Protecting the Planet Together

Earth is the only home we have — and it needs our help. Human activities like burning fuel, cutting down forests, and throwing away too much trash are harming the planet's air, water, land, and living things. The good news is that people everywhere can work together to protect it.

How humans harm the planet

• Pollution — burning fossil fuels releases gases that dirty the air; plastic and chemicals pollute rivers and oceans.
• Deforestation — cutting down forests removes trees that animals need for shelter and that all of us need to produce clean air.
• Waste — throwing away too much creates landfills that leak harmful chemicals into the soil and water.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

• Reduce — use less of what harms the planet (less plastic, less energy, less water).
• Reuse — use things again instead of throwing them away (reusable bottles, cloth bags).
• Recycle — sort glass, paper, and plastic so they can be made into new products instead of going to landfills.

Actions everyone can take

• Turn off lights and water when not in use to save energy and water.
• Plant trees or care for a garden to restore green spaces.
• Pick up litter and keep waterways clean to protect wildlife.
• Walk, bike, or carpool instead of always using a car to reduce air pollution.