Human Impact on the Natural Environment Through History
1 - The Exploitation of the Natural Environment
The appearance of humans has increased pressure on the natural environment to meet the population's growth and needs. Throughout history:
- Paleolithic: Low population; no scientific knowledge. Humans took what they needed.
- Neolithic: The population increases. Agriculture, livestock and related practices appear. There are technical improvements and more precise tools. Pressure increases but is not very significant.
- Classical Antiquity: Overpopulation and new economic activities such as mining. More buildings and increased exploitation of the environment. The balance begins to become negative.
- Middle Ages: There is a ruralization; many mines and industries were abandoned. The natural balance is partially reconstructed.
- Modern Age: After declines from major wars, epidemics and famines, the population increases and cities grow. Atlantic expansion begins. The balance is broken.
- Eighteenth century: The Industrial Revolution begins. It dramatically increases the population through agricultural and medical advances, reducing mortality. There are new machines and products. Expansion spreads from England to the rest of the world. Generally, it breaks the natural balance by pollution and exploitation.
1.1 Impact on the Environment
The population growth and needs generated the following impacts:
- Extension of agricultural areas: To cater to over 6,000 million people there is increased deforestation for agriculture and livestock. Wetlands have been drained, and mountains have been terraced for cultivation.
- Construction of roads and infrastructure: Building roads, railways and other infrastructure removes natural barriers. Thanks to technology, humans face fewer impediments, but this causes pollution and the disappearance of plants and animals. Reservoirs and ports are also built, which can change local weather and ecosystems.
- Growth of cities: The population has grown by internal dynamics and the influx of rural populations. Cities expand and encroach on agricultural land, affecting crops and the surrounding environment.
- Exploitation of groundwater and mineral resources: For energy and mineral extraction, open-pit mines remove large amounts of land. Underground mines also require extraction and the accumulation of materials on the surface.