noun
environmental pollution, pollution
B1
Umweltverschmutzung (die) means 'environmental pollution' or simply 'pollution'. It's a compound noun referring to contamination of air, water or soil. Usually used as uncountable in general discourse but has regular plural Umweltverschmutzungen. Declensions follow standard feminine patterns: die Umweltverschmutzung, der Umweltverschmutzung, den Umweltverschmutzungen.
Examples
Die Umweltverschmutzung in der Stadt hat in den letzten Jahren zugenommen.
Environmental pollution in the city has increased in recent years.
Obwohl strenge Regeln existierten, nahm die Umweltverschmutzung in einigen Regionen zu, nachdem viele Fabriken keine Filter installierten.
Although strict rules existed, environmental pollution increased in some regions after many factories did not install filters.
Viele Organisationen kämpfen gegen Umweltverschmutzung und für saubere Luft.
Many organizations fight pollution and advocate for clean air.
Details
Mnemonics
Imagine the Earth with a dark smudge labeled 'Umweltverschmutzung'.
Split it: 'Umwelt' = 'environment' (world), 'Verschmutzung' sounds like 'vershmutzung' = 'smut' — dirty world.
Nouns ending in -ung are feminine: think 'die -ung' as a female ending.
Notes
Compound noun: Umwelt (environment) + Verschmutzung (pollution). As with most -ung nouns, it is feminine. The plural is often used in contexts discussing different types or instances of pollution.