Some facts about natural and anthropogenic pollution of rivers and lakes over the past few years
Mercury and plastic from rivers and lakes can not only harm local ecosystems but also pose a danger to humans, as river water is actively used by humans. And when it reaches the sea, the carcinogen can accumulate in seafood and be ingested by humans. In Greenland, in just the last couple of years, thousands of large blue lakes have turned brown; they’ve filled with stinking mud that releases carbon into the atmosphere. Another study found that mercury levels have nearly doubled in virtually all the world’s major rivers. And the first data collected on plastic pollution in the Amazon basin in 2025 reveals its widespread prevalence.
Massive floods, fires that have killed dozens of people are caused by global climate change
Massive floods that have engulfed Poland and Central European countries and caused the deaths of dozens of people are caused by global climate change, as are other similar cataclysms around the world, said Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former adviser to the UN Secretary-General on climate change Rae Kwon Chung. Record fires have engulfed South America, bringing black rain, green rivers and toxic air to the continent. Drought and prolonged heat have caused forest fires in the Bryansk region of Russia. At least 503 people have died in Chad as a result of floods, as of September 24. Coastal flooding due to high tides is becoming an increasingly common occurrence in most parts of the United States.
Increased number of extreme forest fires due to climate change has become a global problem
Energetically extreme fires have a huge impact on the Earth system, releasing huge plumes of smoke into the atmosphere comparable to volcanic eruptions. They release vast stores of carbon and cause severe damage to ecosystems and societies, sometimes destroying entire cities or suburbs. A new study published in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution has tracked the rapid increase in energetically extreme wildfires across the planet over the past two decades.