SOCIAL STUDIES PRIMARY SCHOOL NOTES
EVENTS OCCURRING IN THE ENVIRONMENT
Meaning:
Environment refers to all things surrounding an organism or refers to a total of all
surroundings of all living organisms. The environment influences activities and
behaviour of human beings and other living things. It also consists of living and nonliving
things.
IMPORTANCE OF THE ENVIRONMENT
1. It is the habitat of living things.
2. It leads to the development of economic activities through different
resources such as minerals, water, forest and air.
3. Environment is a source of oxygen used by living organisms.
4. It is a source of building materials for example, timber.
5. It helps in plant growth which in turn is a source of medicine,
6. It facilitates development of tourism activities through different
features such as waterfalls and mountains.
TO PRESERVE THE ENVIRONMENT
To preserve means to protect something from being destroyed. To preserve the
environment means to protect the environment from being destroyed. In other
words, it is the process of preserving the environment for proper and suitable use.
Conservation of environment is the responsibility of all members living in the
community.
WAYS USED TO PRESERVE THE ENVIRONMENT
1. Planting trees. Trees help to absorb different harmful gases in the
atmosphere such as carbon dioxide.
2. Using organic manure in agricultural activities.
3. Recycling of wastes,
4. Afforestation and reforestation programs should be established.
5. Educating people on how to undertake their activities properly
6. Applying proper fishing methods.
7. Population control. Through having manageable number of people, which
will reduce amount of environmental destruction.
8. Formulation of strict policies that govern people on preserving the
environment for example, how to dump wastes.
A. TO ASSESS ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION
Environmental degradation refers to the deterioration of the quality of the
environment through air, water and land pollution. The situation makes the
environment useless in different aspects such as agriculture and fishing which is
harmful to living things’ survival.
CAUSES OF ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION
1. Disposal of untreated sewage into the water bodies. This sewage comes
from the industries, hospitals, mining centres and schools.
2. Poor fishing methods, like the use of harmful chemicals which leads to water
pollution.
3. Construction activities: For example road construction, airport construction
and setting of houses leads to introduction of dust into the air as well as
causing pollution.
4. The use of charcoal, coal and firewood for cooking and lighting
pollutes the environment.
5. Poor methods used in agricultural activities, such as spraying some
chemicals like insecticides, land clearing and wildfires make the
environment lose itsquality
6. Mining activities. They lead to the emission of dust, smoke and other harmful
gases into the atmosphere.
7. Oil spills from the leaking oil pipes and containers.
8. Industrial activities. They contribute to environmental degradation through
addition of harmful gases in the atmosphere and water pollution through the
disposal of sewage into the water bodies and land pollution/degradation
through addition of harmful solid materials.
WAYS USED TO REDUCE ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION
1. The oil pipes and containers should be kept properly and frequently inspected.
2. Using environmental friendly agricultural methods like the use of manure
rather than artificial fertilizers.
3. Educating people on how to undertake activities properly without
destroying the environment.
4. Proper management of waste for example, through recycling process.
5. Radioactive (toxic) materials should be dumped deep in the ground.
6. Formulating strict policies and punishment as well as fines to those who
pollute the environment.
7. Afforestation and reforestation must be enhanced.
8. Encouraging people to use natural gas and other sources of energy.
Exercise