We are mostly water (60 - 70%). And like most creatures, our cells have water inside them and need water around them. Every day we both gain and lose water. So, clean, accessible water for all is an essential part of the world we want to live in. There is sufficient fresh water on the planet to achieve this. But due to bad economics or poor infrastructure, every year millions of people, most of them children, die from diseases associated with inadequate water supply, sanitation and hygiene. Water scarcity, poor water quality and inadequate sanitation negatively impact food security, livelihood choices and educational opportunities. By 2050, at least one in four people is likely to live in a country affected by chronic or recurring shortages of fresh water. More than 80 per cent of wastewater resulting from human activities is discharged into rivers or sea without any pollution removal.
The Earth’s air (called atmosphere) is composed primarily of nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%). The final 1 percent of the air is made of argon, carbon dioxide and other minor components, incl broad range of contaminants. Air pollution can occur from natural causes or from human activities (combustion, fossil fuels burning etc). Our body needs oxygen to extract energy from food we eat. Bad air quality causes serious health problems to all organism. Besides, our planet’s atmosphere protects us from harmful UV-rays and keeps planet warm to sustain life. So, we need to control both air and water pollution to have healthy life for us and all living organisms on planet Earth. (Heli Illipe Sootak, Estonia)
Air and Water Pollution
Our town
Air and Water
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Air Pollution - animation by Sinziana Tilvan