| God gave humankind the role of manager over | | | | to replace a tree. Deforestation has catastrophic |
| the natural world. This task includes the care of all | | | | effects on soil fertility, and on the rich natural life |
| life on the earth, not just human life. It requires | | | | of the forests. |
| thought for future generations, as use of earth's | | | | Land Degradation |
| resources can do irreparable damage. | | | | The soil can be used for short-term gain so as to |
| Acid Rain | | | | impoverish its future fertility. This can happen |
| Power stations and some other industries | | | | through over-intensive farming and fertilization; or |
| discharge sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere. At | | | | through burning manure and trees for domestic |
| certain concentrations this returns to the earth in | | | | fuel, as in many poor countries. |
| acid rain, which may fall hundred's of miles from | | | | Nuclear Testing |
| the point of discharge. Trees begin to die and | | | | In the early days of testing nuclear weapons |
| rivers are poisoned. | | | | (1950s & 1960s), remote areas such as the |
| Air Pollution | | | | Pacific Islands and Australian deserts were badly |
| Densely populated areas with many industries | | | | affected by fallout. Test ban treaties have |
| suffer a reduction in the quality of the air people | | | | improved things, but what could be the results of |
| breathe. This is not good for people or for natural | | | | extending conflict into space? |
| life. Petrol fumes in some countries also have a | | | | Radioactive Waste |
| high lead content that may damage children's | | | | As nuclear fuels are increasingly used for energy, |
| mental health. | | | | the radioactive by-products have to be disposed |
| Dangerous Chemicals | | | | of. Sometimes they are dumped at sea. No |
| Chemical factories are often built in populated | | | | disposal method has yet been found that is |
| areas where labor is plentiful. Relatively small | | | | guaranteed harmless in the long-term and |
| mishaps can have disastrous consequences, as | | | | radioactive long-term is very long indeed. |
| when a gas explosion in Mexico City, or a cloud of | | | | Water Pollution |
| poisonous gas in Bhopal, India, killed many | | | | Rivers, lakes, and seas are sometimes poisoned |
| hundreds of people. | | | | by industrial waste, and sometimes polluted by oil |
| Deforestation | | | | spillage. Seabirds, fish, and other marine life are |
| The urgent need for wood products, especially | | | | gravely affected, and the balance of nature |
| for the paper industry, tempts countries shot of | | | | disturbed. |
| cash to allow excessive tree-felling. It takes years | | | | |