Waste, Spills, and Pollution:

It is estimated that, worldwide, municipalities generate more than two billion metric tons of solid waste is every year. Most ends up in landfills or dumped on the surface, bringing with it hazards that include odour, smoke, noise, insects and harmful bacteria, forever chemicals, plastics and microplastic. It contaminates ground water and water supplies, as well as adding methane and other gases to the atmosphere. Methane due to decomposing waste is a potent greenhous gas linked to global warming. Solid waste generation is actually increasing year over year.

Studies have shown that landfills are more often constructed near low-income neighborhoods and minority neighborhoods, increasing health risks for those already disadvantaged. Plastics are a hazard to birds who frequent these sites looking for food scraps.

Resource extraction and processing often involve toxic waste generation, increasing health risks for people and wildlife in the area or downstream. Transportation of resource products, fossil fuels, and industrial chemical are fraught with problems

Here are some BIG ISSUES regarding Waste, Spills, and Pollution. Click on highlighted issues for more information on why this is important, what are the causes, and what needs to be done.

1. Poorly managed sites and holding ponds are often a source of pollution that migrates to the oceans, endangering all life.

2. Waste from developed countries is often exported to underdeveloped countries

3. Intensive industrialized agriculture generates wastes on a massive scale.

4. Fish farming in oceans is decimating wild stocks by spreading disease and pests.

5. Toxic waste from extractive industies can result in water contamination and spread of disease.

6. Transportation of toxic waste, fossil fuels, and industrial chemicals are a massive hazard that frequently result in spills, explosions, enviromental destruction, direct loss of life, and long term health risks.