CHAPTER 6

Managing Our Changing Environment

Learning Outcomes
You Will Learn:
to explain the reasons for the constantly changing
environment
to describe the impact of human activities on the
environment at local, regional and global scales
to explain the role people play in managing the
changing environment
to justify the need to protect and conserve the
environment
Our Constantly Changing Environment
We constantly change our environment as we find means to survive
and make our lives more comfortable.

As the worlds population continues to grow rapidly, the need for
food, housing, amenities and other necessities will increase as well. In
order to meet these needs, land has to be cleared for urban
settlements and agriculture. As a result, we often make changes to
the environment.

Although these changes benefit us in many ways, they have adverse
impacts on the environment.
Cars and factories emit
pollutants into the air.
Forests are cleared to make way for
urban settlements and agriculture.
Our Constantly Changing Environment
Growing world population
Today, the worlds population stands at some 6.5 billion people. By
2050, it is expected to reach 9 billion.
The rapid growth of the worlds population will cause an increase in
the demand for natural resources. When more resources are
consumed by people, more rubbish is generated.
As Singapores population continues to grow, more waste is
generated. To meet the future increasing demand for incineration of
waste, more incineration plants are being built. For example, the
Keppel Seghers Tuas Incineration Plant is scheduled for completion in
early 2009.
Waste awaiting incineration in an incineration
plant. Incineration produces a highly toxic
waste material known as fly ash.
Our Constantly Changing Environment
Advances in technology
As technology advances, the rate in which the
environment changes also increases. For instance, todays
farmers depend on machinery like tractors and combine
harvesters to cultivate large areas of land for agriculture
within a shorter period of time and with less manpower.
Our Constantly Changing Environment
Advances in technology
The pace of industrialisation has also increased due to advances in
technology. With automation in factories, mass production of goods is
possible. The integration of global transport networks has made it
easier to transport goods between cities and countries.
For example, the invention of container ships has greatly facilitated
the growth of industrialisation and global international trade.
The integration of rail and sea transport modes has made
the transportation of goods and cargo more efficient.
Impact of Human Activities on the Environment
Problems caused by human activities
Pollution is the introduction of substances into the
environment such that it results in unpleasant or damaging
effects to the environment.
Global warming is the increase in air temperatures
throughout the world.
Ozone depletion is the gradual destruction of the ozone layer
caused mainly by the release of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
into the atmosphere.
Impact of Human Activities on the Environment
Impact of human activities at various scales
An environmental impact at a local scale affects only the area
where a problem occurred. For example, studies have shown
that waste disposed at landfills can contaminate groundwater
and nearby water bodies.
Most landfills release greenhouse
gases like methane and carbon
dioxide and eventually leak
hazardous chemicals.
Impact of Human Activities on the Environment
Impact of human activities at various scales
An environmental impact at a regional scale affects a few
countries located in the same part of the world. An example is
the occasional haze that engulfs parts of Southeast Asia
caused by smoke from widespread burning of forests and
agricultural plantations in Indonesia.
Countries like Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand are affected
by haze.
Haze covering a cityscape
Impact of Human Activities on the Environment
Impact of human activities at various scales
An environmental impact at a global scale affects the whole world.
The impact of human activities is the greatest at the global scale.
Changes to the global atmosphere will result in global warming and
ozone depletion which affect all life on Earth.
Global warming will cause ice and snow-covered areas in the Poles
to melt and cause sea-levels to rise. As a result, low-lying countries
like Bangladesh are more susceptible to flooding.
Coastal cities like Cancun, Mexico, are
susceptible to flooding as global sea
levels rise due to global warming.
Impact of Human Activities on the Environment
Impact of human activities at various scales
Ozone depletion damages crops and phytoplankton in the
oceans, and will cause increased incidence of skin cancer and
eye cataracts in people.
Source: NASA Observatory
Ozone depletion over the Arctic
region from 19811999.
Impact of Human Activities on the Environment
Impact of human activities at various scales
As the global impacts of global warming and ozone depletion
are catastrophic, it is necessary for a worldwide coordinated
effort where individuals and national, regional and
international organisations work towards minimising these
impacts.
Impact of Human Activities on the Environment
Managing the environment to meet our needs
With a growing world population and advances in technology,
the use of natural resources is increasing.
We have to manage the scarce resources wisely to meet our
needs.
Impact of Human Activities on the Environment
Managing the consequences of our actions
Problems such as pollution, global warming and ozone
depletion result as we change the environment to meet our
needs.
As all living things on the Earth are interdependent, ignoring
these problems will precipitate a global environmental crisis
which will have adverse environmental consequences.
Impact of Human Activities on the Environment
Managing the consequences of our actions
Hence, we need to practise environmental conservation
where we use the Earths resources carefully to ensure that
there are enough natural resources left for future use, and
damage to the environment is kept to a minimum.