Pollution

Pollution happens when trash, smoke, or chemicals get into nature. It can make the air hard to breathe and the water unsafe to drink. Pollution can hurt people, animals, and plants. The good news is that we can all help stop it. By keeping our world clean, we help Earth stay healthy and happy.

Types of Pollution

There are many kinds of pollution. Air pollution comes from smoke and car fumes. Water pollution happens when trash or oil gets into rivers and oceans. Land pollution is when garbage piles up on the ground. Noise pollution is when sounds get too loud. Each type can harm living things in different ways.

Thick, dirty smog hides the buildings in a busy city.
Thick, dirty smog hides the buildings in a busy city. (Polly clip / Wikimedia Commons)

How We Can Help

You can help stop pollution every day. Throw trash in bins and recycle cans, bottles, and paper. Turn off lights when you leave a room. Walk or ride a bike instead of using a car. Plant trees and pick up litter at parks. Small actions add up and make a big difference for our planet.

Fun Facts

  • Plastic bottles can take 450 years to break down in a landfill.
  • One big tree can clean the air for two people each day.
  • The ocean has huge patches of floating plastic trash.

Did You Know?

Recycling just one aluminum can saves enough energy to power a TV for three hours!