Pollution is a growing problem that is facing the international community, but even the actions that we take can make a difference. Littering is creating environmental problems all over the world and is often created by careless individuals. If we guard our actions against careless littering we can ensure a better world for everyone.
Littering is a severe problem in many countries around the world. For example, the African city of Kampala, the capitol of Uganda, is suffering from the consequences of littering. For many years the city’s poor didn’t have a proper way to dispose of trash, so garbage filled the streets. Over the years much of the plastic garbage would slowly be pushed into the ground. This plastic litter doesn’t allow rain water to seep into the ground and has caused flooding. In many of Kampala’s poor neighborhoods whenever it rains people’s homes become flooded with water. This water is often dirty and has allowed diseases to spread. This flooding has become so bad that the Ugandan government has banned plastic bags in the entire country to stop the littering.
Trash often finds its way into the water. Today the world’s oceans are believed to have millions of tons of trash floating around in them. This creates a problem for wildlife because they may accidentally eat the trash and die from it. Scientists have found on very remote islands baby birds that have died because their stomachs were full of trash. Fish often get tangled in plastic and will also die. Our actions in our own countries affect the most remote parts of the planet.
We can all be part of the solution to stop this pollution, just by preventing careless littering. If you need to throw something away, don’t toss it over your shoulder — find a trash can. If you see a friend littering tell them not to. By making this small change we can create a better world for all.
What does the author say is the cause of littering? (No more than 4 words)
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How does trash cause flooding? (No more than 10 words)
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How can local actions affect the international environment? (No more than 12 words)
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What does the author suggest to prevent littering? (No more than 7 words)
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