Definition

The introduction of harmful substances (e.g. chemicals, greenhouse gases) or energy (e.g. heat, light, noise) into the environment. Pollution can be categorised based on the area of impact, such as air pollution and water pollution, or type, such as plastic pollution. Pollution is harmful to organisms and the environment.  

Further reading
Pollution - National Geographic [website]
Pollution and health - United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) [website]
Air Pollution - Planetary Health Alliance (PHA) [website]
Air pollution - World Health Organization (WHO) [website]
Chemical Pollution - Planetary Health Alliance (PHA) [website]
Drinking-water - World Health Organization (WHO) [website]
The Lancet Commission on pollution and health [journal articles]
Related

air pollutants; bioaccumulation; biohazards; chemical pollutants; chemical pollution; contaminants, contamination; environmental pollution; forever chemicals (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances; PFAS); hazardous chemicals; hazardous waste; landfills; light pollution; littering; Low Emission Zone (LEZ); microplastics; noise pollution; ozone depletion; Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs); pharmaceutical pollutants; polluted planet; polluter pays principle; polluting; pollution control; radioactive contamination; radiological pollution; sewage; soil contamination; soil pollution; sound pollution; thermal enrichment; thermal pollution; visual pollution

See also
Air quality
Environmental toxins
Eutrophication
Global dimming
Greenhouse Gases (GHGs)
Ocean acidification
Particulate Matter (PM)
Pesticides
Planetary boundaries
Triple planetary crisis
Waste crisis
Water security
Water quality
Explore by theme
Challenges
Environmental Changes
Health Impacts
Drafted by
Chris Graham
Reviewed by
TBC