Environment

Environment is a set of interdependent systems within which all living things

interact. These interactions involve the physical, biological and social-cultural
factors.
Issues related to environment and education.
1. Environmental Education Perspective
Environmental Education is a continuous learning process about environmental issues that
equips learners with knowledge, skills, and attitudes to protect and improve the environment for
sustainable human needs.

In 1977, UNESCO held a conference in Tbilisi (USSR) which highlighted the importance of
Environmental Education through the International Environmental Programme.

The main goals of Environmental Education are to enable people to gain knowledge, values,
attitudes, commitment, and skills needed to protect the environment, and to promote positive
behavior change in the use of natural resources at local, national, and global levels. It is
important for all people, regardless of age or level.

Benefits of Environmental Education:

 Helps learners find workable solutions to environmental problems

 Clarifies values and priorities related to the environment
 Builds commitment to environmental protection goals
 Develops practical action skills for environmental conservation
 Encourages active participation in solving environmental issues
 Promotes informed understanding of the environment and human–nature interdependence
 Teaches proper use and avoidance of misuse of natural resources
 Develops rational and positive attitudes toward the environment
 Enhances enjoyment and appreciation of living in a healthy environment

2. Environmental Systems and Resources

Environmental systems are the components that interrelate to make up the
environment. They include the:
• Physical systems,
• Biological systems,

• socio-cultural systems.

1. Physical Systems

These are the non-living components of the environment. They include land, water, air, climate,
rocks, and soil. Physical systems provide the basic conditions that support life.
2. Biological Systems

These consist of all living organisms in the environment, such as plants, animals, and
microorganisms. They interact with each other and depend on physical systems for survival.

3. Socio-cultural Systems

These involve human activities and how people organize their lives in society. They include
culture, traditions, economic activities, settlements, technology, and social relationships. These
systems influence how humans use and manage the environment.

Natural resources include any form of matter, materials or energy that are
valuable, useful or essential to human beings
What are the main categories of natural resources found in the
Environment?
Natural resources can be grouped based on their availability and how abundant they are.

 Global commons: These are resources shared by all countries and people, such as air,
solar energy, and ocean salt.
 Organic resources: These come from living things like plants and animals, for example
wood, fish, wild animals, soil, and natural pasture.
 Inorganic resources: These are non-living materials used directly, such as water,
minerals, building stones, and fossil fuels.
 Renewable resources: These are resources that can naturally be replaced, such as
forests, soil, wildlife, vegetation, and food crops.
 Non-renewable resources: These are limited resources that cannot be quickly replaced
once used up, such as coal, oil, natural gas, and minerals.
 Inexhaustible resources: These are resources that are continuously available and are not
easily depleted, unless there is major environmental disruption. Examples include wind,
air, solar energy, and hydro power.

What are some of the irresponsible human activities that threaten

sustainability of the environment?
 poaching of wildlife
o over exploitation of minerals
o forest logging
o illegal dumping
o pollution on water and soil
o Overpopulation
 3. Demography, Environment and Human Settlement
Demography is the study of human populations, including their size, distribution, composition, and
changes over time.

Effects of Population Growth on the Environment (in point form):

 Overcrowding in urban areas (e.g., slums) leads to environmental degradation

 Settlement along riverbanks and coastal areas causes water pollution and disrupts
ecosystems
 Use of harmful chemicals (fertilizers, herbicides) in farming pollutes soil and water
 Increased population leads to more industrialization and mechanized farming,
contributing to pollution
 Excessive subdivision of land makes farming uneconomical and may cause conflicts
 Deforestation due to legal and illegal logging
 Limited space for essential services like schools and hospitals
 Overcrowding of existing facilities such as health centers and schools
 Migration to marginal areas exposes people to risks like drought, floods, and famine
 Rural–urban migration increases pressure on urban resources and services
 Urban congestion leads to poor sanitation, inadequate water supply, and transport
problems
 Increased crime and accidents in overcrowded urban areas
 Industrial growth leads to air and water pollution, posing health risks

4. Development and Environment

Development refers to the improvement of human life in terms of better, more goods and
services.

What are some of the environmental problems resulting from

development activities in your own locality?
 Construction of dams for electricity, irrigation, or fishing can cause diseases like malaria and
bilharzia, lead to silting, and destroy natural habitats.
 Paper mills may produce unpleasant odors, cause corrosion, and pollute water sources.
 Industries such as shoe, sugar, and coffee factories contribute to air and water pollution
through agricultural chemical waste.
 Cutting down trees for charcoal and timber disrupts ecosystems and destroys habitats.

In which ways can poverty cause environmental problems?

 Overdependence on natural resources (e.g., cutting trees for fuel) leading to deforestation
 Use of poor farming methods that cause soil erosion and land degradation
 Encroachment into fragile areas such as forests, riverbanks, and steep slopes
 Lack of proper waste disposal systems leading to pollution of land and water
 Overuse of limited land due to small land holdings, reducing soil fertility
  Use of cheap and harmful energy sources like charcoal and firewood
 Inability to afford environmentally friendly technologies or practices
 Poor sanitation causing water pollution and spread of diseases
 Overfishing and overhunting for survival, leading to loss of biodiversity
 Settling in unsafe or marginal areas prone to floods, drought, and landslides

5. Socio-cultural and Environmental Awareness

Socio-cultural environment refers to the physical, social, cultural beliefs
economic, political, moral and aesthetic aspects of a group of people or a
community arising from human interaction with one another as well as with
the environment.

What are some beliefs, values and practices in your community

that hinder environmental sustainability?
 Belief that natural resources are unlimited, leading to overexploitation
 Preference for short-term economic gains over long-term environmental protection
 Cultural practices that encourage cutting trees for fuel, ceremonies, or construction without
replacement
 Negative attitudes toward waste management, such as careless dumping of garbage
 Low value placed on conservation and environmental protection
 Dependence on charcoal and firewood as main energy sources
 Farming practices like slash-and-burn (shifting cultivation) that degrade land
 Resistance to change or adoption of modern, sustainable practices
 Overgrazing due to cultural attachment to large numbers of livestock
 Poor sanitation habits that pollute water sources
 Lack of awareness or education about environmental conservation

6. Environmental Conservation
Environmental conservation is the protection, preservation, and careful management of the
environment and natural resources to prevent damage, depletion, or destruction.

Ways of Environmental Conservation:

 Planting and protecting trees (afforestation and reforestation)

 Proper waste management (reduce, reuse, recycle)
 Conserving water by avoiding wastage and protecting water sources
 Using environmentally friendly energy sources such as solar and wind power
 Practicing sustainable farming methods (e.g., crop rotation, organic farming)
 Protecting wildlife and their habitats
 Controlling pollution (air, water, and land)
 Avoiding deforestation and illegal logging
 Educating communities about environmental protection
 Practicing proper sanitation and hygiene
  Conserving soil through methods like terracing and contour farming
 Using resources wisely to avoid overexploitation

7. Legal Aspects of the Environment

Legal Aspects of the Environment refer to the laws, rules, and regulations put in place to
protect, manage, and conserve the environment.
 In 1947, the United Nations Economic and Social Council resolved that natural resources
should be protected to support global economic and social recovery after World War II.
 In 1972, the UN Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm declared that people
have a right to a healthy environment and a duty to protect it for present and future generations.
 The United Nations Environment Programme was later established to develop global
environmental policies and guidelines.
 United Nations Environment Programme, headquartered in Gigiri, provides guidance on issues
such as water use, pollution control, hazardous waste, climate change, global warming, and
ozone layer protection.
 UNEP emphasizes balancing development with environmental sustainability.
 It also promotes global cooperation and encourages countries and organizations to manage the
environment effectively through laws and policies.

What is the role of law in environmental management?

In Kenya, environmental policies and laws have existed since the 1965 Sessional Paper No. 10
on African Socialism and its application to planning. This policy emphasized that environmental
protection should be given equal importance as resource use.

These laws and policies are outlined in various documents, including sessional papers,
ministerial statements, development plans, common law, and statutory law. They guide how the
government manages and protects the environment.

What are the legal previsions in Kenya that guide environmental

management?
• The Crop Production and Livestock Act (Cap 31)
• The Land Control Act (Cap 305)
• The Plant Protection Act (Cap 324)
• The Seed and Plant Varieties Act (Cap 326)
• The Suppression of Noxious Weeds Act (Cap 325)
• The Forest Act (Cap 385)
• The Timber Act (Cap 386)
• The Town Planning Act (Cap 303)
• The Local government Act (Cap 265)
• The Public Health Act (Cap 242)
• The Wildlife Conservation and Management Act (Cap 376)
• The Mining Act (Cap 306)
• The Water Act (Cap 372)
• The Lake Basin Development Authority Act (Cap 442)
• The Lakes and Rivers Act (Cap 409)
• The Merchant Shipping Act (Cap 389)
• The Maritime Zones Act of 1989
• The Fisheries Act of 1989
• The Factories Act (Cap 514)
• The Food, Drugs and Chemical Substances Act (Cap 254)
• The Cattle Cleansing Act (Cap 358)
• The Fertilizers and Animal Foodstuffs Act (Cap 345)
• The Pests Control Products Act No.20 of 1982
• The Pharmacy and Poisons Act (Cap 244)
• The Radiation Protection Act (Cap 243)

Environment and Persons with Disabilities

Physical environment and inappropriate infrastructure has been a main challenge
for persons with disabilities; especially those who are physically handicapped.
Environmental barriers are the physical obstructions that hinder or prevent a person
with a disability from moving or interacting freely with the environment or using
its facilities.

Barriers to accessibility

 Staircases that are not suitable for people using wheelchairs or crutches
 Difficult terrain such as steep slopes or hilly areas
 Uneven or rough pathways connecting school buildings, often without
shelter from rain
 Narrow doorways that prevent wheelchair users from passing through easily
What is environmental adaptation?

Environmental adaptation refers to the alteration of the social and physical

environment that hinders or prevents learning to take place effectively.

What is the importance of barrier free environment to persons with disabilities?

 It makes the environment safe and easy to access for persons with disabilities
 It enhances independence, allowing them to move and function without assistance
 It reduces discrimination caused by physical inaccessibility
 It helps include persons with disabilities in mainstream society and increases social acceptance of
their needs

The following are some suggestions towards achieving barrier-free environment:

 All buildings should be made accessible to learners and persons with special needs,
including classrooms, toilets, dormitories, and dining areas
 Door handles should be installed at lower heights for wheelchair users
 Doors and rooms should be wide and spacious to allow movement of wheelchairs,
crutches, and white canes
 Fire extinguishers should be placed at accessible heights for persons with disabilities
 Facilities such as toilets, dining halls, dormitories, and classrooms should be located
close to each other
 Ramps should be provided at all building entrances
 Floors should be made non-slippery to prevent accidents
 Lifts and machines such as ATMs should include voice (talking) features for accessibility
 Handrails should be installed along steep pathways
 Water sinks should be fitted at accessible heights in all rooms
 Light switches and steps should be low and rooms should be designed to reduce echo
 Pathways should be wide enough to allow free movement of all learners
 Signs, clues, and landmarks should be provided to assist people with low vision
 Large windows should be used to improve lighting for all users
 Bright colours should be used to help people with visual impairments
 Bathrooms should include grab bars, seating, and non-slip surfaces
 Public transport should be made accessible for persons with disabilities
 Kitchen surfaces and storage areas should be designed at lower and reachable levels