Explain how human activities such as deforestation, pollution, and overuse of resources are affecting the environment. Support your answer with examples.

Human activities have significantly impacted the natural balance of the environment. One major activity is deforestation, which involves cutting down trees for agriculture, urbanization, or timber. This leads to loss of biodiversity, climate change, and soil erosion. For example, clearing rainforests in the Amazon has reduced habitat for thousands of species. Another activity is pollution — especially air, water, and soil pollution. Burning fossil fuels for transport and industries releases harmful gases that cause air pollution and contribute to global warming. Discharging industrial waste into rivers causes water pollution, making it unsafe for both humans and aquatic life.