Fill in the Blanks PollutionOnline version Article from National Geographic kids by Nikolas Melka 1 enter nature pieces plastic even free Oil pollution dangerous mistaken Pollution Find out how pollution from , light , oil , and other trash affects Earth . A sea otter carefully uses its paws to itself from a plastic bag that ? s tangled loosely around its body . This sea otter isn't the only animal to have a run - in with litter : It ? s estimated that about half of all marine mammals have eaten or gotten trapped by plastic . A LITTLE POLLUTION = BIG PROBLEMS Plastic is different from paper or food waste because it never fully decomposes , or breaks down into that can be reused by . Instead , plastic often ends up in water , where it releases toxic chemicals and can be for food . In a study conducted by the journal Science , scientists estimate that 8 . 8 million tons of plastic the ocean every year , threatening over 700 species of marine animals . Plastic trash isn ? t the Earth ? s only pollution problem . accidentally spilling into the sea , agriculture products like fertilizers and pesticides seeping into the soil , and excess noise and light can pollute the environment . 2 sounds Check bright wildlife probably dirty such health Once For instance , the made by ships mess with whale calls , and lights can confuse animals as birds and newly hatched sea turtles . CLEANING UP OUR ACT released into the environment , pollution can affect habitats for years . It ? s easy to blame factories , but some of the mess comes from everyday human activities . For instance , car exhaust fumes and excess garbage can seriously harm Earth ? s . You can clean your room in a couple of hours . ( At least we hope you can ! ) But you can ? t cram Earth ? s pollution problem into your closet . We all need to pitch in and clean up the planet . Look at it this way : Just like your room , it ? s always better to prevent the Earth from getting in the first place . out these tips for cutting down on your own personal waste .
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