The spreading influence of humans can and does effect the biosphere

Earth as an Island

Limited resources

 Hunting and Gathering

Agriculture Green Revolution Industrial Growth Urban Development

May have caused extinction of some animals.

Hunting & Gathering

Modern Day Hunter Gatherer

 Agriculture provides humans with fundamental need: A dependable supply of food that can be produced in large quantity and can be saved and stored for later use

The

Revolution

1950s Government and Scientists MONOCULTURE (single crop year after year) Chemical Fertilizers Helped Prevent Food Shortages/Increased Production Genetically Modified Organisms Good and Bad New approaches to protect natural resources

MONSANTO

More People
More Food More Insects More Pesticides

 1800s Industrial Revolution led to Modern conveniencesFood, Clothes, Homes, Cars, Ipods American Dream/Suburban Growth Industrial processes need limited fossil fuels for energy and can also pollute air, water and soil.

Machines and Factories

Suburban growth consumes farmland and natural habitats, and can put stress on plant and animal populations and on the biospheres life support systems

Can we learn to control the these harmful effects of human activity while preserving our standard of living?

There's so much pollution in the air now that if it weren't for our lungs there'd be no place to put it all. -Robert Orben