Environmental protection

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Environmental protection is an increasing concern of individuals, organisations and governments.

Due to the pressures of population and technology the biophysical environment is being degraded, sometimes permanently. This has been recognised and governments began placing restraints on activities that caused environmental degradation. Since the 1960s activism by the environmental movement has created awareness of the various environmental issues. There is not a full agreement on the extent of the environmental impact of human activity and protection measures are occasionally criticised.

Academic institutions now offer courses such as environmental studies, environmental management and environmental engineering that study the history and methods of environmental protection.

Protection of the environment is needed from various human activities. Waste, pollution, loss of biodiversity, introduction of invasive species, release of genetically modified organisms and toxics are some of the issues relating to environmental protection.

Governance

Many countries have organizations and agencies devoted to environmental protection.

New Zealand

At a national level the Ministry for the Environment is responsible for environmental policy and the Department of Conservation addresses conservation issues. At a regional level the regional councils administer the legislation and address regional environmental issues.

United States

Since 1970, the United States Environmental Protection Agency has been working to protect the environment and human health.^[1]

See also

Environment portal

Ecology portal

Sustainable development portal

• Conservation movement
• Environmentalism
• Environmental movement
• Environmental organizations
• Green party
• Green politics
• List of environmental organizations
• List of environmental issues
• Sustainability
• Sustainable development

References

External links

• Map of the extent of environmental problems

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