Introduction

Human beings need to understand the relationship between Geography and the Environment so that they know the best ways to interact with their surroundings.

Geography enables human beings to understand the surrounding environment and to conserve and use it sustainably.

In this chapter, you will learn about the meanings, interaction and importance of learning Geography and the Environment.

The competencies to be developed will enable you to value and care for the environment.

Meaning of Geography

Geography is a subject that deals with the study of human beings and their environment. Geography is concerned with the earth, the atmosphere and things that exist on the earth’s surface. Geography is also concerned with the distribution of things and their interaction with human beings.

The earth’s surface comprises the continents and the oceans. The continents and the oceans have various features which constitute the environment. Hence, Geography enables human beings to develop the basic skills that enable them to understand and interact with the environment in a sustainable way.

Figure 1 illustrates the earth’s surface.

Continents Ocean Figure 1: Earth’s surface

Meaning of the environment On the earth’s surface, human beings are surrounded by various things. These things and human beings are part of the environment. Therefore, the environment includes all the things that surround human beings. The things that surround human beings can be either natural or manmade. Natural things are those which are not created by human beings such as mountains, plants, animals, rivers, land and air. Man-made things include houses, roads, gardens, tables, cars and other things that are not natural. Information about the components that form the environment is summarised in Figure 2 bellow,

Figure 2: Components of the environmen

Natural and man-made things can be found at home, school or elsewhere. Human beings depend on the environment for various activities that enhance their living. Thus, human beings are responsible for taking care of and conserving the environment.

Figure 3 shows some of the things found in the environment.