25 Questions
What is over-harvesting?
The process of harvesting organisms and resources faster than their populations can recover.
What is a visible and dramatic way the oceans are harmed?
Oil spills
What is a positive impact on the environment mentioned in the text?
Enforcing stricter policies and boundaries in state and national forests and parks
What is one of the key factors contributing to the increase in human population by 2050?
Advancement of agriculture
What is the primary goal of world governments in relation to environmental issues?
Decrease the negative impacts of human activities and increase positive impact
What is an ecosystem?
The combination of all living and nonliving organisms and environments that contribute to the overall function and sustenance of the system as a whole.
What did the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) find in 2019?
Approximately 1 million species are at risk of extinction due to human activity.
What did the study by the Royal Botanic Gardens find about plant species?
About 22% of the total 380,000 discovered plant species are endangered.
What is the single greatest threat to biodiversity according to the text?
Human alteration of habitats.
What has been the trend in the population of land-based, marine, and freshwater species in the last few decades according to the Zoological Society of London and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)?
Land-based species fell by 25%, marine species fell by 28%, and freshwater species fell by 29% due to changes in the Earth's ecosystem caused only by human activities.
What is the primary cause of a 0.2 degrees Celsius increase in global average temperature per decade since 1975?
Greenhouse gases from human activities
What is a significant negative impact of deforestation on the environment?
Habitat destruction and water table contamination
What is a recommended effort to mitigate the negative impact of agriculture on the environment?
Restoring green spaces in urban areas
What is a key focus of global efforts to reduce environmental impact?
Promoting reforestation at individual and community levels
What is an increasing opportunity for positive human impact, according to the text?
Growing awareness of environmental issues and efforts to address them
What term is used to describe pollution caused by humans?
Anthropogenic
What is the term for breaking an ecosystem into smaller chunks by building structures or roads?
Habitat fragmentation
What happens when habitats are fragmented?
Species may die off quickly, affecting biodiversity
What is the consequence for animals and plants when humans alter the environment?
They must relearn how to survive
What is the primary reason for hundreds of species' extinctions?
Human activities
What is the direct result of burning non-renewable resources, according to the text?
Increase in atmospheric pollution
What is the primary impact of sediments from agricultural farms carried into the water?
Inhibition of the growth of organisms depending on sunlight
What is the harmful effect of harmful algal blooms like red tide on humans?
It can cause severe illness if humans consume affected animals
How can humans help prevent future extinctions, according to the text?
By conserving habitats of endangered species
What is a way to decrease emission output into the atmosphere, as mentioned in the text?
Reducing fossil fuel consumption and using renewable energy sources
Study Notes
Human Impact on the Environment: Challenges and Opportunities
- Agriculture has the largest negative impact on the environment, with 38% of global land altered for farmland, leading to habitat destruction and water table contamination.
- Expansion of cities and construction of dams also negatively affect natural habitats and aquatic environments, impacting ecosystems.
- Human activities are causing global warming, deforestation, pollution, rising sea levels, and over-harvesting, exacerbated by a growing population.
- Greenhouse gases from human activities are leading to an enhanced greenhouse effect, causing a 0.2 degrees Celsius increase in global average temperature per decade since 1975.
- Rising temperatures due to human activities are predicted to cause radical changes in climate, including forest die-offs, intense storms, and species extinctions.
- Deforestation contributes to harmful global warming by disrupting the balance of CO2 and O2, leading to land erosion, water pollution, and wildlife displacement.
- Pollution from increased production of goods and trash has led to an increase in landfills, exacerbating environmental issues.
- Efforts to mitigate the negative impact of agriculture include increasing crop yield from smaller land units, restoring green spaces in urban areas, and using wild pollinators instead of harmful chemicals.
- Construction projects should prioritize the protection and preservation of existing natural habitats, and governmental agencies should monitor and inform policy based on the pollution created by these projects.
- Global efforts are being made to reduce emissions and limit the dependence on fossil fuels, with an increasing focus on clean energy for vehicles and buildings.
- Non-profit organizations and social media are promoting reforestation and planting at individual and community levels to counter the effects of deforestation.
- There is an increasing opportunity for positive human impact at individual, community, and global scales, with a growing awareness of environmental issues and efforts to address them.
Test your knowledge on the challenges and opportunities related to human impact on the environment. Explore topics such as agriculture, deforestation, pollution, and climate change, and learn about efforts to mitigate negative impacts and promote positive change at various levels.
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