​The study of geography includes looking at human/environment interaction, or the relationships linking people to their surrounding environment.

​Human interaction with nature is formed naturally. Humans use the natural environment to meet their needs.

​
Human activities affect the natural environment

Humans use the natural environment to meet their needs, which include the needs of clothing, food, and shelter.

To meet these needs, humans modify (change) their environment.

The people in this village have modified (changed) their environment by cutting down trees in order to make farms

The people in this city have modified (changed) their environment by cutting down trees and digging up earth to make roads

Modifications (changes) to the environment can have both positive and negative affects.

But the environment will always be affected one way or the other.

​Positive Affects

Negative Affects

​New
irrigation
techniques

New energy​sources

Air pollution

​Water
pollution