Human Impacts on the Environment

Question 1

Settlement

Answer 1

Human settlements, encompassing towns, cities, and surrounding areas, are permanent locations of human habitation with significant impacts on the environment and society, including urbanization, resource consumption, and environmental degradation.

Question 2

Light Position

Answer 2

Light position, or the way light is positioned and used, significantly impacts human well-being, affecting mood, alertness, sleep, and overall health, with implications for both physical and mental health.

Question 3

Pollutant

Answer 3

In the context of human impacts, a pollutant is a substance or energy introduced into the environment that causes harm or disrupts natural processes, potentially leading to adverse effects on ecosystems, human health, or the environment.

Question 4

Infrastructure

Answer 4

Infrastructure, encompassing both physical and organizational structures, is the foundation of a society, supporting human activity and development, with human impacts ranging from positive improvements in quality of life to negative consequences like environmental degradation and social inequalities.

Question 5

Landfill Site

Answer 5

In a geological context, a landfill site is a designated area, often engineered with barriers, where solid waste is disposed of, aiming to isolate it from the environment and prevent contamination of soil and groundwater.

Question 6

Deforestation

Answer 6

In a geological context, deforestation refers to the conversion of forested land to other uses, such as agriculture or urbanization, which can significantly impact the Earth’s surface and ecosystems. It is the clearing or thinning of forests by humans, often for land use changes.