Pollution, Climate Change and Conservation — O/L Science

The environment encompasses all living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components that interact in a given area. Human activities have significantly altered the environment — particularly through pollution, deforestation, and greenhouse gas emissions.

Pollution types: air pollution (burning fossil fuels → CO₂, SO₂, NOₓ causing acid rain and climate change); water pollution (industrial discharge, agricultural runoff with fertilisers → eutrophication); land pollution (plastic, chemicals). The greenhouse effect: certain gases (CO₂, CH₄, water vapour) trap outgoing infrared radiation, warming Earth — an enhanced greenhouse effect drives climate change.

Conservation strategies include biodiversity protection, reforestation, renewable energy transition, waste reduction, and sustainable agriculture. Sri Lanka's biodiversity is of global significance — the island hosts many endemic species.