The term “environment” means different things to different people. Some would consider the term to refer to the basic elements of the earth, such as the air, land and water. Some definitions, particularly in the context of which we are presently speaking of the environment consider the environment to consist only of those natural resources upon which humans place a value, that is aspects of the earth, sky and waters that can be polluted or used up. Another definition might include all living elements of the earth as well as the natural resources, but not include humans in the definition or define the environment as it relates to humans. The primary criticism of these
definitions is that they fail to place humans within the environment, divorcing humans from the natural environment and implying that humans are somehow above or beyond nature.
Increasingly, the environment is described in a much more holistic sense. The place of humans in the environment was recognized at the UN Conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm in 1972: “Man is both creature and moulder of his environment, which gives him physical sustenance and affords him the opportunity for intellectual, moral, social, and spiritual growth”. The World Charter for Nature, adopted by the UN General
Assembly in 1982, states: “Mankind is a part of nature and life depends on the uninterrupted functioning of natural systems which ensure the supply of energy and nutrients. Civilization is rooted in nature, which has shaped human culture and influenced all artistic and scientific achievement, and living in harmony with nature gives man the best opportunities for the development of his creativity and for rest and relaxation.”
Listed below are some definitions of the environment taken from environmental legislation throughout the world...
Thailand’s Enhancement and Conservation of National Environmental Quality Act, B.E. 2535
(1992),
s. 4: “‘environment’ means various things of a physical and biological nature surrounding human beings and created naturally, and man-made objects.”
Australia’s Environment Protection (Impact of Proposals) Act 1974,
s. 2: “all aspects of the surroundings of human beings, whether affecting them as individuals or in their social groupings.”
It is desirable that any general definition of the environment include the entire range of living and nonliving factors that influence life on the earth and their interactions. This would include living and non-living aspects. Living resources would include animals, including humans, plants and microorganisms. Non-living resources would consist of two elements. One element would be the physical life support systems of the planet such as the geography, hydrology, atmosphere, matter, and energy. The other would include the historical, cultural, social and aesthetic components including the built environment.
definitions is that they fail to place humans within the environment, divorcing humans from the natural environment and implying that humans are somehow above or beyond nature.
Increasingly, the environment is described in a much more holistic sense. The place of humans in the environment was recognized at the UN Conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm in 1972: “Man is both creature and moulder of his environment, which gives him physical sustenance and affords him the opportunity for intellectual, moral, social, and spiritual growth”. The World Charter for Nature, adopted by the UN General
Assembly in 1982, states: “Mankind is a part of nature and life depends on the uninterrupted functioning of natural systems which ensure the supply of energy and nutrients. Civilization is rooted in nature, which has shaped human culture and influenced all artistic and scientific achievement, and living in harmony with nature gives man the best opportunities for the development of his creativity and for rest and relaxation.”
Listed below are some definitions of the environment taken from environmental legislation throughout the world...
Thailand’s Enhancement and Conservation of National Environmental Quality Act, B.E. 2535
(1992),
s. 4: “‘environment’ means various things of a physical and biological nature surrounding human beings and created naturally, and man-made objects.”
Australia’s Environment Protection (Impact of Proposals) Act 1974,
s. 2: “all aspects of the surroundings of human beings, whether affecting them as individuals or in their social groupings.”
It is desirable that any general definition of the environment include the entire range of living and nonliving factors that influence life on the earth and their interactions. This would include living and non-living aspects. Living resources would include animals, including humans, plants and microorganisms. Non-living resources would consist of two elements. One element would be the physical life support systems of the planet such as the geography, hydrology, atmosphere, matter, and energy. The other would include the historical, cultural, social and aesthetic components including the built environment.