Environment
The environment encompasses all the external factors influencing the life and activities of people, plants, and animals. It includes the physical, chemical, and biological conditions that affect the growth and development of living organisms. The environment can be divided into the natural environment, which includes all living and non-living things occurring naturally, and the built environment, which consists of the areas and components that are strongly influenced by humans.
Components of the Environment[edit | edit source]
The environment is composed of various components, each playing a crucial role in the sustenance and development of life.
Climate[edit | edit source]
Climate refers to the average weather conditions in a region over a long period. It is a significant environmental factor that influences the distribution and adaptation of living organisms.
Soil[edit | edit source]
Soil is the layer of natural materials on the Earth's surface, containing organic and inorganic materials, and is vital for the growth of plants. It acts as a natural medium for the supply of nutrients to living organisms.
Living organisms[edit | edit source]
Living organisms include all forms of life from the simplest single-celled bacteria to complex multicellular organisms like humans. They interact with each other and with their physical environment, creating ecosystems.
Impact of Human Activities[edit | edit source]
Human activities have a profound impact on the environment. These impacts include pollution, deforestation, urbanization, and climate change, which can alter the natural balance and reduce biodiversity.
Pollution[edit | edit source]
Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that cause adverse change. It can take the form of chemical substances or energy, such as noise, heat, or light.
Deforestation[edit | edit source]
Deforestation is the removal of a forest or stand of trees where the land is thereafter converted to a non-forest use. This has significant effects on the climate, biodiversity, and soil erosion.
Climate Change[edit | edit source]
Climate Change refers to significant changes in global temperatures and weather patterns over time. While climate change is a natural phenomenon, human activities have been a major contributor since the industrial era.
Conservation and Sustainability[edit | edit source]
Conservation and sustainability efforts aim to protect the environment and ensure that natural resources are used responsibly so that future generations can meet their own needs.
Conservation[edit | edit source]
Conservation involves the protection and preservation of natural resources to prevent exploitation, degradation, and destruction.
Sustainability[edit | edit source]
Sustainability refers to the ability to maintain healthy environmental, social, and economic systems in balance, indefinitely, on a global and local scale.
Glossary[edit | edit source]
- Climate - The weather conditions prevailing in an area in general or over a long period.
- Soil - The top layer of the earth's surface in which plants grow, a black or dark brown material typically consisting of a mixture of organic remains, clay, and rock particles.
- Living organisms - Any contiguous living system, such as animals, plants, fungi, protists, archaea, and bacteria.
- Pollution - The presence in or introduction into the environment of a substance or thing that has harmful or poisonous effects.
- Deforestation - The action of clearing a wide area of trees.
- Climate Change - A change in global or regional climate patterns, in particular a change apparent from the mid to late 20th century onwards and attributed largely to the increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide produced by the use of fossil fuels.
- Conservation - The action of conserving something, in particular preservation, protection, or restoration of the natural environment and of wildlife.
- Sustainability - The ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level; avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance.
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD