
Paris Climate Agreement (2015): Global commitment to limit temperature rise below 2°C.
References
Miller, G.T. & Spoolman, S. – Living in the Environment.
Carson, R. – Silent Spring.
Odum, E.P. – Fundamentals of Ecology.
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Reports.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Assessments.
