Air Pollution: Which Country Leads The World?

Air pollution is one of the biggest health problems faced by modern industrial society, causing more than 10% of all deaths worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 90% of the world's population lives in areas where air quality levels exceed their recommended guidelines. While almost all countries are responsible for high levels of global pollution, there are five countries that stand out as the most polluting.

China's extensive use of coal

China is the world's largest producer and consumer of coal and is the largest user of coal-derived electricity. In 2020, coal-fired power stations generated 57% of the country's electricity, and over half of the world's coal-fired power is generated in China. China's extensive use of coal is driven by its abundance of coal resources, the fuel's low cost, and its role in power generation and heavy industry.

The history of coal use in China dates back thousands of years. Historians suspect that ancient Chinese people were involved in surface mining around 3490 BC, and by the 3rd century BC, coal was being burned for heat. In the 11th century, a timber shortage in northern China led to a rapid expansion in coal mining and consumption, with coal becoming the main fuel source in households in the capital, Kaifeng. By the 12th century, coal had replaced charcoal in the zone, and new coal markets emerged.

Coal is still widely used in China today due to its availability and affordability. It is used extensively in power generation, with coal-fired power stations providing over half of the country's electricity. China also relies on coal for heavy industry, including steelmaking, where it serves as a heat source and a key component in the smelting process.

China's continued reliance on coal poses challenges to its climate commitments and clean energy goals. Despite pledges to limit coal consumption and transition to renewable energy sources, the construction of new coal-fired power plants reached a 10-year high in 2024. This resurgence in coal-power expansion is driven by investments from the coal-mining sector and policies that prioritize coal power. As a result, renewable energy sources may be treated as supplementary, and coal remains a major contributor to air pollution in China.

India's high dependence on fossil fuels

India is one of the world's top polluters, with fossil fuels being a major contributor to its air pollution. The country's dependence on fossil fuels has been rising, and it ranked as the fourth-largest energy consumer in the world in 2011. India's energy demand is driven by its dynamic economic growth, modernisation, and urbanisation. As a result, the country has shifted from traditional biomass and waste to relying on fossil fuels, with coal, oil, and natural gas being the primary sources.

India's fossil fuel consumption is driven by various sectors, including transportation, industry, residential, and commercial. In 2013, India was the fourth-largest consumer and importer of crude oil and petroleum products, with a demand of 3.7 million barrels per day, far exceeding its domestic production of 1 million barrels per day. The transportation industry is a major driver of this demand, with motor gasoline and gasoil being the most consumed fuels. Additionally, consumers receive large subsidies for retail purchases of diesel, LPG, and kerosene, further increasing oil demand.

India's coal consumption is also significant. While it has limited reserves of coking coal, it imports large quantities from Australia to meet the demands of its steel and cement industries. India's net coal import dependency rose to 23% in 2012, with imports from Indonesia and South Africa. The country has also been importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) since 2004 to meet its domestic demand due to insufficient domestic production and infrastructure. In 2013, India was the fourth-largest LNG importer, accounting for nearly 6% of the global market.

Japan's high consumption of fossil fuels

According to various sources, the most polluted countries in the world include Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, China, Tajikistan, Burkina Faso, and Iraq. While these countries are highly polluted, they are often large, populous nations with many older vehicles and a lack of infrastructure to combat pollution effectively.

Japan, while not one of the most polluted countries, has a high consumption of fossil fuels, which contributes to environmental degradation and global warming. Fossil fuels constitute about 87% of Japan's energy mix, with petroleum contributing 40% of overall energy usage. Other sources state that the share of fossil fuels in Japan's energy mix is over 72%. This heavy reliance on fossil fuels is largely due to the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant disaster, which forced Japan to abandon nuclear energy and increase its use of fossil fuels. Before the disaster, nuclear power accounted for about 13% of Japan's total energy usage, but by 2019, this had dropped to 3%.

Japan's consumption of fossil fuels, particularly oil, has led to increased CO2 emissions, contributing to climate change and global warming. The country aims to address this issue by reducing its dependence on fossil fuels and imports, with a goal of replacing them with renewable and nuclear energy. Japan has set ambitious targets for reducing emissions, aiming for a 46% cut by 2030 compared to 2013 levels, and to be entirely emission-free by 2050.

To achieve these goals, Japan is targeting the reduction of natural gas-fired generation from 34% in 2022 to 20% by 2030. Additionally, the country aims to decrease the share of coal in electric generation from 31% in 2022 to 19% by 2030 and reduce petroleum generation from 4% to 2% in the same period. Japan is also focusing on the rapid development of technologies to reduce emissions from coal, including carbon capture and sequestration, and is prioritizing renewable electricity generation over coal-fired electricity.

While Japan's efforts to reduce fossil fuel consumption and emissions are commendable, there is international criticism that the country may not expand its renewable energy share quickly enough to become carbon-neutral by 2050. Nuclear energy, which could play a significant role in reducing fossil fuel dependence, remains controversial after the Fukushima disaster. Nevertheless, Japan's decarbonization efforts and commitment to environmental sustainability are evident, and the country is taking important steps towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.

Chad's poor air quality

Chad has taken some initiatives to address its air pollution problem. The government has begun promoting cleaner cooking fuel and grid electrification to reduce indoor air pollution. The National Poverty Reduction Strategy aims to improve power generation efficiency and cost-effectiveness, and there is a focus on exploring renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. With United Nations support, Chad has also implemented waste management programs in refugee camps and communities, providing proper services to 74% of households.

While Chad has made promising strides towards improving air quality and public health, continued collaboration with international organizations and a commitment to innovative policies and sustainable practices are crucial to securing a healthier future for its citizens.

US's industrial revolution and heavy reliance on fossil fuels

The United States is one of the top contributors to air pollution, along with China and the European Union. This is largely due to its industrial revolution and heavy reliance on fossil fuels.

The Industrial Revolution, which began in Britain in the 18th century, marked a period of social and economic transformation, with societies evolving from agrarian communities to industrial powerhouses. This revolution soon spread to North America, reaching the United States in the first half of the 19th century. The advent of coal as a primary energy source during this period was a pivotal moment in the country's history. Coal mines began to operate across the United States, and coal gradually replaced wood as a preferred fuel for heating and industrial processes. The abundance of coal in the United States, coupled with its high energy output and ease of transportation, solidified its position as a dominant energy source. By the 1880s, coal was being used for electricity generation, and by the early 1960s, it had become the predominant source of U.S. electricity production.

The Industrial Revolution's impact on the environment has been profound and, in many ways, irreversible. It marked the beginning of our intensive use of fossil fuels, which are the main drivers of climate change. The large-scale carbon emissions that originated during this period continue to accelerate global warming. The revolution's legacy is a persistent rise in greenhouse gas emissions and a global dependency on machinery and technology powered by fossil fuels. As industries expanded, coal, oil, and natural gas became integral not just to energy production but also to powering the machinery that enabled mass production and global trade.

The United States' heavy reliance on fossil fuels has continued into recent times. In 2018, primary energy consumption in the United States hit a record high, with a 4% increase from 2017 and a 0.3% rise above the previous record in 2007. This increase was the largest in both absolute and percentage terms since 2010. Additionally, the hydraulic fracturing and shale revolution of the past decade have propelled the United States to become the world's top producer of crude oil and natural gas. Despite the introduction of renewable energy sources, fossil fuels still account for over 80% of global energy consumption, with the United States being a significant contributor to this statistic.

While industrialization brought about economic growth and improved living standards, it also had significant downsides. The environmental degradation, depletion of natural resources, water pollution, and urban overcrowding that accompanied industrialization have had lasting impacts. The large-scale adoption of fossil fuels during the Industrial Revolution set a precedent for industrial practices that continue to harm the planet, and the United States' role in this historical context has contributed to its position as one of the world's leading air polluters.

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