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Pollution

Pollution can take many forms.

Air, water, solid waste - most agree that pollution is harmful for people and other life on Earth. But more controversial is how to best prevent it - and clean it up.

Carbon pollution pushed environmental breakdown to record levels in 2021

Carbon pollution pushed environmental breakdown to record levels in 2021 18.05.2022

People have warped the climate so much that in 2021 four critical measures of planetary health broke records. Oceans grew hotter, higher and more acidic than ever documented, said the World Meteorological Organization.

Pollution kills 9 million people a year, new study finds

Pollution kills 9 million people a year, new study finds 18.05.2022

The latest figures put pollution on par with smoking in terms of global deaths. In comparison, COVID-19 killed about 6.7 million people globally since the pandemic began.
India: Delhi landfills ignite amid record heat wave

India: Delhi landfills ignite amid record heat wave 17.05.2022

India is struggling with a severe heat wave. Around Delhi, fires stoked by rising temperatures broke out in two of the largest landfill sites. DW's Manira Chaudhary reports on what that means for people working and living around them.
Pakistan: Can this e-mobility scheme cut harmful air pollution?

Pakistan: Can this e-mobility scheme cut harmful air pollution? 13.05.2022

Pakistan's urban air pollution is among the worst in the world. The government wants to encourage people to buy zero-emission electric vehicles to slash carbon emissions.
Scientists sound alarm bells on noise pollution

Scientists sound alarm bells on noise pollution 26.04.2022

The rumble of road traffic and trains, the bustle of the bar downstairs or the roar of a plane taking off – noise is a problem that is increasingly hurting health and disrupting ecosystems.

Quarantine makes Hong Kong's pollution problem even worse

Quarantine makes Hong Kong's pollution problem even worse 21.04.2022

Hong Kong's Zero-COVID policy isn't just taking a toll on human beings, it's also having a huge impact on the environment. The city's quarantine rules have led to a huge increase in plastic waste.

Hope for Brazil's polluted Guanabara Bay

Hope for Brazil's polluted Guanabara Bay 19.04.2022

Rio de Janeiro lies on the beautiful coastline of Guanabara Bay, where the water is heavily polluted with garbage and toxic waste. A major cleanup operation has begun — though it isn't the first.
India: How air pollution is affecting people in Delhi's slums

India: How air pollution is affecting people in Delhi's slums 14.04.2022

People living in slums, who mostly survive on meager incomes, are most vulnerable to toxic air because their work often requires them to stay outdoors for long hours.
Cities are major polluters: Can we make them climate neutral?

Cities are major polluters: Can we make them climate neutral? 11.04.2022

Spewing most of the world's heat-trapping gases, fast-growing cities need to be transformed into clean, low emissions ecosystems in the struggle against climate breakdown.
Discovering the secrets of Cabo Verde's red-billed tropicbirds

Discovering the secrets of Cabo Verde's red-billed tropicbirds 07.04.2022

For the first time, locals from the African island Cabo Verde are collecting data on the habits of the migratory birds. They hope this will reveal key information about ocean health as well as a conservation roadmap.

A bus shelter made of plastic waste in Ghana

A bus shelter made of plastic waste in Ghana 06.04.2022

People are still talking about Ghana's unique bus shelter made of plastic waste. It has been billed as a novel and sustainable way to put discarded plastic to use and fight pollution.

UN report calls for urgent climate action 04.04.2022

United Nations climate scientists have just released a landmark report on what needs to happen to ensure a liveable future on the planet. It says serious cuts to carbon pollution are necessary, and that the world needs to act now.
How chronic oil pollution at sea goes unpunished

How chronic oil pollution at sea goes unpunished 04.04.2022

Cargo ships continue to pollute the world's oceans with oily wastewater. A DW investigation shows how seafarers circumvent environmental laws to save time and money, with devastating effects on the ocean.

Can you have a greener period?

Can you have a greener period? 31.03.2022

Single-use sanitary products are highly polluting. DW looks at eco-friendly alternatives like menstrual cups and period underwear to see how they fare.

How human waste is helping Mexican farmers and the environment

How human waste is helping Mexican farmers and the environment 29.03.2022

Mexico is fighting water pollution, soil degradation and biodiversity loss, partly from agricultural runoff. Human excrement could help make farming more eco-friendly — and save water.
Exclusive: Cargo ships dumping oil into the sea go unpunished

Exclusive: Cargo ships dumping oil into the sea go unpunished 22.03.2022

Vessels continue to pollute the world's oceans with oily wastewater. A DW investigation shows how seafarers circumvent environmental laws to save time and money, with devastating effects.
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