Environmental Studies has become an integral part of the curriculum for school students. Nations across the globe understand the importance of Environmental Studies. Since its origins, the blue-green planet has seen many changes. It took millions of years for life to originate on Earth in the form of tiny microbes. From then to today, Earth has been inhabited by more than 8.7 million species, including humans. We have played a major role in the changes the planet faces today. In the race to develop ourselves and provide all the amenities, we have altered the environment negatively. Hence, the need to have environmental experts is at its peak.
However, the need to understand the importance of EVS took a bit of a struggle. The campaign began in the US in the 1970s by Senator Gaylord Nelson and William K Reilly. You will be surprised to learn that there were no laws for factories to not throw toxic wastes in water or any act that could put a check on the pollution level. But it all changed because of the hard work of two men who knew the importance of maintaining a healthy environment. Since then, it took many more years for the world to understand the importance of Environmental Studies and having environmental engineers who can protect our future.
- ▪ What is Environmental Science?
- ▪ Importance of Environmental Science
- ▪ Scope of Environmental Science
- ▪ Types of Environmental Studies
- ▪ How to Become an Environmental Scientist
- ▪ Career Opportunities in the Field of Environmental Science
- ▪ Salary of Professionals in Environmental Science Field
- ▪ Conclusion
- ▪ FAQs on Importance of Environmental Studies
What is Environmental Science?
Environmental Science is the in-depth study of the environment and nature. It is an interdisciplinary field that involves other subjects like Physics, Biology, Geography, Geology, Meteorology, Sociology and other cultural aspects. One can explore many correlated aspects while studying Environmental Science after 10+2. Generally, the importance of environmental education is not considered as lucrative as other mainstream options when it comes to a student’s career.
But with time and the need for a sustainable future, the prominence of Environmental Studies has increased. These days students are exploring this field to build a concrete career path. A student can continue studying Ecology, Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Geography, Zoology, Botany, and related fields and become an environmentalist. Many construction organisations hire Environmental Engineers to build eco-friendly green buildings. Town planners these days have to study topics on Environmental Science. The scope and importance of Environmental Science are omnipresent in almost all professional fields.
Nations are taking into cognizance the importance of Environmental Science and building laws and acts in partnership with expert environmentalists. Environmental science will play a significant role in the way global warming is altering the face of the Earth.
Importance of Environmental Science
A student studies Environmental Science in the primary classes. It teaches students the importance of the environment around us and sensitises them towards protecting natural resources. After 10+2, students can take up the cause further while pursuing their studies in Environmental Science. Students who are set to appear for the CUET 2024 can select Environmental Studies as one of their domain subjects. The CUET syllabus for Environmental Studies covers topics like;
· Human Beings and Nature
- Population and Conservation Ecology
- Sustainable Development
- World Wide Fund for Nature
- Greenpeace
- Population Dynamics
- Threats to the Ecosystem
- Increasing Human Consumption
- Expanding Agriculture
- Conservation
- Pollution Monitoring
- International and National Air Quality Standards
- Water Testing
- Soil Testing
- Third World Development
- Urban Environmental Planning and Management
- Sustainable Agriculture
- Green Revolution
- Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
- International Relations and the Environment
- Impact of International Politics, National Sovereignty and Interest
- International Aid
Today, Environmental Science has become fundamentally important while planning for the future. These are just a few topics covered in the CUET syllabus and will be taught to students pursuing further studies in Environmental Sciences.
Scope of Environmental Science
When you talk about Environmental Science and the scope of Environmental Science, then it is not just one subject. As mentioned earlier, Environmental Science combines various subjects. Even if you are not pursuing a B. Sc or Bachelor’s in Environmental Science, you can still be an environmentalist with other disciplinary specialisation. If you are a Marine Biologist, you can go for a certificate course or a diploma in Environmental Science. The other career fields that are related to Environmental Science and will help you in planning your career successfully are;
- Water Resource Management
- Soil Ecology
- Wildlife & Forestry
- Environmental Education
- Marine Biology
- Fire Sciences
- Wildlife Conservation
- Biological Conservation
- Energy & Climate Change
- Ecology
- Town Planning
- Sustainable Energy
- Environmental Engineering
Types of Environmental Studies
When we say the word ‘environment’ we refer to many things that constitute our surroundings. The atmosphere, land, water, flora & fauna all combined are what we call ‘Our environment’. Hence, the study of the environment cannot be limited to any one aspect of it. The study of the environment is divided into 5 major areas. The different types of Environmental Studies are:
1. Environmental Chemistry
Our surroundings are full of chemicals around us. Environmental chemistry covers the chemical and biochemical processes on Earth. The focus is on human activities’ impact on modifying the molecular chemistry of air, water and soil.
2. Geosciences
Now, Geography is a vast field. Many areas are covered here, including Geophysics, Geochemistry, Geology and more. Geosciences is related to studying the terrestrial environment, including volcanoes, minerals, magnetic fields, tectonic plates, glaciers, etc.
3. Forestry and Agricultural Sciences
The depleting green cover of the planet has drastically impacted the sea level and air quality of the planet. The Forestry and Agricultural Science field has been helping manage, research, explore and invent sustainable ways for farming, agriculture, national parks, wetlands, and wildlife habitats.
4. Atmospheric Science
The atmosphere of the Earth has various layers. Each layer has a different composition and is impacted differently by manmade factors. Atmospheric Science is studied by Climatologists, Meteorologists, Physicists, Scientists and other experts.
5. Oceanography and Marine Sciences
More than 70% of the Earth is water; still, we could not protect our seas from the dangerous industrial revolution. The churning of oil and human waste thrown into the water has made the aquatic habitat toxic for marine life. Oceanography and Marine Sciences studies are an integral part of Environmental Science. The experts help in protecting marine life and building a sustainable future.
How to Become an Environmental Scientist
We all know how important the environment is, but we must also understand the importance of Environmental Studies. Planting a sapling on Earth Day or not throwing plastic here & there is just a tiny drop in the sea. If you have the zeal to bring that change, then there is a lot of scope for environmental science. We will tell you how you can become an environmental scientist.
- Make sure you study Physics, Chemistry & Biology or Geography in 10+2.
- Choose Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Geography and Environmental Studies for your CUET entrance exam as domain subjects.
- Prepare for CUET with question banks
- Pursue a B. Sc or Bachelor’s course in physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Zoology, Botany or Agriculture.
- Go for Masters or M. Tech courses in related fields. For more information on this, click here.
- You can further go for Doctoral, Post-Doctoral, Certificate or Diploma courses.
- Pursue a career in related the fields
Career Opportunities in the Field of Environmental Science
Natural disasters, increasing sea levels, deteriorating air quality and a rise in global warming have raised a big alarm. Not only nations or NGOs but big corporates also focus on building a sustainable future. Environment Planning is an integral part of policymaking these days. Environmental Experts are in high demand and are being hired by;
- Policymakers
- Urban planners
- Fertilizer industries
- Refineries
- Agriculture industry
- Mining industry
- Food processing industries
- And many other industries
Environmental journalists, photographers and writers are also in much demand. Research is one area where the demand for experts in Environmental Studies is huge. The graduates can go in for research jobs as an assistant. Postgraduate environmentalists can either become professors/lecturers or go for research-based jobs as well.
Salary of Professionals in Environmental Science Field
| Designation | Salary (approx.) | Level |
| Environmental Scientist | 3.4 lac-4.5 lac per annum | Entry level |
| Environmental Engineer | 3.5 lac-4.7 lac per annum | Entry level |
| Environmental Researcher | 5 lac-7.5 lac per annum | Mid-level |
| Ecologist | 7 lac-9 lac per annum | Entry-Mid level |
| Zoologist | 9 lac-11 lac per annum | Entry-Mid level |
| Conservationist | 5 lac-6 lac per annum | Entry level |
Conclusion
Undoubtedly, sustainability is the word that will stay with us for a long time. Understanding the importance of Environment Science and Environment Studies is the need of the hour. As a society, we must focus on the healthy survival of our species and creating an ecological future.
FAQs on Importance of Environmental Studies
Q1. What is Environmental Science?
Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary field that is interrelated with other areas, including Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Geology, Zoology, Botany and others. A student pursuing an Environmental Science course is expected to contribute towards creating a better environment and sustainable amenities.
Q2. What is the importance of environmental education?
At present, the whole world is facing some unprecedented environmental changes. There are extremely unbearable hot spells and unbearable cold weather, tornadoes, storms, earthquakes, tsunamis and what not. Environmental experts help manage these calamities and plan for a better future.
Q3. What is the scope of Environment Science?
A career that transforms the world for the better can never lose its scope. There are many related fields one can choose to become an environmentalist. Even a physics and chemistry graduate can further pursue a master’s in environmental science and become an expert in the field that saves planet Earth.
Q4. Is it necessary to give the CUET Entrance Test to get admission to undergraduate Environmental Science courses?
CUET is now a mandatory entrance test for admission to various Bachelors and B. Sc degrees. You have to select Environmental Studies as one of the domain subjects while selecting subjects for the CUET entrance test. If you want to know how to choose subjects for CUET entrance test, click here.
Q5. When do we celebrate World Environment Day?
World Environment Day is celebrated each year on 5th June with a different theme every year. In 2024 the theme of World Environment Day is: land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience.
