Environment

Student Name: [Your Name]

Class: 9 (Section ___)
Subject: English
School: [Your School Name]

(Decorative drawing or image goes here on the cover page)

Acknowledgement
I would like to thank my teachers and school for their guidance and support in preparing this project on the
environment. I am grateful to my English teacher for motivating me to learn more about environmental
issues. I also thank my friends and family for helping me gather information and for encouraging me
throughout this work.

Introduction
The environment is the natural world around us – including air, water, soil, plants, animals, and all living
things. In fact, “the environment” is defined as “the natural world: the complex of physical, chemical, and
biotic elements that exist in nature” 1 . It consists of our atmosphere (air), water bodies (lakes, rivers,
oceans), land (soil, minerals), and the living organisms (plants and animals) that share this planet. We
depend on the environment for everything we need. For example, our forests, rivers and soils provide the
food we eat, the air we breathe and the water we use for drinking and farming 2 . These natural resources
and ecosystems give us essential goods and services for our health and prosperity 2 .

Climate Change
Climate change refers to long-term shifts in global weather patterns, primarily caused by human activities.
Burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas for transportation and electricity releases large amounts of
greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane) into the air. These gases trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere
– like a blanket – and gradually warm the planet 3 . This extra warming leads to melting glaciers, rising sea
levels and more extreme weather. For example, scientists report that warming has started melting
Himalayan glaciers, and trapped heat causes ice to melt and seas to rise, flooding coastal areas 4 . The
effects also include stronger storms, heatwaves, droughts and changes in rainfall. To address climate
change, we must reduce emissions and switch to clean energy. Using renewable energy (solar, wind,
hydroelectric) instead of fossil fuels greatly cuts greenhouse gas emissions 5 . Planting trees and
protecting forests also helps absorb CO₂ from the air.

• Causes: Burning oil, coal and gas (vehicles, power plants); deforestation (cutting trees reduces CO₂
absorption). 3

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 • Effects: Higher temperatures (global warming), melting ice caps, rising sea levels, floods and storms
4 .

• Solutions: Use solar and wind power, energy-efficient technology, plant and preserve forests 5 ;
raise awareness and reduce carbon footprints (drive less, save electricity).

Pollution
Pollution happens when harmful substances (chemicals, waste, smoke) enter and contaminate the
environment. It can affect air, water and soil. Common sources include vehicle and factory emissions (air
pollution), untreated sewage and industrial waste (water pollution), and plastic or chemical dumping (land
pollution). Air pollution is very dangerous to health: for instance, outdoor polluted air causes about 7
million deaths each year from illnesses like stroke, lung diseases and heart attacks 6 . Water pollution is
also deadly: drinking water contaminated with sewage or toxins can spread diseases such as cholera,
typhoid, dysentery and diarrhea 7 . Soil pollution from garbage and pesticides harms plants and animals
and can enter our food chain.

• Air Pollution: Smoke and gases from factories, cars, and burning waste. Causes smog and
respiratory illnesses.（e.g. soot, CO₂, sulfur oxides） 6 .
• Water Pollution: Sewage, plastics, oil spills and chemicals dumped into rivers and oceans. Causes
waterborne diseases and kills fish and aquatic life 7 .
• Land Pollution: Improper garbage disposal, plastic waste and toxic chemicals leaking into soil.
Harms wildlife and crops.
• Prevention: Use cleaner fuels (electric vehicles, public transport); install filters on factories; treat
sewage before release; reduce plastic use (recycle bottles, bags); organise clean-up drives; plant
trees to improve air and water quality.

Biodiversity
Biodiversity means the variety of all life – the thousands of species of plants, animals, fungi and
microorganisms, and the genetic differences within them 8 . It is crucial for healthy ecosystems. For
example, diverse forests and wetlands provide us with clean air and water, pollinate crops, and offer
medicines and food 9 . Ecosystems rich in biodiversity are more stable and can better recover from
changes. Unfortunately, biodiversity is under threat. The biggest threats are habitat loss (destroying
forests and wetlands for farms or cities), poaching and illegal wildlife trade, pollution, and climate
change 10 . When forests are cleared or habitats destroyed, many species lose their homes. Poaching and
trade for ivory, skins and other animal parts endanger wildlife. Pollution (from chemicals or plastics) also
harms animals and plants.

• Threats: Habitat destruction (deforestation, urban expansion), illegal hunting and trade of animals,
environmental pollution, invasive species that outcompete native ones 10 .
• Conservation methods: Create protected areas (national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and biosphere
reserves) to preserve habitats; enforce laws against poaching and pollution; raise public awareness
and education about wildlife; restore damaged ecosystems (reforestation, cleaning wetlands);
support sustainable use of resources.

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Sustainable Living
Sustainable living means using resources carefully so that the Earth can maintain them for the future. A
key step is using clean energy. For example, installing solar panels or using wind power produces
electricity without polluting the air 11 . At home, we should save electricity by turning off lights and
appliances when not in use, and using energy-efficient bulbs. We should save water too: take shorter
showers, turn off the tap tightly, and fix leaks. Simple habits like using a bucket instead of a hose to wash
dishes or clothes can save many liters of water. Another important habit is reduce, reuse, recycle. By
reusing plastic bottles, paper and glass, we reduce waste. Recycling conserves energy – for example,
recycling just 10 plastic bottles saves enough energy to power a laptop for about a day 12 . Composting
kitchen scraps returns nutrients to soil instead of throwing them away. All these actions (saving water and
energy, cutting down on plastic, recycling waste) add up to a big positive impact on the environment.

• Save Energy: Turn off lights/fans when not needed; use solar lamps or efficient LED bulbs; walk, bike
or use public transport instead of always using a car.
• Save Water: Turn off taps while brushing teeth; collect rainwater for plants; take short baths or
showers; reuse washing water for gardening.
• Reduce Plastic and Waste: Carry a reusable bag and water bottle; avoid single-use plastics (straws,
bottles, bags); repair items instead of discarding them.
• Clean Energy & Recycling: Support solar and wind energy; choose rechargeable batteries; recycle
paper, metal and glass. Recycling and composting reduce landfill trash and save resources 12 .

Environmental Impact of Human Activities

Human activities are affecting the planet in many ways:

• Deforestation: Cutting down forests for agriculture or timber destroys homes of wildlife and
removes trees that absorb carbon dioxide. Since trees take in billions of tons of CO₂ annually,
removing them turns forests into net carbon emitters 13 . This makes global warming worse and
can disrupt rainfall patterns.
• Overfishing: Catching too many fish and using large nets harms ocean ecosystems. It lowers fish
populations and can wipe out certain species. Overfishing upsets the food web: for example,
removing many fish leads to fewer predators and can cause collapse of coral reefs and other marine
life 14 .
• Industrial Farming: Large-scale animal and crop farms have huge environmental costs. Animal
agriculture alone causes about 14.5% of all human greenhouse gas emissions 15 . Growing feed
crops uses lots of water and fertilizers, which can pollute rivers. Manure and waste from farms also
contaminate air and water 15 . These activities contribute to climate change, water scarcity and soil
degradation.

Overall, these practices lead to climate change, loss of species, soil erosion and water shortages. They
highlight the need to adopt sustainable methods in logging, fishing and farming to protect the
environment.

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Conclusion
In conclusion, protecting our environment is vital for life on Earth. Climate change, pollution, loss of
biodiversity and the impacts of human activity show that we must act responsibly. Each individual can
contribute: saving water and energy at home, using less plastic, planting trees, and supporting clean
energy. By making informed choices and small changes in daily life, we help ensure a healthier
environment. Together, our efforts will preserve the planet’s natural balance and resources for ourselves
and for future generations.

Sources: Authoritative environmental and science publications 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 12 13

14 15 (information compiled for educational purposes).

1 ENVIRONMENT Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/environment

2 Why it's important that we value nature | WWF

https://www.wwf.org.uk/what-we-do/valuing-nature

3 Climate Basics for Kids - Center for Climate and Energy SolutionsCenter for Climate and Energy

Solutions
https://www.c2es.org/content/climate-basics-for-kids/

4 NCERT Class 9 English Main Course Book Unit 3 Environment

https://cdn1.byjus.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/NCERT-Class-9-English-Main-Course-Book-Unit-3-Environment.pdf

5 11 Renewable energy - Climate Action Accelerator

https://climateactionaccelerator.org/solution-areas/renewable_energy/

6 About Air | UNEP - UN Environment Programme

https://www.unep.org/explore-topics/air/about-air

7 Drinking-water
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/drinking-water

8 9 Biodiversity
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/biodiversity

10 Wildlife Conservation Worldwide: A Global Effort | GVI

https://www.gviusa.com/blog/smb-wildlife-conservation-worldwide-a-global-effort/

12 Recycling Basics and Benefits | US EPA

https://www.epa.gov/recycle/recycling-basics-and-benefits

13 How Does Deforestation Affect the Environment? | Earth.Org

https://earth.org/how-does-deforestation-affect-the-environment/

14 What is Overfishing? Facts, Effects and Overfishing Solutions

https://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/overfishing

15 Factory Farming Environmental Impact | Industrial Animal Agriculture | ASPCA

https://www.aspca.org/protecting-farm-animals/factory-farming-environment