Environmentalism

ENVIRONMENTALISM
PRESENTED BY: MAHROASH QURESHI

WHAT IS
ENVIRONMENTALISM
ENVIRONMENTALISM IS
A PHILOSOPHY, IDEOLOGY AND
A SOCIAL MOVEMENT THAT
IS CONCERNED WITH
PROTECTING AND SUPPORTING
THE NATURAL HABITATS, THE
ECOSYSTEM AND BIODIVERSITY.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF ENVIRONMENTALISM
Ideas about human activities' impact on nature seem to have existed since at least
the Roman times. The effects of pollution were recognised by the Indus civilisation
and waste management was practiced. In Asia, sustainable farming and agriculture
was practiced as early as 2000 years ago. Pollution was associated with the spread
of disease between the 14th and 16th century. However, the contemporary
environmental protection movement arose in the late 19th century in attempts to
preserve the countryside and wilderness in Europe and US and to address the
health consequences of pollution during Industrial revolution. In 1960s
environmentalism was given political expression. By the 1980s environmentalism
had become a global political force. Some non-governmental environmental
organisations such as World Wildlife Fund established a significant
international presence, with offices operating all around the world. With rising
environmental concerns and the rapid development of technology,
environmentalism continues to be a significant social movement across the globe.
WHY IS ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IMPORTANT?
Protecting and conserving the environment is necessary for maintaining biodiversity
and balance in ecosystems, as well as for controlling climate change. This, in order,
is important to ensure the wellbeing of the inhabitants of Earth. Following are few of
the reasons that highlight the importance of protecting the environment.
Environmental protection is important in order to:
 Prevent natural disasters.
 Protect natural resources
 Combat environment related health issues.
 Ensure preservation of wildlife.
DEFORESTATION POLLUTION
THREATS TO
THE
OVERFISHING WASTE
ENVIRONMEN
T
CARBON DIOXIDE LAND

EMISSIONS DEGRADATION
GLOBALISATION AND THE EVIRONEMENT: THE GOOD AND
THE BAD
THE POSITIVES:
Globalisation has led to economic
progress in many developed THE NEGATIVES:
countries. Due to this, more In many parts of the world, globalisation has caused
globalised countries are seen to harm to the environment. One of the ways is the
perform better in sustainable pollution caused by transportation of goods. Harvard
development E.G decreased carbon Business School states "The farther a product travels,
the more fuel is consumed, and a greater level of
dioxide emissions, recycling etc.
greenhouse gas emissions is produced. These
Furthermore, cultural emissions contribute to pollution, climate change,
globalisation gave way to and ocean acidification around the world and have
international cooperation for been shown to significantly impact biodiversity."
environmental protection. Moreover, as increased number of people move to
urban areas and developed countries, land is needed
Although, it can be argued whether it for commercial and residential purposes, which is
is just a paradox where globalisation often obtained by practicing deforestation.
is helping fight the environmental There are various other ways in which globalisation
problems inherently caused by directly or indirectly causes harm to the environment.
globalisation.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION: EFFORTS ACROSS
THE GLOBE
MONTREAL PROTOCOL:
It was finalised in the year 1987, and is the only UN treaty that is now signed by all
197 UN member countries/ states. This protocol regulates the production and
consumption of chemicals that are harmful to the ozone layer.
PARIS AGREEMENT:
It is an agreement within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCC). The motive of this agreement is to fight against climate change
and to curb the emission of greenhouse gases.
PREVENTING PLASTIC IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN:
At the recent UN Oceans summit, four Asian countries pledged to protect the ocean
from plastic waste. Previously; China, Indonesia, Thailand and Philipines were some
of the significant contributers to the plastic waste in ocean, but after this pledge,
there is a hope to see a reduction in global plastic pollution.
COMMUNITY-LED CONSERVATION EFFORTS IN AFRICA:
Somali conservationist Fatima Jibrell strives to engage the local African
communities in conservation efforts while addressing the needs of the
community. For instance, in order to protect acacia trees in Somalia, she provided
solar cookers to use instead of charcoal from the trees. She also runs an
organisation, African Development Solutions, which has taken many steps to
protect the environment.
PROTECTING LATIN AMERICA:
Latin America is one of the most biodiverse regions, and thus, most vulnerable to
climate change. To protect the biodiversity, many activists and organisations have
made efforts to reduce the environmental damage in Latin America. This includes
the increase use of bicyles in Argentina and promoting use of public transport in
Brazil. National parks have also been designated in Agrentina and Costa Rica.
PLANTATION EFFORTS IN PAKISTAN:
In order to combat climate change, Pakistan celebrates National Tree Plantation
Day on August 18 every year. This undertaken as a part of the Billion Tree
Campaign.
BRINGING ABOUT THE CHANGE:
ENVIRONMENTAL VICTORIES
 As a result of Endangered Species Act 1973, several

species showed significant recovery including the
American crocodile and Delmarva fox.
 The Clean Water Act 1972 led to a reduction in water
pollution and rivers no longer burst into flames.
 Selva Maya, a tropical forest in Belize, is a highly
biodiverse place and was threatened by increased
agriculture and logging. Some organisations came
together to purchase 236,000 acres of the area and
protected the habitats of hundreds of rare and
valuable species.
 Japan took measures against vehicle emissions and
as a result there was an improvement in the air
quality.
SOCIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY:
Social ecology is the study of how

individuals and the society interact
with environment, and how that
impacts the society as well as the
environment.
Ecologism combines the ideology of
environmentalism and social ecology.
CONCLUSION
Environmental damage has been an issue for decades, and, as

the efforts to protect the environment are increasing, so are the
threats to the environment. Therefore, it is crucial that we strive
to stop the harmful practices damaging the environment, as well
as to take steps to redeem the already caused harm.

Environmentalism

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Environmentalism

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Environmentalism

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

ENVIRONMENTALISM

PRESENTED BY: MAHROASH QURESHI

CARBON DIOXIDE LAND

 As a result of Endangered Species Act 1973, several

Social ecology is the study of how

Environmental damage has been an issue for decades, and, as

You might also like