Human Resource Use and Environmental Impact
As our global population grows, so does our demand for natural resources. We rely heavily on fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) for 90% of the world's energy needs. We're also consuming more freshwater, despite only 1% being readily available for human use.
Our expanding population requires more land for agriculture, mining, and urban development. We harvest more trees for wood products and catch more fish to meet growing demand. This consumption pattern puts enormous pressure on natural systems.
Invasive species disrupt ecosystems when they're introduced to new areas and outcompete native species. They can cause environmental damage, economic losses, and even harm human health. Similarly, pollution introduces contaminants into natural environments. Whether it's landfills leaking chemicals, air pollution creating smog, or water pollution from oil spills, these contaminants degrade environmental quality.
Moving toward sustainability means managing our resource consumption to prevent depletion and environmental destruction. This includes developing alternative energy sources to replace fossil fuels, reducing water usage, and implementing responsible practices in agriculture, mining, and development.
🌱 You can practice sustainability in your daily life! Simple actions like reducing water use, recycling, and conserving energy make a real difference when millions of people participate.