3. Environment?
We all live in – and with –
environmental systems
A system is a structured set of
objects (components), or a
structured set of attributes or a
attributes,
structured set of objects and
attributes combined together
Sub systems
Sub-systems
Hierarchy
Inter-relatedness
Interactive
Source: Mukherjee, 2000 Photo: coastsider.com
4. Environment ?
The environment is everything around us It us.
includes not only the natural elements that the
word "environment" most often brings to mind,
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but also people and the manmade components
of our world.
It is much more than the oceans and the ozone
layer. It is air, soil, water, plants, animals,
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houses, restaurants, office buildings, and
factories and all that they contain.
5. Ecosystem: producer-consumer-recycler model
Ecological system or
ecosystem
Biotic assemblage of plants,
animals, and microbes, taken
together with their physico-
chemical environment
In
I an ecosystem the biological
t th bi l i l
cycling of materials is maintained
by three groups: producers,
consumers, and decomposers
Nature is capable of sustaining
the producer-consumer-
decomposer cycle indefinitely,
with the sun as the energy source.
The s a est suc e t ty that is
e smallest such entity t at s
self-sufficient and self-regulatory
is an ecosystem
Immensely complicated and
diverse, ranging from a small
g g
pond to a mature forest
Source: www.unu.edu
6. Anthroposystem: producer-consumer-recycler
model
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Human activities that
perturb natural
environment
Producing activities include
Prod cing acti ities incl de
energy production (fossil fuels),
manufacturing (non-fuel
minerals), and growing food
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The consumers are humans
and their domestic animals
Decomposing or recycling
activities include treatment of
waste water and recycling of
metals
8. Natural Resources
Natural Resources
Are naturally occurring substances that are
considered valuable in their relatively
y
unmodified (natural) form
A commodity is generally considered a natural
resource when the primary activities associated
with it are extraction and purification as
purification,
opposed to creation
9. Natural Resources
Renewable NR
Renewable resources can restock themselves
and be used indefinitely (if they are used
sustainably)
t i bl )
Can become non-renewable if used at a greater
rate than the environment s capacity to replenish
environment's
them
Living
Trees, animals
Trees animals, fish etc.
etc
Non-living
Oxygen, fresh water, soil, winds
10. Natural Resources
Non renewable
Non-renewable NR
A natural resource that cannot be re-made or re-
g
grown
They do not naturally re-form at a rate so as to
y y
make their use sustainable
Coal, t l
C l petroleum, natural gas etc.
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12. CEM: History
Rachel s Carson’s
Rachel’s Carson s The Silent Spring (1962)
sparked the environmental revolution
Massive destruction of wildlife caused by the use of
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chemical insecticides and other biocides
Friends of Earth, Greenpeace founded
Bhopal Disaster, discovery of hole in ozone
layer, Ch
l Chernobyl, pollution of Rhi
b l ll i f Rhine
13. CEM: History
Our Common Future by WCED in 1987
Sustainable Development
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Meeting the needs of the current generation without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their
needs
Adoption f li i for
Ad ti of policies f environmental protection
i t l t ti
by world politicians
Acts/laws related to environmental protection
ISO 14000, EU Eco-management & Audit Scheme
Shift from end-of-the pipe pollution prevention
and clean-up technologies to more pro-active
clean up pro active
and integrated approaches
The World Business Council for Sustainable
Development
De elopment (WBCSD) in 1991
14. International Chamber of Commerce: Business
Charter for Sustainable Development
Corporate p
p priority
y
Establish policies, programmes and practices for conducting
operations in an environmentally sound manner
Integrated management
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Integrate policies, programmes and practices in organizational long-
term strategies
Process of improvement
Sensitive to technical developments, scientific understanding,
consumer needs, community expectations and legal regulations
Employee education
Educate, train and motivate employees to conduct their activities in
environmentally responsible manner
Prior assessment
Assess environmental impacts before starting new activity/project
Source: Welford & Gouldson, 1993
15. International Chamber of Commerce: Business
Charter for Sustainable Development
Products and services
that have no undue environmental impact,
are efficient in their consumption of energy & NR, and
can be recycled, reused, or disposed of safely
Customer advice
Advise and educate customers, distributors and public in the
safe use, transportation, storage and disposal of p
, p , g p products
Facilities and operations
Develop, design and operate facilities and conduct activities
Efficient
Effi i t use of energy & raw materials
f t i l
Sustainable use of renewable resources
Minimisation of adverse environmental impact and
Safe d
S f and responsible di
ibl disposal of residual wastes
l f id l t
16. International Chamber of Commerce: Business
Charter for Sustainable Development
Research
Environmental impact of raw materials, products, processes,
emissions and wastes and the means of minimising these
Precautionary approach
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Modify manufacturing, marketing or use of products or services to
prevent serious or irreversible environmental degradation
Contractors and suppliers
Encourage wider adoption of these principles by contactors and
suppliers
Emergency preparedness
Emergency preparedness plans in conjunction with emergency
services
Transfer of technology
Throughout the industrial and public sectors
17. International Chamber of Commerce: Business
Charter for Sustainable Development
Contributing to the common effort
Contribute to the development of public policy, govt. programmes &
educational initiatives
Openness to concerns
Foster openness and dialogue with employees and public
Compliance and reporting
Measure environmental performance
Conduct regular environmental audits and assessment of compliance
Provide appropriate information to various stakeholders
