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THE HUMAN SPHERE


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OVERVIEW
Human development of the planet has led to a complex of associated problems that may be
characterized as ‘syndromes’. Syndromes are standard patterns of people–environment
interactions that are recognizable around the world. They fall into three groups: utilization
syndromes, development syndromes and sink syndromes.

Utilization syndromes concern the use or misuse of natural resources. Development syndromes involve the non-sustainable conversion of land cover to agricultural, urban and other human uses. Sink syndromes involve environmental degradation through accidental spillages of natural and human-manufactured substances and the uncontrolled disposal of waste products.


LEARNING OUTCOMES

This chapter will help you understand:

• The nature of a syndrome approach to human-induced environmental problems
• Utilization syndromes resulting from the inappropriate use of resources
• Development syndromes associated with the non-sustainable conversion of land to human
  uses
• Sink syndromes leading to environmental degradation and involving accidents and the
  waste products of human activities.

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SUMMARY

In coming to dominate the environment to create the human sphere (anthroposphere), humans have created a complex set of interconnected problems called ‘syndromes’, which are basic patterns of people–environment interactions that are seen around the world. Syndromes come under three broad headings: utilization syndromes, development syndromes and sink syndromes.
Utilization syndromes concern the use or misuse of natural resources.

Examples are the Mass Tourism syndrome and the Scorched Earth syndrome. Development syndromes involve the non-sustainable conversion of land cover to agricultural, industrial, commercial, residential and other human uses. Examples are the Asian Tiger syndrome and the Urban Sprawl syndrome. Sink syndromes involve environmental degradation through accidental spillages of natural andZ human-manufactured substances and the uncontrolled disposal of waste products. Examples are the Major Accident syndrome and the Smokestack syndrome.



QUESTIONS

1. How useful is a syndrome approach to    environmental problems? 5. Explore the environmental problems    associated with urban sprawl. 2. Examine pros and cons of using caves as     tourist attractions. 6. What are the long-term consequences of     the Chernobyl accident? 3. What effects does war have on the     environment? 7. Discuss the environmental problems    associated with smokestack emissions. 4. Explain why tiger populations are    struggling to survive.

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FURTHER READING

• Blowers, A. and Hinchliffe, S. (eds) (2003) Environmental Responses. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons and The Open University.
  An informative read.
  
• Hinchliffe, S., Blowers, A. and Freeland, J. (eds) (2003) Understanding Environmental Issues. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons and The Open University.
  Well worth delving into.
  
• Seidensticker, J., Christie, S. and Jackson, P. (eds) Riding the Tiger: Tiger Conservation in Human-dominated Landscapes. London: The Zoological Society of London; Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  An excellent account of the plight of the tiger, with a mix-ture of overview and detail. Tackles conservation issues at length.