Acid Rain is rain water that contains chemicals from industrial processes that are harmful to plant and animal life. Acid rain is a serious environmental problem that affects large parts of the United States and Canada. Acid rain is particularly damaging to lakes, streams and forests, and the plants and animals that live in these ecosystems. There are several ways to reduce acid rain – more properly called acid deposition – ranging from societal changes to individual action. It is critical that acid deposition be reduced, not only in the United States and Canada, but also throughout the world to preserve the integrity of natural habitats, as well as to reduce damage to man-made structures.