There’s simply no denying the fact that humans have drastically altered, developed, and ransacked much of the natural world for our own ends. But how much of the planet’s surface remains free of our often malign influence?
If we were to map Earth looking only for signs of humanity’s footprint on landscapes, how much of the terrestrial surface would we find that had not already been built into cities, mined for resources, or razed to grow crops, instead of being left alone in an unaltered state?
In a new study, scientists compared figures from four different sets of spatial data to answer this question. While each of the datasets uses different kinds of methodologies and classification systems, on average, the researchers say roughly half (48 to 56 percent) of the world’s land shows ‘low’ influence of humans.
Rain forests are coming down at an alarming rate. Concrete jungles, farming and building….rain forests have millions of species of plants and animals YET to be discovered…medicines come from plants in the rain forests…stop the destruction NOW! …..for humanity sake!
this is so spot on. What other species dumps so much trash in its nest and our planet next is a mess. How is it our brains are so geared to deny and avoid prevention?
rekam Premium Member almost 3 years ago
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loonygardener almost 3 years ago
half of the world is trying to heal Mother Earth the other half is poisoning her… easy peasy Rekam
superposition almost 3 years ago
There’s simply no denying the fact that humans have drastically altered, developed, and ransacked much of the natural world for our own ends. But how much of the planet’s surface remains free of our often malign influence?
If we were to map Earth looking only for signs of humanity’s footprint on landscapes, how much of the terrestrial surface would we find that had not already been built into cities, mined for resources, or razed to grow crops, instead of being left alone in an unaltered state?
In a new study, scientists compared figures from four different sets of spatial data to answer this question. While each of the datasets uses different kinds of methodologies and classification systems, on average, the researchers say roughly half (48 to 56 percent) of the world’s land shows ‘low’ influence of humans.
https://www.sciencealert.com/half-of-earth-s-land-is-still-significantly-untouched-by-humans-study-finds
Zebrastripes almost 3 years ago
Rain forests are coming down at an alarming rate. Concrete jungles, farming and building….rain forests have millions of species of plants and animals YET to be discovered…medicines come from plants in the rain forests…stop the destruction NOW! …..for humanity sake!
Radish the wordsmith almost 3 years ago
As we are cleaning up covid, the climate changing pollution is creeping up on us.
susanj77 almost 3 years ago
this is so spot on. What other species dumps so much trash in its nest and our planet next is a mess. How is it our brains are so geared to deny and avoid prevention?