Essay on Human Activities and Environmental Destruction - AS406

This essay, likely written for an independent study course (AS406), examines the significant impact of human activities on environmental destruction. It begins by highlighting the alarming rate of environmental degradation over the past 10,000 years, focusing on issues like pollution, global warming, and greenhouse gas emissions. The essay acknowledges the debate surrounding the causes of environmental change, contrasting arguments that attribute destruction to natural phenomena with those that emphasize human responsibility. The essay then delves into specific examples of human-induced environmental damage, including deforestation, pollution of land, air, and water, and the extinction of species. It discusses the role of industrialization, urbanization, and waste disposal in increasing pollution levels and contributing to global health issues. Furthermore, the essay examines the impact of human activities on water resources and global warming, including the effects of greenhouse gas emissions and rising sea levels. The essay concludes by reiterating the significant role of human actions in environmental destruction and emphasizes the need for societal understanding and immediate action to mitigate the adverse effects on future generations.

Student Name
INSTITUTIONAL AFFILIATION(S)
AS406/ INDEPENDENT STUDY

ESSAY 1
Destruction of the environment by humans
Introduction
Since past 10,000 years, earth's environment is facing severe destruction and human
activities have led to the generation of various issues like environmental changes, global
warming, pollution and greenhouse gas emissions along with many others (Chen, 2015).
Although the earth's atmosphere used to be stabilized once, since the past millions of years,
the climate has shown constant fluctuations and degradation. It can also be noted that earth
has the tolerant towards the extinction of few species and chemicals produced are useful for
human development, but then, any unexpected event can result in severe destructions. Human
activities have led to the destruction of the environment. Although few people argue that
earth’s destruction itself is a part of natural phenomenon, opponents believe that human
destructions have increased natural disasters and impacted earth’s atmosphere severely
(Knap & Rusyn, 2016, p. 2). This has further made humans face catastrophes such as
increased earthquakes, tropical cyclones and wildfires among various others.
Climatic change has been witnessed by the earth's atmosphere at an increasing level.
Earth's environment is subject to manmade pollution that majorly includes land, air and water
which causes or can prove destructive for the well-being of humans, plants and animals.
Steffen, et al. (2015) posits that the natural resources exploited by humans damage the natural
environment harshly. For instance, humans extracting fossil fuel leads to the release of black
carbon impacting environment. More than 350 parts per million (ppm) of carbon dioxide can
be found in the earth's atmosphere which have led to deforestation. A study made by Oladipo
(2015) finds that deforestation in many countries has resulted in disintegration and crumbling
of forest area which has made forest habitat and vegetation vulnerable to global extinction.

ESSAY 2
However, Kakaki (2013) argues that climatic change occurs due to natural causes such as
seasonal drifts, solar output and volcanic eruptions like Krakatoa in 1883 and Mount
Tambora in 1815 that emitted a large amount of ash, blocking sun rays from entering earth's
atmosphere for several years (p.75). This reduced earth's temperature by 0.5 degree Celsius.
But then, it can be noted that natural disruptions are temporary and subside with time but
greenhouse gas emissions due to human activities remain constant. It not only affects solar
radiation but impacts outgoing infrared radiations too.
Human activities have led to the extinction of few species. This is because many
chemicals released from manufacturing plants and fertilizers act as a toxic chemical mix for
plants and animals. Since most of the chemicals and fertilizers contain a huge amount of
phosphorous and nitrogen, it contaminates both land and water thereby making it difficult for
biodiversity to survive (Madaan, n.d.). A study made by Chen (2015) finds that species of the
earth are getting extinct 100 times faster now as compared to history and humans can be
made responsible for making sixth greatest extinction in half a billion years. “Human beings
are the major source for degradation of biodiversity” ( Shende, Janbandhu, & Patil, 2015, p.
26). The human-induced climate had made biodiversity fall under critical threat. The loss that
can be observed due to it can prove very hazardous for humanity as a whole. If people keep
losing biodiversity, the upcoming generations may have to face disasters, thirst and hunger.
Contrastingly, Steffen, et al. (2015) argues that earth can tolerate extinction of a few species
although the level to which it can tolerate is still unknown. Research suggests that plants and
animals extinction occurring due to climate change is widespread, however, the level at
which climate change can be made responsible seems to be modest in next 100 years (Wiens,
2016, p. 2). But then, it must also be noted that the extinction of species can considerably
increase in upcoming years as global warming increases by 2 to 5-fold over the next few
decades.

ESSAY 3
Environmental destruction has increased considerably due to increased pollution
levels where the level of carbon dioxide has increased at an alarming rate as compared to
previous years. Steffen, et al. (2015) claims that human activities have impacted the earth's
atmospheric level badly which have led to water, land and air pollution besides thermal, noise
and light pollutions (p.1). Similarly, Kelishadi (2012) claims that “Environmental pollution is
reaching worrying proportions worldwide” (p. 1). Indeed, industrialization, urbanization and
economic development have increased waste discharges and energy consumption level.
Greenhouse gas emissions along with global environmental pollution and acid deposition
have contributed to global public health issues. However, Steffen, et al. (2015) argues that
chemicals produced in factories are used for human development and some chemicals prove
to be harmless. Nevertheless, chemicals and factory waste released in the environment often
results in cellular or physiological disruptions in habitats that may further lead to community
structure changes. Living beings such as flora and fauna are more exposed to toxic chemicals
and factory pollutants which then react by demonstrating a critical degradation or complete
extinction. For instance, nitrogen compounds present in factory waste into the seawater
promotes proliferation of seawater animals and aquatic plants, hampering water and
atmospheric quality ( Redouane & Mourad, 2016, p. 260). Therefore, most of the scholars
and researchers suggest companies to address pollution released due to factory waste by
filtering and cleaning liquid waste before it is been poured into open land or sea.
It can be argued that water wastage has impacted the environment at a considerable
rate. Today, the human activities have not only contaminated earth's atmosphere and water
but also risked human community. It can be said so because humans rely on freshwater which
they get from renewable groundwater sources, lakes and rivers. Freshwater is considered as
one of the primary needs for human survival (USGS, 2015). Wastewater treatment plants are
another major source of environmental hazards. Due to the work conditions, is releases

ESSAY 4
aerosols that may impact human health, surrounding inhabitants and environment as a whole.
Vantarakis, et al. (2016) claims that fungal communities and several bacteria are isolated
from anaerobic and aerobic wastewater treatment plants. A study made by the authors shows
that bacterial and fungal organisms contained in wastewater droplets were 10-1000 times
greater than other water sources. This results in an increase of atmospheric disruptions like
change in wind velocity, temperature, smog along with humidity ratio due to the spread of
aerosol into the earth's atmosphere. Here, it can be argued that humans use water majorly to
perform activities like irrigation, generation of thermoelectric power, livestock, aquaculture
and public safety (USGS, 2015). However, Redouane & Mourad (2016) claims that economic
development made by humans in recent years due to establishments of industries and
wastewater plants discharging liquid waste in marine shorelines have generated a disastrous
situation for the aquatic and marine life (p.260). Such releases destabilize environmental
balance too and thus requires public support to process sources of pollution through effective
treatments.
Besides destructing environment through waste disposals, human activities have led
to increased global warming. A survey conducted by Chen (2015) finds that 2014 was the
hottest ever year in the past few decades. Today, the carbon dioxide released is as high as 400
parts per million in the earth's atmosphere. The greenhouse influences rise in earth's
temperature by keeping heat intact in the atmosphere. This helps in retaining earth
temperature higher than the direct heat impacts occurring due to sun rays. According to
Kweku, et al. (2017), the greenhouse is one of the primary reasons why earth heartfelt as it
kept planet’s heat intact that could have otherwise escaped from the atmosphere to outer
space (p.2). Without greenhouse gases, earth's global average temperature would have been
much cooler as seen presently. The abrupt rise in sea level is another drastic result of
greenhouse emission. The global warming melts ice at an alarming rate which causes severe

ESSAY 5
problems and unexpected floods which hampers the natural environment (Knap & Rusyn,
2016, p. 2). Although climatic change can be held responsible for global warming to some
extent, it must be noted that unnatural way leading greenhouse emissions and an increase in
urban populations may increase climatic changes in an abrupt way. Science related to climate
change states that abrupt increase in sea surface temperature can result in an extreme weather
event, destabilize natural systems and decline air quality ( Luber & Prudent, 2009, p. 113).
This may further cause direct and indirect impacts to human health occurring due to
atmospheric imbalances and excessive heat which can spread waterborne and air-related
diseases.
Conclusion
Human activity can be directly or indirectly attributed to the destruction of the
environment. In the last few centuries, earth have experienced many species extinctions, an
abrupt increase in greenhouse gases, global warming, deforestation, increased air, water and
land pollutions besides unexpected climatic change impacts. As humans are progressing
through the 21st century, they have changed the natural environment in unprecedented ways.
Although few scholars believe that environmental destructions are natural and caused due to
the earth's atmosphere, human contribution towards environmental destruction is
comparatively more. Human activities have led to the destruction of the environment and
therefore, the literature suggests that to thrive and survive, society as a whole need to
comprehend reasons behind damages made to the environment and react immediately
otherwise which, future generations may face adverse effects.

ESSAY 6
References
Chen, J. (2015, Jan 17). Humans Are Destroying the Environment at a Rate Unprecedented
in Over 10,000 Years. Retrieved from Vice news:
https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/nempxb/humans-are-destroying-the-environment-
at-a-rate-unprecedented-in-over-10000-years
Kakaki, S. (2013). Climate Change: Its Causes, Effects and Control. Journal of Educational
and Social Research, 3(10), 73-77.
Kelishadi, R. (2012). Environmental Pollution: Health Effects and Operational Implications
for Pollutants Removal. Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 1-2.
Knap, A. H., & Rusyn, I. (2016). Environmental exposures due to natural disasters. Rev
Environ Health, 31(1), 89-92.
Kweku, D. W., Bismark, O., Maxwell, A., Desmond, K. A., Danso, K. B., Oti-Mensah, E. A.,
. . . Adormaa, B. B. (2017). Greenhouse Effect: Greenhouse Gases and Their Impact
on Global Warming. Journal of Scientific Research & Reports, 17(6), 1-9.
Luber, G., & Prudent, N. (2009). Climate Change and Human Health. Transactions of the
American Clinical Climatological Association, 120, 113-117.
Madaan, S. (n.d.). 8 Various Types of Environmental Pollution. Retrieved from
https://www.eartheclipse.com/pollution/various-types-of-environmental-
pollution.html
Oladipo, E. (2015). Global Impact of Environmental Sustainability on Deforestation.
International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, 6(9), 103-115.

ESSAY 7
Redouane, F., & Mourad, L. (2016). Pollution characterization of liquid waste of the factory
complex Fertial (Arzew, Algeria). Journal of the Air & Waste Management
Association, 66(3), 260-260.
Shende, V. A., Janbandhu, K. S., & Patil, K. G. (2015). Impact of Human Beings on
Environment. International Journal of Researches in Biosciences, Agriculture and
Technology, 3, 23-28.
Steffen, W., Richardson, K., Rockström, J., Cornell, S. E., Fetzer, I., Bennett, E. M., . . .
Sörlin, S. (2015). Planetary boundaries: Guiding human development on a changing
planet. Research Article, 347(6223), 1-12.
USGS. (2015). Total Water Use in the United States. Retrieved from
https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-school/science/total-water-use-
united-states?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects
Vantarakis, A., Paparrodopoulos, S., Kokkinos, P., Vantarakis, G., Fragou, K., & Detorakis,
I. (2016). Impact on the Quality of Life When Living Close to a Municipal
Wastewater Treatment Plant. Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 1-9.
Wiens, J. J. (2016). Climate-Related Local Extinctions Are Already Widespread among Plant
and Animal Species. PLOS Biology, 1-18.