One of the main causes of pollution is over-consumption. However, this category does not just include over-consumption of products. It also includes the over-use of natural resources and non-renewable resources. The fact of the matter is that as a nation we are consuming resources faster than nature can reproduce them. Clear cutting forests (removing all tree species) is a common practice today. It may not be happening in your back yard but that does not mean it will not have direct effects. Not only is a practice like clear cutting horrible for the surrounding ecosystem the once belonged to, but it also reduces the biodiversity (number of different species in an area) by vast amounts. In America today old growth forests (a forest that has never been harvested) are hard to come by because 90-95% have already been harvested in some way or another.
There are three main types of non-renewable resources: fossil fuels, iron and other metals, and clay.
Renewable resources include: solar energy, wind, tides, and flowing water to name a few. These resources, however, also need to be conserved for future use.
Over-consumption also accounts for the mass amounts of garbage Americans produce. In America, those who have the means think nothing of "buying new" whenever the urge arises. For example, it is not unheard of for families to buy a new car every few years. Nor is it unusual for people to throw away perfectly fixable appliances, bicycles, or clothing to name just a few. Packaging of food and other products is also something the average american citizen thinks little of. Purchasing more and more leads to throwing more and more away. Here's something to think about: The U.S.A. makes up 4.7% of the global population yet we produce 33% of the worlds solid waste which equals 11 billion metric tons per year. That is lots of garbage! So What Can I Do to Help!
Questions? Contact Kirsten Grisham
at grishakd@uwec.edu
Page Last Updated 4/03/03
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