Humans have succeeded where other species have failed because of our ingenuity. But the same technologies and inventions that allow us to dominate our surroundings come at a cost to the natural environment.
Pollution is defined as the introduction of contaminants into a natural environment. It may not seem like much, but every time we burn fuel or throw away a plastic bag, we are contributing to the world's pollution. While pollution can muddy Earth's otherwise pristine landscapes, the contamination kills animals, plants, and humans. It's estimated that air pollution kills more than 2 million of people every year, due to chronic respiratory diseases and cancer. Pollution also contributes to more than a billion people lacking clean drinking water. Watch the video to see for yourself just how polluted our world can get.
