Chapter 1, Problem 1RQ

Summary Introduction

To write:

The way in which humans have affected their natural environment. The effects of these doings on the natural environment.

Introduction:

The natural environment includes all the living and non-living things that occur naturally. It involves the interaction between the living species, weather, climate, and natural resources. It has an impact on economic activity and human survival.

Explanation of Solution

Humans have shown their impact on the environment in several ways.

1. Decreased water quality: Due to the misuse of water resources by humans and dumping of wastes into the water bodies. There is a decline in the quality of water.

2. Increased pollution: Unfavorable activities and disturbances in the environment has led to various types of environmental pollutions. Activities like cutting of trees, soil erosion and release of pollutants in water lead to the soil and water pollution respectively.

3. Greenhouse gas emissions: Due to the urbanization, the deforestation process has increased in the last few decades. This results in the rise of greenhouse gases like CO2. This gives rise to an increase in the temperature of the atmospheric layer. Finally, global warming is the result.

4. Depletion of natural resources: Due to a vast increase in human population there is an increased demand for the resources. So, resultant is the depletion of more and more natural resources.

5. Contribution to global climate change: As there is an increase in greenhouse gases, there is an increase in global warming. This global warming is making variations in the temperature of the global atmosphere. This change is then producing the overall global climate change.

These are the common effects of human activities on the natural environment. These effects have led to a disbalance of the total natural environment.

Conclusion

Thus, there are the common effects of human activities on the natural environment like, decreased water quality, increase in pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, global warming, depletion of natural resources. These effects have led to a disbalance of the total natural environment.