Module 4. ENVIRONMENT AND Some are hilly. Some are flat.

Some are deep under water, while

others are on rocky ground. Some have streams of water, while some have
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION streams of slowly moving ice.
Each physical environment creates special problems for the plants
Intended Learning Outcomes: and animals living in it. For example, dry environments require living things
to find and store water. Cold environments require living things to find
Knowledge: ways of keeping warm.
[Link] knowledge and competencies on the various environmental
laws, concepts and principles; Importance of the Environment
Skills: The environment plays an important role in healthy living and the
2. Make action plan that will address environmental concerns particularly existence of life on planet earth.
in their home, school and the community; Earth is a home for different living species and we all are
Attitude: dependent on the environment for food, air, water and other needs.
[Link] one’s involvement as environment advocate and partner in taking Therefore, it is important for every individual to save and protect our
care of the school/university or community premises clean and green; environment.
4. Have the passion of keeping the home/school and community
environment friendly; Effects of Human Activities on the Environment
5. Share love for the environment. There are different types of human activities which are directly
attributed to the environmental disasters, which includes – acid rain,
What Is Environment? acidification of oceans, change in the climate, deforestation, depletion of
The concept of environment is presented to us in several definitions. Some an ozone layer, disposal of hazardous wastes, global warming,
of these are the following: overpopulation, pollutions, etc.

Environment is a place where different things are such as a Components of the Environment:
swampy or hot environment. It can be living (biotic) or non-living (abiotic) The components of the environment are mainly divided into two
things. It includes physical, chemical and other natural forces. Living things categories.
live in their environment. The environment affects the growth and Biotic environment–It includes all living organisms such as animals,
development of the person. (Wikipedia) birds, forests, insects, reptiles, and microorganisms like algae,
bacteria, fungus, viruses, etc.
Physical and Biological Parts of the Environment Abiotic environment– It includes all non-living components such as
The environment of a particular location is made up of all the air, cloud, dust, land, mountains, rivers, temperature, humidity,
things and conditions found there. Non-living things and conditions like water, water vapour, sand, etc.
mountains and valleys, rivers and streams, rocks and soils, sunlight and
heat, rain and snow make up the physical part of the environment. Top 5 Environmental Concerns (as of 2019)
Living things, like plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria make up the
biological part of the [Link] are many different physical [Link]: Biodiversity is the most complex and vital feature of our
environments on Earth. Some are dry with very hard soils. Some are wet planet. It is essentially every living thing and ecosystem that makes up the
with very thick, soft soils. Some are hot, while others are cold. environment. From the tallest giraffe to the smallest microorganism,
everything plays an important role in the maintenance of our world.
But with the increase in global warming, pollution and deforestation, Greenhouses gases are the main cause of climate change, trapping
biodiversity is in danger. Billions of species are going or have gone extinct in the sun’s heat and warming the surface of the earth.
all over the world. Some scientists, in fact, are suggesting that we are in the
beginning of a 6th mass extinction, posing issues for our planet and An increased ocean temperature is affecting the sea life and
ourselves. ecosystems habituated there. The rise in global sea levels is shrinking our
Reducing our meat intake, particularly red meat, as well as making land, causing mass floods and freak weather incidents across the world. If
sustainable choices can help to keep our planet running smoothly. we continue as we are, the world will suffer irreversibly.

2. Water: Water pollution is a huge concern for us and our environment. Pollution and its Types: Pollution in all forms is a major environmental
Not only is polluted water a huge financial strain but is also killing both issue in India. Any undesirable change in the environment, air, water, land,
humans and marine life. With oil spills, an abundance of plastic waste and soil, etc. can be termed as pollution. These changes could be in the
toxic chemicals entering our waterways, we’re damaging the most valuable physical, chemical or even biological changes. The agents that bring about
resource our planet has to offer. or cause this pollution are called pollutants.
By educating people on the causes and effects of water pollution, we can
work together to undo the damage humans have caused. Laws also need Air Pollution – When the atmosphere is filled with toxic gases released as
to change to make pollution tougher, consistently across national borders. result of industrial or other economic activities, it results in polluting the
atmosphere and the air in the environment. This is nothing but air
3. Deforestation: We need plants and trees to survive. They provide pollution.
oxygen, food, water and medicine for everyone, all over the globe. But if
deforestation continues at the rate it’s occurring, we won’t have much of Water Pollution – With the natural water resources depleting day by day,
the valuable forestry left. water is a scarce commodity. But, even in these times, the water sources
With natural wildfires, illegal logging and the mass amount of timber being are polluted by pollutants from various sources, making them unfit for
harvested for commercial use, our forests are decreasing at an alarming human consumption.
rate. As well as reducing our supply of oxygen, the loss of forests is
contributing around 15% of our greenhouse gas emissions. Garbage Pollution – When we do not adhere to proper waste disposal
mechanisms, waste accumulates, causing garbage pollution. So the only
4. Pollution: Pollution is one of the primary causes of many of the other way to address this issue is to ensure a proper waste disposal system that
environmental concerns, including climate change and biodiversity. All 7 does not contaminate the environment.
key types of pollution – air, water, and soil, noise, radioactive, light and
thermal – are affecting our environment. All types of pollution, and Q: Is deforestation an environmental issue? Why?
environmental concerns, are interlinked and influence one another. So, to
tackle one is to tackle them all. That’s why we need to work together, as a Ans. Yes, Deforestation is an environmental issue. Forests have an
community, to reduce the impact that pollution is having on our important role to play in the ecology of an environment. Natural forests
environment. act as biodiversity reserves. They are also carbon sinks, helping in keeping
out carbon from the atmosphere and oceans. Carbon dioxide and other
5. Climate Change: As pointed out by a recent UN report, without gases, in turn, cause global warming and climate changes. And therefore
‘unprecedented changes’ in our actions and behaviour, our planet will destroying forests have a detrimental issue on the environment.
suffer drastically from global warming in just 12 years.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 7 Environmental Principles
1. Nature knows best.
Environmental protection is the practice of protecting the natural environment We humans have to understand nature and follow its rules, because if we want to
by individuals, organizations and governments. Its objectives are to conserve ensure a continuous and steady supply of resources, one must not go against
natural resources and the existing natural environment and, where possible, to natural processes. If we, humans, caused any disruption in the cycle of nature, this
repair damage and reverse trends. can bring imbalance to our ecosystem.
Due to the pressures of overconsumption, population growth and 2. All forms of life are important
technology, the biophysical environment is being degraded, sometimes Each organism plays a fundamental role in nature. It is easy to appreciate the
permanently. This has been recognized, and governments have begun placing
beautiful organisms like butterflies, especially if one knows their important role in
restraints on activities that cause environmental degradation. Since the 1960s, pollination. The giant ones like elephants, the whales, the alligators – are the ones
environmental movements have created more awareness of the multiple we respect mixed with fear or wonder and the products they produce. But when
environmental problems. There is disagreement on the extent of the it comes to unlovely, squirmy, and troublesome creatures, this principle is
environmental impact of human activity, so protection measures are occasionally unusually overlooked.
debated. (Wikipedia)
3. Everything is connected to everything else
In an ecosystem, all biotic and abiotic components interact with each other to
Protecting our planet starts with you. Here are just a few of the things you can
ensure that the system is sustained. Any intrusion from outside may cause an
do.
imbalance and collapsing of the system.
Seven ways to protect the environment 4. Everything changes
Use compact fluorescent light bulbs: It is true that these bulbs are more The environment is constantly changing. Organisms also develop through time.
expensive, but they last much longer and they can save energy and in the long run However, with our current technology, we have affected these natural changes
your electricity bill would be reduced. that these changes now causes problematic events to us. Humans should rethink
1. Donate: You have tons of clothes or things you want to get rid of. If they are their relationship with the environment. Because what we believe that is beneficial
still usable, give them to someone who needs them. You may also choose to to the environment often turn out to be catastrophic.
give them to associations. These associations may sell them and collect a little 5. Everything must go somewhere
money. Not only will you protect the environment, but you will also contribute Everything ends up elsewhere. It doesn’t just disappear. For example, if you throw
to a good cause. a piece of candy wrapper away, it disappears from sight but does not cease to
2. Turn off your devices: When you do not use a house device, turn it off. For exist. It ends up elsewhere. Gases released in the atmosphere may spread but it
example, if you don't watch TV, turn it off. Turn off the light when you leave a will end up a component of the atmosphere and can be brought down by rains.
room (even if you intend to return.) It's an easy habit to take up which will Any particular type of waste should always be a concern to us. It may be a pollutant
help you save a lot of money. or a resource depending on certain factors. Be a responsible person and throw
3. Walk or cycle: Driving is one of the biggest causes of pollution. If you want to your trash in a proper place.
use your car, ask yourself the following question: do I really need my car? Walk 6. Ours is a finite earth
or use your bike if the journey is a short one. Earth’s resources can be classified as either renewable or non-renewable.
4. Detergent: Follow the recommended dose of detergent to wash your clothes Renewable resources are those that can be easily replenished by natural cycles
or dishes. (e.g. water, air, plants, animals) while non-renewable resources are those that
5. Leaky faucets: Watch leaky faucets, which can cause a significant increase in cannot be replenished through natural cycles. Although renewable resources can
the water bill. An average of 120 liters of water can be wasted due to a be replenished, it is important to understand that these are renewable only if they
dripping faucet. are not overused and not destroyed from factors such as pollution.
6. Rainwater: Think of recovering rainwater. This water can be used for different 7. Nature is beautiful and we are stewards of God’s creation!
purposes. Among all creatures, humans are the only ones made in God’s image and have
been given the right to have dominion over all His creations.