HES4810
Assignment 2
Due Date: 2 July 2025
, HES4810 Assignment 2
Due Date: 2 July 2025
Question 1: Human Activities and Environmental Impacts
Using HES4810 lesson content, name three (3) ways human activities can cause
detrimental effects on each environmental aspect below:
1.1 Climate
1. Burning of Fossil Fuels – The combustion of coal, oil, and natural gas for
electricity, transport, and industry increases greenhouse gas emissions,
particularly carbon dioxide (CO₂). This enhances the greenhouse effect and
leads to global warming and climate instability.
2. Deforestation – Clearing forests for agriculture, logging, or urban development
reduces the earth's capacity to absorb CO₂. This both increases greenhouse
gases and changes rainfall patterns.
3. Livestock Farming – Methane released by cattle and the destruction of forests
for grazing contributes significantly to climate change (HES4810 Lesson Content,
2025).
1.2 Topography
1. Mining Operations – Open-cast mining alters natural landforms, creating pits
and mounds, and changing drainage systems.
2. Construction Activities – Building infrastructure often requires flattening terrain
and cutting into hills, destabilizing slopes and increasing erosion.
3. Groundwater Extraction – Excessive removal of groundwater can lead to land
subsidence, especially in areas with soluble rocks like dolomite (HES4810
Lesson Content, 2025).
Assignment 2
Due Date: 2 July 2025
, HES4810 Assignment 2
Due Date: 2 July 2025
Question 1: Human Activities and Environmental Impacts
Using HES4810 lesson content, name three (3) ways human activities can cause
detrimental effects on each environmental aspect below:
1.1 Climate
1. Burning of Fossil Fuels – The combustion of coal, oil, and natural gas for
electricity, transport, and industry increases greenhouse gas emissions,
particularly carbon dioxide (CO₂). This enhances the greenhouse effect and
leads to global warming and climate instability.
2. Deforestation – Clearing forests for agriculture, logging, or urban development
reduces the earth's capacity to absorb CO₂. This both increases greenhouse
gases and changes rainfall patterns.
3. Livestock Farming – Methane released by cattle and the destruction of forests
for grazing contributes significantly to climate change (HES4810 Lesson Content,
2025).
1.2 Topography
1. Mining Operations – Open-cast mining alters natural landforms, creating pits
and mounds, and changing drainage systems.
2. Construction Activities – Building infrastructure often requires flattening terrain
and cutting into hills, destabilizing slopes and increasing erosion.
3. Groundwater Extraction – Excessive removal of groundwater can lead to land
subsidence, especially in areas with soluble rocks like dolomite (HES4810
Lesson Content, 2025).
