Syllabus Environmental Sciences and Sustainability - (GE3451) UNIT I ENVIRONMENT AND BIODIVERSITY Definition, scope and importance of environment - need for public awareness. Eco-system and Energy flow- ecological succession. Types of biodiversity : genetic, species and ecosystem diversity - values of biodiversity, India as a mega-diversity nation - hot-spots of biodiversity - threats to biodiversity : habitat loss, poaching of wildlife, man-wildlife conflicts - endangered and endemic species of India - conservation of biodiversity : In-situ and ex-situ. (Chapter - 1) UNIT II ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION Causes, Effects and Preventive measures of Water, Soil, Air and Noise Pollutions. Solid, Hazardous and E-Waste management. Case studies on Occupational Health and Safety Management system (OHASMS). Environmental protection, Environmental protection acts . (Chapter - 2) UNIT III RENEWABLE SOURCES OF ENERGY Energy management and conservation, New Energy Sources : Need of new sources. Different types new energy sources. Applications of - Hydrogen energy, Ocean energy resources, Tidal energy conversion. Concept, origin and power plants of geothermal energy. (Chapter - 3) UNIT IV SUSTAINABILITY AND MANAGEMENT Development, GDP, Sustainability- concept, needs and challenges-economic, social and aspects of sustainability-from unsustainability to sustainability-millennium development goals, and protocols- Sustainable Development Goals-targets, indicators and intervention areas Climate change - Global, Regional and local environmental issues and possible solutions-case studies. Concept of Carbon Credit, Carbon Footprint. Environmental management in industry-A case study. (Chapter - 4) UNIT V SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICES Zero waste and R concept, Circular economy, ISO 14000 Series, Material Life cycle assessment, Environmental Impact Assessment. Sustainable habitat : Green buildings, Green materials, Energy efficiency, Sustainable transports. Sustainable energy : Non-conventional Sources, Energy Cycles-carbon cycle, emission and sequestration, Green Engineering : Sustainable urbanization - Socio-economical and technological change. (Chapter - 5)
