ENVIRONMENT

-derived from a French word “Environia” means to surround

-the surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates.

-the natural world, as a whole or in a particular geographical area, especially as affected by human
activity.

-Environment is the sum total of conditions that surrounds us at a given point of time and space.

-Environment is the sum total of conditions in which an organism has to survive or maintain its life
process. It influences the growth and development of living forms.

-Environment refers to those surroundings that surrounds living beings from all sides and affect their
lives in to

Components of Environment

Environment mainly consists of:

 Lithosphere
 Hydrosphere
 Atmosphere
 Biosphere

(a) Micro environment refers to the immediate local surrounding of the organism.

(b) Macro environment refers to all the physical and biotic conditions that surround the organism
externally.

(c) Physical environment refers to all abiotic factors or conditions like temperature, light, rainfall, soil,
minerals etc. It comprises of atmosphere, lithosphere and hydrosphere.

(d) Biotic environment includes all biotic factors or living forms like plants, animals, Micro-organisms

WHY DOES THE ENVIRONMENT CHANGE?

 Natural Phenomena
Hurricanes
Hurricanes can cause numerous environmental impacts from soil damage to water pollution and
climate change. The turbulence created by rough seas and debris can muddy the water causing
less sunlight to penetrate effecting the amount photosynthesis resulting in decreased dissolved
 oxygen and fish die-offs. Alternately, strong winds over the ocean can also increase nutrients in
certain areas through upwelling, a process that brings nutrient rich water to the surface.
TSUNAMI
Tsunamis can occur when water becomes displaced during quake activity causing damage to
crops, pollution of freshwater resources and displacement of humans and animals due to
habitat destruction.
Earthquakes
Earthquakes are sudden energy releases in Earth’s crust. These earthquakes can send out
violent seismic waves that destroy buildings, displace land masses and change soil
characteristics. Liquefaction, soil strength reduced by water pressure, deformed the soil layers
which caused many buildings to collapse since the soil could no longer support their
foundations. The large number of dead bodies also increased the risk of human and animal
borne disease transmission.
Volcano Eruption
A volcano is caused by extreme pressures inside of Earth that causes the ejection of pyroclastic
materials including rocks, lava, hot gas and ash into the atmosphere.
Typhoon
Typhoons affect the natural environment, and cause harm to trees and other vegetation,
including crops that communities may rely on for sustenance or trade, or both. Strong winds can
snap branches; detach and injure leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds; and uproot trees and plants.
Flooding can produce over-saturation and drown out vegetation. Typhoons also deposit large
quantities of salt onto plant life, which can have adverse effects.
 INCREASE OF HUMAN POPULATION
The impact of so many humans on the environment takes two major forms:

-consumption of resources such as land, food, water, air, fossil fuels and minerals
-waste products as a result of consumption such as air and water pollutants, toxic
materials and greenhouse gases.

 TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT
Many of the technologies we use every day consume a lot more resources and power than they
need to, and using and manufacturing them can create a mess. Here are a few of the ways that
technology can harm the environment:

Pollution - Air, water, heat and noise pollution can all be caused by producing and using
technology
Consuming resources - Non-renewable resources, including precious metals like gold, are used
to make technology. Many others, such as coal, are consumed to generate the electricity to use
technology. Even some renewable resources, like trees and water, are becoming contaminated
or are used up faster than they can renew themselves because of technology.
Waste - Manufacturing technology creates large amounts of waste, and used computers and
electronics get thrown out when they break or become outdated. Called "technotrash," these
 electronics contain all sorts of hazardous materials that are very unsafe for the environment.
They need to be disposed of using special methods.
Disrupting ecology - Clearing land where animals used to live to build factories and allowing
pollution to contaminate the food chain can greatly affect the environment's natural cycles.
Health hazards - Using toxic materials that can harm our health can cause cancer, and
technology addiction can lead to other health problems like obesity and carpal tunnel syndrome

HOW DO HUMANS CHANGE THE ENVIRONMENT?

Human is the only living being on the earth that is responsible for the destruction of the environment.
This is because of his ability to exploit the natural resources beyond the limits of safety.

The rise in human population, desire for luxurious life and dependence on technology impacts the
environment.

 Pollution
 Non-Veg diet
 Technology
 Deforestation
 Excess usage of commodities
 Wastage of resources

ENVIRONMENT WORTH

Ecosystem services-The benefits people obtain from ecosystems.

 Provisioning services are: The products obtained from ecosystems, including, for example,
genetic resources, food and fiber, and fresh water.
 Regulating services are: The benefits obtained from the regulation of ecosystem processes,
including, for example, the regulation of climate, water, and some human diseases.
 Cultural services are: The non-material benefits people obtain from ecosystems through spiritual
enrichment, cognitive development, reflection, recreation, and aesthetic experience, including,
e.g., knowledge systems, social relations, and aesthetic values.
 Supporting services are: Ecosystem services that are necessary for the production of all other
ecosystem services. Some examples include biomass production, production of atmospheric
oxygen, soil formation and retention, nutrient cycling, water cycling, and provisioning of habitat.

How can we give value into ecosystem services?

ENVIRONMENTAL AGENCIES IN THE PHILIPPINES

  World Wildlife Fund

World Wildlife Fund is a worldwide environmental organization focusing on the protection of the Earth’s
natural resources. This includes our forests and oceans, among others. They are committed to
preserving the biodiversity on Earth and sustain life. WWF is the world’s leading and most influential
conservation group, operating in over 100 countries and currently participated by five million people
across the globe. They are responsible for Earth Hour, an annual worldwide movement wherein lights
are turned off in homes and businesses from 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM. This event is conducted to celebrate
sustainability. Since its foundation, Earth Hour has been supported by millions of people and has been
celebrated for nine years now.

 Haribon Foundation

Haribon Foundation is an environmental organization that focuses on the biodiversity conservation of

the Philippines. Some of the their more prominent activities are mangrove restoration and tree planting.
Another is the ROAD to 2020. Rainforest Organization and Advocates (ROAD) to 2020 is a conservation
movement that aims to restore the Philippine rainforests by the year 2020. This movement intends to
bring back the natural forests of the country by using native tree species, such as apitong, lauan, and
narra. You can participate in ROAD to 2020 by joining in tree planting, giving a gift tree, or adopting a
seedling.

 Save Philippines Seas

Save Philippine Seas is an environmental organization focusing on the coastal and marine resources of
the Philippines. They conducts workshops and execute awareness campaigns, which aim to educate and
encourage people to participate in conservation activities and projects.

 Earth Island Institute Philippines

Earth Island Institute Philippines concentrates on the conversation of wetlands in the country. They have
been building awareness about the conservation and restoration of the oceans and seas throughout the
Philippines. In addition, they also conduct coastal clean-ups and organize film showing about
environmental issues.