We explain what the environment is and what elements make it up. In addition, information on environmental pollution.
What is the environment?
The environment is the space in which the life of living beings develops and allows their interaction. However, this system is not only made up of living beings , but also abiotic (lifeless) and artificial elements.
When talking about living beings, reference is made to biotic factors , be it flora, fauna or even human beings . In opposition the abiotic factors are those lacking life . However, these elements are essential for the survival of living organisms, such as air , soil and water . Among the artificial elements we include socio-economic relations, such as urbanization , conflicts within a society , etc.
The environment, according to other authors, is considered as the sum of cultural and social relations , in an environment, at a historical moment and in a particular place. This means that this definition includes customs and folklore within the concept of the environment, among many other things.
Function Of Environment
The environment play major functions in our daily life. These are including:
- It Provides the supply of resources.
- It sustains Life.
- Assimilates Wastes
- It enhances the quality of life.
Examples:
Based on components, the environment can be classified into 3 types:
- Aquatic environment (marine, such as oceans and seas, and freshwaters, such as lakes and rivers).
- Terrestrial environment (land).
- Atmospheric environment (air).
Pollution
As the population began to grow and increase its technology , the impact on the environment began to be greater and more harmful . The moment when the environment began to worsen exponentially was from the Industrial Revolution , mainly due to the exploitation of mineral and fossil resources.
In this way the balance of the environmental system was lost and the quality of life of many living beings has been in very bad conditions since then and for some it is even impossible to adapt to the great changes.
Environmental pollution is defined as the presence of chemical, physical or biological agents in the environment that can have harmful effects on the safety and health of living beings , be they animals, flora or humans .
The contamination can have diverse origins, such as waste from industries , mega-mining, or of domestic origin, such as packaging waste, and can even be commercial, such as wrappings.
Environmental Protection
To avoid the destruction of the environment and the survival of living beings and human development , it is necessary to take the necessary precautions. In the first place it is necessary to make good use of natural resources , they did not use indiscriminately and perform sustainable tasks.
It is also necessary to focus attention on issues such as climate change , protection of diversity and population of flora and fauna, also to forests , and avoid desertification. It is also necessary to take measures against consumption and production.
To carry out the task of environmental protection it is necessary that all the actors of society become aware and get involved , before it is too late. This refers to the fact that not only from homes and everyday life we must carry out environmental care, but it is necessary to require states and rulers to do the same and promote it, in addition to controlling the actions of industries , companies and the scientific community.
