What does Environmental Scientists Aim to Study? and their Importance

We are all well aware of the multiple challenges imposed on planet Earth in the form of air pollution, global warming, plastic waste, and its adverse effects on the environment, etc. Therefore, there is a dire need to address these challenges in order to save Earth before it is too late. It is the prime reason that we need to understand the importance of environmental sciences in today’s age. Hence, keeping in view the above-mentioned issues being faced by the planet. The academic field of environmental sciences is trying to play its part in the betterment of Earth. The importance of environmental sciences is pertinent as it is sensitizing students about the threats to the environment and producing environmental scientists who can devise solutions to these problems.

What is Environmental Science?

Environmental science can be referred to as an interdisciplinary field of academia that combines various different fields together including ecology, environmental chemistry, geoscience, and atmospheric sciences. These various dimensions of science fields also contain physics, chemistry, ecology, biology, zoology, plant science, mineralogy, limnology, oceanography, soil science, geology, atmosphere science, and physical geography.

• Atmospheric sciences deal with of study of the atmosphere. It studies the atmosphere with regard to its physical as well as chemical properties and their impact on the entire world.
• Ecology deals with the in-depth study of the interaction of organisms with their environment as well as with each other. Therefore, it can also be referred to as a studying environment in relation to biology.
• Similarly, environment chemistry studies the impact that human beings leave on the environment, the process through which contamination takes place, the effects of contamination, and questions like how it can be prevented.
• Geoscience is comparatively a broad field of study. It focuses on the natural processes of planet Earth in the environmental sciences. By imparting knowledge regarding the changes taking place on earth, it aims to develop sound knowledge about the changes in the environment.

The studies related to the environment also touch the field of social sciences because, in this way, they can aim for imparting better knowledge and understanding regarding human relationships, human perceptions, and policies regarding the environment. Environmental sciences with all its interlinked fields of study ensure the identification and proposal of solutions for challenges imposed on the environment and the impact of human beings on the atmosphere. The close association of environmental sciences with other useful fields further highlights the importance of environmental sciences.

What does Environmental Scientists Aim to Study?

Environmental scientists focus on subjects like understanding the processes of the planet Earth, pollution control, and mitigation, management of natural resources, evaluating alternative energy systems as well as understanding the effects of global climate change. The issues related to the environment always possess a collaboration of different processes including chemical, physical and biological processes.

In order to analyze problems associated with the environment and propose solutions to the environmental problems, environmental scientists bring a system approach. A knowledgeable environmental scientist practices his ability to relate the relationship between space and time. They also ensure qualitative analysis.

The field of environmental sciences polishes the skills and development abilities of its practitioners in multiple ways. They are provided an opportunity to work in laboratories as well as to conduct field studies and carry out fieldwork.

Importance of Environmental Sciences

Environmental science is, undoubtedly, an extremely important subject to study as well as to discuss because it is an ‘evergreen’ topic. It holds an important position in our daily lives. The entire support system of our lives revolves around the well-being of organisms living on Earth. However, there are a number of aspects that further highlights the importance of environmental sciences.

1. Realizing that Environmental Problems are Global

The study of environmental sciences sensitizes the learners that the current major problems being faced by the planet including global warming, climate change, depletion of ozone layers, acid rain, and adverse impact on biodiversity, and marine life are not confined to any specific nation. It educates people about these problems being global in nature rather than national. Furthermore, it also promotes the idea that joint efforts are required to deal with these problems.

2. Understanding the Impact of Development on the Environment

It also aims to educate people about environmental problems and intended solutions. For example, it is true that over the years, developments have also resulted in industrial growth, expanding telecommunication, housing, hi-tech agriculture, and transport systems. Unfortunately, this development has also increased environmental pollution. Therefore, the field of environmental sciences plays its part to educate people about the need for the ‘decentralization of industries to promote the idea of reduced congestion in urban hubs.

3. Discovering Sustainable Ways of Living

Environmental science also works to create awareness of more sustainable ways of living. It accounts for using current resources in a way that also conserves supplies for future generations. It does not aim to bring down the existing lifestyle of people. However, it just tries to create awareness among the general public about the wise consumption of natural resources and reducing unnecessary waste.

The studies on environmental sciences promote the idea of wisely consuming energy, disposing of waste properly, recycling, growing own food, using water efficiently, and fewer use of automobiles. Realizing the importance of environmental sciences can definitely sustain the resourcefulness of the planet Earth.

4. Utilizing Natural Resources Efficiently

Natural resources can be considered a gift of nature to mankind. Unfortunately, people owing to their lack of awareness make irresponsible use of natural resources. They waste resources more as compared to using them efficiently. Environment science promotes the concept of utilizing natural resources sensibly by taking the following measures:

• Practicing environmental conservation methods sensibly
• Making use of appropriate tools in order to explore resources
• Adding value to the resources
• Ensuring proper maintenance of machines
• Training human resources thoroughly
• Establishing efficient and effective supervision
• Using correct techniques to minimize exploitation of the resources
• Understanding the behavior of organisms under natural conditions

5. Highlighting Contemporary Concepts Like Conservation of Biodiversity

Biodiversity accounts for the variety of life on planet Earth. The current rate of biodiversity is comparatively higher than the previous times. Environmental science intends to create awareness among people to reverse this trend through the following ways:

• Making use of sustainable wood products
• Making use of organic food
• Embracing the use of 3R’s including reduce, reuse, and recycle
• Using sustainable seafood
• Running conservation campaigns at local levels
• Conserving power
• Reducing the consumption of meat
• Making use of eco-friendly cleaning products
• Understanding the mutual relationship between organisms in population and communities.

Human beings and organisms are dependent upon each other and hence, the field of environmental sciences imparts knowledge to understand this relationship. This statement can further be elaborated with the help of an example. The dropping of animals is a source of nutrition for microorganisms and plants while plants are used by animals and human beings as food. Therefore, organisms and human beings depend upon each other to fulfill their needs.

6. Learning and creating awareness regarding environmental problems at the community, national and international level

The field of environmental sciences equips people with all the necessary environmental skills. Create awareness because the majority of environmental problems at community, national and international levels take place due to the lack of awareness. The awareness can be created with the help of social media, blogs, community-centered green clubs, women’s forums as well as religious problems.

Conclusion

The field of environmental science is actively growing in the scientific world due to the increased number of challenges being faced by the planet Earth. Apart from saving the planet. It also proposes a number of career opportunities for the fresh people associated with the field. Some of these fields include environmental science, environmental engineering, environmental biology, environmental geologist, and environmental biotechnologist.

The importance of environmental sciences can be understood by the simple fact that it is compulsory for sustaining life on planet Earth and managing resources for future generations. The absence of timely measures can lead to serious outcomes for the present generation as well as adversely impact the generation of the future on this planet.