Physical Characterization of the Problem
The world’s environmental condition is deteriorating at an alarming rate due to changes in human activities triggered by inappropriate economic activities and rapidly changing demographic and socio-economic patterns. Consequently, the world is beset with a range of problems such as global climate change, degradation of ecosystem, ozone depletion, rapid population growth, trans boundary pollution (ocean, water and air), increasing rates of urbanization, high levels of solid, toxic and industrial waste and noise pollution, acid rain depositions, depletion of natural resources, desertification, loss of biodiversity and natural habitats, inadequate shelter, heath care and water supply, and diminishing wetland and coastal resources. The deterioration of the natural environment is linked inextricably with patterns of increasing poverty and declining opportunities for improving human health, living standards, gender equity and human rights.
These problems mentioned above are also serious in the region of the Asia and Pacific. Also the region is beset with other problems such as (Robottom, Kyburz-Graber, 2000)
- Domestic and other forms of pollution (mostly caused by dust, transportation and smoke)
- Water shortage and contamination
- Shrinking forest
- Problems of sanitation
- Disposal problems of poisonous materials (including nuclear waste)
- Light pollution
- Incidence of haze episodes
- Coastal zone (mangrove, seagrass and coral reef) degradation
- Marine pollution and
- Loss of soil and soil fertility.
These problems are the outcome of dynamic interaction of poverty, population growth and its changing distribution, and the misuse of resources, wasteful production and human greed. Paradoxically, underdevelopment as well as haphazard development processes are also responsible for its precarious situation (Kyburz-Graber, Gingins, Kuhn, 1993).
Identification of given Environmental Problem
Objectives of Environmental Education
Awareness: to help social groups and individuals acquire awareness and sensitivity to the total environment and issues, questions and problems related......
