Effect of Pollution

             Trash and pollution continue to pile up upon the Cuyahoga River. After many years of neglect, the pollution has reached its breaking point, and the river catches on fire. The city raced to put out the fire but was helpless. All they could do was watch helplessly as the fire burned itself out. Cleveland's major waterway has caught on fire due to the carelessness of the city and its people. The fire could have been prevented if people would have taken the time to keep the river clean. Protection of the environment is vital. Without protecting the environment, it will become a very inhospitable place for our generation and generations to come.
             The use of fossil fuels is slowly ruining our beautiful nation. Burning fossil fuels, such as coal, can have disastrous effects. One consequence can be acid rain. Acid rain can burn holes in plants or turn them brown. It can make the soil very acidic, thereby inhibiting the growth of new plants or killing off old plants. If these plants die, then it is possible whole ecosystems could be destroyed. Who knows what the consequences of this might have on the wild life? Air pollution also can have disastrous effects on humans. Air pollution makes it harder for people to breathe. This is especially true with children, the elderly, and people with respiratory problems. Water and ground pollution pose major health problems too. Pollution can contaminate water, making it undrinkable. Pollution that is released into the ground can seep into the ground water, making it undrinkable. Any animals that drink the contaminated water are affected too. Any water that is contaminated becomes unusable. Without fresh, drinkable water we all suffer.
             Protection of the forest areas is essential to keeping the United States beautiful. Forests provide many different things. For one, they help to purify the air we breathe. Without the trees of the forest, the air would be a lot much dirtier.