Environment and Sustainability

Course objectives
1. To create awareness about the environment, natural resources, and ecological balance 2. To understand the causes, effects, and control of environmental pollution 3. To understand the concept of sustainable development and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4. To understand climate change, renewable energy, and the engineer's role in sustainability 5. To encourage students to adopt simple sustainable practices and environmental responsibility

Course content
Unit Description Hours Environment and Ecosystems: Environment — definition, components (atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, biosphere); ecosystem — structure and function; food chain, food web, energy flow (basic 6 hrs concept); biodiversity — meaning, importance, and threats; need for conservation. Awareness focus: local ecosystems and why they matter. Natural Resources and their Conservation: Renewable and non-renewable resources; water resources — scarcity and conservation; forest and land resources; energy resources (brief); over-exploitation of resources; 6 hrs the concept of the 3 R's — Reduce, Reuse, Recycle; rainwater harvesting (concept). Awareness focus: simple resource-saving practices in daily life. Environmental Pollution: Air pollution — causes, effects, control (basic); water pollution — sources, effects, prevention; soil pollution; noise pollution; solid waste 6 hrs management — segregation, composting, recycling; e- waste and plastic waste (awareness). Awareness focus: pollution in the student's own city/campus and how to reduce it. Climate Change and Sustainable Development: Global warming and greenhouse effect (simple explanation); climate change — causes and impacts; carbon footprint (concept + how to reduce); sustainable development — 4. 6 hrs definition and need; UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — overview of the 17 goals; renewable energy — solar, wind, biomass (awareness level). Awareness focus: calculating and reducing one's own carbon footprint. Environmental Protection, Law and the Role of Engineers: Environmental protection measures; brief overview of environmental laws in India (Environment Protection Act, Water Act, Air Act — awareness only, no legal detail); role of individuals, society, and technology 5. 6 hrs in environmental protection; green campus and green buildings (concept); role of engineers in sustainable design and clean technology; environmental ethics. Awareness focus: how each engineering branch can contribute to sustainability. Suggested Field / Awareness Activities (any one to be completed) 1. Visit a nearby lake, river, park, or forest and prepare a short observation report 2. Conduct a waste segregation / plastic-free drive on campus and document it 3. Prepare a poster or short video on an environmental issue (water, air, plastic, climate) 4. Calculate your household or personal carbon footprint and suggest ways to reduce it 5. Plant and maintain a sapling; document its growth over the semester (Green initiative) 6. Survey energy or water use in a hostel/department and suggest saving measures