Pancha Bhoota –is a Sanskrit name given to five elements of our cosmic creation- Space or sky(akaash), water, air, fire and Earth.  As per Hinduism Pancha Bhoota constitute the life on Earth.
These elements have different characteristics and these also account for different faculties of human experience. The pancha bhoota are mainly associated with five senses which is perceived by sense organ in human being. 
The most basic element is Earth which was created using all other four elements and it has five attributes – 1) hearing 2) touch 3) sight 4) taste 5) smell.
The next higher element is water which is odourless but it can be heard, seen, tasted and we can also feel water. Third element fire can be heard, seen and felt. Air element can be just heard and felt but Akaash or sky is beyond these senses. We can just hear it sometimes during thunderstorm.
But changes in Panch Bhoota affect our planet to its core. It affects the eco-balance and living beings of the Earth. To preserve the ecological structure of the Earth balance in these elements are very essential.
The imbalance in the panch bhoota leads to imbalance in the  sense organs of the human beings which has a lasting effects on their activities that also threatens the eco-system. Their uncontrolled activities, practices ends up in polluting the air, water, soil and food. “Doshas” (complications) in the element structure of human beings have led to the rise of pollutants in the air leading to global warming. Imbalance in the human minds and body makes human beings inconsiderate towards our mother nature. They run after luxuries, indulge in large scale developments and industrialization to meet their self-interested demands with no regards to limited resources of our earth. Earth is edging towards global warming because of the imbalance in the activities of human beings.
Panch bhoota plays an important role in making the life on earth balanced and sustainable. We can balance our elements through proper balanced food and water.  Doing yogas and meditation stabilizes our mind and makes us understand the laws of nature. Life on earth cannot be balanced without the sustainable  practices by human communities locally and globally.

photo credit- amulyaayurveda