Who Pollutes More: The Us Or India?

The United States has historically been the top emitter of CO2, with its share in global emissions far outstripping its share in the global population. However, in recent years, the US has made significant strides in reducing its pollution levels, with cities like New York boasting far cleaner air than their Indian counterparts. India, on the other hand, continues to struggle with poor air quality, particularly in urban areas like Delhi, where agricultural burning, traffic, and industrial activities contribute to dangerously high levels of air pollution. While the US has made progress in reducing its carbon footprint, it still contributes disproportionately to global emissions compared to its population size.

Carbon dioxide emissions

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a long-lived greenhouse gas that can remain in the Earth's atmosphere for thousands of years. It is responsible for about 63% of the warming attributable to all greenhouse gases. CO2 in the atmosphere comes from two primary sources: natural and human activities. Natural sources include outgassing from the ocean, decomposing plants, wildfires, and volcanoes. Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas, release greenhouse gases, leading to a temperature rise that cannot be explained by natural causes alone.

The countries that have historically produced the most carbon dioxide emissions are the United States, China, Russia, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Japan. As of 2023, China is the largest emitter of carbon dioxide, with 11,903 million metric tons emitted in that year. The primary source of China's emissions is fossil fuels, particularly coal, which accounts for about 58% of its total energy generation. China is also a significant importer of oil, contributing to emissions through motor vehicle use. The United States is the second-largest emitter, with 4,911 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emitted in 2023. The largest sources of US emissions are transportation, electric power, and industry. India is the third-largest emitter, with 3,062 million metric tons of total carbon dioxide emissions. India's emissions constitute 8% of the global total and are projected to surpass the European Union's emissions.

While China has overtaken the US as the largest annual emitter, the US has released more heat-trapping gases than China and India to date. At India's 2021 emission rate, it would take about 135 years to match the US's historical contribution. Per capita emissions in the US remain twice those of Europe and China and eight times those of India.

Agricultural burning

India, the second-largest agro-based economy, generates a large amount of agricultural waste, including crop residues. The burning of crop residues is a significant contributor to India's poor air quality and imposes a heavy health burden on the country. This practice has led to tens of thousands of premature deaths annually, with the air pollution from crop burning causing respiratory illnesses and other health issues.

Farmers in India often resort to burning crop residues due to the tight schedule between the harvest and sowing seasons. For example, in northwestern India, farmers grow rice in the summer and wheat in the winter, leaving little time to prepare their lands for the next crop. Burning the fields is a cheap and fast way to dispose of crop residues, and it also helps to clear the soil for the next crop. However, this practice has severe environmental and health consequences.

The Indian government has implemented various measures and campaigns to promote sustainable management methods for crop residues, such as converting them into energy or manure. Several laws have been enacted to curb crop residue burning, including the Air Prevention and Control of Pollution Act, 1981, and The National Environment Appellate Authority Act, 1997. Despite these efforts, crop residue burning remains widespread, with a 60% increase in agricultural fires detected by NASA's Aqua satellite from 2002 to 2016.

To effectively address this issue, a combination of government interventions, policy changes, and farmer education is necessary. Alternative methods for disposing of crop residues, such as composting and biochar production, can help reduce agricultural burning and improve air quality. Additionally, providing incentives for farmers to plant crops that do not leave stubble, such as fruits and vegetables, can also help reduce the need for burning.

Overall, agricultural burning is a complex issue that requires the collaboration of various stakeholders to implement sustainable solutions that balance environmental protection, human health, and the economic concerns of farmers.

Air quality

India's poor air quality is well-documented. In 2018, it was declared the most polluted country in the world, with 140 million people breathing air that is 10 times or more over the World Health Organisation's safe limit. A study published in The Lancet estimated that in 2017, air pollution killed 1.24 million Indians, with the average life expectancy lowered by 1.7 years. The 10 most polluted cities in the world are all in northern India, with 21 out of the 30 most polluted cities in India.

The main causes of India's poor air quality are vehicular pollution, industrial emissions, thermal power plants, construction dust, waste burning, and the use of cheap and dirty fuels for cooking and heating homes. The burning of agricultural stubble is also a significant contributor to air pollution. This is a cheap method of clearing fields to prepare the ground for the next crop, but it releases harmful pollutants into the air.

In comparison, the US has a better air quality index (AQI) number, averaging 152, compared to India's PM2.5 figure of 58.08µg/m³. However, this concentration is still five times higher than the recommended level by the World Health Organisation, indicating serious health problems.

It is important to note that the perception of air quality can vary among different populations. Surveys conducted by numbeo.com from 2011 to 2014 asked respondents in the US and other countries about their satisfaction with air quality. The results indicated varying perceptions, with higher values suggesting greater satisfaction with air quality in their country.

While the US may have a better air quality index than India, both countries face significant challenges in improving their air quality to meet the standards set by the World Health Organisation.

Water pollution

In India, water pollution has reached alarming levels, with around 70% of surface water resources being polluted and unfit for consumption. The main sources of water pollution in India are untreated sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial wastewater. The Ganges, a sacred river to Hindus, is the second most polluting river in the world, receiving 2.9 billion litres of untreated wastewater from industrial and domestic sources daily. Other rivers like the Markanda, Kali, Amlakhadi, Yamuna, and Betwa also exhibit high levels of pollution. India's water pollution has severe health consequences, with an estimated 400,000 Indians dying annually from diarrhoeal illnesses due to inadequate sanitation and hygiene. The health costs of water pollution in India are significant, amounting to $6.7–8.7 billion per year.

Socioeconomic factors such as income inequality, population density, urbanization, illiteracy, lack of democracy, and corruption are hypothesized to impact water pollution in India. For example, a survey in Bengaluru found that wealthy households consume four times more water than average households, generating more waste and contributing to pollution. Additionally, India's water stress is exacerbated by inefficient waste management and a significant mismatch between the spatial distribution of available water and the population.

On the other hand, the US faces water pollution issues in iconic rivers like the Mississippi, which plays a vital cultural and economic role in shaping the lives of communities along its path. The Mississippi River has suffered from pollution caused by industrial runoff, untreated sewage, and environmental pressures intensified by climate change. While specific data on the volume of wastewater discharged into US rivers is unavailable, it is clear that water pollution in the US has significant ecological and economic impacts.

Both countries have recognized the importance of addressing water pollution and have embarked on collaborative initiatives to restore their great rivers. India's Namami Gange initiative has invested billions in sewage treatment plants, riverbank restoration, and community engagement to reduce pollution in the Ganges. Similarly, cleanup efforts along the Mississippi River near Minneapolis have helped restore habitats and improve the river's health. These efforts demonstrate a commitment to preserving vital natural resources and promoting global cooperation in the face of shared environmental challenges.

Fossil fuel burning

The United States and India are two of the world's largest consumers of energy and significant contributors to global carbon dioxide emissions. However, when it comes to the comparison of pollution levels between the two countries, the United States has a much higher carbon footprint per capita than India.

In terms of fossil fuel burning, the United States has historically been the top emitter of carbon dioxide, despite having a smaller population than India. This disparity is still evident today, as the United States' share in global emissions far exceeds its share of the global population. On the other hand, India's share of emissions is lower than its share of the global population.

India's dependence on imported fossil fuels has been rising due to increasing energy demands driven by economic growth and modernization. In 2012, India's net coal import dependency reached nearly 23%, and the country became the fourth-largest importer of crude oil and petroleum products in 2013. However, India's per capita emissions are lower compared to the United States, indicating that the pollution levels per person are lower in India.

To conclude, while both the United States and India contribute significantly to global carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel burning, the United States has a higher carbon footprint per capita, making it one of the largest per capita emitters of carbon dioxide in the world. India's emissions, particularly from fossil fuel burning, are also increasing due to growing energy demands and dependence on imported fossil fuels.

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