Human Geogaphy
Welcome to the Human Geography page — where we explore how human systems shape and are shaped by the environment. The written works featured here offer powerful insight into the social, political, and ecological dimensions of sustainable land development. From the global perspective of the Anthropocene to the practical solutions proposed for forest degradation, these examples highlight the critical role of human agency in addressing environmental challenges. As part of our advocacy for the David Dunlap Observatory (DDO) lands, this page helps connect our local mission to broader conversations on sustainability, equity, and responsible land use.
The Anthropocene & Human Agency
Ariane Blouin
🕒 Estimated reading time: 5–6 minutes
The Anthropocene and human agency are subjects that tie in the physical environment with the society. The term Anthropocene refers to the current geological age and is marked by the increased impact of human populations on the physical environment. According to Paul Crutzen, Vice-Chair of the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme, the start of the Anthropocene would coincide with the beginning of the industrial revolution (Crutzen, 2002). This geological period is characterized by the ‘Great Acceleration’, which refers to the drastic and synchronous changes that occurred across the biophysical and socio-economic spheres after 1950 (Stefen et al. 2015). The Great Acceleration is represented by 24 graphs showing the socio-economic and the Earth system trends. These graph include 12 measurable metrics that represent the socio-economic situation of the planet over the years like population, real GDP and telecommunications and 12 measurable metrics that track and reveal the Earth systems trends over the years like carbon dioxide emissions, ocean acidification and surface temperature (Stefen et al. 2015). The common factor for these 24 variables is that they have all started increasing exponentially around 1950— and they are not stabilizing.
This critic situation led to the creation of the planetary boundaries idea. This proposition consists of different biophysical metrics that assess different part of the Earth’s system. For each biophysical metric, there is a ‘boundary’, a number we cannot reach as a society for that particular metric. Under the target is a safe operating space and beyond that boundary is when things get unmanageable (Howden, 2024). In all cases and boundaries, the situation is getting worst over time — all biophysical metrics have increased, most of them beyond the initial boundary set (Howden, 2024). However, this proposition does not include socio-economic metrics. The second proposition, the ‘economic doughnut idea’ is a more inclusive idea that combines socio-economic metrics as well as biophysical factors. I think this model represents our current situation more accurately, because the physical environment has an impact on the society and vice-versa. Nevertheless, some socio-economic metrics might be more difficult to measure. Concepts like peace, justice and political voice are less tangible and harder to measure and represent visually. How can we measure these concepts? How can we standardize results across different institutions and countries?
Does this data truly reflect the socio-economic metrics that are being represented?
Another issue with these models is that situations differ greatly depending on which part of the world are analyzed. Standardizing all results and applying them globally might be unfair to countries that have a lower GDP or populations that are more affected by climate change. For example, the top 10% richest individuals in the world are producing the large majority of greenhouse gases emissions (Friel, 2024). ‘’Climate change creates and exacerbates inequities between countries over time,’’ claims Professor Sharon Friel. How can we limit the growth of these inequities? Can we impose limits on wealthier individuals or countries? Should more policies be established to reduce the consumption of certain individuals?
References
Crutzen, P.J. (2002) 'Geology of mankind,' Nature, 415(6867), p. 23. https://doi.org/10.1038/415023a
Friel, S. (2024). ‘Planetary Health Inequity’, class notes.
Howden, M. (2024). ‘Human dimensions to global change’, class notes.
Steffen, W. et al. (2015) 'The trajectory of the Anthropocene: The Great Acceleration,' The Anthropocene Review, 2(1)
pp. 81–98. https://doi.org/10.1177/2053019614564785
Human Impact on Forests and Sustainable Solutions
Environmental challenges related to human actions on forest resources and solution paths from a future specialist’s perspective
Ariane Blouin
🕒 Estimated reading time: 6–7 minutes
This research focuses on the issue of forest resource degradation caused by human activity. The main objective is to identify and assess various solutions to combat deforestation and forestry degradation. The aim is to raise public awareness about the reality of forestry degradation, inform people of its environmental, economic, and social consequences, and empower them to act proactively and engage in the fight against deforestation. The study found that reforestation, agroforestry, eco-construction, and the purchase of environmentally responsible products are four effective solutions—both on small and large scales—that can positively impact the issue of forest degradation. Each of these four strategies is explained, detailed, and assessed in terms of feasibility and practical implementation.
Keywords: forest resources, deforestation, reforestation, agroforestry, eco-construction
Introduction
Numerous anthropogenic actions have been shown to have devastating consequences on the environment. Human activity contributes to increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere and causes rapid climate change (Richard et al., 2019). More specifically, actions taken by humans with regard to forest resources raise environmental issues that could be detrimental to the planet's future. This is problematic, as forest resources are essential to the survival of the human species and many ecosystems. Forestry provides building materials, habitat for many species, and fuel for energy production. It also offers vital ecological services such as carbon storage and oxygen release through photosynthesis. It is clear that forests are a crucial and irreplaceable resource for the health of the environment, humans, and biodiversity.
This research project explores possible solutions to address this environmental issue and evaluates their feasibility. The objective is to identify strategies that could help conserve and protect forest resources, focusing specifically on actions that can be taken at the human scale. The project also aims to evaluate the practical feasibility of these strategies through the lens of a future environmental specialist. Finally, the goal is to raise public awareness of how human activity is degrading forest resources and its impacts on people, ecosystems, and the environment. The study presents a range of concrete and scalable actions that can help address the issue.
Methodology
Several strategies were adopted to obtain the results of this study. First and foremost, documentary research was prioritized. This method involves collecting reliable information on the subject using trusted sources (Scribbr, n.d.). Therefore, the literature review focused on forestry, natural resource management, reforestation, and related topics. Scientific articles were analyzed to explore prior research and identify recent advancements in the field. Expert opinions and existing strategies for protecting and conserving forests were also reviewed. Priority was given to peer-reviewed articles to ensure the accuracy and validity of the information used.
In addition, course content from ENV3721 was used to better understand the context and the related social, political, and environmental issues. Learnings from other environmental issue-focused courses were also incorporated to guide this research. Finally, knowledge gained by the author as a future environmental specialist contributed to the study’s analysis. The author's creativity and curiosity helped assess the feasibility of the proposed strategies in a meaningful way.
Results
Reforestation
Reforestation involves the mass planting of trees to compensate for past deforestation. Model analyses show that reforestation reduces atmospheric CO₂ levels (Misra et al., 2015), making it a crucial tool in the fight against climate change. Reforestation helps restore forest resources and allows us to benefit from their services again. However, this strategy presents challenges: tree planting is costly and time-consuming, often requiring decades for full ecosystem recovery. Additionally, newly planted trees are frequently poorly adapted to local conditions and may not support biodiversity (Badillo, 2023). Therefore, it is essential to combine reforestation efforts with active deforestation prevention. Involving environmental specialists ensures that trees are planted in appropriate locations that replicate the original forest—making reforestation more effective.
Agroforestry
Agroforestry refers to intentionally combining trees or shrubs with crops or livestock, either on the same land or over time (GIRAF, 2023). This approach helps reduce deforestation by integrating agriculture into forested areas without clearing land. It’s considered a dynamic natural resource management system that supports sustainable and diversified production (GIRAF, 2023). Agroforestry preserves soils, restores degraded ecosystems, and improves agricultural productivity (Badillo, 2023). It is relatively easy to implement, requiring only a planting plan created by a specialist. Although costs (e.g., seedlings, expertise) can be high, the long-term economic and environmental benefits make it a promising strategy.
Eco-construction
Eco-construction focuses on using local and sustainable materials in building projects. Sustainably harvested wood is a common example (Badillo, 2023). There are also innovative alternatives like hempcrete or rice-husk concrete, which are excellent insulators and regulate temperature and humidity (Chabannes, 2015). These materials combine plant-based aggregates with a mineral binder, offering a novel and eco-friendly solution. However, these materials and sustainably sourced wood are currently more expensive and not widely accessible—mainly limited to clients with larger budgets. Still, these options are worth considering when financially feasible.
Choosing Environmentally Responsible Products
Buying eco-responsible products is an accessible strategy for everyone. For example, boycotting palm oil-based products is an individual contribution that helps reduce tropical deforestation. The palm oil industry is one of the main drivers of forest destruction. By learning about product origins, consumers can make informed and sustainable choices.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are actionable steps—both small and large—that can help combat the degradation of forest resources. Whether it's buying eco-responsible products or building with sustainably sourced wood, everyone has a role to play. The deterioration of forest resources affects the global population, starting with air pollution that compromises public health. It is in our collective interest to become informed and begin advocating for the protection and conservation of our forests.
References
Badillo, A. (2023). Déforestation : Définition, causes, conséquences et solutions. Climate Consulting.
https://climate.selectra.com/fr/comprendre/deforestation
Chabannes, M. (2015). Formulation et étude des propriétés mécaniques d'agrobétons légers isolants à base de balles de riz et
de chènevotte pour l'éco-construction. Matériaux composites et construction. Université Montpellier. ⟨NNT :
2015MONTS008⟩. ⟨tel-01316947⟩
Misra, A.K., Verma, M. & Venturino, E. (2015). Modeling the control of atmospheric carbon dioxide through reforestation: effect
of time delay. Model. Earth Syst. Environ. 1, 24. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40808-015-0028-z
Richard, Y., Petit, S., Vergote, M., & Castel, T. (2019). Le changement climatique : où en sommes-nous ? ResearchGate.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/334534251_Le_changement_climatique_ou_en_sommes-nous
Scribbr. (n.d.). Méthodologie. https://www.scribbr.fr/category/methodologie/
Université Laval. (2023). Qu’est-ce que l’agroforesterie? Groupe interdisciplinaire de recherche en agroforesterie.
https://giraf.fsaa.ulaval.ca/a-propos/quest-ce-quelagroforesterie