Natural environment

Natural environment
See also
Ecological sustainability Economic sustainability Environmental policy Renewable resources Alternative technology Environmental factors affecting business Activity center Integrated waste management Ecologically sustainable development

Natural environment is where all things no matter if living or non-living occur naturally in this environment without any human help. Term „natural environment” usually is associated with nature existing on earth, but whole universe is natural and we need to keep that in mind (Goudie, 2018).

Aspects of natural environment

There are two aspects that are most important to include when talking about natural environment:

• First would be ecological units that are known as a natural system that almost completely doesn't involve human interference. Things that embrace that are: rocks, soil, atmosphere, microorganisms, natural events, and all vegetation.
• Second and really important ones are natural resources and physical phenomena, that have much in common and it's hard to point boundaries that are clear-cut. These involve all the air, energy, water, radiation, magnetism, electric charge and generally whole climate (Tietenberg & Lewis, 2016).

Natural environment role in business

Natural environment is one element of the macro-environment. Macro environment include whole micro environment, which in business means things such as marketing intermediates, suppliers customers, publics, competitors, and such. And the macro environment itself include whole political, cultural, technological, natural economical and demographic environment. Finally It also include natural environment. In business there is a term called macro marketing environment, and it does one main job which is to adjust to the change and social environment to realize motivation ground of the marketing itself (Kotler, Armstrong, 2010). Micro and macro environments are external environments according to business environments and also there is an internal environment which includes all internal aspects that create, spread verbally or nonverbally and finally deliver the markets contributions (Kotler, Armstrong, 2010)

Business environment

As we saw, macro environment which include business area is highly connected to natural environment, so why not include marketing term that plays huge role in building and maintaining beneficial and satisfying customer relationships that are huge part of the macro marketing. Business environment is defined by Duncan as „the totality of physical and social factor that are taken directly into consideration in the decision-making behavior of individuals in the organization”(1972).

Examples of Natural environment

• The atmosphere and climate: The atmosphere is the gaseous layer of the Earth's surface, composed of different gases that interact with the Sun's radiation and regulate the temperature of the planet. The climate, on the other hand, is the average of the atmospheric conditions of a place over a period of time.
• The biosphere: It is the set of living beings that inhabit the Earth. It includes all the ecosystems of the planet, both terrestrial and aquatic.
• The lithosphere: It is the solid part of the Earth's surface, which includes the continents, the ocean floors and the interior of the Earth.
• The hydrosphere: It is the liquid part of the Earth's surface, which includes the oceans, lakes, rivers and underground water.
• The geosphere: It is the solid part of the Earth's interior, made up of the crust, the mantle and the core.

Advantages of Natural environment

One of the main advantages of the natural environment is its ability to sustain life. The following is a list of some of the major benefits of preserving the natural environment:

• Clean air: The natural environment provides us with clean air, which is essential for our health and well-being. Plants absorb carbon dioxide and other pollutants, releasing oxygen into the atmosphere.
• Biodiversity: Natural habitats are home to a variety of species, which makes up the world’s biodiversity. Protecting the natural environment is important for the survival of species and for maintaining a balance in the global ecosystem.
• Natural Resources: The natural environment is a source of natural resources, such as timber, water and soil, which are important for human survival.
• Climate Regulation: The natural environment helps regulate the climate by absorbing and releasing heat from the sun. It also helps to regulate the water cycle, which is essential for life.
• Mental Health: Being in natural environments has been linked to improved mental health and wellbeing. It can be beneficial to spend time in nature, as it can reduce stress levels and help people to relax.

Limitations of Natural environment

The natural environment has several limitations that should be taken into consideration. These limitations include:

• Climate change - Climate change has been identified as one of the major threats to the natural environment, resulting in changes in average temperatures, weather patterns, and sea levels. This can lead to changes in the availability of resources, loss of biodiversity, and an increase in the risk of extreme weather events.
• Pollution - Pollution of the natural environment can be caused by a variety of sources, including industrial waste, agricultural runoff, and air pollution. All of these can lead to changes in water and air quality, resulting in damage to ecosystems and the health of both humans and animals.
• Deforestation - Deforestation is the process of removing forested areas to make way for other land uses, such as agriculture or urban development. This can lead to a loss of biodiversity and a decrease in the ability of the land to capture and store carbon dioxide, contributing to global warming.
• Overconsumption - Overconsumption of resources can have a significant impact on the natural environment. This includes the overharvesting of fish and wildlife populations, the overuse of water resources, and the depletion of soil quality. Each of these can lead to changes in the availability of resources and a decrease in biodiversity.

Other approaches related to Natural environment

One approach of understanding natural environment is through the lens of urban sustainability. Urban sustainability is an approach that focuses on promoting equitable and sustainable development in urban areas, with attention to the impacts of human activities on the environment. It involves considering elements such as urban planning, transport infrastructure, green spaces, and energy efficiency.

Another approach is ecological sustainability which is based on the principles of environmental protection. Ecological sustainability is focused on preserving the natural environment and ensuring that it is maintained for the benefit of future generations. This includes aspects such as reducing environmental pollution, conserving biodiversity, and protecting habitats for wildlife.

The third approach is biodiversity conservation. This approach involves efforts to protect and conserve species and their habitats in order to maintain the balance of nature. This includes activities such as protecting endangered species, restoring habitats, and creating protected areas.

The last approach is climate change mitigation. This involves taking action to reduce the impact of human activities on the environment. This includes activities such as reducing emissions of greenhouse gases, increasing energy efficiency, and promoting renewable energy sources.

In summary, various approaches can be used to understand the natural environment. These include urban sustainability, ecological sustainability, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation. Each of these approaches is focused on protecting and preserving the environment to ensure its sustainability for future generations.

References

• Duncan, R.B., (1972). Characteristics of organizational environments and perceived environmental uncertainty. Administrative science quarterly, pp.313-327.
• Goudie, A. S. (2018). Human impact on the natural environment, John Wiley & Sons.
• Kjellgren, A., & Buhrkall, H. (2010). A comparison of the restorative effect of a natural environment with that of a simulated natural environment, Journal of environmental psychology, 30(4), 464-472.
• Kotler, P., & Armstrong, G. (2010). Principles of marketing, Pearson education.
• Rook, G. A. (2013). Regulation of the immune system by biodiversity from the natural environment: an ecosystem service essential to health, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 110(46), 18360-18367.
• Tietenberg, T. H., & Lewis, L. (2016). Environmental and natural resource economics, Routledge.

Author: Katarzyna Atłas