The enemy in the air
Imagine a world that is plain, even ugly —a world without beauty.
Imagine a world in which most of the trees are dead. Many other plants
are small and twisted. Leaves and flowers are spotted with disease. And
fruits, such as grapes, apples, peaches, and plums, can’t grow.
It wouldn’t be a very nice world. But many scientists fear that’s what
our world is going to be like some day—if we don’t do something about
air pollution!
Air pollution can make you cough. It also makes your eyes water and
sting. But it does far worse things to plants. It kills trees. It keeps
flowers from budding. It spoils fruits and vegetables.
Air pollution is a very serious problem. But scientists and many other
people are working on it. They’re trying to clean up the air and keep it
clean, for the sake of people and plants.
damaged aspen leaves
These leaves were damaged by fumes from cars and trucks.
Air pollution, caused by cars and trucks, is killing this pine tree near
a highway in Hameenlinna, Finland.
dying tree near a highway
