Question

How do you think humans might affect the environment? Check all that apply.

by adding greenhouse gases to the atmosphere

by using natural resources

by using sustainable resources

by polluting the land, water, and air

by creating landfills

by introducing invasive species to the environment

Answer 1

All of them. Humans can affect the environment in each of these ways:

- By adding greenhouse gases to the atmosphere — increases warming and climate change.
- By using natural resources — extraction and consumption change ecosystems and deplete resources.
- By using sustainable resources — even sustainable use affects ecosystems, though it aims to minimize harm and preserve resources.
- By polluting the land, water, and air — contaminants harm wildlife, human health, and ecosystems.
- By creating landfills — changes land use, can pollute soil and water, and produce methane.
- By introducing invasive species to the environment — nonnative species can outcompete natives and disrupt ecosystems.