It has been said nature never does anything uselessly. Humanity is certainly superior to the wild, but we had better learn to heed nature’s warnings as well.

According to a report from the International Joint Commission, animals living in the Great Lakes basin are starting to exhibit abnormalities in their sexual functions, and the charges are being blamed on substances produced by humans, such as dioxins, lead and PCBs. The report even says that humans are being affected by the chemicals.

There’s something to be concerned about when the problem starts to affect humans. The IJC was wise to recommend 13 ways in which humans and animals will be able to protect themselves from the toxins.

One of the recommendations is to phase out the dangerous substances from everyday use. If the chemicals are hurting the environment, they should not have been present in the first place.

It’s sad that no one even knew where the DDT was coming from, and that the warning of impending hazard had to come from Mother Nature. The report states contaminant levels are now reaching the same levels in humans as were found in wildlife. Adverse effects include changes in sexual behavior, growth, and sexual development.

Jacques Cousteau summed it up best by saying, “If we go on the way we have, the fault is our greed, and if we are not willing to change we will disappear from the face of the globe, to be replaced by the insect.”