How did we start polluting our planet?

Question

How did we start polluting our planet?

Answer 1

by being taking for granted of what we have.

Answer 2

The very second that life was formed on this planet pollution was created with it.

Answer 3

Every living thing secretes and excretes.  But it's only been very noticeable where large human population centers have existed.  Water quality has been a problem throughout man's written history- even on the North American continent before Columbus explored.

The Industrial Revolution, with its dependence on coal, led to a lot of air pollution up until the late 1800's.  The famous London Fog was primarily caused by coal-burning.

While many countries have made a conscious effort to clean air and water (the U.S. ironically was way ahead of Europe on vehicle emission standards, until several years ago), other countries like India, Brazil and China have unfortunately led the way with coal-based emissions and/or natural habitat degradation.

Answer 4

Perhaps the main way is burning fossil fuels.