Summary
Human actions and resource exploitation are reshaping the Earth in significant ways. Some practices, such as dam construction, forest cutting, and the conversion of natural lands to agricultural lands, directly impact the environment. However, other human activities have indirect impacts, such as climate change, an increase in greenhouse gases, biodiversity loss due to the encroachment of wild ecosystems, and changed coastal landscapes due to accelerated agricultural runoff. Scientists have proposed the Anthropocene as a new geologic period as a result of these changes. The three human impacts discussed in this essay are cities, farms, and forests.
Cities
The high population of people globally has a significant impact on land, energy, water, and food. Their demands have impacted the ecosystem through clearing forests for construction, transforming natural land for agriculture, and overutilization of water resources. Qualitative data provided shows that the human population has been increasing over the years, implying a higher impact on the environment. From 1950, the population increased at a higher rate reaching 7 billion people in 2000 (Liu, 2019). People can look at the settlement patterns to determine whether they are negatively impacting the environment. Some activities that can hurt the environment include settlement along river banks, increased deforestation, and channeling natural water sources to individual dwellings for construction and agriculture. On a personal level, I can limit the damage to the environment by preserving forests and constructing on the recommended land away from water sources.
Farms
Agricultural activity is one of the main human undertakings that have a significant impact on the environment. Farming impacts the environment in several ways, including interfering with natural ecosystems and loss of biodiversity. The conversion of natural ecosystems to agricultural farms results in carbon emissions to the atmosphere, which is tragic to biodiversity. The graph obtained from the interactive shows that the percentage of domesticated land has increased over the years. From 1950, the percentage of land use increased at a higher rate reaching almost 40% by the year 2000 (Liu, 2019). Looking at the percentage of land used for agricultural activity can tell about the impact of farming on the environment. People can compare the portion of their land used for cultivation to verify this impact. As an individual, I can strive to use minimal land for agricultural activity while maintaining the natural ecosystem.
Forests
Human activities such as deforestation for household construction, farming or road construction negatively affect biodiversity. Since forests are habitats for a wide variety of animal species, deforestation destroys these dwellings, significantly limiting the species’ ability to handle climate change. Abrupt geographical change due to forest clearing limits many species’ chances of survival. Consequently, biodiversity loss occurs, which reflects the gross human impact on the ecosystem. The graph shown on the interactive reveals that deforestation rates have been increasing at a high rate. Between 1950 and 2000, deforestation was found to be at least 17 million square kilometers (Liu, 2019). Looking at the average pieces of land under forests, people can assess their impact on the environment. This is done by comparing the amount of land occupied by trees to the total land area. On a personal level, I can endeavor to keep at least a third of my piece of land under tree cover. Also, I will limit deforestation by ensuring that if I cut one tree, I plant another in its place.
Reference
Liu, D. (2019). The Anthropocene: Human impact on the environment. Howard Hughes Medical Institute.