Final answer:
The student's question is about which actions do not increase the environmental carrying capacity. Successful actions include agricultural innovations, medical advances, and better sanitation and water quality.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject of this question pertains to the ways in which humans have impacted the carrying capacity of the environment. Carrying capacity refers to the number of individuals an environment can sustain without ecological degradation. Humans have increased carrying capacity through various methods such as agricultural innovations, medical advances, and improvements in sanitation and water quality.
Agricultural innovations include the development of fertilizers, pesticides, and improved crop varieties, which have led to higher yields and more reliable food sources. Medical advances, such as antibiotics and vaccines, have reduced mortality rates and increased life expectancy. Enhanced sanitation and water quality have reduced the spread of waterborne diseases, improving overall health.
One example of something that would not increase carrying capacity is the overuse of resources or practices that lead to environmental degradation, as this could lead to a decrease in the environment's ability to sustain human life.