6.1 Science and the Environment
Rapid advances in science altered understandings of the universe and the natural world and led to the development of new technologies. These changes enabled unprecedented population growth, which altered how humans interacted with the environment and threatened delicate ecological balances at local, regional and global levels.
- Researchers made rapid advances in science that spread throughout the world, assisted by the development of new technology.
- New modes of communication and transportation virtually eliminated the problem of geographic distance.
- The Green Revolution produced food for the earth's growing population as it spread chemically and genetically enhanced forms of agriculture.
- Medical innovations increased the ability of humans to survive and live longer lives.
- polio vaccine
- antibiotics
- artificial heart
- Energy technologies included the use of oil and nuclear power raised productivity and increased the production of material goods.
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- As the global population expanded at an unprecedented rate, humans fundamentally changed the relationship with the environment.
- As human activity contributed to deforestation, desertification, and increased consumption of the world's supply of fresh water and clean air, humans competed over these and other resources more intensely than ever before.
- The release of greenhouse gases and other pollutants into the atmosphere contributed to debates about the nature and causes of climate change.
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- Disease, scientific innovations, and conflict led to demographic shifts.
- Diseases associated with poverty persisted.
- malaria
- tuberculosis
- cholera
- Other diseases emerged as new epidemics and threats to human survival.
- 1919 Influenza
- Ebola
- HIV/AIDS
- Changing lifestyles and increased longevity led to higher incidence of certain diseases
- Diabetes
- Heart Disease
- Alzheimer's
- More effective forms of birth control gave women greater control over fertility and transformed sexual practices.
- the pill
- the pill
- Improved military technology and tactics increased levels of wartime casualties.
- Technology
- tanks
- airplanes
- atomic bomb
- Tactics
- trench warfare
- firebombing
- Examples of areas with huge casualties in war
- Nanjing
- Dresden
- Hiroshima & Nagasaki
- Technology
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