Startling new data suggests that the amount of fluff in the Earth's biosphere will shortly reach catastrophic proportions.

Until recently, most of the fluff on the planet was of natural origin, usually produced by dandelions, certain birds and as a result of particularly woolly sheep becoming snagged on bushes. However since the invention of the 'pocket' in 1542, levels of artificial fluff have risen dramatically.

Today's modern synthetic pockets can produce fluff at an alarming rate, and in 2001 an initiative was introduced to encourage clothing manufacturers to convert pockets to more environmentally friendly polymers. This went some way towards stemming the ongoing tide of fluff, but critics have suggested that it's too little, too late.

Besides, pockets are really only part of the problem. Fluff is also found down the backs of refrigerators, it forms spontaneously in attics and it is one of the chief by-products in the manufacture of lard.