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. We have relied to heavily on synthetic fertilizers, insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides which can have negative effects on the soil. Much of Ontario's best agricultural land can be seen from the top of the CN Tower.