Environment means the surroundings.

Land, water, air, plants, animals, solid wastes and other

things that are surrounding us constitute our environment. Man and environment are closely
intertwined with each other, to maintain a balance or equilibrium in nature.

Environment means the surroundings. Land, water, air, plants, animals, solid wastes and other
things that are surrounding us constitute our environment. Man and environment are closely
intertwined with each other, to maintain a balance or equilibrium in nature.

Different groups of people working in different areas express it in various ways. When physical
scientists talk about environment they generally refer to the physical environment that comprises the
three inter locking systems the Atmosphere, the Hydrosphere and the Lithosphere.

Biologists often refer to biological environment consisting of all living organisms of the Biosphere.
Similarly social scientists refer to the social, cultural, economic and organizational environment.

Hence environment may be defined as "the sum of all social, cultural, economical, biological,
physical and chemical factors surrounding the 'man' to give necessary protection to him."

Two types of environment we may come across. One is the natural environment of the air, water,
solid wastes, noise, radiation, soil, timber, wildlife and living space etc. The second one is the man-
made environment that deals with work environment, housing, technology, aesthetics,
transportation, utilities, settlement, urbanization and so on.

These environmental components are considered as the resources and are mostly exploited and
utilized by the men to fulfill their basic physical needs they can be considered as the fellow members
of the global eco-system with which men establish emotional, intellectual, or physical relationships
and these provide the basis for a sense of purpose of life to them.

Thus, man is firmly placed as an important part of the global ecosystem, which depends on him
much as he depends on it. Hence, there is a close relationship between man and environment.
History and Debate of Environmental Protection
The environmental movement is a movement that pushes for the conservation of natural resources and the passing

of legislation that promotes environmentally friendly behavior. Those who support the movement advocate

sustainable management of resources as well as taking responsibility for the welfare of the environment through
public policy and personal participation in efforts to preserve the earth and its resources.

This movement can be traced back the 19th century when protectionists such as John Muir wanted to set aside land

for its own sake. In order to do so, he founded the Sierra Club, one of the largest environmental groups in the United

States. He also founded Yellowstone Park, the world's first ever national park. Around this time, Gifford Pinchot also

proposed managing natural resources for human use. Thoreau, a well-known poet, also was very concerned about
environmental protection and wrote the poem Walden about the wildlife that he saw from his cabin.

Varying Environmental Movements

There are several primary foci in the realm of the environmental movement. The conservation movement seeks to

protect natural areas for hunting, fishing and trapping. Environmental conservation is another process that involves

pollution control, reforestation and recycling. The Ecology movement is a newer movement and involves analysis and

improvement of the interactions of humans with the earth and its resources. The anti-nuclear movement is a

relatively new movement in environmentalism that involves the prohibition of nuclear technology on the grounds that
it causes damage to plants and animals on the earth.

Environmental reactivism is a term that refers to a staunch opposition to technology, such as harmful pesticides and

water additives. Adding fluoride to the water system, for example, can lead to problems in fish populations. The

NIMBY movement, which stands for Not in My Back Yard, is one that illustrates the public outcry against potentially
harmful plants and centers being installed in neighborhoods.

Environmentalism has quickly become a concern on the community level. Many churches and local groups now have

programs to support environmental issues. They may collect recyclables for donation or they may even volunteer to
spend a weekend picking trash out of local creeks and streams. Some groups also go door-to-door spreading
information on greener ways of living and reducing one's consumption of valuable fuels and resources.

In the last several years, a form of environmentalism called radical environmentalism has arisen. This movement is

based on activism and pushes for a change in government policy in an effort to change the way people live and

consume resources in their daily lives. Radicals often cite religious reasons for their beliefs and suggest a
reconsideration of policies as deep as capitalism and globalization.

Public Opinion on the Environmental Protection Debate

Though the environmental movement has grown dramatically over the years, there are still many people opposed to

this movement. One study reported that most critics are opposed to a greener society because they believe it is

being approached in the wrong way. In fact, studies have concluded that the people who are most environmentally

conscious are those who are more likely to travel across the ocean on large flights and buy foreign vehicles that
require shipping. This often outweighs the efforts that they make to live a greener lifestyle.

There is much public concern for the well-being of the environment and many ways to approach the issue of

environmental conservation and protection. Whether changes need to occur on the political level or with individual
remains a matter of opinion and a source of much controversy.