| What do the human body and the planet earth have in | | | | also consider all the other life forms that suffer - the |
| common? | | | | fishes and other animals such as birds, and plants. And |
| Water. If the human body has about two-thirds water, | | | | what happens when humans eat the very fishes that |
| our planet has about 70% of it, which establishes the | | | | live in polluted waters? Do you still want that |
| fact that water constitutes a major portion in both | | | | answered? |
| body masses. And that is what's alarming. If 70% of | | | | But where there is life, there is hope. There is |
| the earth's surface is made up of water, then | | | | something that we can do - you can do - to save the |
| humankind should have been very wary of anything | | | | only planet that we have. You could be an advocate, |
| that would pollute this major portion of the planet. Alas, | | | | in your own simple way, of retrieving the lost beauty of |
| the human race has done otherwise. Water pollution is | | | | oceans, lakes, rivers and streams. Here is a list that |
| now a global problem. | | | | might get you to consider in fighting water pollution: |
| Today, water pollution is rampant and the chief source | | | | 1. Primarily, you should prevent water pollution. Just like |
| of water pollution is the human race. We are the very | | | | an illness, it is much simpler to prevent its occurrence |
| ones that need water most and, yet, we have polluted | | | | rather than to cure. Begin at your own home. Make |
| it, even to the brink of extinction. | | | | sure that you conserve water. You can never imagine |
| There are many types of water pollutants but these | | | | the water shortages that happen all over the globe. So |
| can be segregated into four classifications: natural, | | | | if you have a constant supply of water at home, use it |
| agricultural, municipal and industrial pollutants. Natural | | | | wisely. |
| water pollutants could include all the natural phenomena | | | | 2. Plant trees (if circumstance would allow you). Having |
| that happen from time to time such as volcanic | | | | more trees or plants in your yard would prevent |
| eruptions, earthquakes that cause major upheavals in | | | | pollutants from flowing freely into nearby bodies of |
| the ocean floor and storms that cause flashfloods. | | | | water. Since they keep the soil from eroding, water |
| Even global warming could be qualified as a cause of | | | | pollution or, at least, the quality of the water is |
| water pollution. | | | | improved. |
| Agricultural pollution consists mainly of poultry and other | | | | 3. Do not throw any form of garbage into any body of |
| agricultural animal wastes that are carelessly thrown | | | | water. Sign up for any organization that aims in |
| off to bodies of water near farms. It could also be the | | | | cleaning up beaches (or lakes, or streams). Be an |
| fertilizers or pesticides that are used to make better | | | | active member of such organizations. |
| crops, which erode into lakes, rivers or streams. | | | | 4. Never throw water pollutants down your sink or |
| Municipal wastes are those that come from residential | | | | toilet bowl. Make sure to dispose wastewater properly. |
| areas. This is the liquid waste that households throw | | | | Think of the many septic tanks that contribute to |
| into bodies of water. Industrial pollution consists of all | | | | water pollution. Now, 'get the picture? |
| the wastes that major industrial firms chuck into the | | | | Luckily, for all of us, there were concerned lawmakers |
| waters. This last classification is the most severe and | | | | out there that have made legislations on water |
| most rampant among the three - and it is also the one | | | | pollution. The U.S. alone has several anti-water pollution |
| that has caused the most damage. Industrial waste | | | | laws such as the Federal Water Pollution Control Act |
| could include contaminants that are hard to take off | | | | of 1972, The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, and the |
| from the waters once they spread - petroleum from | | | | Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, |
| oil spills or nuclear wastes. | | | | which was amended in 1988. These laws prevent |
| The bodies of water in the world are in catastrophic | | | | further damage to U.S. waters. |
| danger, what with all the industries in the world today, | | | | Although water pollution is an extensive problem, |
| plus our individual wastes all put together! No wonder | | | | bridling it is still possible. And everything begins with |
| mankind now drinks from bottles instead of just | | | | each and every individual in each and every home. |
| scooping water from running streams. The effects of | | | | And yes, that population includes YOU. |
| water pollution to humanity is staggering. But we should | | | | |