In recent times, one issue that has caused debates and increasing talks around the world is global warming. California has seen one of the worst wildfires ever, Hawaii volcanic eruption has continued for months, and heatwave is sweeping over Europe. Climate change which is the main cause of global warming is propagated by either external or internal climate forcings. Natural circumstances comprise the internal forcings while external forcings include those caused by man, referred to as anthropogenic. There are some countries that cause the worst pollution than others through industrial activities, gases, and other activities.
The World Health Organization has estimated a death toll of seven million persons yearly from taking in polluted air. These deaths arise mostly in African and Asian countries. It also reported that about 25% of death tolls arising from diseases of the heart, lung cancer, and stroke can be traced to air pollution.
Some nations are notably notorious for causing the most pollution in the world and this, of course, affects the countries and their people. These countries can be judged based on the measure of pollutant emitted per capita or by the pollutant’s impact on the environment of the country or even by actual greenhouse effects. This list is done in no ranking order given the reasons above.
Countries That Cause The Worst Pollution
1. CHINA
In 2017, China beat every other country hands down in winning the worst polluter of the year award. Well, this shouldn’t be surprising given that the People’s Republic of China is the world’s most populous nation. The phrase ‘Made in China’ doesn’t come loosely; it is a result of the huge industrial hub that the country has become. Closely following this is a massive production of pollutants which cause pose great risks to them and neighboring countries. Wisely, the government is setting in place appropriate plans that should help reduce this challenge.
2. THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
If you are shocked that The United States made this list, then you should think again. According to global carbon atlas, U.S emits CO2 in the range of about 5,312 million tonnes (5,312 mtCO2). Yet despite these facts, the whole world was left in shock when President Donald Trump made an announcement that the issue of climate will cease to be recognized by the country as a threat to national security. This came in 2017 and US is still the second worst emitter, somehow anyhow we hope this changes.
3. INDIA
Of course, one should expect that India would be on the list of countries that cause the worst pollution simply for its population. The country is the seventh-largest country in the world by area and is also reportedly the number one country in terms of pollutant emission. India is also one of the poorest nations of the world and has a huge reliance on coal as it cheap and affordable.
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This unhealthy and ‘uncontained’ use of coal is posing a serious threat to the country. An average death of 1.2 million individuals happens every year and their landmass isn’t even left out, what with floods and destruction of crops.
4. RUSSIA
Russia has recently made a name for itself as the host of the 2018 FIFA World Cup and of course, the country has gained in more ways than one. Global warming is, however, threatening to throw all this down the drain due to the country’s increasing reliance on fossil fuels, coal, gas, and oil. If clear measures aren’t taken to reduce the nation’s emission then truly good things won’t last forever.
5. JAPAN
When it comes to fossil fuel consumption, this great Asian country has no rival. Coming fifth place in the emission of greenhouses gases is no mean feat also but I guess they had it coming. What with an almost non-existent care for nature and wildlife and a greater interest in the industry, production, and urban development. As with most other affected Asian countries, their government seems to be working out a magic or two up their sleeves to combat this notorious ‘plague’.
6. GERMANY
Stuttgart, one of the largest cities in German has earned itself a comparison to China’s Beijing in recent times for being a super emitter. Other big German cities (27 of them) like its capital, Berlin, and Munich have also been reprimanded for the same reason. Last year (2017), the European Union (EU) issued a warning to Germany and four others to clean up their mess or face court action.
7. IRAN
Among the most polluted places on earth is the Iranian city called Ahvaz. The place is so polluted; it beat the living breath out of about 400 persons in 2016 in just a space of 23 days. Qom and Tehran are fast racing to queue behind Ahvaz in this pollution game. The nation’s dependence on petrochemical products seems to be the main culprit here.
In 2015, alongside the Kuwait City, Karachi, Ahvaz recorded as one of the hottest places on earth after exceeding a temperature of 50C.
The truth remains that there is hardly any clean place on Earth and this is all man-made. The least we can do to save our precious planet is to plant a tree (look this up, will you?)
Nevertheless, some of the countries that cause the worst pollution on earth and others that have not made the list are are now working on banning gas and diesel cars which have been found to be one of the chief contributors to pollution and global warming. Some of these countries include China, Britain which is looking to finally ban the cars by 2040 just as France. Other countries are India and Germany.
