Environmental System and Human Impact

Definition of Environment

• A system of living things.
• The Earth is our environment.

Limited Capacity of Environment

• Limited capacity to provide space, produce food, and supply energy.
• Human habitation on <17% of Earth's surface.
• Only ~4% of Earth's surface suitable for crop growth.

Human Dependency and Population Growth

• Dependence on limited resources for survival.
• Increasing human population as if resources were infinite.
• Core problem for environmental issues.

Population Growth Over Time

• Historical and projected growth from 1 CE to 2050.
• Visualization through dots representing one million people.
• Dots placed in approximate range for scattered populations.
• Supporting historical references through images and text.

Projected Population Growth

• Expected to grow to 10 billion by the end of the century.
• Earth's size remains constant.

Action Points for Sustainability

• Slow human population growth.
• Lower consumption of natural resources.
• Decisions impact on lifestyle, population, and consumption.
• Contributions to preserving Earth's health and beauty.