When the Paris Agreement came into effect in November, the global focus on climate change policies was decried as a vital step towards reducing the consumption of fossil fuels. In light of recent uncertainty as to the involvement of the United States in the Paris Agreement, and growing health concerns over pollution in UK cities, new research has highlighted the true cost of these polluted environments.
A map created by The Eco Experts has revealed the "most toxic countries in the world." The data was compiled and cross-referenced to take into account a number of factors including the number of deaths caused by air pollution and overall carbon dioxide emissions. The results are intended to be an indication of the dangers to the environment and population of the 135 countries involved in the study.
The maps show that Middle-Eastern oil-rich countries dominate the top ten spaces on the list. Saudi Arabia is recorded as being the most toxic, with the highest recorded air pollution on the list. The UK ranks 81st for toxicity, behind countries such as Germany and the United States, however, it is listed as having the 37th highest carbon dioxide emissions.
Saudi Arabia
Kuwait
Qatar
Bahrain
United Arab Emirates
Oman
Turkmenistan
Libya
Kazakhstan
Trinidad and Tobago
Islamic Rep of Iran
Luxembourg
Bulgaria
Bosnia and Herzegovenia
Mongolia
Korea
FYR of Macedonia
Singapore
Iraq
China
This data coincides with London’s pollution levels reaching a five-year high last month, and London boroughs such as Camden and Westminster reaching ten out of ten on the air pollution index.
John Whitling of The Eco Experts said that the map is a way of "naming and shaming the worst offenders around the world" and highlighting the risks associated with high levels of pollution.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
