Abstract An environment consists of the surroundings and conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates and is affected by living and non-living factors. This paper will examine the factors of air pollution, deforestation, and water pollution and will assess the damage the cause to the environment and why change is needed. Not all environmental factors have a negative affect either; there have also been positive changes that help shape the everyday life on this planet. Introduction One of the biggest problems for the environment has been the depletion of the ozone layer, which plays a big role in protecting Earth from the Suns damaging ultra-violet radiation. Neither air pollution, deforestation, nor water pollution bring out a good outcome. These factors do not just hurt the environment but cause stress on humans, wild life and destroy natural resources. Recent studies have stated, During the last 150 years, earths average temperature has increased and earth has slowly become warmer. Hundred years ago, the average temperature of the earth was about 13.7C (56.5F). Today, it is closer to 14.4C (57.9F). Doesnt seem like much only a degree, but believe it or not it should take many centuries for it to raise that much (Saini, 2010). Water Pollution Water pollution is strictly a chemical, physical or biological disturbance that has changed the quality of the water. This has a major affect on not only the environment, but also humans and other living organisms in their natural habitats. Water pollution occurs in oceans, rivers, lakes, bays, and even groundwater. Contaminated water can cause major problems to the human body such as vomiting, diarrhea, skin rashes etc. Sometimes in the worst cases can cause cancer like leukemia, can happen after drinking contaminated water for a long period of time. Mexico for instance has an on going water epidemic occurring. Not only are they short on water supply but very polluted and cause many to become sick if they are not adjusted to it. Furthermore, even in the United States there are problems associated with contaminated waters; in many areas nationwide with residential service the water is not fit to drink, a problem that is exacerbated by people having to buy expensive bottled water to drink and for cooking (Thompson, 2005 ). The earth is made up of 71% of water, 97.1% of that water is salt water from the ocean. Leaving less than 3% fresh water (CAIN, 2010). This leaves us was a large amount of salt water, which is not beneficial for most living organisms including humans but helps the oceanic organism by bringing them tons of nutrients. Animals and humans only have a small portion of usable fresh water stored underground ground water that makes up almost less than 1%. If the water pollution keeps up we will soon become sick and eventually die. According to Copeland (2009), there are 5 major sources of water pollution [and they include] sewage and fertilizer, acid rain, non-point sources, oil industry, and heat. Sewage is least of the problem in the United States, but still contributes, as it c