Land, air and water pollution is destroying our planet at a faster rate than anyone may have anticipated. It is important to first understand the causes of pollution in order to help combat it. Pollution is all around us, but we can make a difference by being aware and by making simple changes.

One of the most common causes of pollution is the exhaust that comes from cars. Some people drive everywhere, even if it is right down the block. A simple way to correct this is to rely less on cars and more on eco-friendly modes of transportation such as riding bikes or walking.

Pesticides and chemical fertilizers are a major contributor to water pollution. Water from rain or sprinklers causes the pesticides and chemical fertilizer to travel into the waterways. In order to help combat this problem, use natural fertilizers, learn how to manage weeds the natural way and use traps to get rid of pests.

Another one of the major causes of pollution is people disposing of items in an incorrect manner. For example, someone may take a perfectly good couch and put it on the curb for trash pick-up. An alternative would be to donate it to a charity or put an advertisement in the paper or online for someone to purchase it or get it free. Before disposing of anything, it is important to decide if it can be reused, given away, sold, or recycled in a proper manner. It has a much better result then the item sitting in a landfill.

There are areas around the world where people are dumping untreated sewage into the same water that they are using for drinking, cooking and bathing. This is not only one of the causes of pollution, but it is a serious health hazard and can lead to diseases and death. Some areas and countries simply do not have the proper water treatment facilities. To help fight this problem, even from a half a world away, you can donate money to charities that help set up wells that bring clean water to areas that may otherwise not be able to have it.

While throwing a piece of paper on the ground or not recycling may not seem like a big deal, it is something that leaves a negative impression on the future of the planet. Every little change for the environment that a person makes can help fight the causes of pollution, but it also works the opposite way if a person chooses to do nothing. If everyone does their part, the world can be a much cleaner place.