Air pollution is not a new topic. It's a problem we've noticed since the industrial revolution, when trees, houses and cars were covered in soot from factories. People were demanding change then, just as they are demanding it now. With all the talk about acid rain, global warming and ozone depletion it seems hopeless, but it's not. Everyone can make a difference. After reading this you will understand the causes, effects and possible solutions to the problems of acid rain, global warming and ozone depletion. You will also see that things are bad but not hopeless. Acid rain is the term given to any precipitation that is above normal acidity, including snow and fog. It occurs when moisture in the air mixes with carbon, nitrogen and sulfur gases. These gases are released into the air by the burning of fossil fuels (natural gas, coal and oil). The primary source of the gases comes from power companies that burn coal. The damage caused by acid rain is enormous. The acid in the rain binds to minerals in the soil, binding them so plants can't use them. The plant becomes mineral deficient and weak. Rain also kills the plant's leaves, further weakening it and making it more susceptible to fungi and other diseases. This is a serious agricultural problem. Rain affects lakes, rivers and the animals that live in them. Plants in lakes and rivers are killed in the same way as land plants. Fish and other animals remain without food. Animals that survive are killed by metals that are absorbed into the water from the soil when acid binds to them. Many architectural structures are destroyed by acid rain. Most of the concrete used to construct our buildings is made from… half paper… only keep the lights on in the room you are in. If you turn off the lights when you leave a room and don't leave all the lights on in your house, Detroit Edison will have to produce less electricity, which means less coal will be burned and less CO2 and other gases will be produced and released into the air. . Another easy way to help is to plant a tree in your yard or participate in a tree planting program. Buy pump bottles instead of spray cans, or you can carpool to school or work. There's no reason why you should drive alone when you know about 10 people who go to the same place you are every single day. Drive slower, it may seem strange, but the faster you go, the faster your engine runs, the more fuel it uses and the more gases are released into the air. Even just by driving within the speed limit or five below you can help save the environment.