Human Environment Interaction: Components, Types, and Human Impact on Earth

Human Environment Interaction: Components, Types, and Human Impact on Earth

Human Environment Interaction #

Each and every living organism has a specific surrounding or medium with which it continuously interacts, derives its sustenance and to which it is fully adapted. Thus, every individual in nature interacts with its environment, influences it and in turn is influenced by it.

Environment: All About Our Surroundings #

Definition: Environment is defined as, “the sum total of living and nonliving components; influences and events surrounding an organism”.
- Term Environment is derived from the French word ‘environ’ which means to encircle or surround while ment auctioning, i.e.,environment is the interaction between organisms and nature.
- Thus, Environment is the sum total of air, water and land interrelationship among themselves and also with human beings, plants, animals and other Organisms.

Components of Environment – Living and Nonliving Components #

Broadly the environment comprises abiotic (non-living) and biotic (living) components.

Abiotic Factors	Biotic Factors
Abiotic factors encompass the non-living elements, including physical and chemical agents within that ecosystem. Components of Abiotic Factor Light Precipitation Humidity and water Temperature Atmospheric gasses Seasonal changes Topography	Biotic factors encompass all living organisms within an ecosystem. Components of Biotic Factor: Plants Animals including humans, parasites and microorganisms Decomposers

Types of Environment: Inside, Outside, Natural, and Man-Made #

External environment: It is an surrounding environment in which living beings primarily inhabit.
- Eg: A fish living in a natural pond.
Internal environment: It is an inside environment of the body of living beings.
- Eg: The body cavity within the fish provides an internal environment.
- The tendency to maintain a stable and relatively constant internal environment is called homeostasis.
Natural environment: The natural environment or natural world encompasses all living and nonliving things occurring naturally.
- Eg: Forests, grasslands, desert etc.
Artificial environment: Environment that is made artificially by humans through planned manipulation.
- Eg: crop fields, cities and industrial spaces.

Human Environment Interaction: Perspectives and Practices

About: Human environment interaction is a complex system between human society and the environment. Human environment interaction affects human life, as society impacts the environment in everyday activities.

Approaches: The various approaches to Human environment interaction are
- Determinism.
- Possibilism.
- Environmentalism.

Determinism	Possibilism	Environmentalism
This concept was developed by German Geographer Friedrich Ratzel, which was further expanded by Ellsworth Huntington. This approach is based on the concept of ‘nature controls human’ or ‘earth made human’. This is also known as environmental determinism. According to this approach, human beings are largely influenced by nature.	This term was coined by the French historian, Lucien Febvre. Possibilism approach in the study of Human environment interaction is an offshoot of the criticism of environmental determinism. According to this approach, the pattern of human activity is the result of the initiative and mobility of human beings operating within the natural framework. It believes that nature provides possibilities and man utilizes them judicially for its culture, traditions, and levels of socioeconomic development.	This approach emphasizes on wise and restrained use of natural resources. It provides for application of appropriate environmental management programmes, policies and strategies keeping in view certain basic principles of ecology. It advocates for replenishment of already depleted natural resources and restoration of nature’s productivity. The ecological approach is best reflected in the concept of sustainable development.

Conclusion: Role of Human Environment Interaction in Sustaining Life on Earth

Thus, the environment is a complex and interconnected system that encompasses the natural world and the human-made elements that shape it.
It plays a crucial role in sustaining all life on Earth, providing essential resources and services.