Science Common Sense

904 - What are the environmental impacts of plastic pollution?

The environmental impacts of plastic pollution are very bad for our planet. Here are a few main problems:

1. Animals get hurt: Many animals like turtles, fish, and seabirds mistake plastic for food, which can harm or kill them.
2. Ocean and water pollution: Plastic breaks into small pieces and enters our oceans and rivers, making the water dirty and unhealthy for animals and humans.
3. Soil pollution: Plastic also gets into the soil and affects the plants that grow there, which can be bad for food and the environment.
4. Climate change: Making plastic uses a lot of energy and contributes to climate change, which makes the Earth get hotter and causes problems like super storms and droughts.
5. Litter and waste: Plastic waste doesn't break down easily, so it stays on Earth for a very long time, making our environment look dirty and unhealthy.

We need to reduce our plastic use and keep our planet clean.