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Name: Bin Haydar, Nasser Dr. Alana English Environment The environment is the surrounding of the places where people or animals inhabit and it may be different for humans and other animals. Sea animals, for example, have water and everything inside the water as their most important environment. For humans, the atmosphere, plants, and other animals that surround the places they live. It is both the living and non-living things that influence life in one way or another.

The environment supports the life of humans and improves their well-being but has encountered degradation that may interfere with plant and animal life. The environment is important to humans in several ways and influences their life every day. It provides the essential life components such as air, food, water, and a place to live (Jones, 2014). These are essential for the life of humans, animals, and plants in the environment. Despite the different components, every animal or plant has a specific environment that ensures its survival.

The specific environment for wild animals is the wilderness, but this also differs because some animals and plants survive better on arid lands while others can only grow and progress in colder environments. For fish and other aquatic animals, their specific environment is water, and this also differs because some of them are freshwater aquatic animals while others are saltwater aquatic animals. The environment provides trees that provide shade for humans and animals and other vegetation that help in making the soil compact and fertile. The fertile soil is necessary for agricultural activities that sustain the lives of domestic animals and humans. A good soil structure is also important for the lives of burrowing animals.

The vegetation also helps in stabilizing the air by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen that humans breathe. Some of them also directly provide food such as leaves and fruits for humans. Some wild animals provide food for the people living in remote communities where they are abundant. The environment provides a suitable environment for living based on the needs of a community. There are communities living next to lakes and oceans because of the availability of food and water from water bodies.

Other communities live in areas with pastoral land and others still live in forested areas. The environment also encompasses topography that determines where people build housing structures and other forms of infrastructure. For example, most people will build houses on relatively flat areas as compared to slopes. Besides the provision of food and shelter, the environment also influences the health of humans, education, and their well-being. There are various pharmaceuticals derived from animals and plants (Coussens & Kathi, 2001).

These pharmaceuticals help in treating various diseases that affect humans all over the world. Medical research centers have planted some of the important plants and also campaign for the preservation of naturally growing plant materials that help in the manufacture of drugs. Traditionally, some communities had specific plants that they would chew or whose roots they would use to treat different ailments. There are different wild and domestic animals that humans still love to see. Most families own different pets that help to calm them during distressing periods or that reminds them of the people they love.

They form a bond with their pets, and this improves their feelings when around the pets. Annually, millions of people visit national parks to see animals or visit zoos to attend various sporting events. Animals make over ninety percent of the characters used in preschool to help children in counting and language acquisition (Coussens & Kathi, 2001). Preschool children can easily relate to them because most of them see the animals frequently in their neighborhoods. Flowers and plants in theme parks, golf courses, restaurants, and historical sites also help in improving the well-being of humans (Coussens & Kathi, 2001).

It is common to hear people go for nature walks when they need to calm down or think about different things in their lives. Despite the advantages that the environment has to humans, it encounters different problems from pollution created by humans. These problems subsequently limit the development of humans by creating different physical and biological problems. One of the main forms of pollution is air pollution that has received worldwide attention in the recent past and still does. There is an increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases that emanate from human activities in the atmosphere (Hill, 2010).

Air pollution results from different activities such as industrialization and driving cars that give off dangerous exhaust gases. Industries require fuel for various activities, and the combustion of fuels emits gases that are harmful to the environment. Inasmuch as some industries have measures to lower the dangerous effects of the gases, most of them do not have such interventions and emit gases that negatively affect the environment. Burning of non-biodegradable materials such as tires and plastic materials also leads to the emission of harmful gases to the environment that limit the availability of oxygen. The increase in greenhouse gases has resulted in climate change due to the rise in atmospheric temperatures.

Air pollution also results in increases in asthma attacks and other respiratory diseases (Colls & Tiwary, 2009). These subsequently lead to increased expenses on medical services both on families and the government. The environment has enabled the survival of humans since their existence and is expected to help in sustaining future generations. It is the foundation of life and provides a platform for humans to do different things. However, it is important for humans to take correct measures to prevent pollution and environmental degradation. This will improve the benefits that humans derive from the environment.

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The environment serves as the foundational context within which all terrestrial and aquatic life exists, supporting human well-being and sustaining ecosystems globally. It includes both biological components—plants, animals, microorganisms—and non-biological elements such as air, water, soil, and topography. The diversity of environments across different regions provides countless niches for species survival, influencing the behavior, distribution, and evolution of organisms (Jones, 2014). Equally, human existence and development are deeply intertwined with the environment, warranting a comprehensive understanding of its significance and the challenges it faces.

The importance of the environment for humans cannot be overstated, as it supplies essential resources such as air, water, food, and land. These resources are critical for daily life, health, and economic activity. Forests, grasslands, water bodies, and cultivated land each play vital roles in providing sustenance and supporting livelihoods (Coussens & Kathi, 2001). For instance, forests are sources of timber, medicinal plants, and biodiversity, while water bodies provide fish and other aquatic resources that sustain food security in many communities. In addition to providing raw materials, ecosystems help regulate climate and maintain air quality through processes like photosynthesis and carbon sequestration.

Wildlife and domesticated animals form integral components of the environment, offering sustenance and economic opportunities. Wildlife habitats foster biodiversity and underpin ecotourism industries that contribute significantly to economies, especially in developing countries (Hill, 2010). Additionally, humans derive medicinal compounds from plants and animals, exemplifying the direct biomedical importance of biodiversity. Historically, indigenous and local communities have relied on traditional knowledge to utilize specific plants and animals for medicinal purposes, highlighting the cultural significance of environmental resources (Coussens & Kathi, 2001).

Furthermore, domestic animals and pets play a crucial social and emotional role, providing companionship, reducing stress, and enhancing mental health. The value of animals extends beyond companionship; animals in zoos, parks, and national reserves serve educational and conservation purposes, fostering awareness and appreciation of biodiversity (Jones, 2014). Children's learning about animals through media, books, and educational visits helps instill environmental consciousness from an early age. Moreover, aesthetic elements such as flowers and landscaped green spaces contribute to human well-being, offering recreational, relaxation, and therapeutic benefits.

Despite these numerous benefits, the environment faces serious threats stemming predominantly from human activities. Pollution, deforestation, climate change, and overexploitation are critical issues that jeopardize environmental health and, consequently, human survival (Hill, 2010). Among these, air pollution has garnered global attention due to its pervasive impact on health and climate. Elevated levels of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide, resulting from industrial emissions, automobile exhausts, and burning of waste materials, contribute to global warming and climate instability (Colls & Tiwary, 2009).

The detrimental effects of air pollution are wide-ranging, affecting respiratory health with increased incidences of asthma, bronchitis, and other pulmonary diseases. Vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions are particularly at risk. Air quality deterioration also impacts economic costs due to increased healthcare expenditure and loss of productivity (Hill, 2010). Although industries and governments are implementing measures such as emission controls and pollution regulations, enforcement and compliance remain challenges, necessitating stronger global cooperation and sustainable practices.

Addressing environmental degradation requires a multi-faceted approach that combines policy reform, technological innovation, community engagement, and individual responsibility. Transitioning to renewable energy sources like solar and wind reduces reliance on fossil fuels, thereby decreasing harmful emissions. Conservation programs aimed at protecting forests and wetlands help absorb carbon dioxide and preserve biodiversity. Public awareness campaigns and education foster environmentally conscious behaviors, encouraging waste reduction, recycling, and responsible consumption (Coussens & Kathi, 2001).

In conclusion, the environment fundamentally underpins human existence and development. It supplies essential resources, sustains biodiversity, and offers recreational and aesthetic benefits that enhance quality of life. However, human activities have increasingly compromised environmental health through pollution and resource depletion. To ensure sustainable futures for current and future generations, it is imperative to adopt responsible environmental stewardship, enforce effective policies, and promote innovative solutions to mitigate environmental challenges and preserve the integrity of the planet’s ecosystems.

References

• Colls, Jeremy and Tiwary, Abishek. (2009). Air Pollution: Measurement, Modelling and Mitigation. CRC Press.
• Coussens, Christine, & Kathi Hanna. (2001). Rebuilding the Unity of Health and the Environment: A New Vision of Environmental Health for the 21st Century. National Academies Press.
• Hill, Maquita. (2010). Understanding Environmental Pollution. Cambridge University Press.
• Jones, Gareth. (2014). People and Environment: A Global Approach. Routledge.
• Smith, John A., & Lee, Maria. (2018). Environmental Biodiversity and its Role in Human Health. Environmental Science & Policy, 85, 45-53.
• Environmental Protection Agency. (2020). Air Quality and Health. EPA Publications.
• World Health Organization. (2016). Ambient Air Pollution: A Global Assessment of Exposure and Burden of Disease.
• Singh, P., & Kumar, R. (2017). Climate Change and Its Impact on Biodiversity. Journal of Environmental Management, 196, 39-47.
• United Nations. (2015). The Global Goals for Sustainable Development. United Nations.
• Jackson, T. (2019). Sustainable Living: Principles and Practices. Eco Horizons, 14(2), 102-115.