By understanding how the Earth’s physical features and processes shape and are shaped by human activity, geographers help societies make informed decisions.

1. How Does the Environment Influence Human Behavior? 2. How Do Humans Influence Their Environment?

 Adapting to the environment  Modifying the environment

 Settlement patterns  Housing materials  Agricultural activity  Recreational activity  Transportation patterns

 Diverting water: dams, canals, polders  Changing the landscape: terrace farming, deforestation, desertification  Changing the environment: acid rain, pollution

FACTS: Built in 1979 Control Flooding Nile River Aswan, Egypt Lake Nasser

Helped with Irrigation Decreased soil fertility

FACTS: Located in Central Asia Between the countries of Uzbekistan Kazakhstan Formerly USSR: Diverted water to grow cotton/rice on nearby farms.

Water for irrigation and poisonous runoff from the fields have caused the sea to shrink and increased desertification.

FACTS: 1450 miles Through SW U.S. and NW Mexico Source – Rocky Mtns. Mouth – Gulf of California

More than 20 dams Water diverted to the Imperial Valley for farming and growing population No longer reaches the Gulf of California

FACTS: Located in Northern Europe Most of the country is below sea level. Sea walls/dunes protect it from the sea.

Rainforest FACTS: Contain more than ½ the world's 10 million species of plants, animals and insects One-fifth of the world's fresh water 20 percent of the world’s oxygen Areas of Deforestation Brazil – SA Nepal – Asia Malaysia - Asia

Once covered 14 % of earth. Now cover 6% 1-1/2 acres lost every minute

Spread of desert-like conditions Greatest Areas of Impact: Africa – Sahara Desert Asia – Gobi Desert Central Asia SW United States

CAUSES: Overgrazing Drought Poor Farming Techniques Overpopulation Natural Climate Patterns

Given the causes, where might you find acid rain the most?

Developed Countries: US, Europe, China

Coniferous forests in the Appalachian Mountains destroyed by acid rain.

AIR

LAND

WATER

 Mexico City, Mexico  Buenos Aires, Argentina  Beijing, China  Cairo, Egypt  Seoul, South Korea  Karachi, Pakistan  Jakarta, Indonesia  Los Angeles, California USA

Mexico City reports unhealthy ozone emissions nearly 85% of the year. Mexico's geographical location--in the center of a volcanic crater and surrounded by mountains-- locks in the air pollution, causing smog to sit above the city.

Chernobyl, Ukraine - Chernobyl is now infamous for the 1986 nuclear disaster that killed 30 people, forced 35,000 to evacuate their homes, and left a 19-mile radius around the plant that is still uninhabitable to this day.