Environment

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Natural resources are materials from the environment that are used to support life and meet people's needs. Any natural substance that humans use can be considered a natural resource, such as water, air, sunlight, trees, oil, coal, natural gas, metals, stones, soil, sand, etc. Natural resources are mainly classified into two categories - renewable and non-renewable. Renewable resources will naturally replenish themselves over time, like wind, sunlight, trees, etc. Non-renewable resources cannot replenish themselves and will be gone forever once used, like fossil fuels, minerals, and metals.

Environmental conservation protects the natural world and species through the responsible management and use of natural resources. 

Environmental preservation protects the natural environment and wildlife from harmful human activities and, where possible, strives to repair damage and reverse negative impacts.

An increasing human population means a greater demand for natural resources. Overconsumption of natural resources leads to environmental degradation. Ecosystems are unable to replenish quickly enough and cannot cope with excessive resource extraction, resulting in biodiversity loss and the deterioration of the natural world. When a resource is depleted entirely from an area, it is often gone forever. We must sustainably manage and utilize natural resources and protect and repair the environment to ensure a better quality of life for humans and all species now and in the future.  

Environmental hazards pose a risk to human health and/or the natural world and result from chemical, biological or physical agents either from previous or ongoing human activity, or the hazard may be a property present in the natural environment. This includes air and water pollution, climate change, extreme weather, natural disasters, toxic waste, radiation, pesticides, disease-causing microorganisms and plants (i.e. mold), asbestos, chemicals, heavy metals, excessive noise, etc.

Environmental equity is the concept that no single community should bear the brunt of the harmful effects of environmental hazards and that every person has the right to live in a healthy environment, regardless of societal or economic factors. 

Environmental justice means remedying environmental harms on specific communities and preventing similar injustices from happening in the future. 

Low-income and minority communities face a disproportionate share of environmental hazards, which is then linked to increased health problems. Structural racism makes it more likely that certain people live in certain communities. These communities often suffer from long-term environmental injustices. Additionally, there is a history of wealthier countries exploiting and extracting natural resources from resource-rich but economically poorer countries. There should be a fair distribution of resources, and we should all have access to fresh air and water, wholesome food, and a healthy, safe place to live.  

Environmental conditions are physical and psychological factors that affect, shape and influence people's growth, development, health, thoughts, behaviors and lives.

Nature vs. Nurture:  In this context, "nature" is what we think of as internal, pre-wiring and is influenced by genetic inheritance and other biological factors. "Nurture" is the influence of external factors after conception and is the product of exposure to our physical and psychological environment. Although both play a role in how we are shaped, nurture - our environmental conditions - is much more influential in our overall growth, development, health, thoughts, behaviors and lives. Thus, our physical environment - access to life essentials and exposure to physical surroundings - and our psychosocial environment - access to education and exposure to society, culture, social processes and relationships to others - is key to shaping who we are. 

Environmental conditions inequities greatly impact the shaping of those who do not have access to a healthy physical and psychosocial environment. Many are trapped in cycles of poverty, toxic parenting and/or abuse that continue generation to generation due to environmental conditioning and inequities. However, it often takes resources to break these cycles in order to either transition to a different, healthier environment and/or to get access to education and quality life essentials.