Introduction to Environmental Studies Vocabulary Flashcards

A set of 20 practice flashcards focused on vocabulary and key concepts from the introductory lecture on Environmental Studies, including spheres of the earth, atmospheric layers, and historical milestones.

Environ

The French word meaning 'surrounding' from which the term Environment is derived.

Biotic components

All living beings present in nature, including microbes, plants, and animals.

Abiotic components

Non-living components of the environment, such as air, water, and sunlight.

Environmental Protection Act, 1986

The act that defines Environment as including water, air, land, and the inter-relationship between these and human beings, other living creatures, plants, micro-organisms, and property.

Biosphere

The self-regulating overlapping zone of the atmosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere where life exists and flourishes.

Lithosphere

Derived from the Greek 'Lithos' (rock), it is the outermost layer of the crust representing the land mass of the planet.

Hydrosphere

Derived from the Greek word 'Hydro' (water), it represents water masses on the planet in solid, liquid, and gaseous phases.

Lapse rate

The rate of change of temperature with altitude in the atmosphere.

Troposphere

The atmospheric layer extending from $16\,\text{km}$ at the equator to $8\,\text{km}$ at the poles where the largest percentage of air mass is found.

Stratosphere

The atmospheric layer hosting the ozone ($O_3$) layer which absorbs harmful UV-B radiation ($280\,\text{nm}$ to $315\,\text{nm}$).

Mesosphere

The region between $50-85\,\text{km}$ where temperature decreases to $-96^{\circ}\text{C}$ and meteors burn.

Thermosphere

The layer where ionic oxygen atoms absorb short-wave solar radiation, causing temperatures to rise rapidly to $1200^{\circ}\text{C}$.

Environmental Science

A discipline that strictly deals with the scientific aspects of the environment, its complex problems, and tangible solutions.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

An assessment conducted to assess and mitigate the possible environmental degradation and population impacts caused by developmental projects like dams or mining.

Green Journalism

A term used when media raised environmental issues and practical solutions suggested by experts on the subject.

Silent Spring

A 1962 book by Rachael Carson that raised concerns about the excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in the U.S.

Ramsar Convention

An international agreement established on 2nd February 1971 with the aim to conserve wetlands globally.

Sustainable Development

Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Sustainability

A long-term idea derived from the Latin 'sustinere' meaning 'to hold up', focused on making the entire world sustainable.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

A set of seventeen goals adopted by United Nations members in 2015 as the '2030 agenda for sustainable development'.