1. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

2. WHAT IS THE ENVIRONMENT? Look around and describes the things you see. You can find other living things as they are your friends, the trees and birds, but also find sunlight, air, soil, temperature, water (in rivers, pools or humidity), other plants and other animals. When we speak of the environment we mean all the elements that surround us. Caring for the environment is essential for life, but some human actions harm it. The main causes of environmental destruction are pollution, overexploitation of resources (land, hunting, fishing) and habitat destruction

3. HOW pollute the environment? Did you notice the color of the sky in a big city? It is usually gray, even though it is cloudy. Do you know why? This color is due to the smoke emitted from exhaust from cars, factories, heating systems, etc.. In January 1989 the children of Mexico City had an extra month in school holidays due to air pollution! And they also contaminate water and soil, such as when trash or pour pesticides and some fertilizers used on crops. THE overfishing The two most important forms of exploitation, or excessive use of natural resources are over-exploitation of land and indiscriminate hunting and fishing. The overuse of the land. In some regions, if we sow a crop for many years in a row, while resting the land, after a few years the soil becomes impoverished and harvests were reduced. We say that the soil has lost its topsoil. This soil, which initially provided good harvests, can even become a desert area

5. The indiscriminate hunting and fishing. Some animals are seriously endangered in some areas due to hunting and fishing out of control. When we hunt animals or fish in large quantities, these animals can become extinct. In Africa, the number of rhinos has been declining for the past few years because these animals have been hunted illegally in order to get his horn, the hunter then sold in underground markets.

7. HOW DOES destroy the natural environment? Sometimes, the processes of nature, like the eruption of a volcano, an earthquake or flood, damage the soil and vegetation in a region. In August 1883, a volcanic eruption destroyed much of Krakatau island, situated in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Indonesia. This island had an area of 47 km2. Sometimes human beings are altering and destroying the environment, for example by cutting down trees, build roads or introducing alien species. Deforestation. Have you thought about the paper you use every day to write or clean? The paper is made from wood, ie trees. Therefore, you should know that every time you use non-recycled paper, it is because a tree has been cut. If we cut trees out of control can destroy entire forests! Not only that, it destroys the place where many animals. We also contribute to reducing air quality, for the trees, like all plants, purify the air, transforming carbon dioxide into oxygen.

9. The construction of roads, tunnels and other public works. Sometimes, to build a road or bridge, you have to cut trees or remove fields of crops. In building the largest dam in Portugal have been sunk under water more than a million trees! Therefore, to build houses, tunnels, dams, etc., Modifying the environment and living beings living there often have to travel to other places to find food and shelter. What will happen on the coast when building apartments and hotels to accommodate tourists? What to do in the mountains to build a ski slope?

10. The introduction of alien species. The vehicles have been provided for many centuries people travel from one continent to another. Often, these people bring animals, either as food (livestock), or simply as pets. When these animals "land" in a new ecosystem, can cause major damage to him, sometimes irreparable. In Spain, for example, the introduction of American crayfish has removed many rivers to the native crayfish.

11. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ENVIRONMENT FOR LIFE ON EARTH As you may have already noticed, the environment is vital for you and all living things that inhabit the Earth, our planet. Now remember what you just read and answer: Who is responsible for the destruction of the environment? The answer is simple: the perpetrators are almost always human beings. It is somewhat shocking, right? We, we need plants and animals to feed and enjoy the beaches and mountains, we are destroying forests, polluting beaches ... Can you think of a solution?

15. I like to live well in a quiet and full of life?

19. Or in a place where you can not even breathe, and appreciate the beauty of life ...

20. Think for a moment in people who do not have what we have. They would give anything to be here to appreciate the wonder of our country. Here, most all they want is to have the finer things, luxury cars, which are fashionable and brand it, but look around: they have food, clothing, toys. And only by a quirk of not having something they want, they think they are the most unlucky person, but do not see the reality of our planet, while many do not have to eat, they would give anything for a scoop of food, many prefer not to eat that is fashionable to be thin, and will not be mocked by others. Think of our planet and with a little help from every one of us can do great things ...