Pollution happens when too much of a contaminant is introduced into a particular environment. These contaminants negatively affect the life forms inhabiting that environment, as well the ecosystem as a whole.

Pollution comes in many forms and contexts. For example, one area of concern is air pollution from chemicals and harmful particles such as carbon monoxide, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), and nitrogen oxides. Water pollution is another well-known form of pollution- caused when contaminants such as waste products and chemicals enter water systems through runoff, spills, littering, etc.

However, pollution also encompasses lesser-known categories such as visual or noise pollution, where the problem is excess aural or visual stimulation in a certain environment. Many people think of pollution as the introduction of a harmful foreign substance into an environment, yet pollution can also take the form of energy or excess amounts of a naturally occurring substance. Reducing the amount of pollution (whether it is air, water, noise, soil, radioactive, etc.) is important to creating a sustainable world that will continue to support living beings in the future.

The sheer number of pollutants and types of pollution may be overwhelming when you’re thinking about how you can help make the world a healthier place. Try targeting one or two types of pollution that you think are most important first, and do what you can to reduce the amount you contribute to those types of pollution.