The longer people have been around, the greater their effect on the environment. In one or two paragraphs, explain how this trend began with the Neolithic Revolution. Also, describe how humans' impact on the environment increased after the first civilizations started.

The Neolithic Revolution, which took place around 12,000 years ago, marks a significant turning point in human history. This was the period when human beings began to shift from a nomadic lifestyle of hunting and gathering to one that was more settled, characterized by agriculture and the domestication of animals. As people learned to farm and live in one place, they transformed the landscape by clearing forests to create fields, diverting water for irrigation, and modifying plants and animals through selective breeding. This led to the growth of permanent settlements, and subsequently, the first civilizations.

These early civilizations had a profound impact on the environment. The growth in population and technological advancements led to increased demand for resources, resulting in more intensive farming practices, the expansion of agricultural land, and the exploitation of natural resources like minerals and timber. The development of cities further altered natural landscapes and ecosystems. With the rise of dense urban centers came the need for infrastructure such as roads and buildings, which involved significant alterations to the environment. Additionally, these early civilizations often engaged in warfare, leading to the destruction of land and resources. Overall, the establishment of the first civilizations dramatically magnified human influence on the environment, setting a pattern that has continued to expand to this day.