Environmental Education

Environmental education is a process that allows individuals to explore environmental  issues, engage in problem solving, and take action to improve the environment. As a result, individuals develop a deeper understanding of environmental issues and have the skills to make informed and responsible decisions

The scope of environmental education can be divided into biological, physical and sociological aspects. They are described below: Biological aspect: Biological aspects is one of the most important aspects of environmental education. ... Air, water, land, climate etc are included in natural physical aspects.

 Environmental Education is Important:- That requires a commitment to providing children with environmental education that helps them become the educated thought leaders of tomorrow. It also means supporting teachers and caregivers as they engage their children in outdoor studies and environmental  issues.

Ecology Ecology addresses the full scale of life, from tiny bacteria to processes that span the entire planet. Objects of study include interactions of organisms  with each other and with abiotic component of their environment. Ecology is not synonymous with environmentalism, natural history, or environmental science.

Ecosystem Ecosystem are dynamically interacting systems of organisms, the communities they make up, and the non-living components of their environment. Ecosystem processes, such as primary production,regulate the flux of energy and matter through an environment. These processes are sustained by organisms with specific life history traits. Biodiversity means the varieties of species,genes and ecosystem, enhances certain  ecosystem services.

Biodiversity Biodiversity generally refers to the variety and variability of life on earth. biodiversity typically measures variation at the genetic, species, and ecosystem  level

Sustainable development Sustainable development is the organizing principale  for meetinghuman development  goals while at the same time sustaining the ability of natural systems to provide the natural resource and ecosystem services upon which the economy and society depend. The desired result is a state of society where living conditions and resource use continue to meet human needs without undermining the integrity and stability of the natural system. Sustainable development can be classified as development that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations.

Pollution Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that cause adverse change. Pollution can take the form of chemical substances or energy, such as noise, heat or light. Pollutants, the components of pollution, can be either foreign substances/energies or naturally occurring contaminants.

Type of Pollution Water Pollution Air Pollution Noise Pollution Radioactive Pollution etc.

Air Pollution                                                               Air pollution occurs when harmful or excessive quantities of substances including gases, particulates, and biological molecules are introduced into Earth's atmosphere. It may cause diseases, allergies and even death to humans; it may also cause harm to other living organisms such as animals and food crops, and may damage the natural or built environment. Both human activity and natural processes can generate air pollution.

Types of Sources There are four main types of air pollution sources: mobile sources – such as cars, buses, planes, trucks, and trains stationary sources – such as power plants, oil refineries, industrial facilities, and factories area sources – such as agricultural areas, cities, and wood burning fireplaces natural sources – such as wind-blown dust, wildfires, and volcanoes

Causes of Air pollution Burning of Fossil Fuels Agricultural activities Exhaust from factories and industries Mining operations  Indoor air pollution

Effects of Air pollution Respiratory and heart problems Global warming Acid Rain Effect on Wildlife

Water pollution Water pollution :- the contamination of water bodies, usually as a result of human activities. Water bodies include for example lakes, rivers, oceans, aquifers and groundwater. Water pollution results when contaminants are introduced into the natural environment.

Sources of Water Pollution There are various classifications of water pollution. The two chief sources of water pollution can be seen as Point and Non Point. Point refer to the pollutants that belong to a single source. An example of this would be emissions from factories into the water. Non Point on the other hand means pollutants emitted from multiple sources.Contaminated water after rains that has traveled through several regions may also be considered as a Non point source of pollution.

Causes of Water Pollution Industrial waste Sewage and waste water Mining activities Accidental Oil leakage

Effect of water pollution Death of aquatic (water) animals Disruption of food-chains Destruction of ecosystems Diseases

Noise pollution Noise pollution affects both health and behavior. Unwanted sound (noise) can damage physiological health. Noise pollution can cause hypertension, high stress levels, tinnitus, hearing loss, sleep disturbances, and other harmful effects.

The source of outdoor noise worldwide is mainly caused by machines, transport and transportation systems

Soil Pollution Industrial wastes such as harmful gases and chemicals, agricultural pesticides, fertilizers and insecticides are the most common causes of soil pollution. ... ~ Loss of soil and natural nutrients present in it. Plants also would not thrive in such soil, which would further result in soil erosion.

Soil contamination or soil pollution as part of land degradation is caused by the presence of xenobiotic (human-made) chemicals or other alteration in the natural soil environment. It is typically caused by industrial activity, agricultural chemicals, orimproper disposal of waste.

Nuclear and Radioactive Pollution Nuclear hazard effects can be either initial or residual. Initial effects occur in the immediate area of explosion and are hazardous immediately after the explosion where as the residual effects can last for days or years and cause death. The principal initial effects are blast and radiation.

Causes of Nuclear Pollution Operations conducted by nuclear power stations produce radioactive waste. Nuclear waste may generate low to medium radiation over long period of times. ... Mining and refining of uranium and thorium. ... Nuclear fuel cycle (used in many industrial, medical and scientific processes).