The death toll as a result of air pollution is steadily rising and some countries and areas of the planet suffer greater losses than others. The map above indicates area deaths, with higher death rates in areas based on the darker shades of brown. The study that this map is based on was conducted by NASA and looked at data spanning the period between Jan. 1, 1850, and Jan. 1, 2000. The data was extrapolated to determine the average number of deaths per 1,000 square kilometers due to fine particulate matter. The light blue shade on the continents is an indication of improved air quality and a decrease in pollution associated deaths.
China seems to be wrestling with a dangerously growing level of air pollution. If a plan to defeat China was based on letting them choke on their own waste, then that war is going well. Chinese pollution has reached levels that create regular warnings of danger to the health and lives of children and the elderly.
The west coast is by far the most polluted area of the United States. Bakersfield is tied for the position of the most polluted city in America, with a huge population of asthmatics numbering in the area of 60,000 people. Los Angles is the third most polluted city in America and while they have made some strides toward cleaning up, a massive number of cars and a huge port facility continue to place a strain on their air quality.
A national problem cannot be regionalized since air pollution does not consider political borders. The nice fresh air flows east out of the Rockies pushing the Midwest’s coal fueled air pollution east and depositing their dirt on the Northeastern United States.
East coast states with high pollution levels are blaming rust belt states for cross border air contamination. East coast states were placed into the Ozone Transport Region, which puts them under stricter pollution standards. The east coast governors contend that 98 percent of the ozone pollution in there region is produced by upwind states.
Mexico City has made progress controlling Sulfur Dioxide, Nitrogen Dioxide, Nitric Oxide, Carbon Monoxide and Ozone but the city is still heavily polluted. Santiago is one of the most polluted cities in South America. One day the air can be clear and the next day it can be dangerous to breath.
Countries Rated by Metric Tons of CO2 Emissions
#1 – China
Estimated 2011 CO2 Emissions in metric tons: 8.7 billion
#2 – USA
Estimated 2011 CO2 Emissions in metric tons: 5.42 billion
#3 – India
Estimated 2011 CO2 Emissions in metric tons: 1.97 billion
#4 – Russian Federation
Estimated 2011 CO2 Emissions in metric tons: 1.83 billion
#5 – Japan
Estimated 2011 CO2 Emissions in metric tons: 1.24 billion
#6 – Germany
Estimated 2011 CO2 Emissions in metric tons: 810 million
#7 – South Korea
Estimated 2011 CO2 Emissions in metric tons: 610 million
#8 – Canada
Estimated 2011 CO2 Emissions in metric tons: 560 million
9. Indonesia
Estimated 2011 CO2 Emissions in metric tons: 490 million
10. United Kingdom
Estimated 2011 CO2 Emissions in metric tons: 470 million
Edited/Published by: SB
