From the beginning of the industrial revolution, pollution has become an increasing concern. With the development technology there has come the threat of acid rain, global warming (the Greenhouse effect), and the deterioration of the protective Ozone layer around the Earth . The destruction of the Ozone layer allows harmful  ultra-violet radiation to get through into our atmosphere creating problems such as the increased risk of developing skin cancer . Air pollution has brought a significant increase in respiratory diseases and illnesses, such as asthma and bronchitis.

The main source of the pollutants tend to be (i) from the burning of fossil fuels, releasing carbon dioxide and sulphur oxides (ii) deforestation through burning which give off gases such as carbon dioxide, (iii) the extensive usage of CFC's in propellants in paints to deodorants, insulations and coolants in refrigerators (iv) vehicle and air craft emissions (vi) solvents (vii)  bio-decay from both in water-logged areas , and (viii) animals which create methane and other hydrocarbons.

 It isn't just our immediate health that is endanger, the pollution also can have a limited effect on the economy. Those countries who have a large part of their economy that is dependent upon their agriculture produce can under go serious difficulties if pollution levels increase any more. Temperatures and climates are changing all over the world, acid rain and its affect and dry deposition. Because of acid rain the soil needs more lime to make it amenable for crop growth, which means an increase in cost and decrease in profits. Also,  livestock suffer through the polluted rain because it causes an increase in the toxicity in metals and feeding plants. The dry deposition can cause an increase in crop diseases, fall in crop growth and seedling failure. These factors contribute to mass crop failure , leading to mass starvation and the economical disaster for the entire country.

 Society is beginning to recognise the potential crisis that is looming on the horizon. There are numerous monitoring stations world wide set up by the World Health Organisation (W.H.O). These stations gather local data on the levels of atmospheric pollution. These results can then give a picture of the worlds pollution levels in general. However, monitoring levels is not enough, since the problems must be tackled at source. Regulations, together with new advancements in 'clean ' technology are now helping the avert the crisis. New clean sources of energy ,  called renewables, are being researched such as wind powered generators, solar power and tidal power. In certain parts of America there are local polices in recycling household waste. Also in parts of the U.S.A. and France there have been trials on traffic control  (i.e. cars with certain letters on their number plates can not drive on roads on certain days and in some cases no cars at all are allowed  to drive in a certain day in a particular part of the town. New regulations also limit and restrict the dismantling of refrigerators (refrigerators contain CFC's when dismantled wrong can cause a release of these dangerous gases into the atmosphere). The world is beginning to take responsibility for the Earth and slowly but surely starting to do something about the damage we have caused to it. But there are a few more things we could do. Bring the dangers of pollution into schools ; educating the leaders of tomorrow in detail , and showing them that the individuals can really make a difference.