1.5 Humans and Environmental Interaction

Types of Resources on Earth

Renewable resource

These are quickly produced in nature with an unlimited supply.

Examples of renewable resources include:

• 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

These are slowly produced in nature and humans can run out of it.

Examples of nonrenewable resources include:

• 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

To make sure we do not run out of the resources we depend on, humans incorporate sustainability. Sustainability is the ability to maintain or preserve something over time. In the context of the environment, sustainability 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. This includes recycling, decreasing pollution, planting trees….

The United Nations identified three pillars of sustainability as part of the Brundtland Commission's report, "Our Common Future," published in 1987. These pillars are:

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.

The three pillars of sustainability are often referred to as the "triple bottom line," as they represent a holistic approach to sustainability that takes into account the economic, social, and environmental impacts of human actions.

Humans and the Environment

Human beings are a part of the natural environment, and our actions can have both positive and negative impacts on the environment.

On the positive side, human beings have developed a wide range of technologies, practices, and systems that have allowed us to live longer, healthier lives and to improve the standard of living for many people around the world. These advances have been made possible in part through the use of natural resources, such as oil, gas, and minerals.

However, human activities can also have negative impacts on the environment. The extraction and use of these natural resources can cause pollution, habitat destruction, and other environmental problems. In addition, the increasing population and consumption of resources by humans is putting pressure on the Earth's natural systems and contributing to climate change.

To address these challenges, it is important for humans to find ways to use natural resources in a more sustainable manner, and to reduce the negative impacts of our activities on the environment. This can involve adopting more efficient technologies, conserving resources, and finding ways to reduce waste and pollution. It can also involve working to protect and preserve natural habitats and biodiversity.

The Environment

Pioneering German geographers believed the natural environment shapes the development of our societies. This idea is called environmental determinism. To understand this Human-Environment relationship, the science of the Earth has to be understood. 

An abiotic system is the nonliving or inorganic matter. Earth has four abiotic systems that we interact with: the atmosphere, the lithosphere, the hydrosphere, and the geosphere.

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.

Long ago, the four nations lived together in harmony. Then everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked. 

Well, we are missing fire, but we have the three elements and the biosphere. Each one provides for the biosphere and provides for the organisms. 

The Humans

We have manipulated those abiotic systems and use them to support ourselves. Here’s how:

Hydrosphere: provides all of the water humans and other organisms need

Some examples include:

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.

Lithosphere: most plants and animals live and obtain food and shelter

Some examples include:

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.

Atmosphere: provides oxygen and protects us against the Sun’s ray

Some examples include:

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.

Biosphere: interrelated environment, we consume and depend on byproducts from other animals

Some examples include:

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.

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