In some ways I feel just a bit cynical about the whole thing. There are definitely some very harmful effects on the animal world, and us, as a result of chemical wastes and other stuffs. But none of this will change until people as a whole see the need for a change.
One goes to the supermarket, and one doesn't have on one's mind which product was made with the least impact on the environment. I don't look at two brands of pens, and think, I wonder whether Bic or Sharp pens were made with less impact, or whether Honda or Mitsubishi were easier on the environment. I simply look at styles, gas mileage, price, and other factors.
This will continue, until the pain of a damaged environment becomes greater than the desire for cheaper, and easier to dispose of products.
The companies, whether they would like to be more environmentally sound or not, must still remain competitive. They cannot offer a TV that is 15% more expensive than the same TV from another company, and hope to do well at all.
One could legislate certain environmental laws, or one could simply make the practice of buying less products, and more environmentally sound products. However, most people hardly have the time or energy, let alone the motivation, to do all that research, as well as that no one wants to pay extra for the same product made with little impact on the environment.
I read an interesting book on the effects of chemicals on the animal world, and how that eventually all make their way into our bodies. People are more often being born with defects that make it harder for them to reproduce, or just health problems of some sort. I can't remember the name of the book, if I remember, I'll ask my friend what the title of that was again, since he recommended it to me.
Anyways, I'm sure one won't find this book on many conservative bookshelves.