In 2004, Britain's rural affairs minister agreed to undergo a blood test. It detected 33 hazardous man-made compounds including pesticides, flame-retardants and industrial plastics. Many of these chemicals had been banned (some for more than 20 years) after being linked to cancer, immune-system disorders and neurological problems.

Pollution is not a new problem; there is evidence that atmospheric lead pollution occurred in Greek and Roman times. But because of industrialisation and population growth, pollution is now occurring on a scale that threatens not only human health but the ecological health of the planet. Urban air pollution is now causing 800,000 premature deaths per year, and the planet’s oceans are awash with microscopic fragments of plastic. Many pollutants are long-lasting and could pose an environmental and health risk for centuries to come.

Household waste is only a small part of the waste generated by our high-consumption society; the greater part comes from mining, energy generation, transport and manufacturing. Americans on average generate their own body weight in waste every day. Much of this waste could be avoided by recycling and by using materials more efficiently. As consumers we can contribute by choosing environmentally friendly products, by repairing, re-using and recycling those products – and by making do with less.

See also Energy and climate, Oceans, Sustainability.