Understanding the Need and Role of the Department of Earth Sciences
The daily weather report carries a message that is the temperature changes and the results of those changes.
The department of earth sciences is made independent of other government bodies so that it can focus on its studies related to environmental changes like weather, monsoon, climate, and seas around the country.
Let’s discuss the areas of studies for a better understanding
Monsoon
It is an annual event that brings seasonal rainfall to India and it is very important for farming. Every year, a study on the monsoon effect is conducted to understand its reach and volume, and the farmers are provided an estimate about whether the monsoon will be strong or weak. The study includes making a chart showing the path of the monsoon and factors affecting its speed and intensity.
Weather
Weather is an important part of earth sciences and an important factor in life on the planet. Sometimes, the weather remains pleasant but, there are times when it touches extreme heights like in summer and winter. A prior warning about the weather changes can alert citizens about the dangers ahead and save lives and properties of the citizens to a large extent.
Also, the weather report guides the tourism and transportation sector. Vacationers follow the weather reports for choosing destinations and transporters keep the extreme weather conditions like a heavy downpour, freezing temperature, or mercury reaching new heights before setting out for transporting goods from one place to another.
Cyclone
Hundreds of cyclonic events are registered every year but, some are so big that they can cause extensive damage in coastal areas like villages and cities. It is for this reason that cyclones are studied all the time. Satellite images of low pressure developing overseas are studied to calculate cyclonic activity in a specific area and people living in that area are alerted about incoming cyclones. It is called geoscience. And it covers all the things related to the environment, earth, & soil like Fossils.
Fishermen that rely on high seas for life and livelihood need prior information on cyclones to take precautionary measures before setting out in the high seas for catching fish and oysters. In the absence of any warning about a cyclonic activity, they will lose their life and property in the sea. Also, the coastal villages and cities will witness much damage if a cyclonic gets overlooked.
Marine products
Seas have many things to offer in addition to fish and oysters but one has to keep a close eye on the seas to understand what lies beneath the water. The objective of marine exploration is to achieve sustainable use of marine produce. Here science and the environment work together. Knowledge is used to explore sea waters, but the natural setting of seas isn’t disturbed so that it keeps giving more.
Soil
Fertile soil is needed for farming and growing farm produce, and knowledge is needed to keep the soil fertile. Soil erosion has been a cause for concern and the biggest reason for soil erosion is deforestation. Also, deforestation harms the environment and the climate. But things could be made favorable with the help of knowledge acquired through the study of soil and things that can make it fertile.
Having a dedicated organization to guide science and technology in India is a plus point for the country. This organization does the job of a think tank and produces reliable results about the weather, climate change, sea reserves, and much more that can affect the daily life and activity of people in one way or another.
Knowledge is needed for development, but at the same time, you need to keep an eye on the environment that is turning toxic day by day. But things look brighter ahead as studies are done to aware people of the climate and weather conditions.