1. Essentials of Physical Anthropology
9th Edition

2. The Human Disconnection
Chapter 14
The Human Disconnection

3. Chapter Outline Human Impact on the Planet and Other Life-Forms
Looking for Solutions
Is There Any Good News?

4. Focus Questions
In what ways does our species have the power to shape the evolution of so many others?
Why is biological evolution inseparable from cultural change?

5. Human Impact on the Planet and Other Life-Forms
Greatest challenges faced by humans today is from the environments we’ve created

6. Human Population Growth

7. Humans and the Impact of Culture
Human impact on the environment increased dramatically when sedentary life developed
Increasingly exhausted nonrenewable resources

8. Global Climate Change
Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide, which traps heat
Deforestation diminishes planet’s ability to absorb excess carbon dioxide

9. Global Climate Change
Excess carbon dioxide contributes to acidification of the oceans
Soon reaching levels not seen in 20 million years.
Diminishing marine biodiversity and food sources

10. Impact on Biodiversity
Humans now the “world’s greatest evolutionary force”
History of Earth characterized by several mass extinctions
The ongoing mass extinction caused by Homo sapiens

11. Impact on Biodiversity
Hunting, introducing non-native species to new environments and habitat reduction

12. Acceleration of Evolutionary Processes
Human activities also accelerate evolutionary processes for bacteria and viruses
Use of antibiotics led to evolution of resistant strains
DDT used to reduce mosquitoes, but also proved disastrous to many bird species
Such cases make understanding evolutionary relationships essential

13. Looking for Solutions
Most problems faced by humans are result of our adaptive strategy gone awry
Many actions could be taken to curb the negative effects

14. Is There Any Good News? Population growth has slowed
Improvements in education reduce family size and curb growth
Ecotourism represents compatibility of environmental sustainability and economic growth
Some international cooperation has begun