ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES

1) Define Environmental Values.

Environmental values can be defined as inherent feelings that bring about

sympathy for preserving nature as a whole.

2) How do native societies view nature?

Native societies view nature with a feeling of oneness of all creation and also by
respecting and valuing all the different components of nature.

3) What is environmental awareness?

Environmental awareness refers to pro-conservation actions that must be taken in

all our day-to-day activities.

4) Why do humans explore nature?

Humans explore nature because it is their inborn desire to unravel the mysteries of
nature.

5) State the causes of environmental problems.

The causes of environmental problems are a lack of awareness of the consequences

of unlimited and unrestrained anti-environmental behaviour.

6) Mention some of the environmental services.

Some of the environmental services include Nature's mechanisms in cleaning up

the air by removing carbon dioxide and adding oxygen through plant life, recycling
water through the water cycle of nature, maintenance of climate regimes, etc.

7) How do we educate people on environmental values?

People can be educated on environmental values by the introduction of new

educational processes and also by making them aware to take part in
pro-environmental programs.
8) What is the fundamental environmental sentiment?

The fundamental environmental sentiment is to value Nature as herself.

Appreciating Her magnificence and treasuring life itself leads to positive feelings
that are a manifestation of pro-environmental consciousness.

9) Give an example of how environmental awareness extends to man-made

landscapes.

The coloured patterns of farmland, the greens of a tea or coffee plantation on the
hill, construction of urban gardens and open space are examples of how
environmental awareness extends to man-made landscapes. All these mark the
need to preserve biodiversity.

10) Define existence values.

Existence values refer to valuing all that is part of nature for its existence or for
being there on Earth for us.

PARAGRAPH QUESTIONS:

1) Differentiate between native and colonial environmental values.

Environmental values can be defined as inherent feelings that bring about

sympathy for preserving nature as a whole. Native societies view nature with a
feeling of oneness of all creation and also by respecting and valuing all the
different components of nature. There are several writings and sayings in Indian
thought that support these concepts. The Western, modern approach values the
resources of nature for their utilitarian importance alone. Such profit-oriented and
exploitative views were brought in by the colonisers. As a result of it, the current
value system praises economic and technical progress as the most important in a
developing country. This wrong notion leads to a lack of awareness of protecting
environmental values.

2) Explain the changes in environmental values over the years with an example.

Environmental values can be defined as inherent feelings that bring about

sympathy for preserving nature as a whole. Concept of what constitutes right and
wrong changes with time. In the past, shooting animals were considered a 'sport.' It
was a royal, brave, and much desirable activity to kill a Tiger. Nowadays, things
have changed. Today, killing wild animals is a crime against biodiversity
conservation. Similarly, cutting a few trees from large tracts of forests was not a
significant criminal act in the past. In contrast to this, today, cutting trees is
considered an unwise behaviour as we have less number of forests compared to the
past condition. People used to throw away a little household degradable garbage in
the past. In contrast to this, today, people have started using a lot of
non-degradable materials. Throwing away large quantities of such materials leads
to damaging the environment. Our value system can prevent it only through
implementing a strong environmental value education system.

3) Write a note on human's close relationship with nature.

Humans have an inborn desire to explore Nature. A want to unravel the mysteries
of Nature is a part of human nature. People will start to appreciate nature's
complexity and fragility when they get exposed to the wonders of the wilderness. It
will help them to get closer to Nature. This bond awakens a new desire to want to
protect the natural heritage. Humans get diverted from their concern for nature
only because of the influence of profit-oriented and exploitative views of modern
society. Modern society and wrong educational processes have always suppressed
these innate sentiments of humans. People can be educated on environmental
values by the introduction of new educational processes and also by making them
aware to take part in pro-environmental programs.

4) Comment on environmental values at the community level.

Environmental values can be defined as inherent feelings that bring about

sympathy for preserving nature as a whole. Such values can be developed by
taking part in pro-environmental actions. An individual must be aware of his
actions and also of their consequences. This awareness of one's actions will lead to
strengthening pro-environmental behaviour and hence can prevent
anti-environmental actions. At the community level, pro-environmental actions
occur only when a critical number of people become environmentally conscious. It
will help them to constitute a pro-environmental lobby force that makes
governments and other people accept good environmental behaviour as an
important part of development.
5) Write a note on the need for architectural heritage.

The characteristic architecture, sculpture, artworks, and crafts of ancient cultures

are valuable environmental assets. It provides us knowledge about the past,
present, and perhaps about the future of architecture as well. Architectural heritage
is not just about preserving old buildings. It is also about conserving whole
traditional landscapes in rural areas and streetscapes in urban settings. To preserve
architectural heritage, one needs to learn to value these landscapes. Otherwise, they
will disappear and as a result, our heritage will be lost. Hence, environmental
values must give importance to preserving ancient structures along with many
other things.

ESSAY:

Environmental values can be defined as inherent feelings that bring about

sympathy for preserving nature as a whole. Native societies view nature with a
feeling of oneness of all creation and also by respecting and valuing all the
different components of nature. There are several writings and sayings in Indian
thought that support these concepts. The Western, modern approach values the
resources of nature for their utilitarian importance alone. Such profit-oriented and
exploitative views were brought in by the colonisers. As a result of it, the current
value system praises economic and technical progress as the most important in a
developing country. This wrong notion leads to a lack of awareness of protecting
environmental values.

An individual must be aware of his actions and also of their consequences. This
awareness of one's actions will lead to strengthening pro-environmental behaviour
and hence can prevent anti-environmental actions. So, Environmental actions will
begin to move from the domain of individuals to that of a community. At the
community level, pro-environmental actions occur only when a critical number of
people become environmentally conscious. It will help them to constitute a
pro-environmental lobby force that makes governments and other people accept
good environmental behaviour as an important part of development.

Environmentally conscious individuals need to develop a sense of values that are

linked with a better and more sustainable way of life for all people. One needs to
have positive feelings that support environmental values that include a value for
nature, cultures, heritage, and equity. Environmental values must also give
importance to preserving ancient structures. The characteristic architecture,
sculpture, artworks, and crafts of ancient cultures are valuable environmental
assets. It provides us knowledge about the past, present, and perhaps about the
future of architecture as well. Architectural heritage is not just about preserving old
buildings. It is also about conserving whole traditional landscapes in rural areas
and streetscapes in urban settings. Otherwise, they will disappear and as a result,
our heritage will be lost.

To develop environmental awareness, first of all, one must comprehend the truth
that humans are only a tiny part of nature's complex web of life. Thus, to protect
what is left of the wilderness is the duty of humans. Creating National Parks and
Wildlife Sanctuaries are some of the ways for it. On the whole, for sustained
environmental values, one needs to value nature as it is.