The term “clean environment” elicits different ideas in the minds of people. This could range from a tidy office space or sleeping room to a neat space for activities and a large expanse of land. It could also mean a sustainable way of living.
From time immemorial, Man, by nature, has always tried to be comfortable and get the best out of his environment. This ranges from simple activities like sweeping the house, drinking clean water, to major steps such as proper disposal of waste – both biological and non-biological.
Edet Essien, (2013) classifies the environment into three: The physical environment which determines the distribution of plants and animals in a region which, in fact, further determines the presence of food, materials for shelter, and clothing for man. The biological environment is the second that is also known as the biosphere, which refers to all living things like plants and animals. And, the social/occupational environment which is the totality of man’s input and contribution to his surrounding,
Man’s taste for survival from the environment is evident in daily routines such as attempts to eliminate harmful animals and predators, as well as harmful insects which transmit diseases. While that is biological, another example is the felling of trees close to a living house which can fall at any time leading to destruction, injury, and possible death.
So, naturally, man understands that the environment, despite being there to support his activities, needs to be in a condition that he benefits from. However, just as man is a generic term for all humans who do not share the same trait, there are some who either by character, ignorance, or other factors continue to inhabit dirty environments.
Therefore, Man has always known that the environment determines the presence of things that will ensure life exists and is sustained on earth. Therefore, one will naturally expect that there is a need for man to look out for the environment. This is where the debate usually lies, as there is no size fit way of taking care of the environment.
While some fancy artificial or plastic structures to live comfortably, some conservatives think a blend of nature is critical, as man’s continuous dependence on technology brings forth waste that destroys the environment. These wastes, research has shown, harm the environment. And, anything that affects the environment, affects man too!
Now, let us look at the physical environment, which entails the surroundings in which we live and operate. One can easily relate to neighbors who either litter the compound, feel lazy sweeping or taking out the trash, and do not care about what the other person thinks about keeping their surroundings neat.
These neighbors live among us, we have seen them, we know them and they like saying, “nothing dey kill African man.” But, research has over time proved them wrong as clean and sustainable environments lower stress and contribute to a positive outlook on life as well as reducing distractions to improve concentration.
Amadi, A.N. (2011) describes a clean environment as one that is void of any pollution and its effect. Hence, it could be an environment that has good or clean air, clean water, and clean energy. It is a healthy and safe environment.
Bearing that in mind, the question will then be, how do we get a clean environment. The answer, according to Ebisike, A. O. Et Al (2009) is sanitation. From experience, many people think a clean environment refers to the sweeping of the floor. While that is a step, it goes beyond that to keep the entire surroundings tidy.
Tidiness can be achieved by removing the cobwebs in and outside the house, ensuring clean walls, wardrobe, ceilings, offices, shops, and even dusting the area where necessary and also proper personal hygiene, that is taking good of your body by taking your bath at least two to three times daily, especially the females, washing hairs, cutting your nails among others.
Edet Essien (2013) reiterates this in his definition of sanitation. He said, “sanitation is the art of maintaining a state of cleanliness in an individual environment and the environment with the help of the available knowledge and resources to sustain health through the community and individual efforts.”
Therefore, It is clear that the environment gives us a wealth of services and benefits such as the air we breathe, the food we eat and the water we drink, as well as the many materials needed in our homes, at work, and for leisure activities. So, any effort geared towards improving air quality, water quality, habitat protection as well promotion of physical activity which lowers the risk of injuries, impacts on climate change, and promotes a diet free of additives and preservatives, is one aimed at keeping our environment clean
The benefits are enormous as maintaining a good environment through a change of attitude leads to an infectious free life, increased self-confidence, higher productivity, sense of propriety, prevention of pollution, preservation of ecosystems and natural resources.
Like a fish is in water, man is fully immersed in his environment. And, there is a need for all to change attitudes that are not pro-environment, as one cannot take responsibility for self-health without the environment she or he is found in.
Idorenyin Umoren is an IT student from the University of Calabar with CrossRiverWatch.
NB: Opinions expressed in this article are strictly attributable to the author, Idorenyin Umoren, and do not represent the opinion of CrossRiverWatch or any other organization the author works for/with.