Humans and the Environment
Humans influence their environment in many ways. For example, they construct dams and canals to divert and store water. This can create large reservoirs or dry up entire bodies of water. Other changes, like pollution, can alter an entire environment. Humans can modify their environment through agricultural, transportation, and energy usage technologies.
The environment also has a major impact on human activity. For example, the environment influences where people settle. It also impacts available materials used to build homes. Further, the environment effects access to food, recreational activities played, and transportation needed.
The relationship between humans and the environment can be mutually beneficial or harmful. In the twenty-first century, negative consequences of human-environmental interactions are becoming more evident. This is especially true for global climate change. How societies will address these challenges remains unclear.
Extend Your Learning
In the warm-up activity, you identified five ways humans actions impact your local area. Take a moment to think about which of those ways you most impact your community. Then, fill in the Decision-Making Grid to determine how you will personally make better choices for the environment.