What is the Environment?
In simple words, the environment can be defined as everything around us. Our environment is composed of both living and non-living things, and is referred to as the biotic and abiotic components of the environment.
Also Read: Our environment.
Biotic components
Biotic components comprise all living things, including animals, birds, microbes, plants, reptiles, and insects.
Abiotic components
Abiotic components comprise all non-living things, including the soil, air, temperature, water, sunlight, nutrients, rocks, mountains, etc.
Also Read: Biotic And Abiotic Factors
Environmental Factors
The environmental factors can be defined as the identifiable element within the environment that affects an organism’s survival, operations, and growth.
Environmental factors involve everything that changes the natural environment. Some elements are visible, while others cannot be seen. Air, water, climate, soil, natural vegetation and landforms are all environmental factors.
By definition, the environmental factors affect everyday living, and play a key role in bringing health differences across the geographic areas. The interaction between human and ecological factors significantly impacts human health, either directly or indirectly.
Five Environmental Factors
The primary five environmental factors which affect the health and well-being of human life are:
Pollution
Pollution is defined as introducing pollutants, organic molecules, or other unsafe materials into the Earth’s atmosphere. This can either be caused by natural events (like forest fires) or by man-made activities (like emissions from automobiles, factories, nuclear wastes, etc.)
The different types of pollution include:
- Air pollution
- Soil pollution
- Noise pollution
- Water pollution
- Radioactive pollution
Explore more: Types of Pollution
Deforestation
Deforestation refers to the cutting down of trees and the destruction of forests. These can either be for human habitation and use or natural causes.
Deforestation has a tremendous negative impact on the environment. The most dramatic effect is a loss of trees and forests, which drives climate change, and several other problems have been raised for the ecosystem.
Explore more: Difference Between Afforestation and Deforestation
Solid Waste Pollution
Solid waste pollution is also referred to as a type of pollution, along with air, water, noise and soil pollution.
Solid waste pollution refers to the improper disposal of solid waste, including garbage, construction waste, metal pieces, glass and plastic products, dead and decaying matter, solid agricultural waste, medical waste, radioactive waste, etc.
Explore more: Causes Of Solid Waste Pollution
Global Warming
The phenomenon of a gradual increase in the average temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere and its water bodies is termed global warming. The leading cause for this environmental issue is the increased volumes of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane released by burning fossil fuels, emissions from vehicles, industries, and other human activities.
Explore more: Global warming
Change in Climatic Conditions
There are several causes of climate change. The most significant effect on the climate is the increasing trend in the concentration of greenhouse gases and global warming in the atmosphere.
Climate change is having an adverse impact on the environment. These include the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of ecosystems.
Other than natural disasters, humans are also responsible for climate change. The burning of fossil fuels, emissions from vehicles, and industries are a few of them.
A change in the global climate includes:
- Typhoons
- Rising temperature
- An average to more rainfall
- Melting of global ocean currents and lots more.
Explore more: Effects Of Climate Changes
This article concludes with a brief introduction to the environment, and the primary five environmental factors which affect human health. To know more about environmental factors, other related topics and important questions on pollution, keep visiting our website, at BYJU’S Biology.
Frequently Asked Questions on Five Environmental Factors that Affect Health
What are Environmental Issues?
Environmental issues are a warning of the upcoming disaster, which
leads to the degradation of air, water and soil quality. If these issues are not controlled, there will soon be no life on earth.
What are the major causes of environmental issues?
An environmental issue can be defined as the harmful effects of any human activity on the environment.
The major causes of environmental issues are:
- Pollution
- Solid Waste
- Deforestation
- Global Warming
- Depletion of Natural Resource
What are the practical measures taken to reduce environmental issues?
As we all know, the primary cause of environmental issues is human activity. Therefore, the following are the specific measures taken to reduce the environmental issues:
- Plant more trees
- Reduce the use of automobiles
- Use renewable sources of energy
- Reuse and recycle waste products
- Disposal of solid and harmful waste properly
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