The rainforests are being destroyed even though they contain half the world's trees and possibly as many as 10 million species of plants and animals. In the Amazon, for instance, large tracks of the forest are presently being cleared to meet the demand for wood products. The Brazilian government has provided incentives for their people to slash, burn, and clear areas to make room for farms. Here farmers graze beef cattle for the fast food industry of North America. This carnage is taking place at the rate of one football field per second.
Deforestation is a major concern around the world.
Scientists have found over 1000 industrial pollutants in the Great Lakes that pose health risks to wildlife and humans. Onshore pollution threatens drinking water quality and limits recreational use of beaches and lakes. Sulfur dioxide is released from burning coal, oil and natural gas refining, and pulp and paper production. Coral reefs balance ocean food chains and play an important role in ocean ecosystems. In the past farmers have been forced to emphasize producing maximum yields thus proper soil management was ignored.