HUMAN-
ENVIRONMENT
SYSTEMS
Human
◦Have the capacity to interact with their
environment.
◦Humans and the environment have that
“mutual” interaction with each other.
◦Have the capacity to change or influence
the balance of society. (David 2018)
Environment (David 2018)
◦A complex of many variables which
surrounds man as well as the living
organisms.
◦Includes water, air and land and the
interrelation ships which exists among
and between water, air and land.
Landscape (Berroya 2017)
◦The visible features of an area of land of
countryside or land, often considered in
terms of their aesthetic appeal.
◦Part of the Earth’s surface that can be
viewed at one time from one place.
◦Continually changing under the influence of
many different factors.
2 Types of Landscape (David 2018)
1. Natural Landscape
– Original landscapes that exists before it is acted
upon by human culture.
2. Cultural Landscape
– Cultural properties [that] represent the combined
works of nature and of man (World Heritage
Committee)
– Designed and created intentionally by man
– An organically evolved landscape which may be relict
landscape
Systems Thinking
◦A framework for understanding how different
components of a system interact with one
another.
◦In a Human-Environment System, both
human and environmental elements are
interlinked, with feedback loops that can be
positive (reinforcing) or negative (balancing).
Sustainability
•The capacity to meet the needs of the
present without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet
their own needs.
•Focuses on balancing social, economic,
and environmental concerns.
Ecological Footprint
•A measure of the demand placed by
humans on the Earth's ecosystems.
•Helps quantify how much nature we
use for resources and how much
waste we generate.
Human Impact on the Environment
•Deforestation, pollution, climate
change, over-exploitation of
resources, loss of biodiversity.
•The human-modified landscape
(e.g., urbanization, agriculture).
Historical Context
• Agricultural Revolution:
• The shift from nomadic hunter-gatherer
societies to settled agricultural communities
significantly altered the environment.
• Began around 10,000 years ago, leading to
increased land use, deforestation, and species
domestication.
Historical Context
Industrial Revolution
o In the 18th and 19th centuries, industrialization
greatly increased human impact on the environment,
with the rise of factories, mass production, and
transportation.
o Led to urbanization, pollution, and the consumption
of fossil fuels
.
Historical Context
Modern Environmental Challenges:
o The 20th and 21st centuries have seen exponential
growth in human population, consumption, and
industrial activity, leading to more complex
environmental issues.
o Global climate change, resource depletion, and
ecosystem degradation are key challenges.
Human Dimensions of
Environmental Issues
1.Population Growth
oIncreased demand for resources (food, water,
energy) and land.
oImpact on ecosystems and biodiversity.
Human Dimensions of
Environmental Issues
1.Economic Systems
◦The role of capitalism, global trade, and consumerism
in environmental degradation.
◦The rise of "green economies" and sustainable
development practices
Human Dimensions of
Environmental Issues
2. Economic Systems
◦The role of capitalism, global trade, and consumerism
in environmental degradation.
◦The rise of "green economies" and sustainable
development practices
Human Dimensions of
Environmental Issues
3. Cultural and Social Systems
o Different cultures view and interact with the environment in various
ways.
o The role of indigenous knowledge in sustainable resource
management.
o Environmental justice – ensuring that all communities have access to
a healthy environment, with a focus on marginalized populations.
Human Dimensions of
Environmental Issues
4. Political Systems and Policy
o Governments play a critical role in regulating human-
environment interactions.
o Environmental policy, international agreements (e.g., the
Paris Agreement), and the challenges of enforcing
environmental laws.
o Role of environmental NGOs and grassroots movements.
