by Clémence (Nov 13, 2004)

What will be the future of the Earth when we know that people throw away 20.5 million tons of general household waste and 1.5 million tons of non-biodegradable waste every year ?

Moreover, the oil slick from damaged ships is more and more frequent. Also atmospheric pollution never decreases.

The impact of pollution is :

- on the climate : reduced sunlight, increased rainfall, in winter fog is denser which stops the evaporation of the pollution
- on the ground : grounds and lakes become more acid
- on animals : difficulty to survive
- on humans : breathing problems
- on buildings : damaged stones, dirty walls, rusted metal

The most polluted cities in the world are Bangkok, Bombay, Calcutta where 68% of the population have pulmonary complaints. 

In Cracovie in Poland breathing is equivalent to smoking two packets of cigarettes per day. Delhi, Djakarta, Le Caire, Los Angeles, Manille and Mexico are the biggest cities which are the most polluted in the world.

The Environment isn't one of the major priorities of the government. Luckily, there are still a few associations which defend our countryside as Green Peace : an international anti-nuclear association which protects the oceans and the tropical forest and tries to stop atmospheric pollution.

If people don't react immediately, in a few years from now, certain animals and plant species will disappear from the Earth.

For example, to protect the environment, start with simple gestures like :

- always put waste paper in a bin and don't throw it away on the ground
- select the waste in different containers (paper, glass, cardboard...)

If you wish to react to this article, write to the editor.

(March 11, 2005)
I think that Clemence is right because most people don't respect the environment and nature. And then they are angry because they see papers on the ground.
So as Clemence said, to have no papers which dirty the ground, put papers and all the rubbish into the bin. This way our life will be better (health) and that of the animals too.

Aude (YGTP)

(April 2, 2005)

Pollution increases day by day and this has different consequences on the environment. For example, we can see the impact on the climate, on the animals and, also, on humans. That's why I think that we have to do something to protect the world. For instance, we could support the associations, like Green Peace. Another thing that we could do is inform the world about this important and dangerous problem, pollution, and its terrible consequences. After that, we should think about the solution to this trouble. In my opinion, it's time to do something to help the environment and to protect us !

Luciana (Buenos Aires)