Humans utilize approximately 10-15% of the Earth’s surface for various activities such as agriculture, urban development, and infrastructure. This estimate primarily considers land that is actively used for farming, cities, roads, and other human-made constructs.
This percentage might seem relatively small when you think about the vastness of our planet, but it is important to note that the impact of human activities goes beyond just the physical land we inhabit. For instance, urbanization can lead to significant changes in local ecosystems, removing natural habitats and affecting biodiversity.
Additionally, while we may physically occupy only a fraction of the Earth’s surface, our influence extends through resource extraction, pollution, and climate change, which affect regions far beyond our immediate presence. Hence, while the percentage might be modest, the stakes of human usage are quite substantial.