Family Lessons:  Pollution and Protecting Our Planet

 

 
 
School may be out for summer but that doesn’t mean our little ones have to stop learning. Teaching them about our planet is one fun way to keep them occupied during the summer. Step away from the Xbox and host a family lesson about things like pollution, protecting our planet and being eco-friendly.

As part of The Eco Explorer Club, today's lesson is all about pollution and protecting our planet. 

It’s one thing we’re eager to teach our children about because it is going to impact the planet as they continue to grow. If you’re joining us in hosting a Family Lesson of your own then read on to find out all about pollution and where it comes from.

So, what exactly is pollution? 

Pollution is when something is added to the natural environment that is harmful to living things. It can affect the air we breathe, water in rivers and oceans and the land around us. 

Unfortunately, pollution comes from a variety of different things. One of the main ones is air pollution. Air pollution is when harmful gases, smoke or dust get into the air, causing harm to the planet and to our health. Some air pollution comes from natural sources like volcanic eruptions and dust storms. However, it is mostly caused by human activity. This is why walking to school, the shops or your local park is far better than jumping in the car for a short journey.

A major source of air pollution is the burning of fossil fuels for energy, to make products in factories, and when using cars and trucks. When fossil fuels are burned, they release gases and fine particles into the atmosphere. When light and heat from the sun react with them in the atmosphere, smog is formed. Smog is a type of air pollution that is a problem in large cities around the world. Can you name any large cities where smog is an issue?

Water pollution is caused when waste gets into rivers, lakes, oceans and the sea. Numerous things cause water pollution including oil spills, use of pesticides and fertilisers, chemicals from factories, oil spills and rubbish from people littering. Littering continues to be a major problem in society so it is important to reduce, reuse and recycle.

Sewage can introduce harmful bacteria to water systems that can make people and animals very sick.  Bacteria in the water use oxygen to break down the sewage.  The bacteria uses up the oxygen that is needed by fish.

Oil spills cause major problems, and can be extremely harmful to marine life. Because oil does not dissolve, it stays on the water surface and can suffocate fish and get caught in the feathers of seabirds making it difficult for them to fly. Some animals die as a result.

At the end of every lesson, why not ask everyone what the most interesting thing they learned was? It is a perfect way to refresh their minds and instil this super important information in them.

Join The Eco Explorers Club and explore Draw with Don Conroy – art classes, imagination yoga with Caragh and more fun way to learn about protecting our planet. 

Brought to you by
Eco Explorer’s Club is here to educate and engage both parents and kids alike. Through the Sustainability partnership of SSE Airtricity & Dublin Zoo you can access the tools and resources to learn without having to leave your home.

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