These 15 Shocking Facts About Pollution Will Make You Reexamine Your Own Habits

A lot of people in the world today are lazy. Walking to the nearest trash can be seen as a struggle, so many people just choose to litter the streets with their garbage. Pollution is a very alarming problem for the world right now though and it is only getting worse. The influx of new technology and our reluctance to recycle creates more and more waste.

1. Nearly 700 million Chinese people drink contaminated water

Nearly 700 million Chinese people drink contaminated water

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2. For every 1 million tons of oil that is shipped, 1 ton is spilled.

For every 1 million tons of oil that is shipped, 1 ton is spilled.

natgeo

3. If you spend one day in Beijing breathing the air, it has the same health effects as smoking 21 cigarettes.

If you spend one day in Beijing breathing the air, it has the same health effects as smoking 21 cigarettes.

yibada

4. While Americans make up only 5% of the world’s population, they account for 30% of the world’s waste and use 25% of the world’s resources.

While Americans make up only 5% of the world's population, they account for 30% of the world's waste and use 25% of the world's resources.

pixgood

5. 1 in every 8 deaths on Earth can be linked to air pollution.

1 in every 8 deaths on Earth can be linked to air pollution.

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6. The pollution hovering above China is visible from space.

The pollution hovering above China is visible from space.

time

7. Marine creatures swallow plastic bags because they think they are edible jellyfish.

Marine creatures swallow plastic bags because they think they are edible jellyfish.

goodgirlgonegreat

8. 14 billion pounds of garbage are dumped into the ocean every year and most of it is plastic.

14 billion pounds of garbage are dumped into the ocean every year and most of it is plastic.

natgeo

9. Breathing the air in Mumbai for one whole day is equivalent to smoking 100 cigarettes.

Breathing the air in Mumbai for one whole day is equivalent to smoking 100 cigarettes.

raskalov-vit

10. 3.4 million people die each year because of water related problems.

3.4 million people die each year because of water related problems.

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11. Russia’s Lake Karachay is the most polluted and contaminated lake in the world.

Russia's Lake Karachay is the most polluted and contaminated lake in the world.

thenorthcaucasus

12. In 2012, 49 million tons of waste from electronics were generated.

In 2012, 49 million tons of waste from electronics were generated.

greenpeace

13. Plastic bottles take approximately 500 years to decompose.

Plastic bottles take approximately 500 years to decompose.

natgeo

14. A child dies every 8 seconds from contaminated water.

A child dies every 8 seconds from contaminated water.

dallasnews

15. Almost a third of the air pollution in San Francisco comes from China.

Almost a third of the air pollution in San Francisco comes from China.

cnn

Think about these things the next time you plan to throw your candy wrapper on the ground. Hopefully it will make you think twice about your littering.

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