Physical Geography and Its Effects on Humans Research Paper

Introduction

Physical geography is the study of the earth’s physical features. Physical features have adverse effects on human society both in the negative and positive aspects depending on the way they are utilized and conserved. In the recent past physical features have been misused thus leading to environmental changes which has caused negative effects on human health and the development of the human society. Physical geography is in many forms, such as plants and animals, atmosphere and hydrosphere. This paper will focus on the correlation of environmental exploitation and those of human beings. Furthermore it will discuss the importance of promoting and conserving physical and geographical features.

Geographical changes and its effects

Geographical changes have had severe effects on human society. Global warming is one of the many changes which have negatively affect ted human development and health. This impact has caused some physical features to disappear, for instance rivers have dried and glaciers melted thus impacting negatively on human development. Geographical changes due to climate change have affected the carbon cycle which has directly affected the health of human beings, not to mention human development. Carbon cycle change has led to warming of the earth’s surface thus leading to changes on the physical features¹. These temperatures on the environment have caused diseases such as skin cancer and eyesight problems. Geographical change has had a great impact on agriculture and agricultural products hence leading to deficiency in food supply across the globe. Researchers have indicated that the extreme change of physical geography has increased the spread of diseases and pests thus negatively affecting the human society development and health.

Environmental and Human Exploitation

Environmental exploitation has been brought up mostly by food production and other human necessities. This act has become a threat to the environment and other aspects of the same, since many resources have been dilapidated. The extinction of natural resources is causing fear to the existence of human beings since it is hampering development activities and also food production. The increase in the use of sophisticated technology has also contributed in the exploitation of natural resources, for example the use of cutting machines has increased the rate at which tree are felled compared to ancient days. On the other hand human exploitation is the misuse of human labor. In this case human beings are now mistreated for example child labor human trafficking and sexual exploitation. Human exploitation is done through threatening of the victims or blackmailing them in order to accept the conditions. These two types of exploitation are linked together, since they both challenge the positive existence of human kind. Further exploitation of any kind or type is wicked, hence the two become comparable.

Importance of Conserving the Environment

Promotion of the well being of geographical features is very important since the features assist in human development. Physical features such as forests help in attracting rainfall and the rain is very important in food production. Other physical features that are significantly important to protect are the rivers, because provide water which is used in electricity generation². Electricity is very vital in promoting human development and other facets of human life, such as health and that is why natural resources should be kept healthy. By conserving the environment we keep the ecosystem intact and the wildlife which in some countries is a source of income through tourism. Social groups should do more activities in order to put the governments on toes in conserving the environment. Keeping the natural resources healthy is not a privilege but an obligation and responsibility of all human beings regardless of their regions.

References

Adams, Simon and David Lambert, Earth Science: An illustrated guide to science. New York NY 10001: Chelsea House. pp. 20 (2006).

Joseph, Holden. Introduction to Physical Geography and the Environment: Prentice- Hall, London (2004).

Footnotes

1. Joseph, Holden. Introduction to Physical Geography and the Environment: Prentice-Hall, London (2004).
2. Adams, Simon and David Lambert, Earth Science: An illustrated guide to science. New York NY 10001: Chelsea House. pp. 20 (2006).