Concept of
Environment
Environment refers to the
surrounding including physical, biological and socio-cultural elements. It is
the sum of all external conditions under which we survive. We are always affected
by environment in matter of our growth,
livelihood and overall development. It provides every element that fulfils our
everyday needs. We perform our activities using the elements obtained from
environment. environment includes
physical, biological and socio-cultural aspects. Physical aspects refers to all
non-living elements like soil, rock, river, buildings, etc. biological aspect,
on the other hand, refers to all living creatures. Socio-cultural aspect
includes social norms and values. All these aspects constitute environment.
R.C. sharma defines
environment as the interaction between living and non-living things. According
to him environment encompasses everything, living and non-living objects, the
interaction between these and the products of the interactions. There is a harmonious
relationship among the components of environment. The status of soil, water and
other elements determines the biodiversity because different animals and plants
have special adaptability. Similarly, the producers, consumers and decomposers
are also in a kind of cyclic relationship. Environmental condition determines
our health too.
Concept of
Environmental Education
Environment is the source of
all our needs. It provides everything required for our livelihood however, the activities of human beings are
not environment-friendly. Many people think and even do not know about the
possible consequences of these harmful activities. Environment education is the
educational process that teaches
everything about the environment. It teaches us ways to keep our surrounding
clean and preserve the components of environment in order. The traditional
consumption pattern, lack of knowledge about the significance of environment
and many other activities are the main reasons for spoiling environmental
situation. People take environmental calamities like food, draught and
landslide as the curse of god and do not care about afforestation.
Environment education aims at reducing
these wrong concepts and promoting nature-friendly activities like
afforestation programmes. According to the definition given by the UNESCO in
1978 AD, environment education can be defined in the following way.
Environmental education is a
learning process that increases people’s knowledge and awareness about the environment
and associated challenges, develops the necessary skills and expertise to
address the challenges, and fosters attitudes, motivations, and commitments to
make informed decisions and take responsible action.
This definition has clarified
the concept of environment education. It develops knowledge, skill and attitude
in individual to move with the objective of sustainable development.
Conservation of environment is the main directive of environment education.
Environmental education enhances critical thinking, problem-solving, and
effective-decision making skills, and teaches individuals to weigh various
sides of an environmental issue to make informed and responsible decisions.
Importance of
Environment Education
Environment helps to fulfill
all our demands. However, the activities performed by human beings are not
being environment-friendly. Human activities have resulted natural calamities,
environmental degradation, environmental pollution and many other problems.
Environment education plays a significant role to control these problems and
maintain balance among environment. The importance of environment education is
described….
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