Final answer:
Human activities are included in the five general causes of environmental problems, impacting resource sustainability, habitat destruction, and biodiversity through overexploitation and pollution. Increased human population and the extensive use of fossil fuels contribute to these environmental issues, emphasizing the need for sustainable practices.
Step-by-step explanation:
Among the five general causes of environmental problems, a. Human activities are included. These activities are directly linked to the unsustainable use of resources, habitat destruction, and the overexploitation of wildlife through unsustainable fishing and hunting practices. Additionally, human activities contribute significantly to climate change through excessive use of fossil fuels, leading to the augmentation of atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and global warming.
Another aspect of human influence on the environment is the growth of the human population, which can lead to overpopulation problems. Overpopulation places strain on the environment by accelerating the depletion of essential resources such as freshwater supplies, fossil fuel reserves, and wilderness areas. It may also reduce the value of products obtained from species and increase the number of people affected by natural disasters due to the movement of larger populations into vulnerable areas.
Human actions such as the use of pesticides, like DDT, use of herbicides, and habitat destruction, can limit the growth of animal populations, thus affecting biodiversity. Hence, the complex interplay between human population growth and technological advancements affect the environment and its carrying capacity, with critical implications for long-term biodiversity and ecological stability.