Human activity in extreme environments has increased significantly in recent decades, making this an important topic in IB Geography, particularly within Option C: Extreme Environments. While technological advances have made these environments more accessible, they are also highly fragile, meaning human impacts can be severe and long-lasting.

One major environmental impact is habitat disturbance. Extreme environments often support specialised species adapted to harsh conditions. Activities such as mining, energy extraction, and infrastructure development disturb habitats and disrupt food webs. Because ecosystems in extreme environments recover slowly, even small-scale damage can persist for decades.

Resource extraction is a significant source of environmental impact. Oil, gas, and mineral extraction in polar and desert environments involves road construction, drilling platforms, and waste disposal. These activities can lead to soil contamination, water pollution, and landscape scarring. In cold environments, oil spills are particularly damaging because low temperatures slow natural breakdown processes.

Tourism also has growing impacts. Adventure tourism in deserts, mountains, and polar regions increases pressure on fragile ecosystems. Footpath erosion, waste generation, and wildlife disturbance are common issues. In popular locations, increased visitor numbers can overwhelm limited waste management systems, leading to pollution and visual degradation.

Climate change interacts with human activity to increase environmental damage. In polar and mountain environments, permafrost thaw caused by rising temperatures destabilises ground surfaces. Infrastructure such as roads and buildings can accelerate thawing by absorbing heat, increasing erosion and landslide risk. This creates a feedback loop where human activity worsens environmental change.

Water resources are also affected. In arid environments, human use of scarce water for mining, tourism, or agriculture reduces availability for ecosystems. Over-extraction lowers water tables and threatens plant and animal life adapted to limited water supplies. In IB Geography, this highlights the vulnerability of extreme environments to unsustainable resource use.

Pollution is another concern. Waste disposal is difficult in remote regions, and pollutants often accumulate rather than disperse. Plastics, chemicals, and fuel residues can persist for long periods. In cold environments, snow and ice can trap pollutants, releasing them slowly over time and spreading contamination.

Despite these impacts, management and regulation can reduce environmental damage. Protected areas, strict environmental controls, and limits on development help preserve fragile ecosystems. However, enforcement is challenging due to remoteness and economic pressures.

Overall, human activity can have significant environmental impacts in extreme environments, including habitat damage, pollution, and long-term ecosystem disruption. Sustainable management is essential to balance economic use with environmental protection.

RevisionDojo helps IB Geography students understand human impacts in extreme environments clearly, linking physical fragility, human pressure, and sustainability into confident, exam-ready explanations.