...Another contribution to environment degradation is water pollution and water use. A main water pollutant is from power plants and factories, which I already discussed how we can reduce these resources. The power plants and factories input sewage and toxic chemicals into our water sources. Also, large scale agriculture contributes to the water problems. With human population growing we need more food, which requires more land to cultivate for crops. We are trying to grow crops in areas not meant for agriculture, which requires heavy uses of water and pesticides. This runoff from fields puts sediments and pesticides into water, the pollutants collect in lakes and rivers before reaching the oceans. Another water problem is the misuse of the fresh water supply. I contribute to this as I shower, use the toilet, the sink, wash clothes and dishes. The problem with this is that waste water treatments release a lot of pollution. Most waste water is not treated adequately which means that water pollution intensifies as rivers flow to oceans and affects the environment at all levels. A few ways we can reduce the negative impact of water pollution and waste water is first to CONSERVE the water that we do have. We can use water saving devices on our showers and toilets, wash clothes and dishes only when you have a full load.
Also, conserve our water by conserving our electricity use. Another way to save our water supply from pollution is to use fewer pesticides, we can do this on our own and also by using organic products that do not rely as heavy on pesticides. If we put pressure on agriculture by purchasing organic products, then possibly it would become a more widely used practice. The most obvious environmental degradation that I can think of in my daily life is through solid wastes. Solid wastes are dumped, burned, and buried; the majority being paper products, cans and bottles. There are many problems with this practice such as the burning of these products causes more air pollution. Also, as these products are being dumped and buried we are running out of room in landfills so we have to clear area for more land fills. Not only that these landfills leak and lead to pollution of groundwater supplies. Also, these items that are thrown out may be able to be reused such as paper, which would reduce the need to destroy more trees for paper products.
Also, the recycling of paper reduces airborne pollutants released during paper manufacturing. I contribute in my daily life by throwing away many solid wastes that are hauled off to land fills, examples are diapers, cans from cooking, and paper and products from prepackaged products. The best way to reduce the negative impact from solid wastes is recycle and be aware of the products that we are purchasing. We can refuse to buy goods that are excessively wrapped, packaged in nondegradable containers and designed for one time use. The most effective way to reduce the amount of solid wastes is recycling; this would greatly reduce the amount of "stuff" in the landfills. As stated before human population growth is reaching an amount that is detrimental to the environment. We have to clear more areas and use deforestation to have room for all of the habitants of the earth. This contributes to the increase in carbon dioxide and increases the ozone reduction which is very dangerous to our atmosphere.
The growth also increases the demand for wood and other forest products and need for more land for agriculture. The increase of agriculture for food requires people to use land not normally used for agriculture which requires use of pesticides and heavy irrigation. This leads to water shortages and water pollution, which has already been discussed...

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