Leads to rising sea level and coastal inundation, drought, heat waves, tropical storms, damaged ecosystems, species extinction, changes in agricultural productivity, etc. These pollutants can cause bronchitis and pneumonia, irritate the lungs, and cause childhood asthma. Nitrogen oxides cause the brown haze seen over many cities.
Ozone can cause permanent lung damage and reduce crop yields.
Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides contribute to acid rain, which causes the death of lakes the world over The Adirondacks, even remote parts of Alaska. Water Pollution Oil spills Coal mining acids run off into waterways. Thermal water pollution water is heated to make steam for electrical generation and kills aquatic life when returned to water. Land Destruction Hydropower dams flood and destroy forestland, native lands, and destroy fish migratory routes.