Environment refers to the physical world that surrounds living organisms or systems, from their surroundings and physical components such as climate to natural phenomena like air quality and soil moisture content. Environmental science plays an essential role in ecology; individuals’ exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capabilities determine their environmental impact on society as a whole.
All human thought and behavior takes place within various physical environments that possess unique features. These environments range from noisy offices, open fields or quiet bedrooms – some being natural while others man-made for specific functions, such as providing clean drinking water access.
From a chemical/physical perspective, environment may be defined as any non-system component surrounding any given system under consideration. For instance, when considering a ball rolling downhill through grass or air, surrounding grass and air are often included as part of its environment – same for the Earth itself with its atmosphere or any of its layers such as the lithosphere, hydrosphere etc.
There are various fields of science focused on environmental science, such as environmental biology, environmental physics and ecological restoration. Each field takes an interest in how organisms interact with their environments.
Some may view the environment as consisting solely of non-human aspects of Earth, yet we humans are inextricably tied to it from day one of human evolution. From hunting patterns to waste disposal practices, human activities have had a lasting impact on Earth.
Humans should learn how to interact and comprehend their environment, since the latter can have an immediate effect on our health, such as through disease progression. Particularly harmful exposures include lead or mercury toxins; additionally ionizing radiation exposure could potentially harm an individual.
Studies are investigating the relationship between our mental and physical wellbeing, time spent outdoors in nature, and increased vitamin D levels and improved immune function. Some of the most promising benefits may include increased vitamin D levels and enhanced immunity function. Green spaces also help relieve stress, with studies finding positive psychological outcomes from taking in forest environments through practices such as Shinrin-yoku in Japan. Protecting parks, forests and other natural lands is also crucial as they act as carbon sinks and help cool cities. Furthermore, renewable energy and low-carbon transportation solutions can play a pivotal role in decreasing emissions and improving sustainability. For more information about this and related topics please check out our resources for teaching about Natural, Constructed and Managed Environmental Features.
