Ajah James Uzoigwe
The environment is defined as the total surrounding of man, including component parts such as the air, water, plants, animal, soil/rock and microorganisms. Each of these component parts are sustained at some natural quality to enhance the growth and development of man and his environment. This natural quality is maintained by the constant interaction of the various components of the environment through exchange of energy and materials. For instance, trees utilize carbon dioxide a major air pollutant obtained from human and animal respiration and release oxygen needed by man, animals and other living organisms, thereby helping to maintain environmental balance and natural quality. Also animals eat grass for energy and release waste products which becomes a source of energy for microbes as well as enhancing the fertility of soils. In turn, the obtained fertile soil serves as a source of food and support for plants which becomes the source of energy for man and animals. The above examples represent the continuous interaction between various components of the natural environment involving ‘natural pollutants’ that are part of the natural processes. This group of pollutants do not however constitute danger to the environment as they are quickly removed by natural processes thus keeping the environment safe.
Environmental pollution is a condition in which pollutants, whether natural or anthropogenic constitute danger to human life or the environment. It is usually a product of an imbalance between release of pollutant and the absorptive capacity of the environment, especially when the volume/quantity of pollutants far outweighs the absorptive capacity of natural processes. Environmental pollution is basically caused by a massive movement of natural materials or energy through human activities from their natural setting into another area, hence causing the occurrence of such material or energy to be present in higher quantity than they would have under a natural setting. For example, the existence of oil in a land area other than in the oil well following its mining will automatically cause the pollution of the new environment. In the same vein, the removal of trees will lead to massive accumulation of carbon dioxide in the deforested area leading to air pollution in the area.
A good understanding of the interaction between the component parts of the environment and the natural processes driving these interactions remains key to managing the environment, especially issues that contribute to environmental pollution. This is the crux of natural science which has been defined as a branch of science concerned with the description, prediction, and understanding of natural phenomena, based on empirical evidence from observation and experimentation. Today, knowledge of natural science is widely used to predict, understand and manage environmental pollution through the application of green technologies. For example, an understanding that forest can help mop up excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is responsible for adoption of tree planting as a major tool in fighting world climate change
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