An environmental catastrophe is happening right now in Hungary and Earth Rangers has written up some key points and mapped out a few ways you can make a difference.  There’s no time to waste, so let’s jump into this toxic story by getting the facts.

Just the facts

On Monday, October 4, 2010, an alumina plant’s reservoir burst, spilling toxic sludge around the town of Ajka, in Hungary. The red toxic sludge has chemicals like cyanide and lead in it. This stuff is so nasty that it can burn your skin and is even radioactive.  Some reports have said there is 100,000 litres that will affect 40 square kilometers (about the size of 6,060 Canadian football fields!).

Cleaning up a toxic spill is tricky business, especially once it’s gotten into the water ways, which is what’s happening right now in Hungary!  As of today, Thursday, October 7th, 2010, the sludge has reached the Danube river (Europe’s second largest river) and will likely make its way to the Black Sea, damaging animal habitat along the way.

Take action!

Big environmental disasters like this are scary stuff, but what’s even more frightening is not doing something about it.

Grab the megaphone: By spreading the message about this toxic spill, you’re making sure politicians, community groups, friends and family know that protecting the environment from catastrophes like this one is super important.

Grab some know-how: Take an interest in your community and how the people and businesses in it affect the environment in both good and bad ways.

Grab some Wild: Start a Bring Back the Wild Campaign and help protect animal’s habitat!