Meaning and Functions of Environment

The environment has all living and non-living things occurring naturally on Earth, including air, water, land, and ecosystems. It provides the foundational elements that support life and maintain ecological balance. The functions of environment are critical for sustaining life and ensuring the health of our planet. These functions include resource provision, climate regulation, habitat creation, and waste decomposition.

Concept of Environment

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Functions of Environment

• Supporting Life : The functions of environment provide essential resources such as air, water, and food for all living organisms' survival.
• Regulating Climate : Natural ecosystems play a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate by absorbing carbon dioxide, releasing oxygen, and maintaining temperature through transpiration and evaporation.
• Biodiversity Conservation : The functions of environment supports diverse ecosystems that house various species. Biodiversity is vital for ecosystem resilience, providing stability and resources for human use.
• Soil Formation and Fertility : The environment facilitates soil formation by weathering rocks and decomposing organic matter. Healthy soil is essential for agriculture and supporting plant life.
• Water Cycle Regulation : The functions of environment is integral to the water cycle, which involves water movement through evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and infiltration. This cycle replenishes freshwater resources.
• Nutrient Cycling : Ecosystems recycle nutrients through biological processes, ensuring that essential elements like nitrogen and phosphorus are available for plant growth and ecosystem health.

Reasons for Environmental Crisis

• Unsustainable Business Practices : Many companies prioritise short-term profits over long-term sustainability, leading to practices that harm the functions of environment, such as resource overexploitation and excessive waste generation.
• Resource Depletion : The growing demand for natural resources, driven by industrialization and consumerism, depletes finite resources such as fossil fuels, minerals, and freshwater, causing ecological imbalances.
• Pollution from Manufacturing : Industrial activities often produce significant waste and emissions. Factories may discharge pollutants into the air, water, and soil, leading to environmental degradation and health issues for surrounding communities.
• Deforestation for Agriculture and Urbanization : Expanding agricultural land and urban development leads to deforestation, which reduces biodiversity, disrupts ecosystems, and contributes to climate change through increased carbon emissions.
• Supply Chain Inefficiencies : Inefficient supply chain practices can increase waste, transportation emissions, and resource waste. Companies may overlook functions of environment considerations in their logistics and production processes.
• Consumer Culture and Overconsumption : The rise of a consumer-driven culture promotes overconsumption of goods, increasing production demands. This cycle results in excessive resource extraction, waste, and environmental harm.

Environment Effects of Economic Development on Resources and Environment

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