THE environment has always been crucial to human survival, providing food, shelter, recreation, and livelihood opportunities.
From the oceans and rivers to mangroves and rainforests, we depend on the natural resources the environment offers. Moreover, various natural environmental processes benefit us and sustain our planet. Undoubtedly, the environment is integral to our everyday lives. To foster a greater appreciation for this life-sustaining environment, it is essential to understand its basic components and the processes that occur within it.

What Makes Up the Environment?
The environment comprises living and non-living elements and the natural processes that continuously surround them. Living things include plants and animals, while non-living things encompass soils, air, and water. Each environment is unique and may encompass a variety of habitats, supporting a wide range of plants and animals.

What Threatens the Environment?
Over the years, we have witnessed the degradation and even the complete loss of some of the most pristine environments on Earth. Our pursuit of advanced lifestyles and the pressures of an increasing global population has accelerated the demand for environmental resources. Urbanisation has led to land clearing for housing and infrastructure development, with wetlands being increasingly filled as settlements expand along coastlines. Other common activities impacting the environment include logging, pollution, and the over-harvesting of natural resources, such as fish and wildlife.
Deforestation is a particularly pressing global issue in the fight against climate change. Forest ecosystems provide essential services, including water purification, nutrient recycling, and carbon storage. The latter is especially important because forests absorb significant amounts of carbon dioxide, one of the most prevalent greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Excessive carbon dioxide levels are a major cause of global warming, which drives climate change. This change is associated with extreme weather events that are becoming more frequent and severe – a trend that is expected to continue.

How Can We Combat Environmental Challenges?
Sustainability is key to balancing human demands on the environment with its natural limits. While we all require food, water, and shelter to survive, we cannot afford to exhaust the natural resources our environment provides. Instead, we must practise sustainable use, wisely utilising resources today while ensuring their availability for tomorrow.
At the individual or family level, embracing sustainability does not require much effort and can even save money. Here are some simple steps you can take to live a more sustainable and environmentally friendly lifestyle:
• Support local farmers and food manufacturers.
• Reduce, reuse, and recycle.
• Conserve water and electricity at home and work.
• Invest in energy-efficient devices such as TVs, microwaves, laptops, and security lights.
• Walk, bike, or use public transportation more often.
We can all make a difference by adopting lifestyles that prioritise the environment. Collectively, we can contribute significantly to the global fight against climate change. Make 2024 the year you commit to positive environmental change.