Man's overdependence on fossil fuels is a fundamental threat to the existence of all other life forms. We are currently extinguishing other species at a rate that is far greater than before the age of industrialization. Since the modern age began, humans have repeatedly taken over habitats and eliminated any competing or inconvenient organisms, in an ongoing effort to progress and expand.

Humans are now threatening the very existence of the planet by altering its climate through fossil fuel combustion, the leading contributor to the development of global warming. As a result, we have already seen the onset of more severe storms, hurricanes, tornadoes and droughts around the world. Hurricane Katrina may be just the beginning.

To learn more about the environmental impact and how you can support organizations currently working on these issues:

Sierra Club
America's oldest, largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, which practices and promotes the responsible use of the earth's ecosystems and resources and educates and enlists humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment.

Union of Concerned Scientists
UCS is an independent nonprofit alliance of more than 100,000 concerned citizens and scientists that conducts technical studies on renewable energy options, the impacts of global warming, the risks of genetically engineered crops, and other related topics and share the results of their research with policymakers, the news media and the public.

Natural Resources Defense Council
NRDC is one of the nation's most effective environmental action organizations, using law, science and the support of over one million members and online activists to protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all living things. The NRDC website includes information on clean air and energy, global warming, wildlife, health and the environment.

World Wildlife Fund
WWF leads international efforts to protect endangered species and their habitats, working in more than 100 countries around the globe to conserve the diversity of life on earth. WWF directs its conservation efforts toward three global goals: saving endangered species, protecting endangered habitats and addressing global threats such as toxic pollution, over-fishing and climate change.