This report highlights the impact of human activity on three different locations: New York City, the Amazon Rainforest, and the Sahara Desert. The measurements were taken 50 years ago, in the present day, and the predicted future development impact.
## New York City
Water pollution in parts per million (ppm) was measured in New York City. Fifty years ago, the water pollution was 625ppm, and presently, it has increased to 893ppm. The predicted future development impact is 843ppm. To decrease human impact on this location, it is recommended to create gardens on all of the rooftops. The plants will help absorb some of the pollutants and reduce runoff into waterways.
## Amazon Rainforest
CO2 levels in parts per million (ppm) were measured in the Amazon Rainforest. Fifty years ago, the CO2 levels were 318ppm, and presently, it has increased to 402ppm. The predicted future development impact is 378ppm. To decrease human impact on this location, it is recommended to limit the amount of timber that can be removed per year. The Amazon Rainforest is often referred to as the "lungs of the planet" due to its ability to absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. By limiting deforestation, the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere will decrease, and the rainforest will continue to produce oxygen, benefiting both the local and global environment.
## Sahara Desert
The loss of land by erosion in meters was measured in the Sahara Desert. Fifty years ago, the erosion was 1.2 meters, and presently, it has increased to 3.5 meters. The predicted future development impact is 2.6 meters. To decrease human impact on this location, it is recommended to build better enclosures to decrease overgrazing by livestock. Overgrazing leads to soil compaction, which makes it difficult for vegetation to grow and prevents the soil from holding water. By implementing better enclosures, the livestock will be limited to a smaller area, allowing the vegetation to recover and hold the soil in place.
## Conclusion
In conclusion, all three locations experienced an increase in human impact over the years. By analyzing the data, the location that could benefit the most from decreasing human impact is the Amazon Rainforest. Limiting the amount of timber that can be removed per year will have a positive impact on this location. However, it is important to continue monitoring all three locations to ensure that the human impact is decreasing and not increasing.
## Recommendations for Local Communities
To decrease the local effects of human impact on the environment, two recommendations are:
1. Reduce the use of single-use plastics, such as straws and bags, to decrease pollution. Single-use plastics are a major source of pollution in our oceans, and by reducing our reliance on them, we can help reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in our waterways.
2. Plant more trees and vegetation to increase the amount of oxygen in the air. Trees and plants produce oxygen through photosynthesis, which helps clean the air we breathe. By planting more trees and vegetation in our communities, we can help reduce the amount of pollution in the air and create a healthier environment for ourselves and future generations.
## Recommendations for Global Governments
To decrease the global effects of human impact on the environment, two recommendations are:
1. Invest in renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, to decrease the use of fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, which are responsible for climate change. By investing in renewable energy sources, we can decrease our reliance on fossil fuels and reduce our carbon footprint.
2. Implement policies to decrease deforestation and promote reforestation to decrease the loss of wildlife habitats and increase the amount of oxygen in the air. Deforestation is a major contributor to climate change, as it releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and reduces the amount of oxygen produced by trees. By implementing policies to decrease deforestation and promote reforestation, we can help mitigate the effects of climate change and create a healthier environment for all living beings.