ENVIRONMENT
ENVIRONMENT
The word Environment is derived from the French word “Environia” meaning to surround. The definition of Environment given by P. Gisbert is “Environment is anything immediately surrounding an object and exerting a direct influence on it” and as per E. J. Ross, “Environment is an external force which influences us.”
Our Environment is made up of interacting systems of natural, physical, biological, and cultural factors that are connected both individually and collectively.
Our Environment is comprised of both living and non-living things, that have a direct effect on human existence.Environment means what surrounds us. It may be living or non-living things. It includes physical, chemical and other natural forces. Living things live in their environment. They constantly interact with it and adapt themselves to conditions in their environment.
In the environment there are different interactions between animals, plants, soil, water, and other living and non-living things. The word environment is used to talk about many things. For example, trees, rivers, and oceans are a part of the environment. People in different fields of knowledge use the word environment differently.
Electromagnetic environment is radio waves and other electromagnetic radiation and magnetic fields. The environment of a galaxy may mean the interstellar medium, or it may mean other nearby galaxies.In biology and ecology, the environment is all of the natural materials and living things, if those things are natural, it is a natural environment.
Environment includes the living and non-living things that an organism interacts with, or that have an effect on it. Living elements that an organism interacts with are known as biotic elements: animals, plants, etc. Abiotic elements are non-living things which include air, water, sunlight etc. Studying the environment means studying the relationships among these various things. An example of interactions between non-living and living things is plants getting their minerals from the soil and making food using sunlight. Predation, an organism eating another, is an example of interaction between living things.
Environmentalists think we should protect the natural environment, to keep it safe. Things in the natural environment that we value are called natural resources. For example, fish, insects, and forests. These are renewable resources because they come back naturally when we use them. Non-renewable resources are important things in the environment that are limited for example, ores and fossil fuels after a few thousand years. Some things in the natural environment can kill people, such as lightning.Importance of Our Environment
Our environment includes sun, land, water, air and soil, all of which play an important role for human survival.
It preserves genetic diversity and biodiversity, which ensures the survival of life. Earth is habitat for different living species and we all are dependent on the environment for our basic necessities such as food, water etc. The environment not only maintains the balanced climate but all those components which are necessary for life are received by the environment itself as well.
Environmental resources, comprising both renewable and non-renewable resources, are readily available for use in the production of goods and services. The production and consumption of different activities produce waste, which is mainly in the form of garbage, and environment itself helps to remove that waste generated. We, human beings, are able to appreciate the scenic beauty of mountains, oceans, rivers, lakes, deserts etc. only because the environment still persists.
It is foremost duty of each and every person to protect and preserve our environment. Our environment provides a space for our ecosystem and supports its growth. Until and unless we save our environment, animals, crops, and eventually ourselves, are at risk. We, human beings, cannot survive if there were no environment for our dwelling. Also, we would also be unable to discover other alternatives of survival.
