Ecological problems and environmental threats along the Danube 1 Katya Klymenko Our civilization is at risk. Clean water is the fastest depleting resource in the world. Without water, there is no life. Life is water. The largest river in Europe, the Danube, sustains the natural environments of 10 different countries, many of which are careful about protecting it from sewage and waste. With the political institutions in place, most countries agree to keep the Danube clean. Thus we might expect hope on the horizon, if all members of our communities commit to reducing greenhouse gas pollution, such as preventing further oil and gas development. However, trade and tourist boats often pollute the river and ruin the natural environment, threatening the life of plants and animals. Garbage and chemicals are the residue of regular trips on the river. It is important to save our clean water, without which we will lose flora and fauna, and end up relying on plastic even more than we already do, to increase the supply of bottled water. Human activities using water have increased the levels of nitrogen and phosphorus in nature. Their overabundance makes phytoplankton and algae 1 www.worldwildlife.org/threats/pollution www.nwf.org/Our-Work/Environmental-Threats/Climate-Change/Greenhouse-Gases www.youtube.com/watch?v=luakq7Ip_Yc
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