What is the Environment? Discuss the importance and types of environmental studies.
Environment means the conditions or elements around us that greatly affect our activities. This package consists of some inanimate components. It is natural elements such as soil, water, air, light, energy, heat, fog etc. A person’s life is directly and indirectly intertwined with these elements of the environment. A person’s actions influence changes in his environment. The totality of the environment consists of natural, social and human resources. Our environment consists of trees, hills, mountains, rivers, forests, houses, streams, artefacts and various animals around us. The components of this environment are mainly composed of living and non-living things. Living element refers to the producer, maintainer, social analyzer, changer etc. in the environment. Inanimate elements mean earth, water, sunlight, heat, light and pressure. The environment creates, nurtures and protects human beings. From philosophers to scientists, everyone blames a person’s environment for their happiness.
➥According to W.B. Sawyer, “Ecology refers to both natural and unnatural environmental conditions!”
➥According to T.N Khosho, our environment is the totality of conditions that fully influence the development of living things.
Importance of Environmental Studies:
The importance of environmental studies is discussed below.
➤Environmental studies gives us knowledge of the environment and its various components.
➤Environmental studies make us aware of the earth’s usefulness as a habitat and its conservation. Protecting the environment works to protect future generations.
➤Provides conceptualization of relationships at the public and community level.
➤To help individuals and social groups to awaken a sensitive and conscious attitude towards the whole environment and environmental problems.
➤It provides knowledge in relation to distribution and environmental pollution. Various schemes are prepared based on this pollution.
➤How the balance of the environment has been destroyed due to population growth. They will be helpful in collecting various information about all this. To be interested in how to keep the environment clean and balanced.
➤To make them realize that environmental pollution is the result of air, water, noise and heat pollution, to make available the beauty of different types of flowers and birds on earth.
➤It can be considered in relation to the effects and problems of the environment.
➤It is possible to collect data on the environment, classify the causes and results of environmental disparity through maps, charts, graphs, etc.
➤It provides impetus for new policy introduction and planning.
➤It helps in maintaining a healthy life among people through afforestation, industry and clean air pollution control.
Types Of Environment Studies:
The environment is divided into different parts. They are discussed below.
1.Natural Environment:
The natural environment around us which is not man-made is the natural environment. The elements of this natural environment are – air, dust, light, soil, forest, plants, trees and fauna etc. Man is a creature of this environment and also a part of the environment. This natural environment changes with the change of seasons and climate.
2.Artificial environment:
The man-made environment that affects humans is an artificial environment.
3.Biological Environment:
All living things live in this environment. Changes in activity, food and habitat are brought about by the influence of the environment.
4.Socio-Economic Environment:
Socio-Economic Environment is said to be the environment in which human growth, succession, cultural development and community life are known. It helps in economic socio-cultural development.