Human destruction of habitats is threatening current global stability, and if not addressed, ecosystems will be irreversibly affected. Science and technology are pursued for different purposes. Scientific inquiry is driven by the desire to understand the natural world, and technological design is driven by the need to meet human needs and solve human problems. Technological solutions may create new problems. Sometimes scientific advances challenge people's beliefs and practical explanations concerning various aspects of the world.
Human populations use resources in the environment in order to maintain and improve their existence.
Natural resources have been and will continue to be used to maintain human populations. Humans use many natural systems as resources. Natural systems have the capacity to reuse waste, but that capacity is limited. Natural systems can change to an extent that exceeds the limits of organisms to adapt naturally or humans to adapt technologically.