Pollution's Big Three: India, China, And The Us Military

India, China, and the US military are among the world's top polluters. India and China are two of the world's most populous nations and biggest emerging economies, and their emissions are rising. India's pollution is driven by traffic, fossil fuel-burning power plants, heavy industries, and agricultural stubble burning. China, on the other hand, has banned agricultural burning and is investing in renewable energy projects. The US military, with its vast supply chains and fuel purchases, is also a significant contributor to pollution, emitting more than 25,000 kilotonnes of carbon dioxide in 2017 and consuming more liquid fuels than most medium-sized countries.

India's pollution levels are driven by agricultural burning and fossil fuels

India's pollution levels are driven by a combination of agricultural burning and fossil fuel usage. India's pollution levels are often compared with China's, and while both countries struggle with poor air quality, India's pollution levels are significantly worse. Of the world's 30 most polluted cities, 22 are in India, with the remaining eight in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and China.

Agricultural burning is a significant contributor to India's poor air quality. Every acre of paddy yields about 2.5 tons of stubble, which, when burned, releases a ton of organic carbon and numerous pollutants into the atmosphere. This practice has detrimental effects on human health, particularly for children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing respiratory illnesses. Despite government bans and interventions, crop residue burning remains widespread due to its convenience and low cost for farmers.

Fossil fuel combustion is another major driver of India's pollution levels. In 2018, air pollution from fossil fuels caused an estimated 2.5 million premature deaths in India. The country's dependence on imported fossil fuels has been increasing, rising to 38% in 2012. India's growing energy demand is driven by its dynamic economic growth, modernization, and urbanization. While India has introduced initiatives to control pollution sources, such as the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), there has been little progress in reducing fossil fuel usage, particularly coal.

The combination of agricultural burning and fossil fuel usage has severe health and environmental consequences for India. The country continues to face challenges in balancing economic development with the need to reduce pollution and protect the health of its citizens.

China's pollution levels are decreasing, but it was the biggest polluter in 2022

China's pollution levels have been decreasing since the country announced a ""war against pollution" in 2014. By 2021, pollution levels had dropped by 42% compared to 2013, and this decline continued through 2022, with a 41% reduction relative to 2013. This progress has resulted in a 2.2-year increase in the life expectancy of the average Chinese citizen, provided these reductions in pollution are sustained.

Despite these improvements, China still has significant work to do to achieve healthy pollution levels. China's overall particulate pollution average meets its national standard of 35 µg/m³, but it exceeds the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline of 5 µg/m³. As a result, pollution still reduces the average Chinese resident's life expectancy by 2.5 years compared to the WHO guideline. Furthermore, 99.9% of China's 1.4 billion people live in areas where pollution exceeds the WHO guideline.

China's pollution problem has historically been driven by coal consumption and production, which emit harmful pollutants such as carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10). China has made strides in reducing coal consumption and associated polluting industries, which has contributed to its declining pollution levels. However, China's economic growth has remained stable despite these reductions, demonstrating that economic development can be decoupled from pollution.

In addition to air pollution, China has also faced challenges with lead pollution, particularly impacting children. Lead poisoning has been described as one of the most common pediatric health problems in China, with one-third of Chinese children suffering from elevated serum lead levels. Pollution from metal smelters and the battery industry has been a significant contributor to this issue.

While China's pollution levels are decreasing, it was still the biggest annual climate polluter in 2022. China is the second-largest economy in the world and the largest emitter of planet-warming greenhouse gases. The average Chinese person is nearly four times more polluting than they were in the past. This classification as a developing nation has sparked debates about China's responsibility to pay for the damage caused by climate change, especially to vulnerable countries that are least responsible for global warming but suffer the most from its consequences.

The US military's fuel usage makes it one of the world's largest polluters

The US military is one of the world's largest polluters, with its fuel usage contributing significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions. According to a study by Lancaster University and Durham University, the US military's fuel usage would rank it as the 47th largest emitter of greenhouse gases globally if it were a country, surpassing the emissions of many medium-sized nations.

In 2017, the US military purchased approximately 269,230 barrels of oil per day, resulting in emissions of over 25,000 kilotonnes of carbon dioxide. The US Air Force, Navy, Army, and Marines collectively spent billions of dollars on fuel, with the Air Force being the largest emitter of greenhouse gases among the armed forces. The military's vast supply chains and global reach contribute to their significant carbon footprint.

The impact of the US military's fuel usage extends beyond its direct emissions. The procurement and distribution of fuel across the US military empire come at a significant opportunity cost. The resources spent on fuelling the military machine could instead be allocated towards funding initiatives such as the Green New Deal, addressing climate change, and investing in renewable energy sources.

Moreover, the US military's carbon bootprint has implications for domestic and international policies. To effectively address climate change, there is a growing consensus that the number of US military bases worldwide needs to be reduced. This would involve reevaluating the country's international treaties and domestic policies to prioritize environmental sustainability over military expansion.

While the US military has recognized the threat of climate change and its contribution to the issue, its climate policy remains contradictory. Efforts to develop alternative energy sources, such as biofuels, have been minimal compared to their massive spending on hydrocarbon fuels. As a result, the US military continues to be a major contributor to global pollution and climate change.

India's emissions are projected to increase as it develops

India's emissions-intensity target has been rated as "Insufficient" by the Climate Action Tracker, indicating that substantial improvements are needed to align with the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C temperature limit. India's commitment to the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is to reduce emissions intensity by 45% from the 2005 level by 2030. While India has made strides in this area, with a substantial increase in forest cover and a focus on non-fossil fuel generation, its current efforts are not enough to meet the 2030 target.

India's energy future is at a crossroads, with the need to balance economic growth and emissions reduction. The country has taken steps towards a sustainable energy transition by increasing investments in renewable energy projects, such as solar PV with storage and offshore wind energy. Additionally, India has advanced its green hydrogen policy, aiming for 5 million tonnes per annum of green hydrogen production by 2030. These initiatives are crucial for decarbonizing refineries and fertilizer plants, which currently rely on fossil fuels.

However, India's coal capacity remains significant, and the utilization of existing gas power plants has increased to meet energy demands. India's developing economy and energy requirements put it in a complex situation regarding emissions. While a short-term increase in emissions may be necessary to meet poverty reduction and energy security goals, scaling up current policies and accelerating the integration of renewable energy sources could help lower emissions over the medium and long term.

India's emissions trajectory is influenced by its developmental needs and the challenge of balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability. The country's efforts to reduce emissions and promote renewable energy are encouraging, but a faster and more comprehensive approach is necessary to align with global climate goals and ensure a sustainable future for the country.

China and India's emissions are causing a rise in global carbon dioxide emissions

China, India, the United States, and the European Union were responsible for 83% of emissions in 2022. While China was the biggest polluter in 2022, the US has been the largest over time. India's emissions are rising steeply, and it is often lumped in with China as one of the two major emerging economies and the world's most populous nations. However, there are differences between the two countries. India is investing in major renewable energy projects, but it remains reliant on coal. China, on the other hand, has shown the power and will to pay to make changes, according to an expert. India's pollution is considered worse than China's due to the burning of agricultural stubble by farmers clearing their fields, which is banned in China.

India's capital, Delhi, has been experiencing extreme pollution levels, with air quality in cities across Asia also under the spotlight. Of the world's 30 most polluted cities, 22 are in India, according to research by IQ AirVisual and Greenpeace. The remaining eight cities are in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and China, with Beijing ranked 122nd. Overall, Bangladesh has the worst air quality, followed by Pakistan and then India. However, these statistics should be interpreted with caution due to variations in the density of measuring stations and data transparency across these countries.

While China and India's emissions are contributing to rising global carbon dioxide levels, it is important to recognize that developed countries, particularly the US and the EU, bear greater historical responsibility for climate change. These countries have emitted significant amounts over the last 200 years and have built their economies and wealth on fossil fuels. As a result, there are growing calls for wealthy nations to slash emissions faster and reach net-zero goals sooner.

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