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Read About Human Impacts on Earth

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WHAT ARE THE HUMAN IMPACTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT?

The exponential growth of the human population since the Industrial Revolution has created a negative impact on the natural environment. Increased water consumption and pollution have damaged many ecosystems. Changes to human behaviors such as the types of products we use, conserving water, and the way we live with other species can help reduce our impact on the planet.

To better understand the human impacts on the environment…

WHAT ARE THE HUMAN IMPACTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT?. The exponential growth of the human population since the Industrial Revolution has created a negative impact on the natural environment. Increased water consumption and pollution have damaged many ecosystems. Changes to human behaviors such as the types of products we use, conserving water, and the way we live with other species can help reduce our impact on the planet. To better understand the human impacts on the environment…

LET’S BREAK IT DOWN!

Human Population Growth

Human Population Growth

Modern humans have been around for about 300,000 years. However, around the mid-1700s, the world’s human population grew by about 57% to 700 million people due to the start of the Industrial Revolution. During this time, changes in medicine and living standards resulted in a population explosion. In only 100 years after the onset of the Industrial Revolution, the world population grew by 100% to two billion people. During the 20th century, the world population grew exponentially again, growing to six billion just before the start of the 21st century. That is a 400% population increase in a single century. In the 250 years since the Industrial Revolution, the world population has increased by 6 billion people and is predicted to continue to grow to a total of 8.6 billion by 2030.

Human Population Growth Modern humans have been around for about 300,000 years. However, around the mid-1700s, the world’s human population grew by about 57% to 700 million people due to the start of the Industrial Revolution. During this time, changes in medicine and living standards resulted in a population explosion. In only 100 years after the onset of the Industrial Revolution, the world population grew by 100% to two billion people. During the 20th century, the world population grew exponentially again, growing to six billion just before the start of the 21st century. That is a 400% population increase in a single century. In the 250 years since the Industrial Revolution, the world population has increased by 6 billion people and is predicted to continue to grow to a total of 8.6 billion by 2030.

Reduce, Recycle, and Reuse

Reduce, Recycle, and Reuse

Raw materials from the Earth and energy are needed to create, package, and transport new products to stores and homes. The most effective way to reduce waste is to not create new products in the first place. Reusing products such as clothing, building materials, and storage containers helps reduce the amount of waste produced. Using reusable items such as silverware and glass jars rather than disposable items also helps reduce the amount of waste you produce each day. Recycling is another way to reduce waste. Things like plastic soda bottles can be recycled into clothing and paper can be recycled into new paper products. By following your local guidelines, you can recycle your aluminum, cardboard, glass, paper, and even yard waste to help make a positive impact in your community.

Reduce, Recycle, and Reuse Raw materials from the Earth and energy are needed to create, package, and transport new products to stores and homes. The most effective way to reduce waste is to not create new products in the first place. Reusing products such as clothing, building materials, and storage containers helps reduce the amount of waste produced. Using reusable items such as silverware and glass jars rather than disposable items also helps reduce the amount of waste you produce each day. Recycling is another way to reduce waste. Things like plastic soda bottles can be recycled into clothing and paper can be recycled into new paper products. By following your local guidelines, you can recycle your aluminum, cardboard, glass, paper, and even yard waste to help make a positive impact in your community.

Plastics in Our Environment

Plastics in Our Environment

Scientists estimate that more than 8.3 billion tons of plastic has been produced since the 1950s. About 60% of that plastic has ended up in either a landfill or the natural environment. The rate of plastic production has grown faster than that of any other material as we have become addicted to single-use plastic products.

A staggering 8 million tons of plastics end up in the world’s oceans every year. Many rivers carry the plastics to the ocean, which then have a negative impact on our wetland and marine ecosystems. Whether in a river, an ocean, or on land, plastics can remain in the environment for centuries since they are nonbiodegradable. Most plastics never fully disappear, they just get smaller and smaller over time. These tiny plastic particles are swallowed by farm animals or fish who mistake them for food and can find their way onto our dinner plates. If the current trends continue, our oceans could contain more plastic than fish by 2050.

Plastics in Our Environment Scientists estimate that more than 8.3 billion tons of plastic has been produced since the 1950s. About 60% of that plastic has ended up in either a landfill or the natural environment. The rate of plastic production has grown faster than that of any other material as we have become addicted to single-use plastic products. A staggering 8 million tons of plastics end up in the world’s oceans every year. Many rivers carry the plastics to the ocean, which then have a negative impact on our wetland and marine ecosystems. Whether in a river, an ocean, or on land, plastics can remain in the environment for centuries since they are nonbiodegradable. Most plastics never fully disappear, they just get smaller and smaller over time. These tiny plastic particles are swallowed by farm animals or fish who mistake them for food and can find their way onto our dinner plates. If the current trends continue, our oceans could contain more plastic than fish by 2050.

Freshwater Conservation and Production

Freshwater Conservation and Production

The U.S. population has doubled over the past 50 years, while our thirst for freshwater has tripled. Freshwater is a natural resource that is anticipated to be in high demand in the near future, with 40 states anticipating water shortages by 2024. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed federal requirements mandating water conservation that has produced significant results. Simple changes in human behavior such as turning off the water while you brush your teeth, installing a low-flow showerhead, and watering plants in the early morning or late evening all help to conserve water.

Although freshwater sources are limited, there is plenty of saltwater in our oceans. Desalination is a separation process used to reduce the dissolved salt content in water so that it is suitable for human consumption or irrigation. Ocean water can be desalinated through a process driven by electricity called reverse osmosis or driven by heat called distillation. Unfortunately, both methods are expensive and use a great deal of energy. Currently, there is only about 1% of the world’s population that is dependent on desalinated water to meet daily needs, but this is expected to grow as freshwater becomes scarcer.

Freshwater Conservation and Production The U.S. population has doubled over the past 50 years, while our thirst for freshwater has tripled. Freshwater is a natural resource that is anticipated to be in high demand in the near future, with 40 states anticipating water shortages by 2024. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed federal requirements mandating water conservation that has produced significant results. Simple changes in human behavior such as turning off the water while you brush your teeth, installing a low-flow showerhead, and watering plants in the early morning or late evening all help to conserve water. Although freshwater sources are limited, there is plenty of saltwater in our oceans. Desalination is a separation process used to reduce the dissolved salt content in water so that it is suitable for human consumption or irrigation. Ocean water can be desalinated through a process driven by electricity called reverse osmosis or driven by heat called distillation. Unfortunately, both methods are expensive and use a great deal of energy. Currently, there is only about 1% of the world’s population that is dependent on desalinated water to meet daily needs, but this is expected to grow as freshwater becomes scarcer.

Wildlife Conservation

Wildlife Conservation

Wildlife conservation is the practice of protecting plant and animal species and their habitats. Wildlife conservation biologists aim to protect plant and animal species as human populations encroach on their natural resources. The goal is to ensure the survival of these species and to educate people on living sustainably with other species. Wildlife preserves are protected areas that are important to maintaining the biodiversity of an area and are also used for scientific study. Conservation biologists have helped protect public lands and write legislation such as the Endangered Species Act of 1973 in the United States to protect various species. They work with law enforcement to prosecute wildlife crimes such as illegal hunting called poaching.

Wildlife Conservation Wildlife conservation is the practice of protecting plant and animal species and their habitats. Wildlife conservation biologists aim to protect plant and animal species as human populations encroach on their natural resources. The goal is to ensure the survival of these species and to educate people on living sustainably with other species. Wildlife preserves are protected areas that are important to maintaining the biodiversity of an area and are also used for scientific study. Conservation biologists have helped protect public lands and write legislation such as the Endangered Species Act of 1973 in the United States to protect various species. They work with law enforcement to prosecute wildlife crimes such as illegal hunting called poaching.

HUMAN IMPACTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT VOCABULARY

Human Population
The number of humans living in a particular area.
Natural Resource
Materials or substances such as minerals, forests, water, and fertile land that occur in nature and are necessary or useful to humans.
Renewable Resource
A natural resource that is replenished by natural processes at a rate comparable to its rate of consumption.
Nonrenewable Resource
A resource that will not return, or renew, or will only return after a long period of time.
Species
A group of animals, plants, or other living things that all share common characteristics.
Extinction
The end of existence of a species of plant or animal.
Protected natural areas that are important in maintaining biodiversity or conducting scientific study.
Prevention of wasteful use or protection of natural resources.
The application of scientific knowledge to create tools and machines that may be used to solve real-world problems.

HUMAN IMPACTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Why was there a large increase in human population after the Industrial Revolution?

The Industrial Revolution brought about many advancements in science, technology, and medicine along with improved nutrition that caused people to live longer.

What is the biggest problem with a large human population?

There is an increased demand on our natural resources including trees for making products such as paper and furniture, water for drinking, and minerals to make products such as phones and fertilizers.

What are some examples of how humans have begun to protect our environment?

The creation of new laws and wildlife preserves have helped to protect animals like the bison come back from being close to extinction due to overhunting. New regulations as well as innovative ways of reseeding and replanting corals has helped Belize’s coral reefs come back from oil spills. Conservational biologists established a wildlife preserve to save the giant panda from becoming extinct in China.

What are some ways humans can reduce our use of oil as an energy source?

Using alternative energies such as solar energy, using biodiesel that is made from plants rather than oil, carpooling to school or work, turning off cars while waiting to pick someone up, and using public transportation.

How will the increased use of bioplastics made from plants help protect our planet?

Bioplastics are biodegradable and break down in the environment much faster, reducing the amount of plastics in our oceans and landfills over time.

Why are scientists concerned about freshwater natural resources and what are some things that can be done to help?

The increased human population has increased our need for freshwater, and we use over four times as much freshwater as we did only fifty years ago. Since only 1% of the water on our planet is fresh water, this is a limited natural resource. Some things we can do to conserve freshwater are taking shorter showers, turning off the water when you are washing your hands or brushing your teeth. Scientists and engineers have developed ways to turn saltwater into freshwater, but it is expensive and requires a lot of energy. More innovations in science and engineering may be able to help solve this problem in the future.
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