The Effect of Human

Interactions with the

Environment
Quarter 3 – Lesson 4
USE OF NATURAL RESOURCES

Depletion of natural resources

by extraction and exploitation

is especially of concern for
non-renewable resources.
Advances in technology

have increased natural

resource exploitation by
enabling people to reach new
resources and exploit more per
capita resources (per person).
Overfishing and other examples of
over-exploitation of natural
resources can damage or lose our
entire ecosystem. An ecosystem
includes all the living organisms
(humans, plants, animals, micro-
organisms) and their physical
environment (soil, water, air, land)
and their interactions.
One particular problem caused by the over-
exploitation of natural resources is

deforestation, whichoccurs when

forest areas are cleared, and the trees are
not replanted or allowed to regrow. In some
countries, clearing land for agriculture to
meet the growing population’s food needs
and the demand for fuel and construction
materials has resulted in a steady loss of
forest area.
Biodiversity

which is a measure of
the variety of living
organisms (all life
forms).
• Food: we use plants and animals such as fish,
goats, wheat, rice, and maize as food sources.
• Medicines: many traditional medicines are
made from plants and animals. New medicines
are also developed from them.
• Ecological services: living organisms, mostly
plants and micro-organisms, play an essential
role in processes that maintain our lives and
environment, such as providing oxygen,
cleaning the air, purifying water, breaking
down wastes, and controlling erosion.
Fossil fuels
have been the main energy source
for global industrialization, but
because they are non-renewable,
the quantity is ultimately limited,
and their use is not sustainable
over the long term.
Water resources.
Water is not an endlessly renewable
resource. In many parts of the world,
water demand is significantly above a
sustainable water supply. Sustainable
water supply means there are adequate
supplies, in both quality and quantity, to
meet people’s current and future needs
and the environment.
HUMAN–ENVIRONMENT
INTERACTION AND THE
GENERATION OF WASTE
AND POLLUTANTS
Technology and the Environment
Technologies have transformed transport,
industry, communications, and our lives at
home and work. It also improved the quality
of our environment. For example, energy can
be generated from renewable sources such as
wind and solar power, which reduces our
reliance on non-renewable energy sources
such as fossil fuels and reduces the release of
polluting gases into the atmosphere.
Agriculture and environment

Agriculture also has significant

negative impacts on our
environment, including loss of
biodiversity, pollution, climate
change, soil erosion, and the use of
large amounts of water for
irrigation.
How can we protect and restore our
environment?
1. Plant Trees. The most effective method to preserve the
environment is to plant trees. Trees may take longer to
grow, but they serve the next generation.
2. Water conservation is vital since we cannot survive
without water, and we can practice this in many ways
3. Limit Car use. You can substitute your car for alternative
methods such as biking, walking and public transport.
4. Switch off. Change your daily habit by switching off
anything that is not in use. Turn off a computer, television,
printer and even lights which are not in use.