HOW PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SHAPING THE EARTH THROUGH THE YEARS

ENGLISH PROJECT 2017TEACHER: DIMITRA DERTILI

Kokoromytis George-Thivaios Dimitris

Anthropocene-Reshaping the environmentHumans are changing the planet so fast that many

scientists are now referring to this epoch as the

Anthropocene

Mountaintop coal mining, as seen here in West Virginia, has been excavating and hauling away the rock that used to top many area mountains. This is just one way that humans are reshaping the environment.

Earth’s historyThrough the centuries, new layers accumulate above

the older ones. Those layers of rock “record” the

events that have shaped our planet. These events

include the geology of a location. Rock also records

the evolution of organisms that lived nearby.

The geologic record is not a complete historical account. It is

more like a diary that’s been tattered and torn. A few pages

remain, but many have been destroyed by erosion, the

collision of tectonic plates and the upheaval of mountains.

The pale band of rock marks the end of one geologic time period (the Cretaceous) and start of the next (the Tertiary)

Changes through the centuries

Throughout Earth’s history, a host of different processes have

shaped the planet. Our planet’s surface was pelted by rocks and

asteroids that came from space, Continents drifted and many

volcanoes erupted. The mix of gases in our planet’s atmosphere

has changed. The chemical recipe of the sea water also

changed. Therefore, life started to emerge— and steadily

evolved in response to Earth’s constant changes. Life, in turn,

reshaped the Earth.

Ways People Are Affecting the Environment Positively Captive Breeding and Release of Endangered

Animals

Protecting Native Species

Cleaning Waterways

Reforestation Efforts

Finding Renewable Energy Sources

Recycling

Captive Breeding and Release of Endangered Animals

Nearly extinct animals

are bred in protected

environs. When the

numbers are sufficient,

they are reintroduced into

the wild.

Protecting Native SpeciesAll the endangered animals are given protection by declaring certain areas of their native habitat as protected ones. This may help increase their numbers, as the protected natural habitats help them reproduce.

Cleaning WaterwaysWaterways get clogged up

with the accumulation of

natural debris and excessive

plant growth, and also by

waste dumping. Periodical

clearing prevents flooding of

the banks and protects

many ecosystems.

Reforestation Efforts

Reforestation is the natural or intentional restoring of existing forests and woodlands that have been depleted, usually through deforestation. Reforestation can be used to make up for or improve the quality of human life by absorbing pollution and dust from the air, rebuilding natural habitats and ecosystems and lessening global warming

Finding Renewable Energy SourcesThe renewable energy sources are those which are regarded as

infinite, meaning that they cannot run out. Some examples are wind

power, solar energy and hydropower. Finding renewable sources can

be beneficial, as they limit our dependence of non-renewable sources.

RecyclingThe foremost benefit of recycling is that it helps in protecting the environment in the most balanced manner, as recycled paper is re-used repeatedly in order to minimize deforestation. It also conserves natural resources, as there is no need to extract fresh raw materials from beneath the earth. It also reduces the amount of waste in landfills.

How Do Humans Affect the Environment negatively? Population Explosion

Produce Waste

Soil, Water and Air Pollution

Global Warming and Ozone Layer Depletion

Population ExplosionAn increase in population makes excessive demands on natural resources, and increases the

demand on agriculture and livestock. There are many negative impacts associated with

population explosion.

Chemical fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides that are used in agriculture to increase

production actually pollute the air and contaminate the soil with toxic chemicals. Fertilizers

cause toxic algal blooms, that is fast growth of algae in marine environments. Because

some algae produce toxins, they can be harmful to humans and other animals.

Monoculture keeps cost of production low, but it reduces biodiversity and negatively impacts

the soil.

Large scale farming of animals increases their susceptibility to diseases such as Mad-cow

disease and avian flu.

The greater distance food items have to travel to reach the consumer, the greater that

transportation's impact is on the environment.

Waste productionHumans are the most polluting species, as we are generating far more waste than the Earth can cope with. Not everyone has understood the impact of recycling, and continue to throw away old products, phones, batteries, which pollute the environment when burned in landfills

PollutionPesticides, herbicides, large landfills, waste from food processing industries, and nuclear waste generated from nuclear reactors and weapons make the soil virtually lifeless. Furthermore, fragile ecosystems are damaged by fertilizer run offs and industrial waste. Moreover, burning fossil fuels and toxic gases cause pollution.

Global Warming and Ozone Layer DepletionCarbon footprint is the measure of direct or indirect CO2. Greenhouse gases like CO2 and methane that are produced by burning huge amount of waste in landfills and by burning fossil fuels are believed to lead to global warming. In addition, aerosols destroy the ozone layer that shields the earth from UV rays.

Results of Global Warming and Water Contamination

Aral Sea, 1989 Aral Sea, 2008

The following are astonishing examples of how humans have reshaped the Earth :

1.Straightened River vs. Meander Rivers have been crucial transport routes long before streets

and highways were ever built. Straightening out their bends and

meanders has made shipping easier, but it has left the

surrounding lands more prone to floods.

2.Alps vs. Mountain ForestSome forms of human land use have been practised

for centuries creating landscapes that most people do

not recognize as artificial anymore.

Rearing cattle (left) has produced alpine pastures that, under normal circumstances, would be covered with mountain forests (right).

3.Rice Paddy vs. RainforestRice is Asia's most important food crop. In 2004, world production amounted to some 600 million tons, most of it grown in Asia. The most common sort of rice is grown in paddies. The picture shows rice paddies in the mountains close to Manila and the Philippines (left). In Cambodia, for example, 90 percent of the total agricultural area is used for rice production. Without cultivation, this land would soon be transformed into dense rainforests (right).

4.The Scottish HighlandsBefore the era of oil and concrete, wood had been the most important fuel and building material. The Romans logged large areas around the Mediterranean, sometimes creating entirely new ecosystems. The Scottish Highlands (left) are another example for such forceful change. Once covered with extensive forests (right: mountain forest in Idaho), they are now known for their bare hills and moorlands (left).

5.Invasive AnimalsWherever humans went, they brought new species with them. Some came as pets, others to facilitate work and some, like rats, often hid in ships as stowaways. The picture on the left shows a squirrel in Cape Town's Company Gardens. Alien to the area, the animals were introduced for ornamental purposes around 1900. The endemic Black and White Ruffed Lemur (right) is among the endangered species in South Africa.

6.Invasive PlantsExotic plants have often been introduced as ornamental plants. While some species would not survive without humans, others have thrived well in new environments. Kudzu (left image), a vine from Japan, is an extreme example of the latter kind. Introduced in the U.S. in 1876, the plant is now considered a major pest weed that covers and suffocates trees (right) and crops.

Technology: how it is connected with the Earth’s changes

TechnologyTechnology is the collection of techniques, skills, methods and processes used in the production of goods or services or in the accomplishment of objectives, such as scientific investigation.

Effects of technology in the environmentTechnology has many effects. It has helped develop more advanced economies (including today's global economy) and has allowed the rise of a leisure class. Many technological processes produce unwanted by-products known as pollution and reduce natural resources to the detriment of Earth's environment. Furthermore, with the use of technology we can deal with nuclear energy and build plants that exploit natural resources.

Negative Effects of Technology on the Environment

• Increase in Travel

• Excess power consumption

• We generate more waste

• Excess Deforestation

Increase in TravelWith technology, we travel more. By this we contribute to air pollution. Current technology is so advanced that we travel from one part of the world to another in a short time. This is great but has greater risk for human life and the environment, as the burning of fossil fuels for the engines to work produce polluting gases that lead to global warming.

Excess power consumptionPower consumption is high due to technology. We use technology in education, our work place, at home and even in remote places. We always need energy to use gadgets and electric devices. This electric energy is generated by use of fossil or nuclear fuels on a large scale.

More Waste ProductionWe contribute a large amount of toxic waste in the name of technological up-grading. Specifically, we throw away huge amounts of waste such as old computers and machine parts. These products can be recycled, but usually we throw them away and create waste.

Excess DeforestationIn the name of development, comfort etc. there is widespread deforestation. This is possible due to the larger capacity of machine technology. We make vast clearing of greenery in a short time and also dig tunnels through a hill. Moreover we lay out vast roads by clearing the greenery around. Also this increase in technology makes it easier to build many houses and resorts.

The Positive Ecological Impacts of TechnologyTechnology does not only impact the environment negatively. It can often be beneficial:

"green technology"

reducing the need for paper.

low carbon technology

“Green technology" Since the rise of technology in the workplace, numerous ICT companies have been designing "green technology" to combat the harmful effect that computers and their accompanying technology have on the environment. The field of "green technology" encompasses a continuously evolving group of methods and materials, from techniques for generating energy to non-toxic cleaning products. Some examples of green technology subject areas are energy, green building, green chemistry and green nano technology

Reducing the need for paper One obvious way that technology is helping the ecology of the planet is by reducing the need for paper. With the ever increasing use of email and electronic communication, paperless offices are now a common occurrence in companies. Reducing the need for paper reduces the demand for logging and deforestation, allowing richer lands to expand.

Low carbon technologyLow carbon technology is a form of technology that has been developed in China. Largely developed because of China's low carbon footprint (the total set of greenhouse gas emissions) in comparison to other developing countries, low carbon technology aims to offset the amount of emissions polluting the air by using renewable energy.

ConclusionIn conclusion, humans play a key role regarding the Earth’s changes. The impact of our actions on the environment is huge. If we try to restrict the negative aspects and concentrate on the positive ones and use technology properly, there will be massive positive results, beneficial to the mutual existence of human beings and the environment

Sourceshttps://www.google.gr/search?q=renewable+sources&espv=2&biw=1455&bih=722&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiVyp6S1LDSAhWnI8AKHZr5DIUQ_AUIBigB#imgrc=_

https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/how-people-have-been-shaping-earth

http://greenliving.lovetoknow.com/How_Do_Humans_Affect_the_Environment

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_technology

https://dirt.asla.org/2010/04/06/six-ways-that-human-activity-is-changing-the-planet/

https://www.allianz.com/en/about_us/open-knowledge/topics/environment/articles/090720-eight-ways-humans-have-changed-the-earth.html/#!m4432cf0e-cb70-4ff1-bc0e-5e5c2797e856

https://www.google.gr/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=how+has+man+changed+the+earth&*

http://www.mindcontroversy.com/effects-of-technology-in-environment/

https://itchybrainscentral.com/example-essays/ecology-impact-technology

https://www.green-technology.org/what.htm