1.5 Humans and Environmental Interaction

Types of Resources on Earth

Renewable resource

• Solar energy: Solar energy is a renewable resource because it is generated from the sun, which is a virtually limitless source of energy.
• Wind energy: Wind energy is also a renewable resource because it is generated from the wind, which is powered by the sun.
• Hydroelectric energy: Hydroelectric energy is generated by harnessing the power of moving water, such as from rivers or tides. This is a renewable resource because water is constantly being replenished through the water cycle.
• Geothermal energy: Geothermal energy is generated by tapping into the Earth's internal heat, which is generated by the decay of radioactive elements. This is a renewable resource because the Earth's internal heat is a constant source of energy.
• Biomass energy: Biomass energy is generated by burning organic matter, such as wood or plant material. This is a renewable resource because plants can be regrown or replanted after they are harvested.

Nonrenewable resource

• Fossil fuels: Fossil fuels are nonrenewable resources because they are formed from the remains of plants and animals that lived millions of years ago. Once these fuels are used up, they cannot be replenished.
• Nuclear energy: Nuclear energy is generated by splitting atoms, a process that releases a large amount of energy. However, this energy source is nonrenewable because it relies on the limited supply of uranium and other radioactive elements.
• Minerals: Many minerals, such as gold and diamonds, are nonrenewable resources because they are formed over millions of years and cannot be replaced once they are extracted from the ground.
• Water: While water is a renewable resource in the sense that it is constantly being replenished through the water cycle, it can be considered a nonrenewable resource in certain areas where it is scarce and not replenished quickly enough to meet the demand.

Sustainability

1. Environmental sustainability: This refers to the ability to use natural resources in a way that does not deplete or damage them, so that they can be used by future generations.
2. Economic sustainability: This refers to the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This involves finding ways to balance economic development and environmental protection.
3. Social sustainability: This refers to the ability to create and maintain a healthy, inclusive, and just society. This involves finding ways to promote social well-being and equity, and to address issues such as poverty, inequality, and discrimination.

Humans and the Environment

The Environment

1. The atmosphere is the layer of gases that surrounds the Earth. It is composed of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and trace amounts of other gases, such as carbon dioxide and water vapor. The atmosphere plays a vital role in regulating the Earth's climate and weather, and it protects the planet from the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation.
2. The lithosphere is the solid outer layer of the Earth, which includes the crust and the upper mantle. It is made up of rocks and minerals, and it is the source of many natural resources, such as minerals, oil, and natural gas.
3. The hydrosphere is the Earth's water system, which includes all the water on the planet, such as oceans, lakes, rivers, and groundwater. The hydrosphere plays a vital role in the Earth's water cycle and climate.
4. The geosphere is the Earth's solid inner layer, which includes the mantle and the core. It is made up of rocks and minerals, and it is the source of energy for many natural processes, such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

The Humans

1. Building dams to control the flow of water in rivers and streams, which can be used to generate electricity, irrigate crops, and prevent flooding.
2. Diverting water from one place to another through canals, pipelines, and aqueducts, which allows us to use water in areas where it is scarce.
3. Extracting groundwater through wells, which allows us to access fresh water for drinking, irrigation, and other purposes.
4. Treating and purifying water to make it safe for human consumption and other uses.
5. Monitoring and managing water quality to ensure that it is safe and suitable for different uses.
6. Developing technologies and infrastructure for storing, distributing, and using water efficiently.

1. Quarrying, mining, and drilling to extract minerals, metals, and other resources from the Earth's crust.
2. Building roads, bridges, and other infrastructure by paving or constructing with concrete, asphalt, and other materials derived from the lithosphere.
3. Using the Earth's surface as a foundation for buildings, houses, and other structures.
4. Growing crops and raising animals by modifying the land and soil to create agricultural fields and pastures.
5. Changing the shape of the land through activities such as deforestation, clear-cutting, and urbanization.
6. Using the Earth's crust as a source of geothermal energy through activities such as drilling geothermal wells.
7. Protecting and conserving the Earth's natural resources through sustainable land use practices.

1. Burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas, which releases carbon dioxide and other gases into the atmosphere and contributes to climate change.
2. Planting trees and vegetation, which absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and help mitigate the effects of climate change.
3. Using technology to monitor and measure atmospheric conditions, such as weather forecasting and air quality monitoring.
4. Developing technologies to protect ourselves from the elements, such as air conditioning and heating systems.
5. Using the atmosphere as a means of transportation through activities such as flying in airplanes.
6. Using the atmosphere as a means of communication through activities such as broadcasting radio and television signals.
7. Using the atmosphere as a disposal mechanism for waste products, such as releasing pollutants into the air.

1. Domestication of plants and animals for food, clothing, and other purposes.
2. Modification of plant and animal genetics through selective breeding and genetic engineering in order to create crops and animals with desired traits.
3. Use of chemicals and other substances to control pests, weeds, and diseases in agriculture, forestry, and other sectors.
4. Developing and using technologies to monitor and protect biodiversity, such as conservation programs and protected areas.
5. Using biotechnology and bioremediation to clean up environmental pollution and restore damaged ecosystems.
6. Using living organisms as sources of medicine, such as plants used in traditional medicine and microorganisms used in the production of pharmaceuticals.
7. Using living organisms as sources of industrial products, such as microorganisms used in the production of biofuels and enzymes.