Water Pollution Facts, Effects of Water Pollution, Clean Water Act Clean and plentiful water provides the foundation for prosperous communities. We rely on clean water to survive, yet right now we are heading towards a water crisis. Changing climate patterns are threatening lakes and rivers, and key sources that we tap for drinking water are being overdrawn or tainted with pollution. NRDC experts are helping to secure safe and sufficient water for people and the environment by: Promoting water efficiency strategies to help decrease the amount of water wasted;Protecting our water from pollution by defending the Clean Water Act and advocating for solutions like green infrastructure;Helping prepare cities, counties and states for water-related challenges they will face as a result of climate change; andEnsuring that waterways have enough water to support vibrant aquatic ecosystems. Protecting Clean Water Dirty water is the world's biggest health risk, and continues to threaten both quality of life and public health in the United States.
Artists & Products Plastic Oceans | Facts | Waste | Plastic Oceans The proliferation of plastic products in the last 70 years or so has been extraordinary; quite simply we cannot now live without them. This epidemic of plastic has resulted in an increased introduction from around 50 million tonnes in 1950 to 245 million tonnes in 2008 (Plastics Europe). Plastic is cheap and incredibly versatile with properties that make it ideal for many applications. However, these qualities have also resulted in it becoming an environmental issue. According to water filtration company Brita, Americans throw away 35 billion plastic water bottles every year.Packaging is the largest end use market segment accounting for just over 40|% of total plastic usage (Plastics Europe)Annually approximately 500 billion plastic bags are used worldwide.
Ocean Pollution Causes Why be concerned with ocean pollution causes? Here’s why. Imagine yourself walking on the beach. Such a scenario does not only take place in our imagination. Ocean water pollution is one of the vital environmental issues the planet is facing at present. There is no single source of ocean pollution. Here are some major ocean pollution causes. Oil Industry Our demand for fossil fuels is adversely affecting the oceans. Remember the 2010 BP Oil spill, one of the greatest environmental catastrophe US has faced ever? In turn, when gasoline is burned, may it be by vehicles or power stations, toxic gases are released into the air. Garbage Dumping Garbage is one of the significant ocean pollution causes. Back in 1975, the National Academy of Sciences estimated that about 14 billion pounds of garbage was being dumped into the ocean every year. Plastic bags, balloons, glass bottles, shoes, packaging material, etc, through Man’s irresponsible disposage of waste, have found their way to the ocean.
Southern African leaders fail to prioritise water and sanitation | Global development The majority of southern Africans are living in an "unrelenting struggle against sanitation and water poverty," according to a new report that accuses governments in the region of failing to prioritise their plight. In From promise to reality, the international NGO WaterAid says southern African leaders have fallen behind on their promises to boost public spending on basic services, with the poorest and most vulnerable people hardest hit. "There is a lot of economic growth in the region... but this is bypassing much of the population," said John Garrett, senior policy analyst at WaterAid, contrasting the optimism over southern Africa's economic prospects with the region's lagging progress on clean water and sanitation targets. An estimated 174 million people in southern Africa - almost two thirds of the total population - lack access to basic latrines, while more than 100 million go without clean drinking water. WaterAid says no government in southern Africa has met the spending target.
What are the effects of water pollution Effects of water pollution. You will notice in the previous pages that water pollution is very harmful to humans, animals and water life. The effects can be catastrophic, depending on the kind of chemicals, concentrations of the pollutants and where there are polluted. The effects of water pollution are varied and depend on what chemicals are dumped and in which locations. Many water bodies near urban areas (cities and towns) are highly polluted. Death of aquatic (water) animals The main problem caused by water pollution is that it kills life that depends on these water bodies. Disruption of food-chains Pollution disrupts the natural food chain as well. Diseases Eventually, humans are affected by this process as well. Destruction of ecosystems Ecosystems (the interaction of living things in a place, depending on each other for life) can be severely changed or destroyed by water pollution.
Why Recycle? The Response » THE CLEAN OCEANS PROJECT Our Organization The Clean Oceans Project (TCOP) is a 501c3 non-profit created to develop efficient and effective methods of eliminating plastic from the ocean. Our Plan TCOP’s multi-phase approach involves research, education and direct action integrated into a cohesive long-term plan. Training shoreline surveyors creates local awareness and promotes ocean stewardship. To measure progress we monitor plastic debris deposition rates at isolated shore stations which is far more accurate than oceanic sampling. Disposal TCOP will utilize plastic-to-fuel conversion systems on board collection vessels to transform plastic into diesel fuel eliminating the need to dispose of the waste in a landfill and providing fuel for collection operations. Long Term Commitments TCOP is committed to a comprehensive global approach to plastic pollution. We are committed to research and technical innovation to facilitate an accurate awareness of plastics pollution. Support and Funding Our Message
Plastic Waste Causes Financial Damage of US$13 Billion to Marine Ecosystems Each Year as Concern Grows over Microplastics Nairobi, 23 June 2014 - Concern is growing over the threat that widespread plastic waste poses to marine life, with conservative estimates of the overall financial damage of plastics to marine ecosystems standing at US$13 billion each year, according to two reports released on the opening day of the first United Nations Environment Assembly.The eleventh edition of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Year Book looks at ten issues flagged as emerging by previous reports over the past decade, including plastic waste in the ocean. The UNEP Year Book 2014 gives an update on each issue and provides options for action. Other areas covered include the environmental impacts of excess nitrogen and marine aquaculture, air pollution's deadly toll, and the potential of citizen science. Valuing Plastic, a UNEP-supported report produced by the Plastic Disclosure Project (PDP) and Trucost, makes the business case for managing and disclosing plastic use in the consumer goods industry.
22d74a6887640bf192029afb1a992af8 l Environment « Water Pollution Guide There are many different types of water pollution and all have a different adverse effect on the environment. Heavy metals from industrial processes can accumulate in nearby lakes and rivers. These are toxic to marine life such as fish and shellfish, and can affect the rest of the food chain. This means that entire animal communities can be badly affected by this type of pollutant.Industrial waste often contains many toxic compounds that damage the health of aquatic animals and those who eat them. Some toxins affect the reproductive success of marine life and can therefore disrupt the community structure of an aquatic environment.Microbial pollutants from sewage often result in infectious diseases that infect aquatic life and terrestrial life through drinking water. This often increases the number of mortalities seen within an environment.Organic matter and nutrients causes an increase in aerobic algae and depletes oxygen from the water column.
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