Pollution Pops.

• Position: THE BIG PICTURE - Water pollution in Taiwan - Brief article

At first glance, they might look like exotic new flavors of frozen treats, but you wouldn't want to eat these pops. They're made of polluted water from Taiwan's rivers and streams, and those chunks aren't juicy citrus--they're pieces of garbage. Taiwan is grappling with a major environmental problem caused by industrial waste, inadequate sewer systems, and illegal dumping. After noticing the almost-black water in a canal behind their school, a group of students at the National Taiwan University of Arts were inspired to travel around the island and scoop up water samples from various sources to draw attention to the issue. The samples--which contain everything from motor oil to cigarette butts and unknown chemicals--were poured into plastic molds and packaged, with "flavors" such as...