Environmental Awareness: Definition, History & Importance
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Lesson Transcript
Instructor: Nate Sullivan
Nate Sullivan holds a M.A. in History and a M.Ed. He is an adjunct history professor, middle school history teacher, and freelance writer.
In this lesson, we will learn about environmental awareness. We will define the term, cite examples, explore the history of environmental awareness, and discuss its importance.
Environmental Awareness
Maybe some of you have seen posters, ads, and the like carrying the exhortation ''Go Green!'' But, what does it mean to ''go green''? It takes a variety of forms, but essentially, going green means being mindful of the natural environment and making economic choices that aren't harmful to the earth. For example, this might mean purchasing a glass or ceramic water bottle instead of using disposable plastic water bottles. Plastic takes an incredibly long time to break down, and a significant percentage of plastic makes it to the oceans, where it kills plant and animal life. Going green might also involve using an all-natural hair-care product, instead of a can of aerosol spray containing toxic chemicals.
When people ''go green,'' they are practicing environmental awareness. The term means exactly what you expect it to: being aware of the natural environment and making choices that benefit--rather than hurt--the earth. In recent years, environmental awareness has gained increased attention. It is fair to say it has become a bit of a trend: from environmentally friendly tiny homes to organic food, environmental awareness is a hot topic. However, it is nothing new and it ought to be more than just a passing fad because of its importance. Let's dig deeper and learn more about environmental awareness.
Examples
Homes
We have already cited a few examples of environmental awareness, but let's look at a few more. Environmentally friendly homes and building materials are a great place to start. In recent years, advanced nations have become more aware of harmful building materials, such as asbestos, lead-based paint, lead pipes, and others. People can demonstrate environmental awareness by choosing to use building materials that are natural and that do not hurt the environment. Wood, stone, brick, copper, and other materials are excellent choices.
Conserving Energy and Water
Going along with the home theme, conserving energy is another way to demonstrate environmental awareness. One easy way to conserve energy is to turn off lights when not in use. Some people even install solar panels and other types of alternative energy sources. There is much potential for solar power to become mainstream and efficient in the future.
Going along with energy conservation is water conservation. People should be mindful to not waste water by leaving the faucet running while brushing teeth. Water is a valuable natural resource that we often take for granted. In many parts of the world, clean water is scarce. Being mindful of this is a huge step in demonstrating environmental awareness.
Purchases, Recycling, and Activism
Some people choose to buy clothing and products that contain natural fibers/materials, rather than synthetic ones. Obviously, recycling is another huge part of demonstrating environmental awareness. Still, others who are extremely passionate about this issue become activists. They might march in protests or organize rallies/events. As we can see, environmental awareness takes many forms, and each person must figure out what specific practices work for them.
History
Industrial Revolution
Modern environmental awareness as we know it arose following the Industrial Revolution, a period of rapid technological and industrial advances between the mid-18th century and the mid-19th century. In particular, air pollution in the form of smoke from coal began to be a concern for many Britons, especially in large cities like London. This prompted Parliament to pass a series of laws throughout the 19th century aimed at reducing air-borne pollutants.
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