Environment
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Introduction: Environment refers to the surrounding (both living and non-living) of the livings species. The human-beings, plants, animals and other living beings operate in the environment. Environment is also sometimes referred to as habitat.
Environment consists of both living and non-living things. Living things such as animals, plants, etc. interacts with both other living and non-living things. Similarly, non-living things such as soil, water, climate, temperature, sunlight, air, etc. interacts with other non-living and living things.
There is a close relationship between living organisms and environment. Ecology is the branch of science that studies the interaction between organisms and their environment.
The interaction of living beings, including human-beings, brings changes in the environment. Similarly, livings beings also display changes within them with the change in the environment.
Adverse effects of human activity on environment
Human activity has caused several adverse effects on the Environment.
The discharge of untreated industrial wastes, and other unsafe substances into water bodies has caused water pollution.
The air has contaminated because of uncontrolled release of harmful industrial and vehicular smokes into the air.
Our environment also suffers from soil and noise pollution.
The excessive emission of greenhouse gases has caused an increase in surface temperature of planet earth and ultimately leading to a situation called Global warming.
Save environment
Human-beings and other living creatures depend upon environment and natural surroundings. We can save our environment by:
Pollution control laws should be imposed strictly.
Restriction on the use of fossil fuels should be imposed. In its place, the usage of non-conventional sources of energy should be encouraged.
Emission of carbon-dioxide and other greenhouse gases should be strictly controlled to save our environment from the threat of Global warming.
World Environment Day
Every year, people and organizations around the world observe 5th of June as the World Environment day. The objective behind celebrating this day is to create awareness among people to take positive actions for the protection of environment.
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Earth and Its Environment
Our Earth is a unique planet in the Universe. It is the only known planet to have life on it. The mother earth provides us with water, air and land. In other words, it provides the essential spheres of life, that is, hydro-sphere, lithosphere and atmosphere.
The narrow zone where the three spheres coincide is the only life sustaining part of the earth and the known Universe. This is called the ‘BIOSPHERE’. The hydrosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere and the biosphere together form the surroundings of everything and s is known as the ENVIRONMENT. The Earth and its environment give way to life in a variety of forms-from the microscopic and simple bacteria to blue whale and complex human beings. A particular organism is suited to a particular place and the environment, where it can flourish, breed and survive. This place is called its HABITAT or MICRO-HABITAT.
The earth has a delicate ecosystem, its environment is made up of both the non-living and living. The non-living or physical components are the land, air, water, sun etc., and the living components are the flora, fauna and microorganisms. Life depends on the non-living part of the earth.
There is a sensitive balance between both the living and non-living and plants and animals. This balance depends on an inter-linked cycle of various activities. Thus, disturbing anyone disturbs the other three also. Pollution of physical components of nature will destroy life, and destruction of wild life will ultimately destroy the man.
With an ever-increasing level of consumption, the man is exploiting the natural resources beyond proportions and causing irreversible environmental degradation and contamination. Mahatma Gandhi had hit the bull’s eye when he said:— “The Mother earth has enough for everyone’s need, but not for everyone’s greed.”
Men’s greed, short sightedness have led to indiscriminate industrialisation, deforestation, over-automation, and artificial ways of living. These have polluted and severely damaged the environment. To regain the balance of the earth’s ecosystem, it is necessary to reorient the prevalent ways of living, industry and transport.
The development has to be, environment friendly and sustainable. This is not just the best way, it is the only way; a “no choice” situation. The fight against pollution cannot be left at the level of the government. It would be impossible to fight against pollution unless it becomes a mass movement and is considered as an individual responsibility.
This could be possible through a multi-pronged strategy of prevention and cure.
