ACID RAIN

Acid Rain
The term acid rain refers to what scientists call acid deposition.  It is caused by airborne acidic pollutants and has highly destructive results.

Acid Rain – Causes
The primary causes of acid rain are sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.  These chemicals are released by certain industrial processes.

Acid Rain – Effects
Scientists today are convinced that acid rain is severe in many areas, and that it is having an adverse effect on the environments of those locations.

Acid Rain – Solutions
Various ways to limit acid rain have been invented, and some are now being used.

AIR POLLUTION

Air Pollution
Every time we breath, we risk inhaling dangerous chemicals that have found their way into the air.

Air Pollution – Causes
There are many different chemical substances that contribute to air pollution.  These chemicals come from a variety of sources.

Air Pollution – Effects
Every year, the health of countless people is ruined or endangered by air pollution.

Air Pollution – Solutions
Governments, scientists and environmentalists are using or testing a variety of methods aimed at reducing pollution.

GLOBAL WARMING

Global Warming
Global warming is called the greenhouse effect because the gases that are gathering above the earth make the planet comparable to a greenhouse.

Global Warming – Causes
Global warming has a variety of causes, from overpopulation to emission of gases.

Global Warming – Effects
To know just what the effects of global warming will be in the future is extremely difficult, if not impossible.

Global Warming – Solutions
There are a variety of ways of dealing with global warming, each attempting to combat one of the many causes of it.

HAZARDOUS WASTE

Hazardous Waste
In addition to releasing gases and particles into the atmosphere, humans produce waste that is dumped on the environment.  Often, this waste is hazardous and dangerous to both nature and human life.

Hazardous Waste – Causes
Hazardous waste is produced both on a huge scale by major industries and on a relatively tiny scale by individuals.

Hazardous Waste – Effects
Every year, major health problems result from hazardous waste.

Hazardous Waste – Solutions
Despite the fact that the problem receives less attention than many other environmental threats, some successful solutions to the problem of hazardous have been suggested and used.

OZONE DEPLETION

Ozone Depletion
The ozone layer protects the Earth from the ultraviolet rays sent down by the sun.  If the ozone layer is depleted by human action, the effects on the planet could be catastrophic.

Ozone Depletion – Causes
The production and emission of CFCs, chlorofluorocarbons, is by far the leading cause of ozone depletion.

Ozone Depletion – Effects
Even minor problems of ozone depletion can have major effects.  Every time even a small amount of the ozone layer is lost, more ultraviolet light from the sun can reach the Earth.

Ozone Depletion – Solutions
Because CFCs are so widespread and used in such a great variety of products, limiting use of them is hard.  Also, since many products already contain components that use CFCs, it would be difficult if not impossible to eliminate those CFCs already in existence.

SMOG

Smog
The word smog is a combination of the words smoke and fog.  It causes a smoky dark atmosphere to arise over cities and decreases visibility.

Smog – Causes
Smog can be decreased by limiting those processes that create it.  In the United States, where huge amounts of smog are produced, action is being taken to reduce smog levels.

Smog – Effects
Smog creates many harmful health effects.  It can cause anything from minor pain to deadly diseases such as lung cancer.

Smog – Solutions
Smog is caused by many factors.  The smog that enters the atmosphere consists of over 100 chemicals, many coming from different sources.

WATER POLLUTION

Water Pollution
The problem of ocean pollution affects every nation around the world.  This is especially true because water is able to transport pollution from one location to another.

Water Pollution – Causes
Sewage, sludge, garbage, and even toxic pollutants are all dumped into the water.  Often, governments either do not care or simply look the other way.

Water Pollution – Effects
The effects of water pollution are varied and depend on what chemicals are dumped and in what locations.

Water Pollution – Solutions
Many laws against water pollution remain weak, and many countries do not restrict water pollution.  However, public anger is helping to create some legislation.

OTHER

Overpopulation
The world population is now threatening to reach the stage where there are simply too many people for the planet to support.

Rain Forest Destruction
Rain forests are being quickly destroyed as well, and their survival is questionable.