Podcast
Questions and Answers
What are the two main components that create the environment?
What are the two main components that create the environment?
Biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components
What are some examples of abiotic components in the environment?
What are some examples of abiotic components in the environment?
What term is used for the collection of all plants and animals living on Earth?
What term is used for the collection of all plants and animals living on Earth?
Bio-community
Environmental balance only depends on the relationships between living organisms.
Environmental balance only depends on the relationships between living organisms.
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How does man influence the environment?
How does man influence the environment?
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What is the main reason behind the increased impact of man on the environment?
What is the main reason behind the increased impact of man on the environment?
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What is the term used for the collapse of environmental balance?
What is the term used for the collapse of environmental balance?
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Which of the following factors contribute to environmental imbalance?
Which of the following factors contribute to environmental imbalance?
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What is the main point emphasized regarding development and environmental balance?
What is the main point emphasized regarding development and environmental balance?
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What are the two Acts passed in Sri Lanka to protect the environmental balance?
What are the two Acts passed in Sri Lanka to protect the environmental balance?
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Which international convention aims to protect the ozone layer?
Which international convention aims to protect the ozone layer?
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What is the goal of sustainable development?
What is the goal of sustainable development?
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What are environmental ethics?
What are environmental ethics?
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Environmental ethics are only relevant to personal behavior.
Environmental ethics are only relevant to personal behavior.
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How did ancient people view the environment?
How did ancient people view the environment?
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Environmental ethics and sustainable development are mutually exclusive.
Environmental ethics and sustainable development are mutually exclusive.
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What is the importance of integrating environmental ethics into development plans?
What is the importance of integrating environmental ethics into development plans?
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The current development approach is sufficient to ensure environmental balance.
The current development approach is sufficient to ensure environmental balance.
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What is the main danger of large-scale development projects without considering the environment?
What is the main danger of large-scale development projects without considering the environment?
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Study Notes
Environmental Balance
- Environment is formed by biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components
- Biotic components include plants and animals; abiotic components include solar energy, air, water, soil, landforms, and rocks
- Living components interact with non-living components in an ecosystem
- Environmental balance relies on these interactions
- "Bio-community" encompasses all living organisms on Earth
- Environmental balance involves maintaining the environment where the bio-community lives, while protecting environmental attributes despite natural changes
Importance of Maintaining Environmental Balance
- Environmental balance involves interactions between living beings and their physical environment, with humans also considered a vital component.
- Activities of living beings mutually impact each other and environment; maintaining this balance is crucial
- Humans depend on the environment for basic needs, transportation, and other needs
Factors Causing Collapse of Environmental Balance
- Increased human population and modern technology needs accelerate the demand on environmental resources beyond the environment's capacity.
- Traditional agricultural practices had a minimal impact on the environment, but industrial revolution intensified negative impacts
- Excessive waste generation and damage to environmental components resulted in environmental imbalance
- Factors contributing to environmental imbalance include excessive resource use, irregular development, fossil fuel burning, agro-chemical use, deforestation, land reclamation, and inappropriate technology use
Unfavorable Effects of Collapsing Environmental Balance
- Environmental collapse poses a severe crisis for the Earth, potentially rendering it uninhabitable for life within 200 years.
- Human activities primarily drive environmental problems, necessitating worldwide cooperation for solutions
Human Activities Affecting the Environment
- Forest destruction
- Flora and fauna destruction
- Water source destruction
- Agro-chemical use leading to soil and aquatic life destruction, water contamination
- Fossil fuel use causing air pollution and temperature increase
- Improper urbanization leading to waste generation, blocking waterways.
- Improper waste disposal causing health hazards and beauty loss
- Military weapon experimentation causing atmospheric and water pollution
Environmental Ethics
- Environmental ethics are principles guiding environmentally responsible human behavior
- Ancient cultures often showed respect for nature linked to beliefs and religions which helped maintain the environment.
- Environmental ethics are important in the quest for sustainable development
- All religions support the importance of environmental protection
Sustainable Development
- Sustainable development satisfies current needs without compromising future generations' needs.
- This needs careful consideration of environmental ethics in development plans
- Both development and environmental protection are essential in achieving sustainable development
National and International Procedures to Protect Environmental Balance
- Various national and international procedures/conventions exist to protect environmental balance.
- Examples Include land-use planning, wildlife and forest conservation, sustainable agriculture, coastal conservation, environmental education, and the establishment of environmental authorities (e.g., Central Environmental Authority in Sri Lanka).
- International examples include the Ramsar Convention on wetlands and the Montreal Protocol on ozone layer protection.
- Sustainable development provides guidance about how to utilize resources while securing the environment for future generations
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Description
Explore the critical interactions between biotic and abiotic components that create and sustain environmental balance. This quiz assesses your understanding of how living organisms, including humans, depend on and impact their physical environment. Test your knowledge on the importance of maintaining this balance within ecosystems.