Implications/influence environmental education on the ecosystem

Definition of ecosystem

According to Schoener (2009), an ecosystem is a community of living organisms in conjunction with the nonliving components of their environment (things like air, water and mineral soil), interacting as a system. These biotic and abiotic components are regarded as linked together through nutrient cycles and energy flows. As ecosystems are defined by the network of interactions among organisms, and between organisms and their environment, they can be of any size but usually encompass specific, limited spaces (although some scientists say that the entire planet is an ecosystem).

An ecosystem is all the living and nonliving things in a certain area. All the plants and animals, even the microorganisms that live in the soil, are living parts of an ecosystem. Air, water, and rocks are nonliving parts of an ecosystem. It can be said to be a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment. An ecosystem includes all of the living things (plants, animals and organisms) in a given area, interacting with each other, and also with their non-living environments (weather, earth, sun, soil, climate, atmosphere). Ecosystems are the foundations of the Biosphere and they determine the health of the entire earth system.

Factors affecting the ecosystem

Humans interact with the world around us every day, but some of our actions are more harmful than others. As our population approaches 7 billion people, the effects of human activities on the ecosystem, including the water, air, land and the life that we share the world with, are almost immeasurable (Weedmark, 2017).

Some of the factors affecting the ecosystem as highlighted by Weedmark (2017) include:

• Pollution
• Global warming
• Genetic modification
• Deforestation
• Overconsumption and population growth
• Biodiversity loss and species extinction
• Waste

1. Pollution

Humans pollute the land, water and air with unwanted refuse. In some countries, the smog caused by air pollution is deadly and can block out the sun in a dense haze. Other forms of pollutions are oil-spillage which destroy biodiversity, indiscriminate disposal or refuse which render the soil and ocean poisonous to man and other living things (Weedmark, 2017).

2. Global warming

Environmental scientists have been warning us for decades that the CO₂ emissions that come from burning fossil fuels are affecting the planet’s ecosystem. The increase of CO₂ in the atmosphere traps heat that would otherwise escape into space, increasing the Earth’s overall temperature. This has caused Arctic ice and glaciers to melt and raise ocean levels. The loss of reflective ice and increase in water, which absorbs heat, adds to the rising temperatures in a cycle that is predicted to cause ocean levels to rise 1 to 4 feet by 2100 (Weedmark, 2017).

3. Genetic modification

The use of genetic modified organisms, or GMOs, has played an important role in increasing crop yields so we can feed our populations. In addition to providing better crop yields, modified plants are better able to resist disease and parasites, tolerate more extreme temperatures, or thrive with less water. However, modifying plants has not always been intentional. For example, continued use of herbicides, like glyphosate, has caused many weeds to become immune to their effects. In fact, 249 species of weeds are now immune to all normally used herbicides. The only way to get rid of them is to till the soil, which exposes the soil to sunlight and kills the organisms that help make the land fertile(Weedmark, 2017).

4. Deforestation

As our population continues to increase, humans create more and larger farms, which means removing the dwindling number of forests. Forests are also cleared for the lumber that we use to build our houses and to make room for new houses. About 18 million acres of trees are clear-cut every year for wood. This has devastating effects for the wildlife that once called those forests home (Weedmark, 2017).

5.   Overconsumption and population growth

Essentially, the planet is struggling to support the 7 billion people that already inhabit it, and an increasing population (coupled with the subsequent consumption) will have dire consequences for the planet (Weedmark, 2017).

6.   Biodiversity loss and species extinction

Humans have destroyed numerous animal and plant habitats due to resource consumption, agriculture, and industrialization. The destruction of forests, contamination of marine systems, and manipulation of land for agricultural and industrial purposes has misplaced and/or eliminated animal habitats (Weedmark, 2017).

7.   Waste

Humans living in our society are naturally wasteful: paper, food scraps, yard trimmings, old electronics, packaging, metals, etc. Practically everything purchasable comes with some type of packaging or wrapping that is thrown away. If not managed correctly, waste can emit hazardous toxins into the environment, harm animal habitats, and pollute land and water. In addition, there’s the industrial waste that is emitted from factories, mining activities, agriculture, petroleum extraction, and other processes. The management of human waste will no doubt be an area of concern in coming years due to the increasing population and human consumption (Weedmark, 2017).

What is environmental education?

Environmental education (EE) refers to organized efforts to teach how natural environments function, and particularly, how human beings can manage behavior and ecosystems to live sustainably. It is a multi-disciplinary field integrating disciplines such as biology, chemistry, physics, ecology, earth science, atmospheric science, mathematics, and geography. The term often implies education within the school system, from primary to post-secondary. However, it sometimes includes all efforts to educate the public and other audiences, including print materials, websites, media campaigns, etc (Chang, 2014).

Environmental Education (EE) is the teaching of individuals, and communities, in transitioning to a society that is knowledgeable of the environment and its associated problems, aware of the solutions to these problems, and motivated to solve them. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) states that EE is vital in imparting an inherent respect for nature amongst society and in enhancing public environmental awareness. UNESCO emphasizes the role of EE in safeguarding future global developments of societal quality of life (QOL), through the protection of the environment, eradication of poverty, minimization of inequalities and insurance of sustainable development (UNESCO, 2014a).

Related disciplines in environmental education

Environmental education has crossover with multiple other disciplines. These fields of education complement environmental education yet have unique philosophies.

• Citizen science (CS) aims to address both scientific and environmental outcomes through enlisting the public in the collection of data, through relatively simple protocols, generally from local habitats over long periods of time (Bonney et al., 2009).
• Education for sustainable development (ESD) aims to reorient education to empower individuals to make informed decisions for environmental integrity, social justice, and economic viability for both present and future generations, whilst respecting cultural diversities (UNESCO, 2014b).
• Climate change education (CCE) aims in enhancing the public’s understanding of climate change, its consequences, and its problems, and to prepare current and future generations to limit the magnitude of climate change and to respond to its challenges (Beatty, 2012). Specifically, CCE needs to help learners develop knowledge, skills and values and action to engage and learn about the causes, impact and management of climate change (Chang, 2014).
• Science education (SE) focuses primarily on teaching knowledge and skills, to develop innovative thought in society (Wals et al., 2014).
• Outdoor education (OE) relies on the assumption that learning experiences outdoors in ‘nature’ foster an appreciation of nature, resulting in pro-environmental awareness and action (Clarke & Mcphie,2014). Outdoor education means learning “in” and “for” the outdoors.
• Experiential education (ExE) is a process through which a learner constructs knowledge, skill, and value from direct experiences”. Experiential education can be viewed as both a process and method to deliver the ideas and skills associated with environmental education (Education Resources Information Centre, 2002).
• Garden-based learning (GBL) is an instructional strategy that utilizes the garden as a teaching tool. It encompasses programs, activities and projects in which the garden is the foundation for integrated learning, in and across disciplines, through active, engaging, real-world experiences that have personal meaning for children, youth, adults and communities in an informal outside learning setting.
• Inquiry-based science (IBS) is an active open style of teaching in which students follow scientific steps in a similar manner as scientists to study some problem (Walker 2015). Often used in biological and environmental settings.

Influence of environmental education to the ecosystem

Shubham (2016) stated that environmental education deals with the need to protect the environment because global warming, pollution and many other issues are ruining our environment badly. We know the importance of healthy environment and we should take all the possible measures to keep our environment healthy. One of the most effective means to promote healthy environment is giving proper education to both new as well as old generations. Environmental education and protection is crucial for the benefit of both the environment and humans.

Education has the power to modify the society and present better knowledge to its populace. Education can stand as proper solution to solve different sorts of problems exist in a society and therefore, education has a big role to play to save environment.

The following tips as stated by Shubam (2016) highlighted the role of environmental education in sustaining the ecosystem:

1. Awareness

The main role of education when it comes to environment protection is offering awareness to everyone in a society. Education can provide better awareness of a variety of environmental issues that take place day by day. Everyone in a society including kids, youths, adults and matured people can understand and become aware of the various environmental issues if they get proper education on it. Education can give right knowledge on how natural environment functions, and how human beings can deal with behaviour and ecosystems for sustainability. In the present day, a lot of people conduct environmental awareness program in schools and societies. It will help people to become aware of environment issues and take actions accordingly (Shubam, 2016).

2. Knowledge on how to protect the environment

Education system can play a huge role in saving environment by imparting knowledge on how to protect the environment to people in diverse communities. Saving environment is a practice of looking after the natural environment on individual, organisational or societal levels for the gains of both the environment and humans. Environmental education aids to resolve main environmental problems like acid rain, ozone depletion, climate changes, global warning etc. Giving education for saving environment should start from primary school. Environmental education can be provided by the use of audio-visual programs, seminars, training programs, environmental awareness campaign, etc. (Shubam, 2016).

3. Knowledgeable society

There are a lot of environmental issues around the globe. Air pollution, water pollution, unexpected climate change, garbage, and pollution of the natural environment are some of challenges faced by many other countries in the world. Education plays a massive role in building up a society that is knowledgeable towards the environment and its associated problems. Environmental education teaches individuals and communities to know about the environment and its related problems, become aware of the solutions to the environmental problems, motivate the people to solve the issues and take proper actions to save environment from potential issues (Shubam, 2016).

4. Solve complex issues

Environmental education can help to solve complex issues that are present in a society.  Environmental issues are one of the main causes of many diseases, health issues and long term livelihood problems in India. So, incorporating education in schools and conducting environmental awareness campaign in communities can bring people together, discuss about the environmental issues, engage with different sorts of people, make practical judgements about varied environmental issues and respond to the issues effectively. Education on environment will guide people to think seriously, deeply, and productively (Shubam, 2016).

5. Promote a holistic approach

Education on saving environment or effective environment protection programs promote a holistic and lead by example approach among people. It allows people to make certain sustainable and fair use of resources devoid of damaging the environment. Effective programs conducted in schools or any other places encourage kids and parents to carry environmental education into their home. Environmental education strategies include training individuals to prosper in a sustainable society. Education helps people to establish a strong bond with nature. Nature appreciation and awareness education or programs promotes an ecologically sustainable future (Shubam, 2016).

6. Enhance appreciation of environment

Education indeed enhances appreciation of environment amid people. Enhancing appreciation of the environment among citizens can give rise to overall positive environmental behavioural change. Air pollution, poor managing of waste, rising water shortage, declining groundwater tables, water pollution, low conservation and quality of forests, biodiversity loss, and land and soil degradation are a few of the main environmental issues faced by global world and population explosion also adds stress to environmental issues and its resources. So, education on environmental issues are important today since it lets people to build up skills, foster a dedication to take steps individually and communally to maintain and enhance the environment (Shubam, 2016).

Measures to protect the ecosystem

The following measures can help in protecting the ecosystem:

• The use of renewable energy
• Afforestation programmes
• Effective waste management
• Environmental sanitation

1. The use of renewable energy

Renewable energy is energy that is collected from renewable resources, which are naturally replenished on a human timescale, such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves, and geothermal heat. Renewable energy often provides energy in four important areas: electricity generation, air and water heating/cooling, transportation, and rural (off-grid) energy services. Renewable energy according to Steve (2011) include:

• Wind energy:  Energy generated from wind are known as clean energy as they do not emit carbon mono oxide and other heavy metals into the atmosphere which result in pollution of the atmosphere which in turn result to global warming. Energy obtain from the wind are runs to run wind turbines. The power available from the wind is a function of the cube of the wind speed, so as wind speed increases, power output increases up to the maximum output for the particular turbine. Areas where winds are stronger and more constant, such as offshore and high altitude sites, are preferred locations for wind farms.
• Hydropower: Hydropower is generated through the flow of water. Since water is about 800 times denser than air, even a slow flowing stream of water, or moderate sea swell, can yield considerable amounts of energy.  Hydroelectric power came from constructing large hydroelectric dams and reservoirs. Wave power, which captures the energy of ocean surface waves, and tidal power, converting the energy of tides, are two forms of hydropower with future potential; however, they are not yet widely employed commercially.
• Solar energy: Solar energy, radiant light and heat from the sun, is harnessed using a range of ever-evolving technologies such as solar heating, photovoltaics, concentrated solar power (CSP), concentrator photovoltaics (CPV), solar architecture and artificial photosynthesis. Solar technologies are broadly characterized as either passive solar or active solar depending on the way they capture, convert and distribute solar energy. Passive solar techniques include orienting a building to the Sun, selecting materials with favorable thermal mass or light dispersing properties, and designing spaces that naturally circulate air. Active solar technologies encompass solar thermal energy, using solar collectors for heating, and solar power, converting sunlight into electricity either directly using photovoltaics (PV), or indirectly using concentrated solar power (CSP).
• Geothermal energy: High Temperature Geothermal energy is from thermal energy generated and stored in the Earth. Thermal energy is the energy that determines the temperature of matter. Earth’s geothermal energy originates from the original formation of the planet and from radioactive decay of minerals (in currently uncertain but possibly roughly equal proportions).
• Bio energy: Biomass is biological material derived from living, or recently living organisms. It most often refers to plants or plant-derived materials. As an energy source, biomass can either be used directly via combustion to produce heat, or indirectly after converting it to various forms of biofuel.

2. Afforestation programmes

Afforestation is the establishment of a forest or stand of trees (forestation) in an area where there was no previous tree cover. Many governments and non-governmental organizations directly engage in programs of afforestation to create forests, increase carbon capture and carbon sequestration, and help to anthropogenically improve biodiversity. Special tools, e.g. tree planting bar, are used to make planting of trees easier and faster (Buendia, 2016).

3. Effective waste management

Waste management or waste disposal is all the activities and actions required to manage waste from its inception to its final disposal. This includes amongst other things collection, transport, treatment and disposal of waste together with monitoring and regulation. It also encompasses the legal and regulatory framework that relates to waste management encompassing guidance on recycling. The term normally relates to all kinds of waste, whether generated during the extraction of raw materials, the processing of raw materials into intermediate and final products, the consumption of final products, or other human activities, including municipal (residential, institutional, commercial), agricultural, and social (health care, household hazardous waste, sewage sludge). Waste management is intended to reduce adverse effects of waste on health, the environment or aesthetics. Waste management practices are not uniform among countries (developed and developing nations); regions (urban and rural area), and sectors (residential and industrial) (Davidson, 2011).

4. Environmental sanitation

Environmental sanitation refers to public health conditions related to clean drinking water and adequate treatment and disposal of sewage. Preventing human contact with faeces, for example, is part of sanitation, as is hand washing with soap. Sanitation system aim to protect human health by providing a clean environment that will stop the transmission of disease, especially through the faecal-oral route. For example, diarrhea, the leading cause of malnutrition and stunted growth in children, can be reduced through sanitation. Lack of access to sanitation has an impact on public health, dignity, and safety. A sanitation system includes the capture, storage, transport, treatment and disposal or reuse of human waste. There is a broad spectrum of sanitation technologies that can be used to benchmark and compare service levels within countries or across countries. The sanitation ladder defined by the Joint Monitoring Programme starts at open defecation and moves upwards using the terms “unimproved,” “limited” and “basic” with the top of the ladder being called “safely managed.” There are many different sanitation technologies, processes and approaches. Some examples are container-based sanitation, community-led total sanitation, ecological sanitation, emergency sanitation, environmental sanitation, onsite sanitation and sustainable sanitation (WHO and UNICEF, 2017).

References

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