Humans and Nature – A Shared Story
There has always been a close relationship between nature and humans. Modern cities, which operate on technologies and use technology since pre-historic communities of farmers, have transformed the natural world apparently in innumerable ways. Even though development has been a relief and a way of innovation, it has had insurmountable pressure on the ecosystems, which provide life on earth.
The ecosystem response to human activities is now more than ever a study which is vital. In the meantime, the need to get to know more about the surroundings is growing at a very high rate especially among the students and the life long learners. This is why the beginner environmental science course is very crucial in ensuring that individuals are educated on how ecosystems work and how human behaviors influence them.
What is an Ecosystem?
An ecosystem is a group of living organisms that interact with the physical environment. This is in the form of plants, animals, microorganisms, water, soil, air, and sunlight. All the ecosystems work on the principle of a thin thread where all the constituents depend on the others.
For example:
- Plants serve as sources of oxygen and food.
- Animals facilitate pollination and seed dispersal.
- Micro organisms recycle nutrients into the soil.
Any disturbance of one component of this system can lead to a disturbance in an entire ecosystem.
Large Environmental Changes Affecting Ecosystems
Human actions have proven to be one of the most significant forces that have impacted the surrounding ecosystems all over the world. The activities that are most influential are:
Urban Expansion
Due to urbanization, natural land is being replaced with roads, houses and industries. This will further lead to destruction of habitat, low biodiversity and pollution.
Deforestation
The forests are cut to farmlands, residential and commercial areas. It affects it in the form of interfering with the wildlife habitats, disrupting the rainfall patterns as well as lowering the quantity of carbon dioxide in the air.
Industrial and plastic pollution
Industrial wastes, chemicals and plastic wastes pollute air, water and soil. These poisons kill plant life, aquatic life as well as human beings.
Climate Change
Human being-induced climate change alters temperatures, rain and sea levels. These changes have direct impact to the ecosystems forcing the species to either adapt, either by migrating or going extinct.
Over exploitation of the Natural Resources
The excessive fishing, mining, and intensive farming processes decrease the natural resources at a rate that the ecosystems cannot regenerate.
Anthropogenic Abuse of the Ecosystem
Ecosystems are dynamic and they do not respond in a similar way to human pressure. Such responses are in relation to the magnitude, duration and type of disruption.
Immediate Responses
- Changes in animal behavior.
- Depletion of endangered species.
- Disruption of food chains.
Long Term Responses
- Losses of biodiversity.
- Erosion of soil and degradation of land.
- Enduring community death.
In particular, in some of them, the ecosystems are resilient enough, so that they recover by engaging less in damaging practices. In other cases, the destruction cannot be repaired.
The Reason Why Environmental Science is Important in the Modern World
Environmental science helps us in understanding how natural systems work and how the system is changed by human activities. It is a science that enlists skills of biology, chemistry, geography and social sciences to study environmental issues in a holistic approach.
Studying environmental science is important as it:
- Explains climate change and pollution.
- Helps protect biodiversity.
- Promotes sustainability.
- Ensures the process of making informed decisions.
This has stopped being a preserve of scientists, but it is compulsory to all.
What is an Environmental Science Course for Beginners?
The introductory course on environmental science is said to be a course that has little or no scientific background. It introduces key ideas in a clear, well structured and uncomplicated way.
Common topics include:
- Biological diversity and the environment.
- Human-environment interactions.
- Basics of climate change.
- Disposal of waste and pollution.
- Environment and sustainability.
These classes are practical and thus the learning process is interesting and involves real life examples.
The Importance of Environmental Science Education to the beginners
Environmental Consciousness
Newcomers become familiar with the way in which their everyday routines such as energy consumption and calamities of waste substances on the environment may affect it.
Critical Thinking
Environmental science encourages
critical thinking and problem solving.
Career Exploring
It creates possibilities in sustainability, conservation, education, research, and environmental policy.
Healthy Lifestyle Interventions
Students are now more conscious of their impact on the environment.
Relating Education to Reality Ecosystem Problems
The gap between reality and theory is filled by environmental education. Once students become familiar with ecosystem responses then it becomes easy to note the impact of human activities on nature.
For example:
- The necessity of saving forests is explained by the research of deforestation.
- Water pollution informs people on how to manage their waste well.
- Climate change education promotes the consumption of energy.
With such a relationship, environmental science becomes very relevant and meaningful.
Education as a Preservation Device of the Ecosystem
Awareness leads to action. Since human beings will be able to know how the ecosystems will respond to human activities, they will be ready to take part in the conservation process as well as in the formulation of environmentally friendly policies.
An entry level course such as environmental science would allow one to make informed people who are able to:
- Support the preservation of the environment.
- Help to develop sustainably.
- Teach other people in their societies.
Education assists the society in conserving the ecosystem before it is late to salvage the situation.
The Knowledge of the Future of the Ecosystems
The effects of human beings on the ecosystem will continue to rise along with population growth and advancement of technology. However, the informed choices are able to reduce the adverse effect on the environment and promote restoration.
Ecosystem response knowledge helps:
- Expect environmental dangers.
- Promotes the design of sustainable cities.
- Protect species in danger.
- Keep the environment and economic development balanced.
Knowledge forms the basis of long-term environmental sustainability.
Summary: Education Now to Save the Future
The world has been transformed to an ecosystem due to human activities. Climate change to the loss of biodiversity, the impacts are everywhere. The interpretation of these changes is the initial step towards conserving the natural world.
Through investigating the ecosystem to human activities and taking an environmental course in science as an amateur, the learner will have the tools to perceive, appreciate and conserve the environment.
