English PSSSB Practice 28

The term environment refers to the surrounding conditions, both natural and man-made, in which living beings exist and interact. It includes the air we breathe, the water we drink, the land we live on, the forests, wildlife, climate, and all other physical, chemical, and biological factors that affect life on Earth. The environment can be broadly divided into natural environment and built environment. The natural environment includes all living organisms (biotic factors) such as plants, animals, humans, and microorganisms, as well as non-living elements (abiotic factors) like air, water, soil, minerals, and climate. The built environment consists of human-made surroundings such as cities, buildings, roads, and infrastructure. The relationship between humans and the environment is interdependent; human activities depend on natural resources for survival, while at the same time these activities impact the environment. Over the years, rapid industrialization, urbanization, deforestation, pollution, and over-exploitation of resources have led to environmental degradation. This has resulted in problems such as climate change, global warming, loss of biodiversity, depletion of natural resources, soil erosion, air and water pollution, and rising sea levels. Protecting the environment is essential for sustaining life and ensuring a healthy planet for future generations. This requires adopting sustainable practices such as renewable energy use, afforestation, conservation of water and soil, waste management, pollution control, and environmental education. International agreements like the Paris Agreement and initiatives such as Earth Day aim to raise awareness and promote environmental protection globally. The concept of environment also includes ecological balance, which is vital for maintaining the stability of ecosystems. A healthy environment not only supports biodiversity but also provides clean air, safe drinking water, fertile soil, and a stable climate, which are all essential for human well-being. Therefore, understanding the environment and working towards its preservation is one of the greatest responsibilities of humanity today.