Evaluate how regional differences and perspectives in the Western Hemisphere impact human and environmental interactions.
How Regional Differences Shape Human and Environmental Interactions in the Western Hemisphere
Imagine an open-world video game that covers North and South America. Different regions in the game have deserts, rainforests, icy tundra, and huge cities. You can’t use the same strategy everywhere, right? You would need different tools, clothes, and skills for each place. Something similar happens in the real Western Hemisphere: different regions have different environments, and people interact with them in different ways.
In this lesson, you will explore how regional differences and perspectives in the Western Hemisphere affect the way humans use, change, and protect the environment. You will see how geography shapes people’s lives—and how people, in turn, shape the land, water, air, and living things around them.
The Western Hemisphere includes North America, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America. It stretches from the icy Arctic in the north to the cold tip of Patagonia in the south, and includes everything in between: mountains, plains, forests, deserts, rivers, and oceans.
The map of the Western Hemisphere in [Figure 1] shows some major physical features and climate regions that strongly influence how people live.
A labeled map of the Western Hemisphere showing major regions (North America, Central America, Caribbean, South America), key physical features (Andes, Rockies, Amazon River, Great Lakes), and simple climate shading (tropical, temperate, arid, polar).
Major Physical Regions and Climates
Geography is a big part of why people in different regions interact with the environment in different ways. Three major physical features in the Western Hemisphere are especially important:
Mountains – including the Rocky Mountains in North America and the Andes in South America.
Plains and grasslands – such as the Great Plains in the United States and Canada, and the Pampas in Argentina.
Rainforests and forests – especially the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil and the boreal forests of Canada.
These regions also have different climates:
Tropical – hot and often rainy all year (for example, Amazon Basin, Caribbean islands).
Temperate – with four seasons (for example, much of the United States, southern Brazil, parts of Chile and Argentina).
Arid (dry) – deserts and semi-deserts (for example, northern Mexico, parts of the southwestern United States, Patagonia in Argentina).
Polar and subarctic – very cold for most of the year (for example, northern Canada, Greenland).
These differences in landforms and climate lead to different types of farming, housing, transportation, and even different ideas about how to use nature.
Human–Environment Interaction: The Big Idea
Human–environment interaction means the ways that humans depend on, adapt to, and change the environment. In the Western Hemisphere, people:
Depend on the environment for food, water, energy, and materials.
Adapt to climate and landforms by changing clothing, housing, and ways of traveling.
Change the environment through farming, building cities, mining, dams, and more.
But people in different regions do not all see the environment the same way. Their perspectives—their beliefs, traditions, and priorities—affect how they use and protect natural resources.
Case Study 1: The Amazon Rainforest (South America)
The Amazon region is one of the most important examples of human–environment interaction in the Western Hemisphere. It covers parts of Brazil, Peru, Colombia, and several other countries.
[Figure 2] shows how different human activities are connected to the Amazon’s rivers, forests, and settlements.
A simplified map-diagram of the Amazon Basin showing rainforest area, major rivers, indigenous villages, logging areas, cattle ranches, and an arrow legend indicating different human uses (logging, farming, conservation).
Environmental Features:
World’s largest rainforest.
Home to thousands of species of plants and animals.
Contains the Amazon River and many tributaries (smaller rivers that flow into it).
Stores huge amounts of carbon and helps regulate Earth’s climate.
Human Activities:
Indigenous communities (Native peoples who have lived there for thousands of years) often:
Hunt, fish, and gather fruit using traditional methods.
Practice small-scale farming that allows forests to regrow.
View the forest as sacred and as a living home, not just a “resource.”
Loggers and ranchers may:
Cut down trees to sell timber.
Clear land for cattle ranches (for beef) or large farms (such as for soybeans).
Build roads that allow more people to move into the forest.
Governments and companies sometimes:
See the Amazon as a place for economic growth and jobs.
Build dams for hydroelectric power.
Open mines for minerals and metals.
Different Perspectives:
Indigenous groups often want to protect large areas of forest and keep their traditional ways of life.
Environmentalists (scientists, activists) warn that deforestation harms biodiversity and speeds up climate change.
Business owners and some government leaders argue that using the forest for logging, farming, and mining helps the economy and reduces poverty.
These different perspectives sometimes conflict. For example, when a road is built into the rainforest, it can bring schools and clinics, but it can also lead to more deforestation. A key question in the Amazon is: How can people use the forest’s resources without destroying it?
Case Study 2: The Canadian North and Arctic Regions
Now travel far north in your mental “game world,” to the icy areas of Canada and Greenland. Here, the environment is cold, with permafrost (ground that stays frozen year-round) and sea ice.
Environmental Features:
Long, dark winters and short, cool summers.
Sea ice that forms and melts with the seasons.
Tundra with low-growing plants and few trees.
Wildlife such as polar bears, seals, caribou, and whales.
Human Activities:
Indigenous peoples such as the Inuit have lived here for thousands of years. They:
Traditionally hunt seals, whales, and caribou.
Use animal skins and fur for warm clothing.
Travel by dog sled and snowmobile over ice and snow.
Have deep traditional knowledge of the land, sea, and weather.
Modern industries include:
Mining for metals and minerals.
Oil and gas exploration.
Shipping routes through Arctic waters in the summer.
Impact of Climate Change:
Sea ice is melting earlier in spring and forming later in fall.
This affects hunting routes and the safety of travel.
Animals like polar bears are losing habitat.
New shipping lanes open up, which some countries and businesses see as an opportunity for trade.
Different Perspectives:
Inuit communities are worried about losing their traditional ways of life and food sources.
Environmental groups focus on protecting Arctic species and slowing climate change.
Governments and companies may see new chances for business in shipping and drilling.
These different points of view lead to debates about who should control Arctic resources and how to balance economic gains with environmental protection.
Case Study 3: Farming on the Great Plains and Pampas
Next, imagine a huge flat region of grass stretching for hundreds of miles. This is what parts of the Great Plains (in the central United States and Canada) and the Pampas (in Argentina and nearby countries) are like.
Environmental Features:
Mostly flat or gently rolling land.
Grasslands with fertile soil.
Moderate rainfall in some areas; dry in others.
Human Activities:
Large-scale agriculture: growing wheat, corn, soybeans, and other crops.
Ranching: raising cattle and other livestock.
Use of machines: tractors, harvesters, irrigation systems.
Exporting food: these regions feed not only their own countries, but also export grain and meat to the rest of the world.
Environmental Impacts:
Prairie grasslands were largely replaced by cropland.
Soil erosion can happen when wind or water carries away unprotected soil.
Heavy use of fertilizers and pesticides can affect rivers and lakes.
Irrigation (pumping water to fields) can reduce groundwater supplies.
Different Perspectives:
Farmers and ranchers often focus on producing enough food and earning a living.
Consumers and governments may want cheap food prices.
Environmental scientists encourage methods like planting cover crops, rotating crops, and protecting grasslands to keep soil healthy.
Some farmers now use more sustainable methods—ways of farming that protect soil, water, and biodiversity while still growing food. Their perspective is that caring for the land today keeps it productive for future generations.
Case Study 4: Cities, Coasts, and Hurricanes in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico
In the Caribbean, Central America, and along the Gulf of Mexico coast (for example, in Mexico and the southern United States), many people live near the ocean.
Environmental Features:
Warm, tropical or subtropical climate.
Beautiful beaches and coral reefs.
Risk of hurricanes—powerful storms with high winds and heavy rain.
Flooding and wind damage to homes, roads, and power lines.
Damage to coral reefs and coastal ecosystems.
Economic losses from destroyed businesses and farms.
Different Perspectives and Responses:
Local communities want safety, strong buildings, and quick help after storms.
Governments make rules about building codes, evacuation plans, and coastal protection.
Hotel owners and tourism businesses may want to build right on the coast for the best views, even if the area is at risk of flooding.
Environmental groups support protecting mangroves and wetlands, which help reduce storm damage.
Some places now see that natural features like mangrove forests, wetlands, and coral reefs can act like a shield, reducing storm waves. So there is a growing perspective that protecting nature also protects people and property.
Case Study 5: Water Use in the Western United States and Northern Mexico
In the western United States (such as Arizona, Nevada, and California) and northern Mexico, many areas are dry or semi-desert. Yet, millions of people live there, and there are huge cities like Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Phoenix.
Environmental Features:
Limited rainfall.
Rivers like the Colorado River that cross borders and supply water to many states and Mexico.
Desert plants and animals adapted to dry conditions.
Human Activities:
Building dams and reservoirs to store water.
Creating long canals and aqueducts to move water to cities and farms.
Using water for lawns, golf courses, and swimming pools, as well as for agriculture.
Environmental and Social Issues:
Rivers can be so heavily used that little water reaches the sea.
Wetlands and habitats for fish and birds may shrink or disappear.
Cities and farmers sometimes compete for the same limited water.
Droughts, made worse by climate change, can cause serious water shortages.
Different Perspectives:
City residents want enough water for daily life and recreation.
Farmers need water to grow crops that feed millions of people.
Indigenous communities may have traditional rights to water that are sometimes ignored or reduced.
Environmental groups argue for leaving enough water in rivers to keep ecosystems healthy.
These competing needs require careful planning and cooperation between regions and even between countries.
How Culture and History Shape Perspectives
Perspectives about the environment are not only about money or science. They are also shaped by:
Culture – beliefs, traditions, religion, and ways of life.
History – past events like colonization, treaties, and land ownership.
Indigenous knowledge – long-term understanding of local plants, animals, and weather.
Examples:
Many Indigenous peoples in North and South America see land and water as relatives or sacred beings, not just “things” to be owned.
Some countries in the Western Hemisphere have laws protecting certain forests, rivers, or species because of their cultural importance.
Past unfair treatment, such as taking land from Native groups, still affects who controls natural resources today.
This means that when decisions are made about building a dam, opening a mine, or protecting a forest, people bring different stories, memories, and values to the discussion.
Regional Cooperation and Conflict
Because the Western Hemisphere is made up of many countries, some environmental issues cross borders. This can lead to either cooperation or conflict.
[Figure 3] shows examples of shared environmental systems, such as river basins and ocean currents, that connect different countries.
Map of the Western Hemisphere highlighting shared systems: arrows for ocean currents, shading for Amazon Basin across countries, arrows along the Colorado River, and icons for shared fisheries in the Atlantic and Pacific.
Examples of Cooperation:
Countries around the Amazon Basin working together to reduce illegal logging.
The United States, Canada, and Mexico cooperating on air and water pollution issues.
Caribbean nations sharing information about hurricanes and disaster warnings.
Examples of Conflict:
Disagreements over how much water each country can take from a shared river.
Arguments about fishing rights in shared oceans.
Disputes over oil and gas resources, especially in ocean areas or the Arctic.
Whether regions choose cooperation or conflict often depends on their perspectives: Do they prioritize short-term gain, long-term environmental health, fairness to all communities, or a mix of these?
Technology and Changing Interactions
Modern technology has changed how people in the Western Hemisphere interact with the environment:
Agricultural technology (fertilizers, irrigation, genetically modified crops) increases food production, but can also affect soil and water.
Transportation technology (highways, airports, shipping) connects regions, but increases pollution and land use.
Energy technology (fossil fuels vs. renewable energy like wind and solar) changes how much carbon is released into the atmosphere.
Different regions are making different choices. For example:
Some countries invest heavily in hydroelectric dams, using rivers to produce electricity.
Others build wind farms or solar power plants to reduce pollution.
Some regions still depend mostly on oil, gas, or coal, which release more greenhouse gases.
Again, perspectives matter: some people focus on cost and reliability; others focus on climate change and long-term sustainability.
Everyday Connections for You
Even if you don’t live in the Amazon, the Arctic, or on a Caribbean island, your life is connected to these regions through:
The food you eat (grain, meat, fruits, and vegetables often come from faraway farms).
The products you use (wood, metals, and oil come from forests, mines, and wells).
The climate you experience (forests and oceans in the Western Hemisphere help control global temperature and weather).
The choices you make (using less energy, wasting less food, and recycling can reduce pressure on natural resources).
Understanding regional differences and perspectives helps you become a more informed global citizen who can think critically about how humans and the environment affect each other.
Key Points to Remember
To wrap up, here are the most important ideas:
The Western Hemisphere includes many different regions with different climates and landforms, such as the Amazon Rainforest, the Arctic, the Great Plains and Pampas, and tropical coasts.
Human–environment interaction includes how people depend on, adapt to, and change their surroundings.
Regional differences lead to different types of agriculture, industry, energy use, and settlement patterns.
Perspectives—shaped by culture, history, economics, and Indigenous knowledge—strongly influence how people use and protect natural resources.
There are often conflicts between economic growth and environmental protection, but also many examples of cooperation and sustainable practices.
Environmental issues in one region of the Western Hemisphere can affect people in other regions through climate, trade, and shared resources.
Your own choices and awareness are part of the larger human–environment story in the Western Hemisphere.
