# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The world uses nearly 3 billion gallons of oil every single day. We use oil to help fuel our cars, trucks, buses, and to heat our homes. Oil is also made into plastics, which are used to make bottles and smartphones. We rely on oil rigs placed in the middle of the sea to drill for oil or natural gas at the bottom of the ocean. When oil rigs break, it causes oil spills that can severely harm- How is the Environment Affected? animals and plants.
Oil and water do not blend well. When there are oil spills in the ocean, oil floats on the surface of the water, which spreads out into a layer that is thick enough to block sunlight from reaching under the sea.

Oil spills are a major reason that killer whales are endangered . The oil may be eaten or enter the whale's blowhole, which helps them breathe. Whales will rise over the water to take a breath but if the blowhole is plugged with oil, the whale cannot breathe.Other marine animals and organisms that swim through oil can ingest it through their gills, which can kill them or affect their ability to have babies.
Check This Out Next: Plastic Litter in the Ocean Will Triple By 2040 if We Do Nothing To Stop It How do we Clean Up Oil Spills?
An oil spill affects the coastline. O il might get stuck to birds and their feathers . Although bird feathers are naturally waterproof , the oil neutralises their ability to repel water and conserve heat and exposes their sensitive skin to temperature extremes. When birds try to clean themselves, they will accidentally ingest the oil that hurts their liver, lungs, and intestines. Feathers are the most important feature of a bird . They allow birds to jump off the ground and soar in the air at speeds high enough to shoot in and out of water. However, these are only possible if a bird's feathers are healthy.

There are many ways to clean a spill. Dispersants , a type of chemical, are mainly used as a clean-up tool. They can break oil into smaller parts and decompose the bacteria living in the water. However, using dispersants may make the environment worse.

Another method of cleaning up oil spills involves placing a floating barrier around the oil and lighting it on fire , but this usually leads to pollution. Using machines to help separate the oil from the water may work, however, if a leak is ongoing, such a machine may not be able to keep up with the rate of contamination.

When animals arrive at cleaning centres, oil is flushed from their eyes and intestines and then they're examined for broken bones, cuts and other injuries. Next, they get a stomach-coating medicine to prevent any more oil from entering their systems.

We can always raise money and make donations to agencies in charge of the clean-ups, such as the National Wildlife Federation. Cutting down on oil use in everyday life is a great way to help. Walking or using a bike instead of riding in a car can make a huge difference.
Featured image by: Florida Sea Grant
Something a city can do is decide to pave its roads with cement instead of asphalt . This way, we can really work together and make the world a better place and see a better tomorrow.

Are you a school and want to collaborate with Earth.Org?

contact us

Are you a student working on sustainable projects or learning about climate change and the environment?

Submit your story for a chance to be featured on Kids.Earth.Org

send us your news

About the Author

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How Do Oil Spills Affect the Environment? - Earth.Org Kids

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The world uses nearly 3 billion gallons of oil every single day. When oil rigs break, it causes oil spills that can severely harm animals and plants.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
A sea otter carefully uses its paws to free itself from a plastic bag that's tangled loosely around its body. This sea otter isn't the only animal to have a dangerous run-in with litter: It's estimated that about half of all marine mammals have eaten or gotten trapped by plastic.

A LITTLE POLLUTION = BIG PROBLEMS

Plastic pollution is different from paper or food waste because it never fully decomposes, or breaks down into pieces that can be reused by nature. Instead, plastic often ends up in water, where it releases toxic chemicals and can be mistaken for food. In a study conducted by the journal Science, scientists estimate that 8.8 million tons of plastic enter the ocean every year, threatening over 700 species of marine animals.

Plastic trash isn't the Earth's only pollution problem. Oil accidentally spilling into the sea, agriculture products like fertilizers and pesticides seeping into the soil, and even excess noise and light can pollute the environment.

For instance, the sounds made by ships mess with whale calls, and bright lights can confuse animals such as birds and newly hatched sea turtles.

CLEANING UP OUR ACT

Once released into the environment, pollution can affect wildlife habitats for years. It's easy to blame factories, but some of the mess comes from everyday human activities. For instance, car exhaust fumes and excess garbage can seriously harm Earth's health.

You can probably clean your room in a couple of hours. (At least we hope you can!) But you can't cram Earth's pollution problem into your closet. We all need to pitch in and clean up the planet. Look at it this way: Just like your room, it's always better to prevent the Earth from getting dirty in the first place. Check out these tips for cutting down on your own personal waste.

Recycle: The process of turning stuff that would otherwise be thrown away as trash into new products

Compost: Decaying material, like leftover food scraps, that adds nutrients to soil and helps plants grow

Decompose: The process of breaking down something into parts that can be reused by nature; for example, fallen leaves decompose to become soil.

Biodegradable: Something usually used by people that decomposes; for example, unlike a plastic spoon, a biodegradable spoon won't stay in the environment for thousands of years-it'll decompose.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Find out how pollution from plastic, light, oil, and other trash affects Earth.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Everyone can help to prevent oil spills, one of the worst environmental disasters. Cutting down the use of oil and organizing fundraisers are great ways to get the kids involved.