This interactive module explores key human impacts on the environment and how they have affected Earth’s landscape, ocean, atmosphere, and biodiversity.

Human activities are reshaping our planet in profound ways. The changes that have occurred in the last 50 to 200 years have led scientists to propose a new geologic epoch, called the Anthropocene. In this Click & Learn, students explore data on how human population growth, air pollution, agriculture, mining, water use, and other human activities have impacted the environment and will affect the fossil record.

The accompanying “Student Handout” guides students’ exploration. The “Educator Guide” contains several suggestions for implementing this Click & Learn in class, as well as discussion questions and additional background information.