Although industrialization and modernization have dramatically improved the quality of our lives, they have also largely contributed to the destruction of our natural resources by engendering waste and creating depletion through overuse. As the world's population continues to grow and consume, litter, chemicals, and a host of other harmful products overrun our land, air, and water. This intriguing volume examines the various pollutants and human activities that threaten the natural world, with a special look at deforestation and desertification.