# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Food Waste: The Hidden Cost of the Food We Throw Out I ClimateScience #9

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Unite for Literacy provides free digital access to picture books, narrated in many languages. Literacy is at the core of a healthy community, so we unite with partners to enable all families to read with their young children.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The average surface temperature on Earth is slowly increasing. This trend is known as global warming. Greenhouse Effect To understand global warming, it helps to understand...

# data[].attributes.body
School Resources

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Databases to support research for JS students

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Built on a collection of 40,000+ popular, high-quality books from 250+ of the world's best publishers, Epic safely fuels curiosity and reading confidence for kids 12 and under.

Get Started

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
online access fun thousands children great kids ebooks books

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Built on a collection of 40,000+ popular, high-quality books from 250+ of the world's best publishers, Epic safely fuels curiosity and reading confidence for kids 12 and under. Get Started

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
First News School Login | First News Education

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Sign in to your First News Education account to access this week’s activity sheets plus our extensive archive of worksheets.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Built on a collection of 40,000+ popular, high-quality books from 250+ of the world's best publishers, Epic safely fuels curiosity and reading confidence for kids 12 and under.

Get Started

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
online access fun thousands children great kids ebooks books

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Built on a collection of 40,000+ popular, high-quality books from 250+ of the world's best publishers, Epic safely fuels curiosity and reading confidence for kids 12 and under. Get Started

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Land pollution happens naturally or is human-made. It can occur by farming, factories, mining, and littering. When land pollution happens, it can causes problems with the food chain and plants to die. If land pollution involves chemicals or gas such as greenhouse gas or methane, it can even cause the ozone layer to get smaller, which can lead to global warming.

Anything that causes damage to the land or that makes the land contaminated is land pollution.

Land Pollution Facts for Kids:

139.6 million tons of waste is sent to landfill in the U.S. every year

We lose 24 billion tonnes of topsoil every year because of land pollution

Since 1990 1.3 million square kilometers of forests have been lost

Every American produces about 1,500 pounds of trash a year

$11.4 billion worth of recyclable trash is sent to landfill every year in the U.S.

By recycling trash it helps the environment

You can reduce trash by recycling items like plastic bottles

Over 30% of the landfills are filled with things that could have been put in other places.

What Causes Land Pollution?

Land pollution is caused by the garbage that we throw away. Chemicals that are used to break down trash are oftentimes found in our soil and the water that we drink.

This is dangerous to people because we have to use groundwater in order to be able to get the water that we need to drink.
Causes of Land Pollution

Deforestation and soil erosion

Agricultural activities

Industrialization

Overcrowded landfills

Mining activities

Construction activities

Sewage treatment

What are Some Types of Land Pollution?

There are different things that cause land pollution such as trash, factories, mining, and farming.

Trash

Everyone helps to make trash. It is estimated that most people in the United States use more than 4 pounds of trash each day.

Even though some of this trash is recycled, most of it is found on the ground or it is put into landfills.

Factories

Factories make waste and garbage. Most factories use chemicals that flow into the air or they end up on the ground or in the water.

Many of the factories have regulations that make them handle the chemicals a certain way, but many of these chemicals are still released into the atmosphere.

Mining

Mining can cause there to be chemicals that go into the air or into the water or soil. When people mine, it causes there to be holes that are put into the ground.

These holes can release gases and toxic waste that goes into the environment.

Farming

Even though farming is super important, it can also cause a lot of pollution. When people farm, they have to use chemicals to keep their plants safe.

These chemicals are called pesticides and herbicides. These chemicals are released into the ground and they can end up in our water sources.

Animal waste is another thing that releases chemicals into the air. Some of the chemicals released from animal waste can cause there to be air pollution.

How Does Land Pollution Hurt the Environment?

Land pollution is one of the pollutions that you can actually see with your eyes. You can look around and see trash laying in the streets, on the sides of the roads, and more. Land pollution can be dangerous for people and animals.

Other pollution from farming and mining releases chemicals into the air and the water and it can harm people and animals. Methane is released from landfills and this causes problems with the environment.

What are Landfills?

Landfills are a place that areas put garbage to try to make sure that chemicals are not released into the air and water. Even when they try to prevent it, some chemicals always escape.

There are many laws about using landfills.

How Does Land Pollution Hurt our Health?

Land pollution can hurt our health because of the chemicals that are released into the air and water.

When chemicals get into the water and air it can cause people to be sick and can cause them to have things like breathing problems, skin problems, and even cancer.

Biodegradable Trash

Trash that is biodegradable can help the environment because it can decay and become part of the environment. When it becomes part of the environment, it uses different cycles to be reused.

Some items take a very long time to decompose. Decompose means to decay. Items like glass and Styrofoam can take years and years to decay.

How Can People Help with Land Pollution?

People can help to have less land pollution by recycling. You can recycle trash that is paper and that can decay and go back into the environment.

Some items such as computers and batteries cannot be recycled, and they have to be put in other places.

Picking up the trash can be helpful to keep our water sources from getting dirty.

Composting is when you take waste from like food and you put it in a container, and it breaks down faster and can be used to make things like fertilizers. Composting can help the environment to not have so much trash.

What Did You Learn?

What is land pollution? Land pollution is any type of damage that happens to the land.

What causes land pollution? Land pollution is caused by throwing away garbage, by factories, farming, and mining.

How can we stop some land pollution? Land pollution can lessen when people recycle and dispose of their trash properly.

What does decompose mean? Decompose means when product decay.

What is composting? Composting is taking materials such as food and putting them in a container so they can break down and be used for fertilizers.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Land pollution happens naturally or is human-made. It can occur by farming, factories, mining, and littering. When land pollution happens, it can causes problems with the food chain and plants to die. If land pollution involves chemicals or gas such as greenhouse gas or methane, it can even cause the ozone layer to get smaller, which can lead to global warming.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Unite for Literacy provides free digital access to picture books, narrated in many languages. Literacy is at the core of a healthy community, so we unite with partners to enable all families to read with their young children.

# data[].attributes.body
Username: BHA

Password: BHAsia

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Why We Shouldn't Litter - The Rubbish Hero - Schooling Online Kids

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Unite for Literacy provides free digital access to picture books, narrated in many languages. Literacy is at the core of a healthy community, so we unite with partners to enable all families to read with their young children.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Kids learn about air pollution and how it effects the environment and health. Study causes, pollutants, and facts including acid rain and smog.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What really happens to the plastic you throw away - Emma Bryce

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Built on a collection of 40,000+ popular, high-quality books from 250+ of the world's best publishers, Epic safely fuels curiosity and reading confidence for kids 12 and under.

Get Started

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
online access fun thousands children great kids ebooks books

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
STP - Plastic Waste Book Collection on Epic

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Built on a collection of 40,000+ popular, high-quality books from 250+ of the world's best publishers, Epic safely fuels curiosity and reading confidence for kids 12 and under. Get Started

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Built on a collection of 40,000+ popular, high-quality books from 250+ of the world's best publishers, Epic safely fuels curiosity and reading confidence for kids 12 and under.

Get Started

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
online access fun thousands children great kids ebooks books

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
STP - Plastic Waste Book Collection on Epic

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Built on a collection of 40,000+ popular, high-quality books from 250+ of the world's best publishers, Epic safely fuels curiosity and reading confidence for kids 12 and under. Get Started

# data[].attributes.headline
What is Food Waste and How does it affect our Environment?

# data[].attributes.subject
What is Food Waste and How does it affect our Environment?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
When we think about climate change and which things are doing the most damage to our planet what do we think of?

Cars, airplanes, burning fossil fuels?

Well what about wasted food? According to lots of experts we don't really think enough about all the food we throw away.

Food can be delicious, whether it's chocolate or a roast dinner most of us enjoy sitting down together to eat. It's also very important, we need it to grow, live and survive.

But food takes months to grow before then being delivered to shops for us. This process uses a lot of water, energy and transport to get it to our plates.

But if we waste food, not only does that waste money it also has a big impact on our environment.

More on food waste...

Did you know that every day we waste 20 million slices of bread, this creates greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to over 140,000 cars every year!

That's according to research by Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) a charity which works with businesses, communities and people to help reduce waste and use resources in an efficient way.

Let's find out more about what food waste is and how it affects our environment.

What is food waste?

Food waste is food that we don't eat.

In the UK, households waste 6.6. million tonnes of food and 4.5 million tonnes of that is edible food - products that could have been eaten .

The rest is inedible, things we can't eat like teabags, eggshells, and bones.

Wrap says that the amount of edible food wasted in the UK could fill eight Wembley Stadiums.

Why is it a problem?

It might not seem like it but throwing food in the bin can affect climate change.

The process of getting food on our plates takes a lot of time and resources such as water, energy, and transportation.

Transportation of food and rotting food can produce greenhouse gases which are damaging to the environment.

By shopping in small local shops or growing your own vegetables this helps to reduce your food miles - meaning your food hasn't travelled far so less fuel has been used and this is better for air pollution.

Question: Do you know where most of the food waste in the UK comes from?

(Scroll further down this page for the answer)

If global food waste were a country, it would come third for greenhouse gas emissions, after China and the USA.

Although food waste is a big problem, it is an easy way to help climate change.

Top food waste statistics

If everyone in the UK stopped wasting food at home for just one day, it would have the same impact on greenhouse gasses as planting half a million trees.

0.9 million bananas are wasted in UK homes every day.

It takes 65 billion litres of water to grow the potatoes we waste at home every year.

What is being done?

The United Nations has set a target of halving world food waste by 2030.

The UK has been working for a while to reduce food waste. Household food waste has reduced from 8.1 million tonnes to 6.6 million tonnes now.

The UK government has promised to reduce food waste by 20% by 2025 and has offered £1.15 million of funding for businesses to come up with ways to tackle food waste.

The UK is a proud world leader in tackling food waste, owing in part to the innovation and creativity of many organisations across the UK - from educating the public on food waste in our homes, to making our supply chains greener.

Rebecca Pow, Environment minister

What about the supermarkets?

Supermarkets get a lot of criticism for the way they present and sell food, use sell-by dates and reject fruit and veg that doesn't look quite right.

However, some of them are also doing things to try to cut waste.

In September Tesco became the first major supermarket to team up with Olio, a food sharing app, to help stop extra food going to waste in the UK. The Olio app helps people give away food and household items to neighbours for free.

Olio volunteers will visit Tesco to collect surplus food which is near it's sell-by date and then post the items on the app for people and community groups to collect.

Answer: Do you know where most of the food waste in the UK comes from?

70% of UK food waste comes from our homes.

There are also charities such as FareShare which help give people access to food that supermarkets have but can't sell anymore,

Supermarkets like ASDA and Waitrose team up with FareShare so any extra food they have can can be given away to those who need it, which means people won't go hungry and food isn't wasted.

Most wasted foods

Potatoes

Bread

Milk

Fizzy drinks

How can YOU help?

We've heard about what the UK government, charities and businesses are all working to help reduce food waste so they can protect the planet.

But what about you?

Food waste facts

The tomatoes wasted at home every year have the equivalent greenhouse gas emissions of 51,000 cars.

It takes 330 billion litres of water to grow the bananas wasted at home every year

WRAP have given some suggestions on what you could do at home to help.

Use your leftovers. Turn last night's dinner into something delicious for lunch, rather than putting it in the bin.

Try freezing food. Did you know you can freeze eggs, yogurts and cheese? By freezing food it means they can last for longer.

Keep some fruit in the fridge. Apple and some other citrus fruits will last longer in the fridge rather than in our fruit bowl.

Let us know in the comments what you think. Did you know food waste has such an impact on the environment? Will you try these tips to reduce your food waste?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Food Waste: What is it and how does it affect the environment?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
When we think about what is hurting our planet what do we think of? Cars, airplanes, burning fossil fuels? We don't really think about all the food we throw away.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Will the ocean ever run out of fish? - Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Jennifer Jacquet

# data[].attributes.body
Printable of each SDG Goodlife Goals

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The science behind wildfires: How they start and spread | CBC Kids News

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Unite for Literacy provides free digital access to picture books, narrated in many languages. Literacy is at the core of a healthy community, so we unite with partners to enable all families to read with their young children.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Ozone
What is Ozone?

Ozone is a natural gas that is found in two different layers of the atmosphere. In the layer around the Earth's surface, otherwise known as the troposphere, bad ozone dirties the air and helps make smog. The troposphere extends up to the stratosphere layer, where good ozone protects life on Earth by absorbing some of the sun's UV rays. Stratospheric ozone is found most often between six to 30 miles above the Earth's surface.
What is the ozone layer?

The Earth is wrapped in a blanket of air called the 'atmosphere', which is made up of several layers. About 19-30 kilometres above the Earth is a layer of gas called ozone, which is a form of oxygen. Ozone is produced naturally in the atmosphere.

Why do we have Ozone Layer?

The ozone layer is very important because it stops too many of the sun's 'ultra-violet rays' (UV rays) getting through to the Earth - these are the rays that cause our skin to tan. Too much UV can cause skin cancer and will also harm all plants and animals. Life on Earth could not exist without the protective shield of the ozone layer.

What is Stratospheric Ozone?

Ozone is a natural gas that is found in two different layers of the atmosphere. One layer, called the troposphere, is at the Earth's surface where we live. Ozone in the troposphere is "bad" because it dirties the air and helps make smog, which is unhealthful to breathe. The other layer, called the stratosphere, is miles above the Earth's surface. Ozone in the stratosphere is "good" because it protects life on Earth by absorbing some of the sun's harmful UV rays. Stratospheric ozone is found most often between six and 30 miles above the Earth's surface.

What is Ozone Depletion?

Recently, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were used a lot in industry and elsewhere to keep things cold and to make foam and soaps. Strong winds carry CFCs up into the stratosphere where UV radiation breaks them apart, releasing chlorine atoms. Each chlorine atom can attack and break apart (destroy) as many as 100,000 ozone molecules during the time it is in the stratosphere. The chlorine from CFCs reduces (depletes) the amount of ozone in the stratosphere. Other ozone-eating chemicals are pesticides such as methyl bromide, halons used in fire extinguishers, and methyl chloroform used in businesses.

How Ozone Depletion Affects UV Levels?

Scientists predict that ozone depletion should peak around year 2010. As world-wide controls reduce the release of CFCs and other ozone-eating substances, nature will repair the ozone layer. By year 2065 stratospheric ozone should return to the amount present in 1980. Until then, we can expect higher levels of UV radiation at the Earth's surface. We need to take care to avoid the bad health effects that could result from too much UV radiation.

What is Ozone Hole?

Every spring, a hole as big as the USA develops in the ozone layer over Antarctica, in the South Pole. A smaller hole develops each year over the Arctic, at the North Pole. And there are signs that the ozone layer is getting thinner all over the planet.

Scientists have discovered that the ozone hole over Antarctica started in 1979, and that the ozone layer generally started to get thin in the early 1980s.

The loss of the ozone layer occurs when more ozone is being destroyed than nature is creating.

What causes the Ozone Hole?

One group of gases is particularly likely to damage the ozone layer. These gases are called CFCs, Chloro-Fluoro-Carbons.

CFCs are used in some spray cans to force the contents out of the can.

They are also used in refrigerators, air conditioning systems and some fire extinguishers. They are used because they are not poisonous and do not catch fire.

Most countries have now stopped using new CFCs that can be released into the atmosphere, but many scientists believe we must stop using old ones as well.

THE OZONE HOLE AND OUR HEALTH

The ozone layer is like a sunscreen, and a thinning of it would mean that more ultra-violet rays would be reaching us.

Too many UV rays would cause more sunburn, and because sunburn causes skin cancer, this too would increase deaths.

These UV rays are also dangerous for our eyes and could cause an increase in people becoming blind. That is why sun cream and sunglasses are very important.

THE OZONE HOLE ON ANIMALS AND PLANTS

UV rays can go through water and end up killing small water animals or plants, called 'plankton' which form the base of the food chain in oceans and seas. Whales and other fishes have plankton as their main food, and if plankton die because of these UV rays, whales will start dying too, because they will not have anything to eat. Large amounts of UV rays could damage all green plants. If the ozone layer keeps getting thinner, there could be fewer and fewer plants on Earth, then there would be less food in the whole world.

THE TWO-FACED OZONE GAS

Ozone found between 19 and 30 kilometres high in the atmosphere is one of the reasons why we are alive on Earth.

But when the gas ozone is found lower down where we can breathe it in, it becomes very dangerous for our health. This ozone is caused by a reaction between air pollution and sunlight and can cause modern-day smog. This is different to the smog that formed in the early 20th century from smoke and fog.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Ozone What is Ozone? Ozone is a natural gas that is found in two different layers of the atmosphere. In the layer around the Earth's surface, otherwise known as the troposphere, bad ozone dirties the air and helps make smog.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Unite for Literacy provides free digital access to picture books, narrated in many languages. Literacy is at the core of a healthy community, so we unite with partners to enable all families to read with their young children.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Human impacts on the environment | Middle school Earth and space science | Khan Academy

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Kids learn about air pollution and how it effects the environment and health. Study causes, pollutants, and facts including acid rain and smog.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
BrainPOP Jr. - Animated Educational Site for Kids - Science, Social Studies, English, Math, Arts & Music, Health, and Technology

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Kids learn about water pollution and how it effects the environment and health. Study causes, pollutants, sources, and facts including acid rain.

# data[].attributes.body
Link

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Built on a collection of 40,000+ popular, high-quality books from 250+ of the world's best publishers, Epic safely fuels curiosity and reading confidence for kids 12 and under.

Get Started

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
online access fun thousands children great kids ebooks books

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
STP - Plastic Waste Book Collection on Epic

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Built on a collection of 40,000+ popular, high-quality books from 250+ of the world's best publishers, Epic safely fuels curiosity and reading confidence for kids 12 and under. Get Started

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Desertification in the Sahel is being tackled by the creation of the Great Green Wall . This is an 8,000 km wall of acacia trees across 11 countries which span the entire continent of Africa. Acacia trees are able to grow in very dry conditions.

Trees have so far been planted in all 11 countries: Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, and Sudan. The wall is due to be completed by 2030. Once complete, it will be the largest living structure on Earth. The project is creating jobs, improving in the region and helping to stop desertification.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Desertification in the Sahel is being tackled by the creation of the Great Green Wall . This is an 8,000 km wall of acacia trees across 11 countries which span the entire continent of Africa. Acacia trees are able to grow in very dry conditions.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
How can a desert grow?

The process is called desertification. It changes land that could grow plants into desert. That leaves less fertile land for the people who live there. They may not be able to raise crops or animals for food.

Lots of things cause desertification:

Drought-Lack of rain can kill plants. Without plants to hold it down, good soil may blow away.

Overgrazing-Animals keep eating vegetation in one spot without giving it time to grow back.

Deforestation-People cut down forests without replanting them.

Rapid population growth-More people suddenly live in one spot. They use up resources like wood and water.

Fire-Plants' roots help keep soil in place. If fire burns vegetation, soil can erode. That means soil is removed by wind or water.

Notice a pattern? Plants are important for keeping good dirt in place. If they are gone, the soil can wash or blow away. That's why planting new trees and other plants can help-as long as they survive.

Some say the Sahara is creeping southward. But some scientists say otherwise. "The Sahara is not advancing, but fluctuating like waves on the ocean," says researcher Stefanie Herrmann. That's because there is less vegetation on the edges of the desert when there is less rain. When more rain came, more plants grew.

Land managers saw areas where lots of plant life was growing in Niger. But that mostly stopped at the border with Nigeria. That seemed strange. Nigeria gets more rain. Smithsonian Magazine reports that the difference was in how farmers managed trees. The farmers in Niger protected useful trees and let them grow.

When God makes everything right, He will restore the desert.
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus. - Isaiah 35:1
Pray: For those who lack fertile ground and water for survival, especially in the Sahel, and for those studying ways to improve those areas.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
How can a desert grow? The process is called desertification. It changes land that could grow plants into desert. That leaves less fertile land for the people who live there. They may not be able to raise crops or animals for food. Lots of things cause desertification: Drought-Lack of rain can kill plants.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Instantly access over 40,000 of the best books & videos for kids on Epic

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Get unlimited access to 40,000 of the best books, audiobooks, videos, & more for kids 12 and under. Try it free.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Young People's Trust For the Environment

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What is Desertification?

It has been said that forests came before human beings, deserts followed them. Desertification is becoming a major problem as more and more of the world's land surface is turned into desert.

Desertification is a process of soil erosion and land degradation. Deserts are typically areas covered in sand but desertification extends to mean any areas where land can no longer sustain plant and animal life.

Soil is made up of millions of active, living microrganisms and bacteria. The process of decomposition and the production of humus gives life to plants and animals which in turn provides food for other plants and animals - including humans.

When a land's soil is no longer fertile enough to allow plants to grow the land is effectively dead - it becomes dry, dusty and arid.

How Big a Problem is Desertification?

The United Nations Environment Programme has estimated that 4.5 billion dollars will need to be spent every year for the next twenty years to prevent the process of desertification. It was not possible to reverse desertification in the twentieth century, but it should be possible to do so in this century, if the peoples of the world are prepared to unite and fight against the encroaching deserts.

The fight will have to begin facing the conflict between cash and crops. Many of the countries which are suffering from desertification are poor. This means that their governments are keen to exploit the soil to grow crops which they can sell to richer countries. With the foreign currency they are able to buy machinery that they cannot produce themselves.

The problem with this strategy is that more and more land gets used for cash crops, meaning that forests are destroyed to make way for more cultivation. Forest soils are often unsuitable for growing crops, and so turn into desert within a few years. Also, as more cash crops are grown, less land is used to grow crops to feed the people who live there. The balance needs to be changed so that less crops are grown for cash.

There is also pressure to grow crops on the same land, year after year. Chemical sprays used on the soil may keep yields high, but they do so in a totally unnatural way. Without rest, soils become dusty, and will start to blow away. They need organic matter such as manure to maintain their richness, and this is not provided by chemical sprays.

There is now a growing interest in a more natural, organic, method of growing our food. More and more people are demanding food - meat, vegetables and fruit - which is not contaminated with potentially dangerous chemicals or grown with artificial fertilisers.

You may well feel that you can do little to help fight desertification, but you have already taken the first step. You can't solve a problem until you know it exists, so by reading this fact sheet, you have become one of an increasing number of people who are aware that a great deal of our soil is under threat. Now that you know that desertification is happening, try to find out more about it, and about what needs to be done to prevent it.

Credits

Image: Desertification by Antonio Cinotti

Wat Causes Desertification?

Climate variations, where areas are consistently hot and dry, with long periods of no rain can soon cause soil conditions to deteriorate. Lack of rainfall leads to drought, and eventually the necessary growing conditions for plants and animals disappear. Most plants, unless specially adapted to desert conditions, can not thrive in dry, arid conditions.

Farming is major cause of desertification - soils need time to rest between crops but pressures to provide food and an income often lead to soil and land being over used and becoming tired. Soil also requires fertilisation to remain fertile, preferably through natural or organic processes. Where farming is carried out in a way that is unsympathetic to the land in places where climatic conditions mean the soil is already under stress, this can eventually result in desertification.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
It has been said that forests came before human beings, deserts followed them. Desertification is becoming a major problem as more and more of the world's land surface is turned into desert. Desertification is a process of soil erosion and land degradation.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Kids learn about land pollution and how it effects the environment and health. Study causes, pollutants, garbage, landfills, trash, and facts.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Unite for Literacy provides free digital access to picture books, narrated in many languages. Literacy is at the core of a healthy community, so we unite with partners to enable all families to read with their young children.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
POWERFUL VIDEO: Why We Need to Stop Plastic Pollution in Our Oceans FOR GOOD

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Kids learn about land pollution and how it effects the environment and health. Study causes, pollutants, garbage, landfills, trash, and facts.

# data[].attributes.body
* Caring for Nature
* Cleaning Up Litter
* Global Climate Strike
* Reusing and Recycling
* Saving Energy
* Saving Water

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
As global temperatures rise and the human population expands, more of the planet is vulnerable to desertification, the permanent degradation of land that was once arable.

While interpretations of the term desertification vary, the concern centers on human-caused land degradation in areas with low or variable rainfall known as drylands: arid, semi-arid, and sub-humid lands. These drylands account for more than 40 percent of the world's terrestrial surface area.

While land degradation has occurred throughout history, the pace has accelerated, reaching 30 to 35 times the historical rate, according to the United Nations. This degradation tends to be driven by a number of factors, including urbanization, mining, farming, and ranching. In the course of these activities, trees and other vegetation are cleared away, animal hooves pound the dirt, and crops deplete nutrients in the soil. Climate change also plays a significant role, increasing the risk of drought.

All of this contributes to soil erosion and an inability for the land to retain water or regrow plants. About 2 billion people live on the drylands that are vulnerable to desertification, which could displace an estimated 50 million people by 2030.

Where is desertification happening, and why?

The risk of desertification is widespread and spans more than 100 countries, hitting some of the poorest and most vulnerable populations the hardest, since subsistence farming is common across many of the affected regions.

More than 75 percent of Earth's land area is already degraded, according to the European Commission's World Atlas of Desertification, and more than 90 percent could become degraded by 2050. The commission's Joint Research Centre found that a total area half of the size of the European Union (1.61 million square miles, or 4.18 million square kilometers) is degraded annually, with Africa and Asia being the most affected.

The drivers of land degradation vary with different locations, and causes often overlap with each other. In the regions of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan surrounding the Aral Sea, excessive use of water for agricultural irrigation has been a primary culprit in causing the sea to shrink, leaving behind a saline desert. And in Africa's Sahel region, bordered by the Sahara Desert to the north and savannas to the south, population growth has caused an increase in wood harvesting, illegal farming, and land-clearing for housing, among other changes.

The prospect of climate change and warmer average temperatures could amplify these effects. The Mediterranean region would experience a drastic transformation with warming of 2 degrees Celsius, according to one study, with all of southern Spain becoming desert. Another recent study found that the same level of warming would result in "aridification," or drying out, of up to 30 percent of Earth's land surface.

When land becomes desert, its ability to support surrounding populations of people and animals declines sharply. Food often doesn't grow, water can't be collected, and habitats shift. This often produces several human health problems that range from malnutrition, respiratory disease caused by dusty air, and other diseases stemming from a lack of clean water.

Desertification solutions

In 1994, the United Nations established the Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), through which 122 countries have committed to Land Degradation Neutrality targets, similar to the way countries in the climate Paris Agreement have agreed to targets for reducing carbon pollution. These efforts involve working with farmers to safeguard arable land, repairing degraded land, and managing water supplies more effectively.

The UNCCD has also promoted the Great Green Wall Initiative, an effort to restore 386,000 square miles (100 million hectares) across 20 countries in Africa by 2030. A similar effort is underway in northern China, with the government planting trees along the border of the Gobi desert to prevent it from expanding as farming, livestock grazing, and urbanization, along with climate change, removed buffering vegetation.

However, the results for these types of restoration efforts so far have been mixed. One type of mesquite tree planted in East Africa to buffer against desertification has proved to be invasive and problematic. The Great Green Wall initiative in Africa has evolved away from the idea of simply planting trees and toward the idea of " re-greening," or supporting small farmers in managing land to maximize water harvesting (via stone barriers that decrease water runoff, for example) and nurture natural regrowth of trees and vegetation.

"The absolute number of farmers in these [at-risk rural] regions is so large that even simple and inexpensive interventions can have regional impacts," write the authors of the World Atlas of Desertification, noting that more than 80 percent of the world's farms are managed by individual households, primarily in Africa and Asia. "Smallholders are now seen as part of the solution of land degradation rather than a main problem, which was a prevailing view of the past."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Humans are driving the transformation of drylands into desert on an unprecedented scale around the world, with serious consequences. But there are solutions.

# data[].attributes.headline
Epic Collection - Caring for The Environment

# data[].attributes.subject
Epic Collection - Caring for The Environment

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
STP - Caring For the Environment Book Collection on Epic

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
View the STP - Caring For the Environment collection on Epic plus over 40,000 of the best books & videos for kids.

# data[].attributes.body
Link

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
NATURAL RESOURCES DEFINITION

Anything that is found in nature that can be used by living things is a natural resource. This includes water, forests, fossil fuels, minerals, plants, animals and even air.
To better understand natural resources...
NATURAL RESOURCES DEFINITION. Anything that is found in nature that can be used by living things is a natural resource. This includes water, forests, fossil fuels, minerals, plants, animals and even air. To better understand natural resources...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Natural Resources | Reading Material | Grades K-2

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
NATURAL RESOURCES DEFINITION Anything that is found in nature that can be used by living things is a natural resource. This includes water, forests, fossil fuels, minerals, plants, animals and even air. To better understand natural resources... NATURAL RESOURCES DEFINITION. Anything that is found in nature that can be used by living things is a natural resource.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Built on a collection of 40,000+ popular, high-quality books from 250+ of the world's best publishers, Epic safely fuels curiosity and reading confidence for kids 12 and under.

Get Started

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
online access fun thousands children great kids ebooks books

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
STP - Plastic Waste Book Collection on Epic

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Built on a collection of 40,000+ popular, high-quality books from 250+ of the world's best publishers, Epic safely fuels curiosity and reading confidence for kids 12 and under. Get Started

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Glass, plastic, paper, aluminum: Why bother recycling them? This movie shows you exactly why, and how you can develop your earth awareness!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Built on a collection of 40,000+ popular, high-quality books from 250+ of the world's best publishers, Epic safely fuels curiosity and reading confidence for kids 12 and under.

Get Started

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
online access fun thousands children great kids ebooks books

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Built on a collection of 40,000+ popular, high-quality books from 250+ of the world's best publishers, Epic safely fuels curiosity and reading confidence for kids 12 and under. Get Started

# data[].attributes.body
Brainpop video

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Where does the trash go after you leave it at the curb? It could be incinerated, to reduce 90% of its volume, or composted for use as fertilizer, or recycled for re-use! So what's holding you up? Take out the trash already!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Unite for Literacy provides free digital access to picture books, narrated in many languages. Literacy is at the core of a healthy community, so we unite with partners to enable all families to read with their young children.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Desertification is the persistent degradation ofland, a process that increases the aridity of the soil.

There are two major causes of desertification: human activities and climatic variations. The changing constitution of land has affected the entire ecosystem in areas where desertification is prevalent, by erasing the wildlife and vegetation, and drying up the water bodies.

Desertification has resulted in arid infertile lands, which leads to poverty, deforestation, and unhealthy irrigation practices. According to experts, inappropriate agricultural practices, drought, and deforestation majorly contributing to this problem.

Did you know that almost three-quarters of the Earth have been altered by humans to fulfill their ever-growing demand for food, homes, and raw materials? This has caused productive land and natural ecosystems to turn into deserted lands.

Desertification and Drought Day observed on June 17, 2021, brought to light the mounting need for restoring degraded land to healthy land.

Causes Of Desertification

Desertification occurs when fertile land becomes dry and unstable. Check out these significant causes of desertification.

Desertification is caused due to climate change and human activities.

Arid and semi-arid areas are characterized by very little rainfall. Such climatic variations can lead to extended droughts, which can reduce the biological productivity of the area and cause desertification.

Poor land management in urban areas and deforestation are also prime contributors of desertification.

Over drafting of groundwater, that is, pumping excessive water from underground aquifers, is another risk factor.

The removal of trees and plants, as well as intensive farming that exhausts fertile soil, may also result in degraded land.

Lastly, rapid population growth, extreme weather conditions, excessive heat, and animal overgrazing can lead to desertification.

Consequences Of Desertification

The desertification of dry lands can have grave consequences. Here are some of the common issues that result from desertification.

Desertification worsens the living condition of many species, and it can lead to loss of biodiversity.

Desertification makes farming next to impossible.

This lack of farming in degraded land can lead to a decrease in crop yields and food security.

Desertification can result in food shortages and hunger problems.

Food shortages also impact animals and increase poverty.

Desertification also results in water scarcity.

Without life and plants in an area, flooding is likely to become much more of a risk.

Not all existing deserts are dry. Some that are wet may experience many floods, as there is nothing to stop the water from going all over the place.

Another major consequence of desertification is that it increases the risk of zoonotic diseases such as Covid-19.

What can we do to help?

There are plenty of ways to stop land degradation and boost sustainable land practices.

Using effective land and water management techniques to safeguard soils can prevent soil erosion and land degradation.

Safeguarding vegetative cover can help to conserve soil against water erosion and dust storms.

Improving the quality of soil by controlling animal grazing can help. We can also boost diverse vegetative coverage, and add organic plant and animal manure to the soil to preserve its quality.

Using modern methods of agriculture to increase the production of crops without impacting the soil can also help.

The use of magic stones or bunds can also decrease desertification. Circles of stones are placed on the ground to hold water and soil together and to prevent erosion by strong winds.

Drip irrigation is a technique where water slowly drips onto the ground from pea-sized holes into a hose lying on top of the soil. This reduces water loss and improves soil quality.

FAQs

What is interesting about desertification?

Desertification is a major problem. However, it can be reversed. Certain steps taken at a global level can combat desertification and fight biodiversity loss and global climate change.

What are three human causes of desertification?

Three human causes of desertification include deforestation, poor irrigation practices, and intensive use of agricultural lands.

How does desertification affect the world?

Desertification has a major impact on health. It increases the risk of malnutrition, poverty, water scarcity, climate change, loss of biodiversity, and environmental imbalance at large.

How much land is lost to desertification each year?

Each year, 75 billion tons of healthy soil is lost to land degradation.

What are the causes of desertification?

The primary causes of desertification include over-cropping, climate change, unsustainable irrigation practices, over-grazing, deforestation, poor land management, and a high population.

Where is desertification happening?

Desertification is primarily happening in the grasslands of East Africa, the Sahara Desert, and the Kalahari Desert.

What causes desertification in Africa?

Bad agricultural practices are among the major factors leading to desertification in Africa. Other than that, overgrazing, lack of adequate land management practices, and widespread bushfires are also contributing to this form of land degradation.

Where is desertification likely to occur?

Desertification is most likely to occur in arid and semi-arid zones, and also in dry sub-humid areas.

Why is desertification bad?

Desertification makes it impossible for plants and animals to live.

How does drought cause desertification?

Drought reduces the water soil content, and that leads to desertification.

Who is affected by desertification?

Humans, animals, and many plant species are affected by desertification.

Read The Disclaimer

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Desertification Facts Learn About What We Can Do To Stop It | Kidadl

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Desertification is the persistent degradation ofland, a process that increases the aridity of the soil. There are two major causes of desertification: human activities and climatic variations. The changing constitution of land has affected the entire ecosystem in areas where desertification is prevalent, by erasing the wildlife and vegetation, and drying up the water bodies.

# data[].attributes.headline
Epic Collection - Caring for The Environment

# data[].attributes.subject
Epic Collection - Caring for The Environment

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
STP - Caring For the Environment Book Collection on Epic

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
View the STP - Caring For the Environment collection on Epic plus over 40,000 of the best books & videos for kids.

# data[].attributes.body
Link

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Oil from ships and oil tankers can spill onto the sea water and pollute the water. Oil poisons and harms the aquatic organisms and sea birds. The fur of sea mammals and the feathers of sea birds can be damaged by the oil. The animals may suffer, and the effect may be fatal for them. When birds get soaked in oil they can't fly and they can't go in water.

The pollution of the environment with crude or mineral oil or their by-products is called an oil spill. Most often the term is used for marine environments, where coasts, lakes, rivers and oceans are polluted. There are three main ways to combat such pollution once it has occurred:

Use of barriers to limit the pollution to a given zone.

Skimming of the oil with specially constructed ships

Chemical dispersion of the oil

Controlled burning of the oil

Bioremediation, using microogranisms that consume the oil or oil-related products

An oil spill can not only affect the coasts, lakes, rivers and oceans but also the environment and the ecosystems. Many animals could get injured and later die without help. Also all the vegetation could be affected by the oil.

Images for kids

In Spanish: Derrame de petróleo para niños

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Built on a collection of 40,000+ popular, high-quality books from 250+ of the world's best publishers, Epic safely fuels curiosity and reading confidence for kids 12 and under.

Get Started

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
online access fun thousands children great kids ebooks books

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Built on a collection of 40,000+ popular, high-quality books from 250+ of the world's best publishers, Epic safely fuels curiosity and reading confidence for kids 12 and under. Get Started

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
POWERFUL VIDEO: Why We Need to Stop Plastic Pollution in Our Oceans FOR GOOD

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Unite for Literacy provides free digital access to picture books, narrated in many languages. Literacy is at the core of a healthy community, so we unite with partners to enable all families to read with their young children.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Unite for Literacy provides free digital access to picture books, narrated in many languages. Literacy is at the core of a healthy community, so we unite with partners to enable all families to read with their young children.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What is WATER POLLUTION? | What Causes Water Pollution? | The Dr Binocs Show | Peekaboo Kidz

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What If All Trees Were Cut Down? | Earth Without Trees | The Dr Binocs Show | Peekaboo Kidz

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Kids learn about global warming and changes in the Earth's climate. What are some causes? Teach greenhouse gases and carbon footprint.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Where does the trash go after you leave it at the curb? It could be incinerated, to reduce 90% of its volume, or composted for use as fertilizer, or recycled for re-use! So what's holding you up? Take out the trash already!

# data[].attributes.body
Link

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Glass, plastic, paper, aluminum: Why bother recycling them? This movie shows you exactly why, and how you can develop your earth awareness!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Unite for Literacy provides free digital access to picture books, narrated in many languages. Literacy is at the core of a healthy community, so we unite with partners to enable all families to read with their young children.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Deforestation | Causes, Effects & Solutions | Video for Kids

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Acid rain is rain that is unusually acidic. The acids are made when certain gases are carried high into the sky and react with the water in the atmosphere.

Acid rains can be harmful to plants, animals, and humans.

Robert Angus Smith is credited with the term "acid rain." In 1852, he showed the relationship between acid rain and atmospheric pollution in Manchester.

Although some natural gases, such as carbon dioxide, and gases from volcanoes can cause acid rain, it is now believed that mankind causes most acid rain. When people began building and using factories and power stations, they burned coal or oil. These compounds have sulfur in them that releases into the air, mixes with other elements, and produces acid rain.

Since the 1970s, governments have tried to clean smoke from factories and power stations to keep too much sulfur from rising into the atmosphere. This has had good results, but it is expensive.

In 2001, Great Britain still produced about five million tonnes (metric tons) of these gases every year, while China produced 18 million tonnes. The United States produced more than 20 million tonnes, but in 2010 that number fell to 8.1 million.

Adverse effects

Effects on lake ecology

The pH level in lakes needs to be correct for fish to be able to survive, and acid rain can affect a lake's pH level. If there is too much acid in the water several things can happen:

The enzymes that help fish larvae to hatch will not be produced.

Aluminum travels more easily through water, causing fish to make more mucus around their gills. This makes it harder for fish to breathe.

Phytoplankton will not grow well and the animals that feed on it would suffer.

Effects on soil biology

Acid rain can damage soil by killing microbes that are needed in the soil. The hydrogen ions of acid rain also allow toxins to move in the soil and take away nutrients that the soil needs. Forests usually are the home to fungi, but acid rain changes the soil, making it more filled with bacteria. Many trees in the forest depend on the fungi for water and minerals, while the fungi take carbohydrates from the trees. This symbiotic relationship, called mycorriza, can be destroyed by acids.

Other adverse effects

.

Acid rain affects both living and non-living things. The leaves and roots of trees are damaged, making them less able to make food ( photosynthesis) and absorb nutrients. Toxic ions released due to acid rain are dangerous to humans. It is believed that copper (mobilized by acids) has caused outbreaks of diarrhea in young children. Statues and other ancient structures have also been harmed by acid rain.

Prevention methods

.

In the U.S., the method for keeping sulfur from escaping into the air from the smokestacks of factories is called Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD). One popular example is a wet scrubber, which pulls the gases from the stack into a tower and cleans them using lime or limestone. This changes the form of the chemical into a calcium sulfate that can be taken out of the scrubber. Sometimes the sulfates are sold to chemical companies. Other times, they are put in a landfill.

Some people do not want power generation to be controlled because they feel that pollution is a natural consequence of factories and power stations. They believe that if the pollution is not handled properly, it could be dangerous. Others install pollution controls for the benefits that they will receive from them.

Interesting facts about acid rain

Acid rain is a result of gases mixing with water high in the atmosphere.

Sulfur dioxide is released into the air by machines, houses, and vehicles and is the main chemical that creates acid rain.

Acid rain makes it more difficult for aquatic animals to survive.

Acid rain can damage the soil and the plants that live in it.

There are ways to prevent so much sulfur dioxide from escaping into the air. Many companies install pollution-controlling machinery in their factories.

Images for kids

Since 1998, Harvard University wraps some of the bronze and marble statues on its campus, such as this " Chinese stele", with waterproof covers every winter, in order to protect them from corrosion caused by acid rain and acid snow

In Spanish: Lluvia ácida para niños

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Built on a collection of 40,000+ popular, high-quality books from 250+ of the world's best publishers, Epic safely fuels curiosity and reading confidence for kids 12 and under.

Get Started

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
online access fun thousands children great kids ebooks books

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Built on a collection of 40,000+ popular, high-quality books from 250+ of the world's best publishers, Epic safely fuels curiosity and reading confidence for kids 12 and under. Get Started

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What is WATER POLLUTION? | What Causes Water Pollution? | The Dr Binocs Show | Peekaboo Kidz

# data[].attributes.body
Brainpop video

# data[].attributes.headline
Epic Collection - Caring for The Environment

# data[].attributes.subject
Epic Collection - Caring for The Environment

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
STP - Caring For the Environment Book Collection on Epic

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
View the STP - Caring For the Environment collection on Epic plus over 40,000 of the best books & videos for kids.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Our mothers ask us to drink clean water and not drink water from unreliable sources. What happens when we tend to drink water from the roadside lemonade seller or from that 'dirty' roadside 'gol gappe waala' whose 'chaat' we find so yummy? We get an upset tummy and we have to rush to the doctor. Why so? Because the water we had was contaminated. It was dirty and had harmful bacteria in it.

What is water pollution?

Water pollution is the process which happens when pollutants contaminate water. Contamination of water bodies like lakes, rivers, oceans and groundwater occur when pollutants are discharged directly or indirectly into water bodies without any treatment to remove harmful compounds. Water pollution has become a global concern now as many deaths and diseases are caused by drinking impure, dirty water. Many countries like India and China lack adequate amount of safe drinking water and thousands die every day due to drinking contaminated water. Even developed countries like the United States of America suffer from the issue of contaminated water. When water is affected by anthropogenic (caused by humans) contaminants, it is said to be polluted. This means that this water is not safe for drinking purposes.

Who pollutes water?

Earthquakes, volcano eruptions and natural environmental disasters add a large amount of pollution to water bodies. Human and animal waste too, pollute water and make it harmful for consumption.

Every year tonnes of industrial waste and toxic chemicals from factories and manufacturing plants are released directly into water bodies, without proper waste management or recycling, harming the balance of water bodies.

Wastes from humans and animals too pollute water and make it harmful for consumption. Toxic chemicals discharged directly into water bodies without control or contamination management, also pollute water and cause irreparable harm to marine life.

Some common ways water is polluted

1. Oil spills from huge ships

2. Leakage of fuel from boats

3. Chemical waste from industries

4. Plastics thrown in rivers

5. Mining

6. Dumping trash into water bodies

7. Sewage water produced by households

8. Burning of fossils fuels like coal and oil

9. Chemical fertilizers

Types of water pollution

1. Nutrients pollution : Industries throw their wastes like fertilizers, waste water and sewage into river bodies. These make weed and algae grow rapidly in the water, making it unsuitable for drinking while depleting the level of oxygen in the water. This harms the organisms living in water.

2. Surface water pollution : Ground pollutants like chemical wastes, insecticides and other wastes mix with rain water run offs, dissolve and mix with water bodies like streams, rivers and lakes. This is known as surface water pollution.

3. Oxygen depletion : Water contains aerobic and anaerobic organisms, i.e., organisms which need oxygen to grow and which die in oxygen, respectively. With an increase in water pollutants, the oxygen level will deplete, leading to the death/choking of aerobic organisms.

4. Ground water pollution : Chemicals and pesticides are used in growing crops. These harmful substances enter the ground along with rainwater and cause the water table to get contaminated. This is known as groundwater pollution. They also enter lakes and rivers when groundwater spills occur.

Effects of water pollution

The accumulation of garbage in our water bodies come from human activities and neglect and total disrespect for our natural resources. The effects of water pollution are gory and have long term effects which are very difficult to undo.

It makes sea creatures like fishes, sea turtles, seals and even birds die, because materials such as plastic is mistaken as food by animals and eaten. Since it cannot be digested, it sometimes causes death in some cases.

Unclean and contaminated water causes human deaths and diseases. In many places, water comes in contact with industrial and human wastes and people drink such contaminated water. They are prone to deaths and diseases like hepatitis, cholera or typhoid. Water pollution accounts for as many as three million deaths every year, most of which are children.

Water pollution disrupts the food chain on land, water and air. Tiny animals eat toxins along with their food. Bigger animals eat smaller animals. This leads to high levels of chemical toxicity in bigger animals. Toxins accumulation from the lower level to higher level of the food chain occurs.

Things that you can do to conserve water and make it safe :

Water is precious, so use water wisely. Do not waste water in the shower and always close taps when not in use.

Do not throw paint, oil, medicines or plastic down your toilet drains. Contact your municipal corporation for help with disposing chemicals or medicines.

Plant lots and lots of trees around your homes to encourage clean rain water to replenish your water table/ground water and adopt rain water harvesting.

Farmers can be encouraged to use Integrated Pest Management techniques to control pests and reduce dependency on chemical pesticides.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Water Pollution Types and Effects - Environment | Mocomi Kids

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Water pollution is the process which happens when pollutants contaminate water e.g. lakes, rivers, oceans and groundwater. Learn types of water pollution.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Top tips to reduce your plastic waste - National Geographic Kids

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Discover top tips to help reduce plastic pollution. What simple things can you do reduce your plastic waste? Find out here and help protect the environmnet!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Unite for Literacy provides free digital access to picture books, narrated in many languages. Literacy is at the core of a healthy community, so we unite with partners to enable all families to read with their young children.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Land pollution happens naturally or is human-made. It can occur by farming, factories, mining, and littering. When land pollution happens, it can causes problems with the food chain and plants to die. If land pollution involves chemicals or gas such as greenhouse gas or methane, it can even cause the ozone layer to get smaller, which can lead to global warming.

Anything that causes damage to the land or that makes the land contaminated is land pollution.

Land Pollution Facts for Kids:

139.6 million tons of waste is sent to landfill in the U.S. every year

We lose 24 billion tonnes of topsoil every year because of land pollution

Since 1990 1.3 million square kilometers of forests have been lost

Every American produces about 1,500 pounds of trash a year

$11.4 billion worth of recyclable trash is sent to landfill every year in the U.S.

By recycling trash it helps the environment

You can reduce trash by recycling items like plastic bottles

Over 30% of the landfills are filled with things that could have been put in other places.

What Causes Land Pollution?

Land pollution is caused by the garbage that we throw away. Chemicals that are used to break down trash are oftentimes found in our soil and the water that we drink.

This is dangerous to people because we have to use groundwater in order to be able to get the water that we need to drink.
Causes of Land Pollution

Deforestation and soil erosion

Agricultural activities

Industrialization

Overcrowded landfills

Mining activities

Construction activities

Sewage treatment

What are Some Types of Land Pollution?

There are different things that cause land pollution such as trash, factories, mining, and farming.

Trash

Everyone helps to make trash. It is estimated that most people in the United States use more than 4 pounds of trash each day.

Even though some of this trash is recycled, most of it is found on the ground or it is put into landfills.

Factories

Factories make waste and garbage. Most factories use chemicals that flow into the air or they end up on the ground or in the water.

Many of the factories have regulations that make them handle the chemicals a certain way, but many of these chemicals are still released into the atmosphere.

Mining

Mining can cause there to be chemicals that go into the air or into the water or soil. When people mine, it causes there to be holes that are put into the ground.

These holes can release gases and toxic waste that goes into the environment.

Farming

Even though farming is super important, it can also cause a lot of pollution. When people farm, they have to use chemicals to keep their plants safe.

These chemicals are called pesticides and herbicides. These chemicals are released into the ground and they can end up in our water sources.

Animal waste is another thing that releases chemicals into the air. Some of the chemicals released from animal waste can cause there to be air pollution.

How Does Land Pollution Hurt the Environment?

Land pollution is one of the pollutions that you can actually see with your eyes. You can look around and see trash laying in the streets, on the sides of the roads, and more. Land pollution can be dangerous for people and animals.

Other pollution from farming and mining releases chemicals into the air and the water and it can harm people and animals. Methane is released from landfills and this causes problems with the environment.

What are Landfills?

Landfills are a place that areas put garbage to try to make sure that chemicals are not released into the air and water. Even when they try to prevent it, some chemicals always escape.

There are many laws about using landfills.

How Does Land Pollution Hurt our Health?

Land pollution can hurt our health because of the chemicals that are released into the air and water.

When chemicals get into the water and air it can cause people to be sick and can cause them to have things like breathing problems, skin problems, and even cancer.

Biodegradable Trash

Trash that is biodegradable can help the environment because it can decay and become part of the environment. When it becomes part of the environment, it uses different cycles to be reused.

Some items take a very long time to decompose. Decompose means to decay. Items like glass and Styrofoam can take years and years to decay.

How Can People Help with Land Pollution?

People can help to have less land pollution by recycling. You can recycle trash that is paper and that can decay and go back into the environment.

Some items such as computers and batteries cannot be recycled, and they have to be put in other places.

Picking up the trash can be helpful to keep our water sources from getting dirty.

Composting is when you take waste from like food and you put it in a container, and it breaks down faster and can be used to make things like fertilizers. Composting can help the environment to not have so much trash.

What Did You Learn?

What is land pollution? Land pollution is any type of damage that happens to the land.

What causes land pollution? Land pollution is caused by throwing away garbage, by factories, farming, and mining.

How can we stop some land pollution? Land pollution can lessen when people recycle and dispose of their trash properly.

What does decompose mean? Decompose means when product decay.

What is composting? Composting is taking materials such as food and putting them in a container so they can break down and be used for fertilizers.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Land pollution happens naturally or is human-made. It can occur by farming, factories, mining, and littering. When land pollution happens, it can causes problems with the food chain and plants to die. If land pollution involves chemicals or gas such as greenhouse gas or methane, it can even cause the ozone layer to get smaller, which can lead to global warming.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Kids learn about global warming and changes in the Earth's climate. What are some causes? Teach greenhouse gases and carbon footprint.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Deforestation | Causes, Effects & Solutions | Video for Kids

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Where does the trash go after you leave it at the curb? It could be incinerated, to reduce 90% of its volume, or composted for use as fertilizer, or recycled for re-use! So what's holding you up? Take out the trash already!

# data[].attributes.body
* Caring for Nature
* Cleaning Up Litter
* Global Climate Strike
* Reusing and Recycling
* Saving Energy
* Saving Water

# data[].attributes.body
* Caring for Nature
* Cleaning Up Litter
* Global Climate Strike
* Reusing and Recycling
* Saving Energy
* Saving Water

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Unite for Literacy provides free digital access to picture books, narrated in many languages. Literacy is at the core of a healthy community, so we unite with partners to enable all families to read with their young children.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What is ACID RAIN? | Acid Rain | Dr Binocs Show | Kids Learning Video | Peekaboo Kidz

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Unite for Literacy provides free digital access to picture books, narrated in many languages. Literacy is at the core of a healthy community, so we unite with partners to enable all families to read with their young children.