Easy read on Need for public participation in Environmental protection in 2021
Scope of environmental studies
Environmental factors greatly influence every organism and its activities. The significant areas playing a vital role of importance in the environment are natural resources, ecosystems, biodiversity and its conservation, environmental pollution, social concerns and environment human population and environment. Thus, the scope of environmental studies remarkably covers some aspects of every major discipline. The main scope of environmental studies include
1. To get awareness and sensitivity to the total environment and its related problems.
2. To motivate active participation in environmental protection and improvement.
3. To develop skills for categorising and solving environmental glitches.
4. To know the necessity of conservation of resources.
5. To evaluate environmental programmes in terms of social, economic, and ecological factors.
Importance of environmental education
The main problem of the environment is – natural resources are limited and not uniformly distributed throughout the world. If we use them more and more, the earth’s resources would be reduced completely. The following factors are considered as of the importance of environmental education.
1. People understand the concept of the need for development without destruction of the environment.
2. People gain knowledge of types of environment and the effects of environmental hazards.
3. People know about their role in protecting the environment by demanding laws and systems.
4. Environmental studies have a direct relation to the quality of life.
5. Environmental studies develop concern and respect for the environment.
Need for public awareness
In the year 1992 at Rio de Janerio, The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development was organised, followed by the Conference on Sustainable Development in 2002 (World Summit) have highlighted critical issues of global environmental concern, as follows,
1. Environmental pollution cannot be eliminated by laws alone.
2. The proper application and especially public participation are essential aspects.
3. The public contribution is possible only when the public is aware of the ecological and environmental issues.
4. A drive by the government to ban the littering of polythene cannot be fruitful until the people understand the environmental implications of the same.
5. The public has to be educated about the fact that if we are degrading our environment, we are harming ourselves.
As the earth’s natural resources are rapidly decreasing and our environment is being increasingly tainted by human activities, it is apparent that something needs to be done. The following activities may help for environmental awareness,
1. Join as a group to study nature
2. Begin reading newspaper articles and search several environmental websites which tell more about our current environmental issues.
3. Work for conserving resources by taking up the cause of environmental issues during discussions with friends and relatives.
4. Practice and promote issues such as saving paper, saving water, reducing the use of plastic,
5. Practising the 3Rs principle of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and proper waste disposal.
6. Join local programs that support activities like saving trees in your area.
7. Practice and promote recycling waste and buying eco-friendly products.
8. Practice and endorse good civic sense and hygiene such as no spitting or tobacco chewing, no throwing garbage, no smoking, and no urinating in public places.
9. Take part in proceedings organised on World Environment Day, Wildlife Week
10. Plant tree saplings and make others know the importance of trees.
Learn about the Environmental management system practices in Indian industries. You can also check our course on Good Environmentally Sustainable Practices from Ampersand Academy.