GEOENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES: HISTORY, WHAT THEY STUDY, CLASSIFICATION - ENVIRONMENT - 2025

The geo - environmental sciences are an interdisciplinary field of science in which several disciplines applied together to identify problems in the environment and the effects on this by humans. Among the disciplines included in this term are geology, meteorology, ecology, chemistry, biology, engineering and physics.

These geoenvironmental sciences are considered a quantitative discipline. The results of their research are the main tool used by governments around the world to determine which new environmental policies to implement.

However, it is important to note that geoenvironmental sciences are not related to environmental studies. This last term is used to refer to the study of the relationship that human beings have with the environment and the policies that are generated from this interaction.

Geoenvironmental scientists work with problems such as understanding Earth's geological and physical processes or studying alternative energy sources.

History

The study of nature and the world has been carried out since the beginning of the human race. However, the modern term "geoenvironmental sciences" is used to refer to a scientific movement that was promoted during the sixties of the 20th century.

By then, the number of problems presented by the environment and the consequences of human actions on its development was beginning to come to light. This was the main catalyst for the emergence of geoenvironmental sciences as a particular discipline.

During the sixties there was the proliferation of nuclear weapons and tools, as well as the writing of books by important authors supporting the environmental movement and an increase in the population's concern about the amount of toxins released into the environment. This raised awareness about caring for the environment on a global scale.

From this change arose the scientific movement responsible for quantifying the effects of certain natural catastrophes caused by humans.

What are you studying?

Since geoenvironmental sciences are considered an interdisciplinary science, they study a wide variety of elements related to the environment.

Mainly, geoenvironmental scientists comply with the study of alternative energy systems, environmental pollution controls and the appropriate management of natural resources.

In many cases, and as a consequence of the large number of study areas, environmental scientists are hired by governmental or non-profit institutions, as well as by research centers and universities.

Alternative energy systems

Alternative energy sources, also called renewable energy, are ways of producing the energy that humans require to carry out their various activities using natural resources that cannot be depleted.

As technology advances, new methods are discovered that can serve as alternative energy sources. Geoenvironmental scientists work closely in the development of these new technologies, in many cases being the ones responsible for promoting their use and generating them.

The two most common sources of alternative energy are solar energy, wind energy, and hydropower. However, there are other alternative energy sources such as bioenergy, geothermal energy, ocean energy and hybrid energy sources.

Environmental pollution controls

The damage caused to the environment as a consequence of actions carried out by humans is one of the main concerns of environmental scientists.

The term "pollution control" is an environmental engineering concept. Refers to all technologies that are applied in order to limit the damage that humans cause to the environment through harmful substances or toxic discharges.

The development of new pollution control technologies is one of the responsibilities that environmental scientists often have.

This field includes a large number of tools, such as the development of new systems for the disposal of unnecessary resources, the promotion of large-scale recycling and other technologies related to the treatment of sewage, the control of air pollution and specialized technologies for eliminate solid waste.

NRM

The management of natural resources is a field of study that involves all the necessary tools to control the use of available natural resources and the access that one has to these resources, which are essential for the development of life.

The use of these resources is a problem that has haunted humanity for several centuries, but today geoenvironmental scientists have the role of developing methods to keep the use of these resources as limited as possible.

Classification

Geosciences

Geosciences are the specific study of planet Earth, including its seas, lakes, rivers, atmosphere and the rest of the elements that make up its structure.

Geosciences are the most important aspect of geoenvironmental sciences, as they study the past, evaluate the present, and plan the future of the planet.

Ecology

Ecology, also known as environmental biology, is the study of the relationship between living things and the environment.

A large number of the problems faced by the human race are ecological in nature, which makes the study of this branch of biology crucial for mitigating these problems.

Some of these problems include lack of food, population growth, global warming, and extinctions of species of animals and plants.

Enviromental chemistry

Environmental chemistry is responsible for studying the chemical changes that occur in the environment. This branch of science encompasses a large number of topics, including the degradation of the environment by chemicals, the transport of chemicals and their consequences, and the effects of chemicals on living things on Earth.

Atmospheric sciences

The atmospheric sciences are all that study related to the atmosphere and its behavior with other layers of the Earth.

They include a great diversity of topics: from meteorology to the study of various pollution phenomena and the greenhouse effect.

References

1. Geoenvironmental Science, Hocking College Program, (nd). Taken from hocking.edu
2. What is Environmental Science ?, Environmental Science Website, (nd). Taken from environmentalscience.org
3. Environmental sciences, Nature Website Glossary of Terms, (nd). Taken from nature.com
4. Environmental sciences, B. Kte'pi for Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2014. Taken from Britannica.com
5. Natural Resource Management, C. Epstein for Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2016. Taken from Britannica.com
6. Pollutio Control, JA Nathanson for Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2017. Taken from Britannica.com
7. What is Renewable Energy? Australian Renewable Energy Agency, (nd). Taken from arena.gov.au
8. Ecology, S. Pimm & RL Smith forEncyclopaedia Britannica, 2018. Taken from Britannica.com
9. What is Geoscience ?, American Geosciences, (nd). Taken from americangeosciences.org