Book excerpt: Fundamentals of Environmental Studies is taught as a compulsory paper to first-year undergraduate students across major technical universities in India. This book introduces the fundamental principles and concepts of environmental science, ecology and related interdisciplinary subjects, such as policy, law, pollution control, economics and natural resource management. It covers a wide range of topics and issues including biodiversity, global warming, acid rain, ozone layer depletion, nuclear accidents, nuclear holocaust, disaster management, manipulation of various natural resources including water, land, forests, food and mineral resources, and the problems associated with natural resource management. It also analyzes different types of ecosystems, biochemical cycles and laws of thermodynamics and provides easy-to-understand examples. In addition, the book offers separate chapters on various types of environmental pollution and waste management, including waste water treatment, solid waste management and green management.