Relationship between

environment and humans

Dr. Kellen Karimi

Department of Public and Global Health, University of Nairobi
Recall the epidemiologic triangle..relationship between
environment, agent and humans
• When investigating how a disease spreads and how to
combat it, the epidemiologic triangle is a valuable tool

• The triangle is made up of three parts:

• Agent
• Host
• Environment
 The epidemiologic triangle..
Agent
• The micro-organism that actually causes the disease in question
• Could be bacteria, virus, fungus or parasite
Host
• Agent infects the host
• Host is the organism that carries the disease; doesn’t necessarily get
sick; can carry the disease without displaying outwards symptoms; they
get sick or carry agent because part of their physiology is attractive to
the agent
Environment
• Collective term for outside factors that affect disease outbreaks
• Include any factors that affect the spread of disease but not directly a
part of the agent e.g. temperature, drinking water etc (other examples?)
 One- Health concept
• An integrated unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the
health of people, animals and ecosystems (WHO)

• A collaborative multisectoral and transdisciplinary approach –working at the local,

regional, national and gloal levels- with a goal of achieving optimal health outcomes
recognizing the interconnection between people, animals, plants and their share
environment (CDC)

• An integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the
health of people, animals and ecosystems. It recognizes the health of humans,
domestic and wild animals, plants and the wider environment (including ecosystems)
are closely linked and interdependent
• Approach mobilizes multiple sectors, disciplines and communities at varying levels of
society to work together to foster well-being and tackle threatts to health and
ecosystems while addressing collective need for healthy food, water, energy an dair,
taking action on climate change and contributing to sustainable development
(OHHLEP)
 Man and environment
• Man and environment have an interrelation between them that is well
established
• Thinking about the enviroment is as old as our first human ancestors
• Concern for environment has been there since ancient times, people have
known the importance of preserving it
• For instance, worshipping of trees and rivers, animals and the birds was not
based on the superstition; but was a hidden message preserving and
protecting of the environment
• Religious rituals served an important purpose- they made people aware of the
environment and its importance; so indirectly helped preserve and nourish it
• Religion is largely to ensure community participation in all those practices that
would lead to maintenance of ecological balance
 Man and environment
• Man is the only living organisms capable of modifying its
surrounding environment according to the need
• Other animals change according to the envirnmnet
• First man started hunting animals and cutting trees for his basic
needs
• Gradually started cultivating food grains, cutting forests-
converting them to grassalnds/ agricultural fields
• Man ‘disturbed’ each and every component of the environment
to make himself ‘comfortable’
 Man and environment
• With the start of the industrial revolution, the scenario
changed
• Use of fossil fuel for generation of power for running vehicles,
industries started to increase all types of pollution
• Carbon dioxide emmission increased tremendously
• Emmission of industrail waste and sewage increased
• That was the advent of the major envirnmental issues as a
result of human activities like global warming, acid, ozone
depletion and population explosion
 Man and environment
• Co2 emmissions and other gases in the atmosphere from burning of fossil
fuels and other human activities have resulted in raise in temperatures,
anticipated to raise the minimum atmospheric temperature by several
degrees by 2050
• This may disrupt food production and flooding of low-lying coastal cities
and croplands
• An estimated 36,500 plant species have become extinct due to human
activities
• Many factors that affect distribution of population and human settlement
like land, climate, soils, mineral deposits, water e.t.c are altered
Environmental degradation
• Some components of the environment have changed, affecting the
living organisms of the biosphere
• Environmental degradation is the lowering of environmental qualities
due to the damages caused by both natural and human activities, at
local, regional and global levelsadversely affecting all living organisms
that include man
 Environmental degradation
• Over centuries, humans have worshipped nature, and have lived in
harmony
• However, practices that have conflited with nature have resulted in
what we observe and experience today in the name of
environmental degradation in the following ways
• Soil erosion
• Deforrestation
• Unsatisfatory water quality
• Worsening urban air quality
• Watersheds losing storage capacity
• Reservoirs filled up with sediments
• Elimination of wildlife and their habitats
• Solid waste pile-up
• Coastal spawning grounds disappear
Environmental degradation
• Total environmental degradation and pollution is as a result of
consumption of natural resources by a over-population by developing
countries and wasteful over-consumption of resources by the
developed countries
• Degradation has led to destruction of environmental stability and
ecological balance
Environmental degradation
• Some natural events that cause environmental degradation include
• Volcanic eruption
• Earthquakes
• Forest fires
• Floods
• Some human activities causing environmental degradation include
• Deliberate forest fires
• Nuclear explosion
• Release of toxic gases from vehicles
• Power plants
• Industries etc
 Human activities that affect the environment
• It is important to understand how our actions shape the world around us, affect
biodiversity, climate and availability of resources
The activities includen but not limited to: -
1. Deforestation and habitat destruction
2. Fossil fuel consumption and GHG emissions
3. Industrialization and air pollution
4. Agricultural practices and soil degradation
5. Water pollution and contamination
6. Overfishing and marine ecosystem depletion
7. Waste generation and management
8. Urbanization and habitat fragmentation
9. Consumerism and resource depletion
10. Climate change and global impact
 1. Deforestation and habitat destruction
• Deforestation is the relentless clearing of forests and stands as one of the most
concerning human activities impacting the environment.

• As we chop down trees to make way for agriculture, infrastructure, and

settlements, we disrupt delicate ecosystems and threaten countless plant and
animal species.

• The consequences of deforestation are far-reaching.

• Biodiversity loss is among the most pressing issues, as many species lose their
natural habitats, pushing them closer to extinction.

• Forests play a crucial role in carbon sequestration, and their destruction

contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, further exacerbating climate
change.
 2. Fossil fuel consumption and GHG emissions
• Our insatiable appetite for fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, drives
much of our energy production.

• However, the combustion of these non-renewable resources releases copious

amounts of greenhouse gasses (GHGs) into the atmosphere.

• As these GHGs accumulate, they create a thickening blanket around the Earth,
trapping heat and leading to global warming.

• The consequences are stark, with rising sea levels, more frequent extreme
weather events, and disruptions to ecosystems and agriculture.
 3. Industrialization and air pollution
• The rapid rise of industrialization has undoubtedly fuelled economic growth
and technological advancements. However, it has also given rise to a
significant environmental concern – air pollution.
• Industrial activities emit a wide array of harmful pollutants, including
particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, and volatile organic
compounds.
• These pollutants not only compromise air quality but also contribute to the
formation of smog and acid rain.
• The consequences of air pollution are severe, affecting both human health
and the environment.
• Respiratory problems, cardiovascular diseases, and other health issues
become more prevalent in areas with high pollution levels.
• Additionally, acid rain can damage soil, water bodies, and vegetation, causing
long-term ecological damage.
 4. Agricultural practices and soil degradation
• Modern agriculture has undoubtedly enabled us to feed a growing global
population, but it has also taken a toll on our precious soil.

• Intensive farming practices, such as heavy pesticide and fertilizer use, monoculture,
and overgrazing, have led to soil degradation.

• Soil erosion, a direct consequence of unsustainable agricultural practices, results in

the loss of fertile topsoil.

• As a result, soil quality diminishes, impacting crop productivity and the overall
health of ecosystems.

• Excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides leads to water pollution.

• The chemicals leach into rivers, lakes, and groundwater, causing harmful effects on
aquatic life and posing risks to human health.
 5. Water pollution and contamination
• Water pollution, a dire consequence of human activities, poses a significant threat to
our planet's aquatic ecosystems and human health.

• From industrial discharges to agricultural runoff and improper waste disposal,

various sources contribute to contaminating our water bodies.

• As pollutants find their way into rivers, lakes, and oceans, aquatic life suffers
immensely.

• Fish and other aquatic species are adversely affected, and entire ecosystems can
collapse.

• Additionally, contaminated water poses severe health risks to humans who rely on it
for drinking, cooking, and bathing.
 6. Overfishing and marine ecosystem depletion
• Overfishing, driven by the increasing demand for seafood, poses a grave threat
to marine biodiversity and the delicate balance of marine ecosystems.

• As fishing practices become more efficient and industrialized, many fish

populations face depletion, pushing them to the brink of collapse.

• The consequences of overfishing extend beyond the fish species themselves.

• Marine food chains are disrupted, leading to imbalances in predator-prey

relationships and affecting the entire ecosystem.

• Many non-target species, known as bycatch, are unintentionally caught and

wasted.
 7. Waste generation and management
• The modern world's consumer-driven lifestyle has led to an alarming
surge in waste generation, creating a pressing environmental challenge.

• From plastic packaging to electronic waste, the improper disposal of

waste poses significant risks to our planet.

• Waste that ends up in landfills generates greenhouse gases, contributing

to climate change.

• Improperly managed waste can also leach harmful substances into the
soil and contaminate water sources, further impacting biodiversity and
human health.
 8. Urbanization and habitat fragmentation
• The rapid expansion of cities and urban areas has reshaped
landscapes and posed significant challenges for the environment.

• Urbanization leads to habitat fragmentation, as natural habitats are

fragmented and isolated by roads, buildings, and infrastructure.

• As urban areas grow, wildlife is displaced from their natural

habitats, leading to biodiversity loss and potential conflicts
between humans and animals.

• Species that once thrived in diverse ecosystems struggle to adapt to

the fragmented and altered environments.
 9. Consumerism and resource depletion
• In a world driven by consumerism, the relentless pursuit of goods takes a
toll on the Earth's finite resources.

• The ever-increasing demand for products like electronics, clothing, and

food puts immense pressure on natural resources and ecosystems.

• The extraction of non-renewable resources, such as fossil fuels and

minerals, depletes these valuable assets, leading to environmental
degradation and irreversible damage to ecosystems.

• Excessive consumption contributes to waste generation, pollution, and

greenhouse gas emissions.
 10. Climate change and global impact
• Climate change, driven primarily by human activities, is one of the most critical
environmental challenges of our time.
• The burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, industrial emissions, and other human
activities release GHG into the atmosphere, leading to a warming planet.
• The consequences of climate change are far-reaching and affect every corner of
the globe.
• Rising temperatures result in melting ice caps, leading to sea-level rise and
threatening coastal communities.
• Extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, droughts, and heat waves,
become more frequent and severe, causing widespread devastation.
• Climate change disrupts ecosystems, leading to species migrations and altering
the delicate balance of nature.
• Agricultural productivity is affected, impacting food security for millions of
people worldwide.
 Impact of technology on environment
• Technology is developed for human’s well being, but cause
environmental disruptions that undermine the well-being
• Technology leads to environmental costs exceeding its benefits
• Direct effects
• Accidents
• Release of pollutants affecting human health
• Change in landscapes
• Indirect effects
• Interferance with vital services supplied to humanity by natural ecological systems like
control of pollution through natural process
 Examples of negative impacts of technology
• Depletion of Ozone layer- that protects the life on earth from
damaging UV- radiation, caused by CFC emissions
• Execissive use of pesticided and fertilizers- decrease inherent
fertility of the soil
• Global warming causing seal level to rise
• Testing of atomic bombs may cause earth quakes
• Increased pollution of water, air, land- through disposal of
electronics
• Electromagnetic waves from excessive use of electronics gadgets
• Exlpoitation of resources leading to exhaustion
What can we do to reverse/make positive impact?
• Raise awareness- educating about environmental issues ad foster sense of
responsibility and urgency
• Support sustainable practices- advocate for and embrace sustainable
practices in our daily lives like recycling, reducing waste generation, and
conserving energy
• Engage in conservation efforts- participate in local conservation projects and
initiatives to protect natural habitats and biodiversity
• Push for policy changes- urge govenrments to implement policies that
promote sustainability, renewable energy and envirnmental protection
• Choose responsible businesses- support companies committed to eco-
friendly practices and ethical sourcing of resources
• Invest in Green technologies- to mitigate against environmental impacts
• Collaborate and share knowledge- on solutions and best practices
Thank you