Anthropogenic Environmental Change

Definition

Anthropogenic environmental change refers to alterations in natural systems caused by human activities. It includes various forms of pollution (air pollution, water pollution), habitat destruction (deforestation), climate change (global warming), etc.

Analogy

Consider anthropogenic environmental change as a "ripple effect." Just like throwing a stone into a calm pond creates ripples that spread across the water, human activities create changes in natural systems that have far-reaching consequences.

Related terms

Biodiversity Loss: Biodiversity loss refers to the decline in the variety and abundance of species within a particular habitat or globally.

Ecological Footprint: Ecological footprint measures the impact of human activities on ecosystems by calculating the amount of land and resources required to sustain a population.

Sustainable Development: Sustainable development aims to meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, considering social, economic, and environmental factors.