The Atmosphere
The atmosphere is all of the air and other gases that surround us and are held in place by gravity.
Pollution - Pollution affects the environment in many ways.
Toxic fumes and smoke affect the air we breathe; this is air pollution.
Litter and other waste is another type of pollution. Sewage released into the water supply pollutes the ocean, rivers, lakes and streams.
Pollution in the water causes acid rain. Acid rain travels to the Scandinavian fir tree forests where it has been known to kill the trees.
Air Pollution - When there is too much dirt in the air you can tell. It makes it harder to breathe and hurts your chest. To live we need to breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide. When the air is polluted, oxygen is lost, which means we get less clean air to breathe.
Because of deforestation (see the Rainforest) we are losing hundreds of thousands of trees every day. Trees and plants give us our oxygen, and use the carbon dioxide we breathe out as food (see photosynthesis) This means we should all grow more plants and trees to do our part and help the forests.
Noise Pollution
Have you noticed that you hear more car horns and mobile phone ring tones than birdsongs and the pattering of animal’s feet? Get away from the noise of busy areas, and go to the countryside or the coast.
Have a look at out Children's Eco Gifts
Litter Pollution
100,000 tonnes of chewing gum is chewed a year. Chewing gum, like some plastics, is not biodegradable.
Biodegradable - a material that breaks down and returns to the earth. Non biodegradable - a material that does not break down and return to the earth
If there is not a bin around please do not throw gum. Try to put it back in the wrapper and take it to a bin or it will never go away. A lot of litter can be recycled. Look at the recycling chart; if you cannot recycle it bin it.
