Indirect effects

Indirect effects refer to the impacts that occur not by the primary action itself but through its influence on other factors or processes. For example, a new highway might not only improve travel time directly but could also lead to increased business activity and population growth in nearby areas. These secondary outcomes are indirect effects—consequences resulting from the initial change, often influencing the environment, economy, or community in ways not immediately apparent. Understanding indirect effects is important because they help us see the broader, long-term consequences beyond the immediate outcomes.