Module 8 (chapter 4) people and nature
● Human-environment interactions are the ways in which humans interact with and affect the
natural environment, and the ways in which the natural environment affects human societies
and cultures.
● Environmental determinism is the belief that the natural environment determines human
behaviour and culture, and that certain physical and environmental factors dictate social and
cultural development.
● Possibilism is the belief that while the natural environment can influence human behaviour
and culture, humans have the ability to adapt and modify the environment to suit their needs
and desires.
● Cultural ecology is the study of the relationships between human cultures and the natural
environment, and how these relationships influence each other.
● Ecosystems are complex systems of living organisms and their physical and environmental
surroundings, and the relationships between them.
● Biomes are large, distinct ecological regions characterized by a particular set of plant and
animal species adapted to the climate and physical environment of the region.
● Climate change is the long-term shift in global weather patterns and temperatures, caused
by human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation.
● Biodiversity is the variety of plant and animal species present in an ecosystem or region, and
the genetic diversity within those species.
● Environmental conservation is the protection and preservation of natural resources and
ecosystems, often through the establishment of protected areas or conservation programs.
● Sustainable development is a development approach that aims to balance economic growth
with environmental protection and social equity, often emphasizing the need for resource
conservation and social inclusion.
● Ecotourism is a form of tourism that involves visiting natural areas and ecosystems, often
with the goal of observing and experiencing natural beauty and biodiversity while minimizing
negative impacts on the environment and local communities.
● Environmental justice is the fair and equitable treatment of all people and communities,
regardless of race, ethnicity, or income, in the protection and management of the natural
environment.
● Global environmental governance is the system of international agreements, organizations,
and policies aimed at managing and protecting the natural environment on a global scale,
such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the
● Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Keyterms:
● Cultural ecology: Study of human-environment relationships.
● Environmental determinism: Belief that environment determines human
behaviour.
● Possibilism: Human behaviour determined by culture, technology, and economy.
● Political ecology: Study of power relations and environment.
● Social constructivism: Belief that nature is socially constructed.
● Landscape: Physical and human-modified environment.
● Conservation: Protection of natural resources.
● Human-environment interactions are the ways in which humans interact with and affect the
natural environment, and the ways in which the natural environment affects human societies
and cultures.
● Environmental determinism is the belief that the natural environment determines human
behaviour and culture, and that certain physical and environmental factors dictate social and
cultural development.
● Possibilism is the belief that while the natural environment can influence human behaviour
and culture, humans have the ability to adapt and modify the environment to suit their needs
and desires.
● Cultural ecology is the study of the relationships between human cultures and the natural
environment, and how these relationships influence each other.
● Ecosystems are complex systems of living organisms and their physical and environmental
surroundings, and the relationships between them.
● Biomes are large, distinct ecological regions characterized by a particular set of plant and
animal species adapted to the climate and physical environment of the region.
● Climate change is the long-term shift in global weather patterns and temperatures, caused
by human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation.
● Biodiversity is the variety of plant and animal species present in an ecosystem or region, and
the genetic diversity within those species.
● Environmental conservation is the protection and preservation of natural resources and
ecosystems, often through the establishment of protected areas or conservation programs.
● Sustainable development is a development approach that aims to balance economic growth
with environmental protection and social equity, often emphasizing the need for resource
conservation and social inclusion.
● Ecotourism is a form of tourism that involves visiting natural areas and ecosystems, often
with the goal of observing and experiencing natural beauty and biodiversity while minimizing
negative impacts on the environment and local communities.
● Environmental justice is the fair and equitable treatment of all people and communities,
regardless of race, ethnicity, or income, in the protection and management of the natural
environment.
● Global environmental governance is the system of international agreements, organizations,
and policies aimed at managing and protecting the natural environment on a global scale,
such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the
● Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Keyterms:
● Cultural ecology: Study of human-environment relationships.
● Environmental determinism: Belief that environment determines human
behaviour.
● Possibilism: Human behaviour determined by culture, technology, and economy.
● Political ecology: Study of power relations and environment.
● Social constructivism: Belief that nature is socially constructed.
● Landscape: Physical and human-modified environment.
● Conservation: Protection of natural resources.
