We are exhausting many natural resources that are essential to human life. Resources such as plants, animals, water, fossil fuels and air are all being destroyed by our “throwaway culture”. The United States is by far the most wasteful nation in the world. In 1999, the United States consumed approximately 25% of the total energy used throughout the world (Total Primary Energy Consumption 4). Americans love luxury, and we could run out of natural resources soon if we do not prepare for the future. Plants and trees are declining at an alarming rate. It seems like we always hear of some new subdivision or highway being built. Deforestation usually

The increase of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere has led to yet another environmental crisis. When carbon dioxide is absorbed by atmospheric water, along with nitric and sulfuric acid, this creates acid rain. “The main sources of acid rain are to be found in the industrialized areas of the northern hemisphere” (Acid Rain 13). Acid rain was recognized in the bodies of waters around these industrialized areas. Acid rain has its effects on the natural environment and industrialized areas. The acidity levels in bodies of water have had a severe impact upon marine life. Mature fish died from this but the greatest impact was on the reproduction of fish. “As a result, fish populations in many rivers and lakes in eastern North America, Britain and Scandinavia have declined noticeably in the past two to three decades and hundreds of lakes are now completely devoid of fish” (Acid Rain 14).

To preserve the environment for the future, the government will have to implement some changes in the way our energy and resources are being consumed. We must improve on our energy efficiency to lessen the carbon dioxide produced into the air. Renewable energies such as solar, wind and hydropower will need to be used more because these can provide the same amount of energy as fossil fuels but does not contribute to global warming. Transportation is also a huge problem in the fight against pollution. Some cities have even deemed their air unsafe because of all the smog put in the air from big trucks and buses. The least efficient and most polluting automobile is ironically the most popular. The Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) consumes more gas and emits carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Electric and fuel-cell automobiles can

Some topics in this essay:
Energy Star, Destruction Earth, Recycling Generation, Vehicle SUV, Acid Rain, Southwest United, Waste Statistics, Fuel Burning, Energy Consumption, Energy DOE, carbon dioxide, acid rain, fossil fuels, energy star, preserve earth, people world, curbside recycling, natural resources, amount carbon dioxide, fossil fuel, dioxide atmosphere, carbon dioxide atmosphere,