Learning   Portfolio

              Mankind’s influence on water quality and availability is strong, and humans affect the water they use on a daily basis. “… The ecosystems with which we interact are directly linked to the well-being of our natural water resources.” (UNESCO) As humans interact with their surroundings, they leave a lasting impact. Our natural resources are influenced by a number of factors. “Many of these are primarily the result of human actions and include ecosystem and landscape changes, sedimentation, pollution, over-abstraction and climate change.” (UNESCO) Humans directly and deliberately affect the environment around them. In order to better conserve our water resources, it is important to understand how human interaction truly affects the water we use.

 

            People use water for basic needs and survival in ways such as bathing, watering gardens, and simply staying hydrated. (Keystone College) These uses are for survival and recreation, and the issues they present are simple to solve. Though these actions consume large amounts of water over time, humans need not stop doing these things, but they should make an effort to reduce the water being used. Small water-use reductions like turning off the sink when brushing one’s teeth or taking shorter showers can ultimately save a considerable amount of water. (Keystone College) However, mundane everyday tasks that consume water aren’t the largest problem when it comes to our water resources. Freshwater meant for consumption can be contaminated or depleted through landscape changes. “… Each type of landscape change will have its own specific impact, usually directly on ecosystems and directly or indirectly on water resources.” (UNESCO) The many ways that humans change the world around them, such as forest clearance, urbanization, roads, and wetland removal and reduction, damage the water in those environments.

 

            Having a good understanding of what human activities affect our environment and water resources will help in conserving those necessities. Humans use water in their everyday lives for survival and recreation. The environments people exist in are constantly being changed and affected due to human interests. People obviously need these resources dramatically to maintain our society. That is why it is so important to ensure we will continue to have the access to these resources as we continue to develop.

Keystone College, . (2011). Human Impacts on Water Quality. In Tunkhannock Creek             Watershed Atlas. Retrieved September 13, 2015.

UNESCO, . (2006). How can human actions seriously affect water resources?. In Green         Facts.