But today's environmental issues are very different. Many are global in scope. You may have read about global warming, the possibility that the Earth's climate is increasing and becoming hotter, due to an increase in atmospheric gases like carbon dioxide, generated from cars, buses, factories and power plants. People are also working on ozone depletion, a seasonal lessening of the amount of ozone in the atmosphere high above Antarctica. This condition increases the risk for skin cancer that we all face.
Habitat loss is another global issue scientists and environmentalists are addressing.
Many habitats are in trouble. We must prevent habitat loss in order to prevent the loss of biodioversity the decline in the number of species inhabiting our planet. Ecologists are working hard worldwide, hoping to save natural habitats that include the coral reefs, rainforests and prairies. The problems and challenges of rainforest preservation are a good example. Much of the tropical landscape is covered by rainforests huge expanses of land that include many species of plants and animals.