Interrelationships between human population and the environment
- We humans exist within the environment and are a part of the natural world.
- Like all other species, we depend for our survival on a properly functioning planet.
- Thus, our interactions with our environment matter a great deal.
- Humans exist within the environment and are part of nature.
- Our interactions with its other parts matter a great deal.
- This idea is fundamental to environmental science and conservation biology
How does human activity affect the environment?
– Reduce the land available for plants and animals
– Raw materials (inc. non-renewable) resources are being used up
– More waste is produced which (if not handled properly) may pollute air, water & land
The major causes of environmental problems are:
- Population growth
- Wasteful resource use
- Poverty
- Poor environmental accounting
- Ecological ignorance