Science: Pollution

What is pollution
Pollution is anything that makes the earth dirty and unhealthy.
Causes of pollution
Humans are the biggest culprits when it comes to pollution. Pollution takes up
space on our land. Many of the things people use every day come in packages, like
food, games, school supplies, and electronics. These packages end up in large
underground dumps called landfills. Landfills make land unhealthy for animals
and people.

Types of pollution
Land Pollution
 Loose garbage takes away from the natural beauty of the earth. When trash is not
put away, people and animals get exposed to things that could hurt them, like
broken glass and harmful chemicals.
Water pollution
Water gets polluted with cleaners, paints, and chemicals. All of the pollution must
be removed from our water before we can drink it.
Dumping chemicals into the ocean can hurt sea creatures. This affects human
beings, too. People can get sick when they eat the poisoned fish.
Air pollution
Pollution is in the air we breathe. Trucks, cars, and school buses leak smoky
exhaust from their engines. Large fires and use aerosol cans also contribute to air
pollution.

Effects of pollution
Climate Change: The burning of landfills produces a large amount of carbon
dioxide and other gases which contribute the production of the green house effect.
This heats up the earth and causes destruction the earths O-Zone layer.

A destroyed ozone layer exposes us to the direct rays of the sun. This is quite
harmful to humans and plants.
Additionally, hotter temperatures on earth causes
1. melting ice caps - this increases the amount of water in oceans which may
cause the destruction of coastal communities. It also threatens the homes of
animals that live in the artic areas
2. Animals may be forced to migrate in search of new homes and food as
conditions change.
3. Humans may develop illnesses that are not easily cured because of the poor
air quality
4. Rain may become acid which in turn can burn plants and also harm humans
and animals.
Solutions to pollution
Pollution will never be fully stopped but we can try the following things to reduce
the amount of pollution that is being made on our planet.
1. Walk, instead of drive
2. Use reusable containers for our lunches instead of plastic bags or Styrofoam
3. Use bins to throw away garbage instead of on the floor
4. Try reuse, reduce and recycle
Reuse:
Instead of throwing away a container, use it to store something else
Reduce: Reduce the number of plastic bags you use at the grocery by using you
own bags
Recycle: Use plastic bottles to make jewelry or other craft ideas.
5. Make a conscious effort to tell your friends and family that they should not
pollute the environment.
Activities:
Identify which pollution is happening in the picture
 Think about what Grenada has been doing
in recent times to control the amount of
pollution being done.
1. Have you been contributing to the
amount of pollution being done on the
island?

2. What steps can you take to reduce the

amount of pollution?

3. Can you identify areas in your

community that are heavily polluted?

4. Do you think that your community or

Grenada would be better off if there is
less pollution? How