The Anthropocene: Human Impact on Environments - TEAM B

Part 1:
1. Epoch refers to an event or time that is characterized by an event that begins a new period or
progression. A geologic epoch is defined by a specific boundary in the rock strata marked by particular
markers wherein the more distinct and global the marker is, the easier to define the epoch.
2. The Anthropocene Epoch is characterized by the changes in landscapes, ocean and atmospheric
chemistry as well as extinction of species and invasions. The Holocene Epoch starts with the end of
the Ice Age and is characterized by modern animal species and landscapes. Lastly, the Pleistocene
Epoch starts with the beginning of the Ice Age and is characterized by the Ice Age animals such as
saber-toothed tigers and mammoths.
Part 2:
1. Biodiversity - The pace of extinction among species has significantly accelerated which trends
towards mass extinction. As of 2019, due to human activities, 1 million plant and animal species are
now threatened with extinction. If there is change in the ecology of a local area, local extinction may
be suspected. We rely on biodiversity for survival, if this were to continue over the next 100 years, it
would be difficult for humans to survive.
2. Cities - The human population has boomed since the 1960s, going from 3 billion to over 6 billion
now. Signs of overpopulation can be readily seen such as crowded cities and roads as well as the
rampant consumption of natural resources. People should consider how much waste they produce, as
well as the amount of water they consume and the food they eat. Furthermore, we should consider
our cities and how they affect natural wildlife. If the population is to grow more than the earth can
handle, there will be competition for human survival.
3. Mining - Environmental issues can include erosion, formation of sinkholes, loss of biodiversity, and
contamination of soil, groundwater and surface water by chemicals from mining processes.
Contamination resulting from leakage of chemicals can also affect the health of the local population if
not properly controlled. Extreme examples of pollution from mining activities include coal fires, which
can last for years or even decades, so if these were to continue in the next 100 years, massive
amounts of environmental damage may result.
4. Ocean/Overfishing - Overfishing has had a significant negative effect on marine ecosystems,
causing different marine life to suffer as a result of the food chain that these fish sustain.
Overexploited fisheries have increased dramatically since 1950, from 0% in 1950 to over 60% in the
2000s, according to a graph. When a large amount of a certain species is removed from its habitat the
food chain becomes unbalanced and causes species lower on the food chain to overpopulate-
threatening other important marine life. Given these consequences, if this continues at the current
rate for the next 100 years, there will be no fish to exploit; it is therefore essential to practice
sustainable consumption now.

Part 3: Compose a paragraph below that outlines recommendations for what people can do to
reduce the human impacts you analyzed. Identify recommendations for each of the four impacts
you studied. Conduct research online to find these recommendations. Try to find at least two
different sources that list similar recommendations.
1. Biodiversity- People should look at how much of nature is destroyed to make space for human
civilization and infrastructure, this often correlates to how much impact we have on other species.
We can encourage people to support local government initiatives that protect habitat and decrease
threats to biodiversity, use environmentally friendly products, and dispose of hazardous material
safely.
2. Cities-Involve local community in local government, reduce air pollution by upgrading energy
use and alternative transport systems, create private-public partnerships to provide services
such as waste disposal and housing, and plant trees and incorporate the care of city green
spaces as a key element in urban planning.
3. Mining-Measures like reducing energy and water consumption, limiting waste production and
minimising land disturbances, preventing pollution on sites (including air, water and soil
pollutions) and ensuring the efforts on closures and reclamations of sites must be carried out to
the highest levels.
4. Ocean/Overfishing-We must be conscious of what we purchase and eat in order to mitigate
the effects of overfishing. Companies will be more hesitant to overfish and practice more
sustainable harvests now that they are more mindful of consumer spending. Implementing a
quota on the amount of fish caught is often thought to be one of the most effective ways to
prevent overfishing.
REFERENCES:

Green Directory (2018). How can mining become more environmentally sustainable? Retrieved from
https://www.sa-green-info.co.za/portal/article/1633/how-can-mining-become-more-
environmentally-sustainable
Haddaway, N. et al (2019). Evidence of the impacts of metal mining and the effectiveness of mining
mitigation measures on social–ecological systems in Arctic and boreal regions: a systematic
map protocol. Retrieved from
https://environmentalevidencejournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13750-019-0152-8
Lumen Learning (n.d). Reading: Effects of Mining. Retrieved from
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/geo/chapter/reading-effects-of-
mining/#:~:text=Environmental%20issues%20can%20include%20erosion,the%20created
%20debris%20and%20soil.
National Geographic (n.d). Urban Threats. Retrieved from
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/urban-threats
Nature Trust Columbia (2021). Participating in Biodiversity Conservation. Retrieved from
https://www.naturetrust.bc.ca/conserving-land/what-can-we-do#:~:text=Volunteer%20at
%20an%20organization%20that,Dispose%20of%20hazardous%20material%20safely.
Overfishing and the Environmental and Societal Impact on the WorldOverfishing and the
Environmental and Societal Impact on the World. (2020, September 5). Retrieved from
https://sites.psu.edu/jonathankelsopassionblog/2020/10/23/overfishing-and-the-
environmental-and-societal-impact-on-the-world/.