Developing Countries: Polluters Or Victims?

Air pollution is a pressing issue worldwide, but it disproportionately affects developing countries. The negative effects of pollution are more severe in developing nations, with lower-income countries facing unique challenges. While the sources of air pollution are universal, including vehicles, factories, and households, the lack of economic capacity in developing countries hinders their ability to address the problem effectively. This is further exacerbated by the need to balance economic growth with air quality improvements, as developing countries often prioritize short-term economic gains over transitioning to cleaner energy sources. As a result, citizens in developing countries face higher health risks, including cardiovascular diseases, lung cancer, asthma, and stroke, with indoor air pollution contributing to a significant number of deaths. Addressing air pollution in developing countries requires a combination of government involvement, partnerships, and the implementation of pollution reduction technologies.

Developing countries face a trade-off between economic growth and pollution reduction

Air pollution is a pressing issue worldwide, but developing countries face unique challenges in addressing it. The negative effects of pollution are often more severe in these nations, and they must grapple with the delicate balance between economic growth and pollution reduction. This trade-off is a critical aspect of their development journey.

Developing countries face a complex situation where they need to sustain economic growth while also addressing the detrimental impact of pollution on their citizens' health and well-being. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution claims the lives of around 7 million people globally each year, with a disproportionate impact on low- and middle-income countries. In these developing nations, 98% of cities with over 100,000 inhabitants fall short of the WHO's air quality guidelines, compared to 56% in developed countries.

The primary challenge for developing countries is that their economies are still growing, and they often prioritize economic expansion over environmental concerns. This rapid and sometimes unregulated economic growth can exacerbate pollution problems. For instance, the extensive use of coal, a cheap and readily available fossil fuel, in developing countries contributes significantly to toxic air pollution. Transitioning to cleaner energy sources or implementing emission-limiting technologies can be costly and may hinder economic growth in the short term.

However, failing to address pollution issues also carries economic consequences. Air pollution is a leading cause of diseases and deaths, resulting in substantial health costs and reduced productivity. It is also linked to negative impacts on children's lung development and an increased risk of contracting COVID-19. By investing in cleaner forms of energy and pollution reduction technologies, developing countries can improve the health and life expectancy of their citizens, which, in turn, contributes to a more robust economy in the long run.

To navigate this trade-off, developing countries can prioritize implementing pollution reduction technology, such as switching to cleaner fuels, investing in scrubbers and waste management, and developing communal transit options. Developed nations can play a role in facilitating this transition by aiding in the creation and dissemination of these technologies. Additionally, strengthening the monitoring and reporting of air quality through standardized methods and reliable instrumentation can help developing countries make more informed decisions to improve air quality and protect their citizens' health and standard of living.

Developed nations have already solved challenges that developing nations face

Developing countries face a unique set of challenges that developed nations have already overcome. One of the primary reasons why developing countries struggle more with air pollution is that they must navigate obstacles that developed nations have already tackled. For instance, developing nations often face a difficult choice between economic growth and the level of pollutants they release.

Kevin Wood from Camfil USA air filtration explains that "developing nations are less likely to invest in cleaner sources of energy because these renewable resources tend to be more expensive to procure than cheap and readily available fossil fuels like coal". Coal, though considered the dirtiest fossil fuel, provides cheap energy to power developing infrastructure. The rapid expansion of infrastructure in developing countries makes it impractical to install cleaner and more efficient forms of energy. In contrast, developed nations have already met most of their basic needs, so they can afford to invest in cleaner energy sources.

Developing countries also face challenges such as high levels of debt, limited fiscal space, inadequate infrastructure, and lack of access to vaccines and medical resources. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these issues, with many developing countries entering the pandemic with high levels of debt, making it even more difficult to service that debt during an economic downturn. This has led to calls for debt relief and restructuring to prevent default or rampant inflation.

Furthermore, developing countries that rely heavily on exporting natural resources, such as oil, minerals, and agricultural products, face challenges due to trade restrictions and sanctions. They must navigate political backlash, loss of support, and revenue constraints while complying with diplomatic, economic, and environmental sanctions.

To address these challenges, developed nations can assist by providing funding, technology, and expertise. For example, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) helps countries transition from finite fossil fuels to clean, renewable, and affordable sources of energy. They leverage billions of dollars in financing to partner with cities and industries to increase the share of renewables and establish solar energy access for displaced people. Additionally, developed nations can help create and implement pollution reduction technology, such as cleaner fuels, waste management solutions, and communal transit options, in developing countries. This not only improves the environment but also contributes to long-term economic growth by reducing health costs associated with air pollution.

Developing nations lack the resources to transition away from fossil fuels

While air pollution is a global issue, it is more prevalent in developing countries. This is due to a variety of factors, including the use of inefficient cooking, heating, and lighting practices, as well as rapid and unregulated economic expansion. In addition, developing nations often lack the resources to transition away from fossil fuels, which can be more expensive and less accessible than cheaper, readily available fossil fuels like coal. This can result in toxic air pollutants that have severe health implications, with people in sub-Saharan Africa, South and East Asia, and the Western Pacific experiencing the highest rates of health issues from indoor air pollution.

Developing countries must make difficult choices between releasing pollutants and growing their economies. They may be hesitant to invest in cleaner sources of energy due to the higher upfront costs and the need to balance economic growth with environmental protection. Furthermore, the infrastructure in these countries is often expanding rapidly, making it impractical to install cleaner and more efficient forms of energy. As a result, developing nations may prioritize short-term economic gains over transitioning away from polluting infrastructure.

To address this challenge, developed nations can assist in creating and implementing pollution reduction technologies in developing countries. This includes switching to cleaner fuels, investing in waste management, and creating communal transit options. International cooperation is crucial, as demonstrated by initiatives such as the Green Climate Fund, which aims to help developing countries move away from fossil fuels. Additionally, domestic sources of funding, such as taxes on fossil fuels and reforming subsidies, can provide the necessary financial resources for a just transition that protects workers and communities.

While transitioning away from fossil fuels is essential, it is important to recognize that fossil fuels have played a significant role in humanity's energy use. They have provided more concentrated, convenient, and flexible forms of energy, contributing to advancements in transportation and technology. However, to successfully combat climate change, a drastic reduction in the production and consumption of fossil fuels is necessary, along with strong policies and international cooperation.

Indoor air pollution is caused by the burning of solid fuels

While air pollution affects all countries, it is a more significant issue in developing nations. Developing countries face challenges that developed nations have already overcome, such as rapid and unregulated economic expansion. They must balance economic growth with reducing emissions, and often lack the resources to transition away from polluting infrastructure.

Indoor air pollution is a major issue in developing countries, caused primarily by the burning of solid fuels for cooking, heating, and lighting. Solid fuels include wood, crop waste, charcoal, coal, and dung. These fuels are used by around 2.1 billion people worldwide, mostly in low- and middle-income countries. The indoor burning of these fuels produces particulate matter, which is a major health risk, causing respiratory diseases and increasing the risk of premature death. The World Health Organization (WHO) has defined this as "the world's largest single environmental health risk".

The use of solid fuels for cooking and heating disproportionately affects women and children, who are typically responsible for household chores such as cooking and collecting firewood. They are, therefore, exposed to higher levels of harmful smoke from polluting stoves and fuels. The ingestion of kerosene is the leading cause of childhood poisoning, and the use of solid fuels for cooking, heating, and lighting is also linked to a large fraction of severe burns and injuries in low- and middle-income countries.

The obvious solution to indoor air pollution caused by solid fuel burning is for households to transition to modern, cleaner methods of cooking and heating, such as biogas, ethanol, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), natural gas, and electricity. However, cleaner fuels are often unavailable or too expensive for low-income households. As a result, countries with the highest death rates from indoor air pollution are those with very low access to clean fuels and a high dependence on solid fuels.

To address this issue, strategies to increase the adoption of clean household energy sources include providing financial support for the purchase of cleaner technologies and fuels, improving ventilation and housing design, and running communication campaigns to encourage clean energy use. Developed nations can assist in creating and implementing these technologies in developing countries, helping to protect the health and economic development of their citizens.

Poor air quality increases the likelihood of contracting COVID-19

While air pollution is a global issue, it is more prevalent in developing countries. This is due to a variety of factors, including the use of fossil fuels, rapid and unregulated economic expansion, and inefficient cooking, heating, and lighting practices. These factors contribute to poor air quality, which has severe health implications and increases the likelihood of contracting COVID-19.

Poor air quality is a significant issue in developing countries, with 98% of cities in middle- to low-income countries failing to meet World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guidelines. This is in contrast to developed countries, where only 56% of cities do not meet these guidelines. The sources of air pollution are universal, including vehicles, factories, households, agriculture, and landfills. However, the impact of these sources is more heavily felt in developing nations.

Indoor air pollution, resulting from the use of kerosene and solid fuels such as wood, crop wastes, charcoal, coal, and dung, is a particular problem in low- to middle-income countries. This type of pollution leads to 3.8 million deaths worldwide each year, with the highest rates occurring in sub-Saharan Africa, South and East Asia, and the Western Pacific, particularly in rural households. The lack of access to cleaner fuels and technologies puts lower-income individuals at higher risk of health issues, including cardiovascular diseases, lung cancer, asthma, and stroke.

The impact of poor air quality on health is significant, and it can increase the risk of premature birth, cause and worsen lung and heart disease, and lead to death. It is also linked to increased asthma rates and reduced life expectancy. With the COVID-19 pandemic, poor air quality becomes even more concerning as it can increase the likelihood of contracting the virus. Vulnerable populations, including children, adults over 65, people of color, pregnant people, smokers, and people experiencing poverty, are at an even higher risk of the negative health impacts of air pollution.

To address these issues, developing countries should prioritize implementing pollution reduction technology and investing in cleaner fuels, scrubbers, waste management, and communal transit options. Developed nations can assist in creating and implementing these technologies, accelerating the process of environmental protection. By working together, it is possible to improve air quality and protect the health and well-being of people worldwide.

Frequently asked questions