According to the World Health Organization, air pollution causes about 7 million deaths every single year. That’s more than malaria, HIV/AIDS, or even car accidents. 

Microscopic pollutants in the air can enter your lungs, bloodstream, and even your brain, causing diseases like stroke, lung cancer, and heart disease. Even people who don’t smoke can suffer from respiratory issues just from breathing polluted air.

Cities with high pollution levels often see spikes in emergency room visits during “bad air days.” It’s not just bad for the planet—it’s deadly for us, too.

As National Geographic notes, plastics like bottles and bags can last for centuries in landfills or oceans. Most plastic ever made still exists today in some form.

Fungi and bacteria are like nature’s clean-up crew. They break down dead plants and animals, which helps keep the forest from piling up with dead stuff. Without them, new plants couldn’t grow.

When they break down things, they release nutrients like nitrogen back into the soil, which plants need to grow strong.

They don’t just break down natural stuff like leaves and trees. They can even break down things like glue, paint, and jet fuel over time!

Around 97% of the water on Earth is saltwater, which is found in the oceans. This water can’t be used for drinking or farming because of its high salt content.

The remaining 3% is fresh water, but most of it is locked away in glaciers and ice caps, making it unavailable for daily use. In fact, only about 0.5% of all the fresh water on Earth is easily accessible and usable by humans, found in rivers, lakes, and underground aquifers.

This means that even though Earth has a lot of water, very little of it is fresh and available for human use. It’s a reminder of how important it is to conserve water and manage it wisely.

The Great Basin Bristlecone Pine, found in the USA, holds the record for the oldest known trees on Earth. Some are over 5,000 years old, which is older than the pyramids of Egypt.

Their long life comes from growing in extreme conditions like freezing winds and rocky soil. Because they grow so slowly, their wood becomes dense and strong, helping them survive for thousands of years. 🌲