"Smog contains high concentrations of carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, as well as ozone, particulate matter and metals. These air contaminants cause poor visibility, human health problems and damage to plants and animals." said by Contributing Writer. Humans are destroying the desert and we don't even know it. Every day little by little we are hurting plants and animals. It could be by pollution, by constructing new houses, or even by buying jewelry made by the parts of animals.