---
title: "Human impact on environments"
description: "Use vocabulary for human impact on the environment — pollution, habitat destruction, deforestation, biodiversity, conservation, renewable energy, non-renewable energy, fossil fuel, carbon footprint, s"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/human-impact-on-environments-mt_YB0qF5KX9C
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/human-impact-on-environments-mt_YB0qF5KX9C.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# Human impact on environments

Use vocabulary for human impact on the environment — pollution, habitat destruction, deforestation, biodiversity, conservation, renewable energy, non-renewable energy, fossil fuel, carbon footprint, sustainability, endangered, extinct — and apply these when discussing environmental issues and human choices

Subject: Science · Area: Ecosystems & Habitats · Ages 8 to 11
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/human-impact-on-environments-mt_YB0qF5KX9C

## Ready when they can

- Distinguish between renewable and non-renewable energy sources using the correct terms and give examples of each
- Use 'biodiversity' and 'conservation' correctly in discussing why protecting habitats matters
- Apply 'carbon footprint' and 'sustainability' correctly in a discussion about everyday human choices

## Lesson: Human impact on the environment

Every day, people affect the world around them, sometimes through pollution, dirty or harmful material released into air, water, or soil. When a forest is cut down, that is deforestation, one kind of habitat destruction, since it removes the natural home of plants and animals.

*(drawing: Solar and wind are renewable: the sun and wind never run out. Coal and oil are non-renewable fossil fuels: once we burn them, they are gone, and burning them causes pollution.)*

Biodiversity means the many different kinds of living things in a place. Conservation means protecting habitats so that biodiversity can survive. A species with very few members left is endangered. A species with none left anywhere on Earth is extinct.

**Example.** Every choice adds up. When Ravi's family drives to school each day, they burn fossil fuel and add carbon dioxide to the air, which adds to their carbon footprint. When they walk or bike instead, their carbon footprint gets smaller. Living in a way that does not use up the Earth's resources faster than they can be replaced is called sustainability.

**Tip.** Small choices matter. Turning off lights, recycling, and walking short trips instead of driving are easy ways to shrink your carbon footprint and support sustainability.

**Recap.** These words, like biodiversity, carbon footprint, and sustainability, help you talk clearly about how people affect the Earth and what we can do to help it.

## Practice

8 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Opens up

- [Communities Protecting Resources](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/communities-protecting-resources-mt_7e-lG7YOWa)
- [Natural Disaster Solutions](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/natural-disaster-solutions-mt_cpDpjJaE5u)
- [Natural resources](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/natural-resources-mt_VI5kdtf28e)
- [Environmental Change and Conflict](https://lightmysky.com/learn/geography/environmental-change-and-conflict-mt_Vlp61dF3KL)