Question to answer:
Discuss the interrelationship between human health and the natural environment. Describe the effects on human health, animal health, and ecosystem health when changes are made to the natural environment by human activities, such as construction, production of goods, use of resources, or increased population. Highlight one current example and its effects.
PLEASE:
– minimum of 250 words or more
– strong academic writing / APA style (please use in-text citing and References )
– must be scholarly articles only no older than 5 years and reference and in-text cite.
– please be original writing and must answer all parts of question for full credit.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
Human health is dependent on the natural environment, and any changes made to it affect the well-being of people, animals, and ecosystems. Human activities such as construction, industrialization, and population growth have contributed to significant changes in the natural environment, leading to adverse effects on health. This paper discusses the interrelationship between human health and the natural environment, effects on human, animal, and ecosystem health when changes are made to the natural environment, and highlights one current example and its effects.
The interrelationship between human health and the natural environment:
Human health is interconnected with the natural environment. The environment provides humans with resources for survival and supports the production of goods that are essential for human existence. Changes made to the natural environment may impact human health. For instance, exposure to air pollution is linked to several health issues, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases (Morgan et al., 2018).
Effects on human health, animal health, and ecosystem health when changes are made to the natural environment:
When changes are made to the natural environment, they may result in adverse effects on human, animal, and ecosystem health. For example, deforestation leads to habitat loss, and this, in turn, affects animal health and biodiversity, leading to the extinction of some species (Córdova-Uscanga et al., 2019). In the same way, increased use of pesticides affects not only animal health but also ecosystem health by killing off important insects that support the growth of plants and other organisms.
Current example and its effects:
One current example of changes made to the natural environment that have adverse effects on human health is air pollution. Industrialization, increased population growth, and urbanization have contributed to high levels of air pollution in many cities globally. Exposure to air pollution is associated with several health effects, including respiratory problems, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases (Morgan et al., 2018). Air pollution is also associated with environmental degradation, killing off important organisms, and contributing to climate change.
Conclusion:
The interrelationship between human health and the natural environment highlights the need for sustainable development practices that balance environmental conservation and economic development. It is crucial to implement policies that encourage the responsible use of natural resources while minimizing the adverse effects on human, animal, and ecosystem health.
