HIPPCO Threats to Biodiversity--Pollution

Pollution as a Threat to Biodiversity

The lesson covers the second “P” in HIPPCO: pollution. Pollution is the introduction of harmful chemicals or unnecessary objects, such as plastic, into the environment, often through human activity.

Examples include:

• Air pollution: Emissions from transportation and power plants, including coal-related emissions and smog.
• Agricultural pollution: Fertilizers and pesticides that can enter waterways.
• Industrial pollution: Toxic waste released into water.
• Lead pollution: Lead in drinking water, such as in the Flint water crisis.
• Human-waste pollution: Waste such as plastic, especially in the oceans.

The lesson emphasizes that pollutants entering the water cycle do not simply disappear, because the water cycle is a closed system.

Featured speaker: Miss Longley, the instructor.