INTRODUCTION

Environmental protection is a practice of protecting the natural environment on individual, organizational or

governmental levels, for the benefit of both the natural environment and humans. Due to the pressures of population
and technology, the biophysical environment is being degraded, sometimes permanently. This has been recognized,
and governments have begun placing restraints on activities that cause environmental degradation. Since the 1960s,
activity of environmental movements has created awareness of the various environmental issues. There is no
agreement on the extent of the environmental impact of human activity, and protection measures are occasionally
criticized.
Academic institutions now offer courses, such as environmental studies, environmental
management and environmental engineering, that teach the history and methods of environment protection.
Protection of the environment is needed due to various human activities. Waste production, air pollution, and loss
of biodiversity(resulting from the introduction of invasive species and species extinction) are some of the issues
related to environmental protection.
Environmental protection is influenced by three interwoven factors: environmental legislation, ethics and education.
Each of these factors plays its part in influencing national-level environmental decisions and personal-level
environmental values and behaviors. For environmental protection to become a reality, it is important for societies to
develop each of these areas that, together, will inform and drive environmental decisions.
FLORA AND FAUNA
Flora is the plant life occurring in a particular region or time, generally the naturally occurring or indigenousnative
plant life. The corresponding term for animal life is fauna. Flora, fauna and other forms of life such as fungi are
collectively referred to as biota. Bacterial organisms, algae, and other organisms are sometimes referred to as flora,[1]
[2][3]
so that for example the terms bacterial flora and plant flora are used separately.
Fauna is all of the animal life of any particular region or time. The corresponding term for plants is flora. Flora, fauna
and other forms of life such as fungi are collectively referred to as biota.
Zoologists and paleontologists use fauna to refer to a typical collection of animals found in a specific time or place,
e.g. the "Sonoran Desert fauna" or the "Burgess Shale fauna".
Paleontologists sometimes refer to a sequence of faunal stages, which is a series of rocks all containing similar
fossils.
PRODUCTS OF OUR ENVIRONMENT
FROM PLANT
food
shade
wood
gives oxygen to the environment
absorbs carbon dioxide
helps in rainfall
prevents soil erosion
helps in pollution control
gives medicine
restores water in the underground
some plants used in cosmetics
some in paper manufacture
fuel purposes

habitat for animals, birds

energy production
maintains the humidity in the surrounding environment
used in aromatherapy
used in research purpose
FROM ANIMALS
Cow -Milk

Sheep - Wool
Hen,goat, chicken, pig, etc.-Meat
Honeybees give us honey.
Hen-Eggs
Animals like dogs, cats and parrots may also be kept as pets in our homes.
Silkworm gives us silk
Good manure is made from animal dung and dead animals.
Leather is also nothing but cured and processed animal skin. Ancient people used to cover their bodies using animal
skins. Jackets, fur caps, coats and gloves, purses, etc. are all made from animal skin.
Animals, which carry loads, are horses, elephants, camels and bullocks. Bullock and camel carts are very popular
FROM FOREST
Forests are rich with plants and animals
rain forest plants include many of the things we eat like chocolate, sugar, bananas, cinnamon, vanilla, and many other
spices come from rain forests
the rubber in tires comes from the rubber tree.
forests provide flowers and seeds from which we can make perfumes, soaps, polishes, and chewing gum and also
chemicals from the leaves can produce medicine to fight such diseases as cancer
trees are used to produce wood to make lumber and plywood
wood resin is one of many tree-based chemicals
forests recycle water
FROM TREES
trees- produce paper, lunber to build, medicines come from their bark and roots. food- from the animals living within
along with various mushrooms, berrys, nuts such as walnuts, hickory nuts.
ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION
Environmental degradation is the deterioration of the environment through depletion of resources such
as air, water andsoil; the destruction of ecosystems and the extinction of wildlife. It is defined as any change or
disturbance to the environment perceived to be deleterious or undesirable.[1] As indicated by the I=PAT equation,
environmental impact (I) or degradation is caused by the combination of an already very large and increasing human
population (P), continually increasing economic growth or per capita affluence (A), and the application of resource
depleting and polluting technology (T). [2][3]
Environmental degradation is one of the Ten Threats officially cautioned by the High Level Threat Panel of
the United Nations. The United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction defines environmental
degradation as The reduction of the capacity of the environment to meet social and ecological objectives, and

needs.[4] Environmental degradation is of many types. When natural habitats are destroyed or natural resources are
depleted, the environment is degraded. Efforts to counteract this problem include environmental
protection and environmental resources management.
One major component of environmental degradation is the depletion of the resource of fresh water on Earth.
Approximately only 2.5% of all of the water on Earth is fresh water, with the rest being salt water. 69% of the fresh
water is frozen in ice caps located on Antarctica and Greenland, so only 30% of the 2.5% of fresh water is available
for consumption.[5] Fresh water is an exceptionally important resource, since life on Earth is ultimately dependent on
it. Water transports nutrients and chemicals within the biosphere to all forms of life, sustains both plants and animals,
and moulds the surface of the Earth with transportation and deposition of materials.[6]
Climate change affects the Earths water supply in a large number of ways. It is predicted that the mean global
temperature will rise in the coming years due to a number of forces affecting the climate, the amount of atmospheric
CO2 will rise, and both of these will influence water resources; evaporation depends strongly on temperature and
moisture availability, which can ultimately affect the amount of water available to replenish groundwater supplies.
Transpiration from plants can be affected by a rise in atmospheric CO2, which can decrease their use of water, but
can also raise their use of water from possible increases of leaf area. Temperature increase can decrease the length of
the snow season in the winter and increase the intensity of snowmelt in warmer seasons, leading to peak runoff of
snowmelt earlier in the season, affecting soil moisture, flood and drought risks, and storage capacities depending on
the area.
A rise in air temperature results in a rise in water temperature, which is also very significant in water degradation, as
the water would become more susceptible tobacterial growth. An increase in water temperature can also
affect ecosystems greatly because of a species sensitivity to temperature, and also by inducing changes in a body of
waters self-purification system from decreased amounts of dissolved oxygen in the water due to rises in temperature.
[5]

A rise in global temperatures is also predicted to correlate with an increase in global precipitation, but because of
increased runoff, floods, increased rates of soil erosion, and mass movement of land, a decline in water quality is
probable, while water will carry more nutrients, it will also carry more contaminants.[5] While most of the attention
about climate change is directed towards global warming and greenhouse effect, some of the most severe effects of
climate change are likely to be from changes in precipitation, evapotranspiration, runoff, and soil moisture. It is
generally expected that, on average, global precipitation will increase, with some areas receiving increases and some
decreases.
HOW CAN WE SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT
1. To reduce carbon emissions, walk, instead of using a car when your destination is near. Better yet, ride a bike. Its
worth the investment considering the positive effects it will have on your cardiovascular health.
2. Carpool with friends and co-workers. This provides a double benefit. You minimize carbon emissions and you save
on gas money.
3. If your budget permits, exchange your old car for a hybrid one and start using biofuel instead of traditional
petroleum gas. It may cost a little extra than a regular car but the benefits to the environment and to your health will
be enormous.
4. If you commute, refrain from riding public vehicles which are 10 years or older. They tend to emit a lot of carbon
monoxide. This would force their operators to retire these vehicles.
5. Collect and use rainwater to water your plants, wash your car, flush the toilet, etc. This also provides a double
benefit. It saves on precious, clean water, and brings down your utility bill.

6. Install large windows to let the brightness of the sun light your rooms in the daylight. This way, you can save on
electrical consumption by not turning on the lights during daytime.
7. Plant trees. Plant many trees. It would make breathing enjoyable again. If your yard is not big enough, then take
care of small plants instead.
8. Use electric fans, or air coolers instead of air conditioners. Youll be surprised how cool they can get especially
during the rainy season. Unlike air conditioners, air coolers dont have freon in their mechanism. Freon, as you know,
is a toxic component hazardous to the environment. Another plus to using air coolers is their low consumption of
electricity - a far cry from air-conditioners.
9. Make use of solar-powered appliances and gadgets. Right now, a lot of solar-powered devices are emerging like the
solar powered stove, universal charger and, believe it or not, a solar-powered flashlight. The solar powered flashlight
is a rechargeable flashlight you can charge via electricity or via the heat of the sun. Currently, strides have also been
made in the development of solar-powered cars. It is only a matter of time before these inventions go mainstream.
Using solar-powered devices allows us to harness the power of the sun. Hence, our need for batteries and electricity is
significantly reduced.
10. Stop using plastic bags when you do your shopping or do your groceries. Bring your own bag instead. This will
greatly reduce our landfills.