6. Define Human and Environmental Interaction
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Overview
Human/Environmental Interaction is essentially based on how people respond to and alter their environments. In order for people to survive in their respective environments, people must either modify their environment or adapt to their surroundings.
Modifying the Environment
Different Types of Change
Changing the environment can change in numerous ways, variations, and degrees depending on their attitudes toward the initial setting, the technology available, and the cultural view of the people. Regarding the attitudes toward the setting, some groups may have a collective attitude towards preserving the environment, which would lead to less change compared to a group whose attitude was more towards industrialization. With respect to the technology available, one society may have the capabilities to build bridges and other structures whereas a less technologically advanced society may not have the ability to create these structures. Finally, the cultural view of the people can also cause different types of changes because one culture may find it acceptable to cut down trees for wood or paper as oppose to a different culture who may never believe it to be right to kill mother nature.
Examples of Change
Examples of change in our world are ubiquitous. For instance, the highways that people take for granted were not always there. However, a long time ago, there came a need for speedier and more convenient travel, so highways were built. This is just one of many examples of change. Other examples include bridges, canals, dams, hurricane walls, etc. When one looks at all these examples of change, one can realize that many changes took place due to a need or lack of something. Changes have made our lives much more simple, but have come at a price.
Unintended Impacts of Change
Though change has helped us do tasks much quicker, humans have suffered the consequences as well. Ever since our hominid ancestors 700,000 years ago started using fire to help them change their environment, we have had a problem with pollution. Scientists have recognized the steep increase in toxic gases such as methane due to pollution. In addition, global warming has most likely been attributed to the pollution and destruction of our environment.
[2] http://www.statemuseum.arizona.edu/research/human_environment_interaction.shtml (written in May 2012 by the Arizona State Museum)
Adapting to Surroundings
If a group chooses not to change their environment, their other option for survival is to adapt to their surroundings. Examples of this are choosing different crops to grow, the activities we participate in, and the clothes we wear can be adaptations we choose to take, all depending on the climate and other conditions in our environment.
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Additional Sources
Manual Page 15
