Environmental Impacts

Impact of Humans on Environment

Environmental impact is defined as any change in the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the environment, caused by any form of matter or energy resulting from human activities that directly or indirectly affect the health, safety, and well-being of the population; social and economic activities; the aesthetic and sanitary conditions of the environment; and the quality of environmental resources.

Analyzing this resolution, we realize that any activity that man carries out in the environment will cause an environmental impact. This impact, however, can be positive or not. Unfortunately, in most cases, the impacts are negative, causing environmental degradation and pollution.

The negative impacts on the environment are directly related to the growing increase in urban areas, the increase in automotive vehicles, the irresponsible use of resources, the exaggerated consumption of material goods, and the constant production of garbage. We realized, therefore, that not only do large companies affect the environment, we, with small attitudes, cause environmental impacts on a daily basis.

Among the main negative environmental impacts caused by man, we can mention the decrease of water sources, extinction of species, floods, erosion, pollution, climate change, destruction of the ozone layer, acid rain, aggravation of the greenhouse effect, and destruction of habitats. This causes, consequently, an increase in the number of diseases in the population and in other living beings and affects the quality of life.