Can you name the most polluting country?
If you’re interested in the environment, you’ll want to know the countries with the worst polluters. This article will look at the United States, Japan, Kuwait, and India. You’ll learn why each country ranks high in polluted air, water, and land.
India
India is among the world’s most polluted countries. The country has 140 million people breathing air, which is ten times the World Health Organization’s (WHO) safe level.
The pollution is attributed to several factors. It is estimated that vehicles account for about 25 percent of the pollution. Other sources include factories and thermal power plants.
According to a recent report, 1.3 million people died from air pollution in 2015. In addition, nearly 54,000 people died prematurely from air pollution in 2020.
While India’s pollution is a significant health concern, it has done little to curb it. Most cities have limited monitoring stations, allowing much pollution to go unreported.
However, there have been improvements recently. Many Indian states have enacted stricter vehicle emissions standards. They have also begun to introduce 1,000 electric public transport buses. But, it may take two to four decades to reduce particulate matter, according to experts significantly.
Kuwait
Kuwait is one of the top emitters of carbon dioxide. However, it does not have the highest emissions per capita, a common occurrence for countries in the Middle East. This is because the population of Kuwait is small. The most significant emitter of greenhouse gases in Kuwait is transported.
However, the country is investing in clean energy. It plans to produce 15% of its renewable energy by 2030.
Oil companies and refineries contribute to pollution. These activities likely cause elevated PM10 and other air pollution metrics.
The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are also major fossil fuel producers. They have also pledged to take more decisive action on climate change.
The Kuwait Environmental Public Authority has set air quality standards. For example, non-methane hydrocarbons cannot exceed 75 mg/m3.
Japan
Japan is one of the world’s leading importers of natural resources and the second-largest consumer of fossil fuels. Its rapid industrialization has influenced the environment.
However, the country has fought pollution considerably since the 1960s. It has been designated as one of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition partners.
Grassroots pressure groups formed in the 1970s to push for environmental protection. Unlike formal political parties, they focused on single issues. For example, 75 percent of respondents expressed concerns about the expansion of deserts and the loss of rainforests.
Another important factor contributing to the country’s environmental woes is the rapid growth of its population. This has led to coastal water and land pollution. The government and industry are working to address these issues through improved air quality and energy efficiency.
Thailand
Thailand is one of the world’s top five plastic polluters. This is despite a ban on single-use plastic bags implemented in January.
In addition, Bangkok is the most polluted city in Southeast Asia. The PM2.5 rating in the city is two times higher than the World Health Organization’s exposure recommendation.
Several factors cause pollution in Thailand. However, the major contributors are traffic, industry, agricultural burning, and construction.
Traffic is the leading cause of air pollution in Bangkok. According to the Pollution Control Department, 60 percent of the chemical haze in the capital is from car exhaust.
Although the government has been trying to reduce the number of trucks in the city, many older vehicles still spew toxic fumes into the air. Aside from the smog, diesel fumes are also a significant source of fine particles.
United States
There are several reasons why the United States is one of the world’s most polluted countries. However, the most common reasons are the state’s economy, transportation, and industrial pollution.
While the air in the United States has improved over the years, it still poses a severe health threat to many people. Air pollutants, mainly ozone and particle pollution, have been linked to asthma and other respiratory diseases. They can also increase stress and cognitive decline.
Among the most polluted states are California, Pennsylvania, and Texas. These states have long histories of industry and coal production. Some of these industries have produced carcinogens, such as asbestos and lead. This has increased the risk of cancer in developing children.
California is the most populous state in the U.S., with more than 40 million people. It has the fifth largest economy in the world, and its industrial pollution contributes to the state’s air pollution.