Human induced environmental change

+ In the last 50 years, humans have had a significant and, in some cases, irreversible impact on
Earth’s ecosystems.
+ Humans have changed ecosystems largely to meet growing demands for food, fresh water, timber,
fibre and fuel.
+ The most significant human activities that are causing change are shown below.

Task 1 – List the seven human activities causing

environmental change.

Result of Human
Induced Change
In general terms, the result of many of
these human activities on the environment are:
► Loss of biodiversity
► Climate change
► Land degradation
► Deteriorating water quantity and quality
► Atmospheric pollution
► Degraded aquatic environments
The table below contains examples of human-induced environmental changes threatening resources
across the world. Note – each example has been divided up into the four spheres we looked at earlier.
 Task 2 - Pick two of examples from the table on the previous page. Complete the table
below using your two chosen examples. The first one has been completed for you in the
example below.

Result of Human Sphere impacted Example

Induced changes
Declining biodiversity Biosphere 30% of our food originates because of plants pollinated
by bees. Billions of bees have disappeared due to
insecticide.
 Environmental issues on different scales
► Issues, or environmental changes are examined at a range of scales.
► Most commonly we examine change at a local, regional, national or global scale.
► Examples:
― climate change is occurring on a global scale
― cyclones in the Great Barrier Reef and deforestation in the Amazon are occurring at a
regional scale
― land degradation on a single farm is on a local scale

Task 3 – Pick two human activities from the list on page 1.

Use the information above and the internet to research:

i) Definition - Write the definition of the human activity

ii) The Effect - Research the impact of the human activity on the environment. Find at least
three facts that highlight the damage the activity has caused on the environment on a global
or regional scale.

You will be using this information to write a paragraph. Support your argument with facts.

Task 4 -TEEL PARAGRAPH TASK

Question: Outline how human activity is negatively impacting the environment.
Length: 180-200 words.
Content: Use the two researched human activities you have researched for this
response.
Structure: Super TEEL would suit this response. For example, a possible structure
could be:

T: Topic Sentence: Make your stance clear that human activity is negatively
impacting the environment in various ways.
E: Give detail on your first chosen human activity e.g., overfishing.
State what overfishing is (definition) and provide information that highlights and