Note that satellite providers try to minimze leakage by jettisoning or using up all of the fuel aboard before the satellites fall back to earth.<p>The article is stating interesting things, but does not really provide any alternatives. Current sites are located in places so as not to pose any danger to <i>human</i> settlements, and rockets are flown mostly over sea or desolate deserts. Sure, more could be done to protect the wildlife, but there are standards that all launchers have to abide by. If such standards are too lax, that is for regulatory bodies to decide.<p><i>Some estimates suggest the number of launches per year could hit 1,000 by 2050, up from 112 in 2020.</i><p>Deciding policy based on the guess that current number of launches will 10x in 25 years may not be.. wise.