Urbanization

This is what urbanization looks like in some parts of Africa today.

Although this is not America, the United States is rapidly growing and

could resemble this in the near future. This is a prime example of 

why we need to limit our resources before we run out.

   Urbanization refers to the increasing number of people that live in urban areas. This results in the physical growth of urban areas vertically and horizontally versus rural areas. Urbanization began in the time of industrial revolution when people flocked to large cities in search for jobs and a better life due to the decrease in need for agriculture. This has been the case in America for decades as well as other areas of the world. Developing countries are beginning to have increases in urbanization, which is causing mass homelessness and low resources. People are turning to the worst case scenario in order to stay alive including food, water, and everyday needs. Those who have no resources at all readily available to them are turning to contaminated water to wash dishes, clothes, and even themselves. Children are becoming ill because they are so thirsty that they are drinking the same water that is being bathed in and excreted in by humans and animals. Many of us do not realize this because we have available running water and it is all clean but most countries have no running water and most of the water is not clean. In some places in the world, families wait in lines for hours just to fill up jugs of water to carry all the way home. This water will last for close to a week depending on how many people live in the house and how frequently the water is used. Urbanization is causing more trash to build up in small water sources and is being carried to larger lakes and oceans. The increase I'm litter is causing chemical and other dangerous substances to leak into water sources. Believe it or not, urbanization is also causing erosion and sedimentation to occur in heavily populated areas. Although population growth is not in anyones control, we can all do our part in keeping these areas clean and healthy to live in. A few things we can do to help is keeping trash, animal waste, and debris out of draining systems. We can also dispose of waste including antifreeze, paints, oils, etc. properly. Cleaning up oil spills, break fluids, antifreeze, and grease can eliminate contamination in water sources. Controlling soil erosion and encouraging local government officials to develop construction erosion/ sediment control ordinances in your community. Have your septic system pumped and inspected every 3-5 years to make sure it is working properly. Other than trash and chemicals, pathogens can also enter freshwater through feces and food that contaminate water sources. This is the reason for so many people falling ill in developing countries. Pathogens cannot be  seen by the human eye and do not make water look dirty. Most people will drink water if it looks clean regardless of where it came from. These pathogens cause hundreds off illnesses and deaths yearly worldwide. Many of us know that water is an issues in other countries and can become and issue in the states very soon for humans, but we fail to realize that our habits of not taking care of the environment is killing wildlife, especially aquatic life. There is a food chain on earth and if we damage the very bottom of it will we will be next.