Human Rights and Gender Justice

THEME
Emerging Environmental Issues: Legislative and Judicial Approach
SUB-THEME
Environmental Education
Title
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION: AN AWARENESS TO THE SOCIETY
ABHISHEK RANJAN AND MD DILAWAR KHAN

Introduction:-
The etymological term "environment" does not only only consists of place and surroundings which shape the human individual but it also has varied ranges of flora and fauna as well as several biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem in its fold .The word "scope" means coverage , end aimed at purpose , intention, outlook, purview and sphere of observation. For scope of environment sky is its limit and ocean is its depth. As cited in Rig Veda "sky is like father earth is like mother, and all creatures that live in between constitutes a family . Any disturbance to any one of them will disturb the entire system".
Importance of environment in human life:-
There is an inescapable link between the human existence and the environment whether it's is biological, physical or social it doesn't matter . It is inevitable and its importance can't be denied. The variety of life on earth it's biological diversity is commonly referred to as biodiversity. It consists of species of plants, microorganisms, animals, the enormous diversity of these genes in these species, the different ecosystem on the planet such as deserts, rainforests and coral reefs are all part of a biologically diverse earth. All living creatures on this earth depends upon nature and its resources for their existence. We depends upon plants for our food, medicinal purposes life for us won't be feasible without water. We cannot breathe fresh air without plants. This human race could not have developed up to this stage from the time of Adam and Eves without using the natural resources and converting it into their things of use . Factors responsible for Environmental Degradation:-
"When the last tree is cut and the last fish killed, the last river poisoned, then you can't eat money".
-John May
In this era of globalization people are ruthlessly exploiting the nature, its resources and the environment to reap out their personal benefits. It might be their unawareness and careless attitude which has contributed to the cause of environmental degradation. Rampant deforestation, burgeoning population, discarding of industrial waste and smoke directly into the environment without proper treatment , the release of CFCs and green house gases causing the depletion of ozone layer which protects us from harmful UV rays has also added to the woes. The temperature of earth is also on constant rise due to these ecological disasters. The global mean temperature increased by 0.4% from 1992 to 2010. Acid rain has also contributed in extinction of different species of plant Over 60% of Green House Gases are emitted by three sectors viz. energy supply(e.g., electricity and heating) industry, forestry(e.g., deforestation). Excessive use of fertilizers is causing land pollution tons of smokes released from chimneys making the air impure for breathing and it can be held major cause for causing asthma and several other respiratory diseases. Deforestation is depriving the wild creatures from their habitats thereby causing an imbalance of our ecosystem. Excessive use of fossil fuels emits lot of CO2 which have its dire consequences on biodiversity. Globally CO2 emissions has increased by 36% between 1992 and 2008 from around 22,000 to 30,000 million tons. Frequent natural calamities such as earthquakes volcanic eruption, flood, tsunami, avalanche, landslides and fast melting glaciers itself are an ominous sign for us in future. If these irresponsible activities remain unabated no longer will be the day when the earth will get submerged and the human race will be on the verge of extinction. If the necessary steps and measures will not be taken at the earliest there will be nothing left either to lament.
Impact on human being and its future consequences:-
With the industrialization and change of life style over the passage of time has drastically affected the environment causing more pollution degrading the natural quality of the resources polluting the land, water and air is affecting the environment and creating an ecological imbalance thereby enhancing several health hazards. People are getting more prone to several diseases such as cancer, cataract, skin diseases etc.... because of consumption of impure water, food and breathing air contaminated with several toxic elements. The physique and work efficiency of people are comparatively inferior than those of their ancestors, as they have pure water to drink, fresh air to breathe and a healthy environment to live in. our ancestors even have the luxury of wandering in morning calm and feel the chirping of birds which in the urban cities are merely a distant dream. The man by his own selfish deed such as establishing a factory without proper precautionary measures such as disposable of waste releasing of toxic water without being treated is releasing it in the environment. By their selfish act they are just depriving themselves of enjoying the above mentioned things. Now a day's even the child at a very tender age wearing spectacles and most surprisingly they are often diagnosed with cataract in their eyes. Cultivation of fruits and vegetables by using chemical fertilizers instead of using natural composed such as cow dung , neem leaves has made gall bladder stone a frequent disease. These days heart disease, hyper tension and blood sugar has become a common disease for human being and a huge number of people are surviving or living their life on medicines. These all could be coined as "the end of living and the beginning of survival".

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[ 1 ]. Student, B.A LLB 1st Year, KIIT School of law, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha ,Email id: [e-mail]. Mobile: [phone]
[ 2 ]. Student, B.B.A LLB 1st Year, KIIT School of law, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, Email id: [e-mail]. Mobile: [phone]
[ 3 ]. Source: NASA NOAA UK-MetOffice
[ 4 ]. Sources: IPCC 2007
[ 5 ]. Source: UNEP GEO Data Portal, as compiled from CDIAC