3.4B Environmental Problems
Some communities in developing countries have experienced major environmental problems (including air and water pollution, land degradation, over-exploitation of resources, and loss of biodiversity), which impact on people’s health and wellbeing.
In China (which is an emerging country?):
- Since 1980 China has undergone an industrial revolution similar to the one the UK underwent from 1770 to 1900.
- Severe air pollution in cities like Beijing, where air pollution is regularly above the World Health Organisation safe limits.
- Beijing's six million cars and coal-burning power stations are the source of this pollution, close to 50% of the world's coal is burnt in China.
- Around 50% of China's rivers and lakes and 40% of its groundwater is polluted - so much that it is unsafe to drink untreated.
- Over 20% of China is subject to desertification and severe soil erosion, which can create major dust storms.
- Combined with deforestation, desertification has forced many farmers off their land and into cities as the farmland has been over-exposed.
- The WWF reported that in the last 40 years almost half of China's land-based vertebrate species have been lost and biodiversity has suffered.
- These environmental issues have human consequences as people live in the polluted environment. Air pollution in northern China has been estimated to reduce life expectancy by nearly five years.
Actual Examples of Developing Countries
- 2006 Dutch TNC Trafigura disposed of hazardous waste in Abidjan, Ivory Coast (HDI 0.462) where costs lower than Amsterdam. Hydrogen sulphide in waste produced toxic gas. 17 people died, 30,000 required medical treatment for stomach pains.
- Togo (HDI 0.484) lost 60% of rainforest area to supply timber to manufacturing industries. Nigeria (HDI 0.514) forest area halved.
- Living Planet Index compiled by Zoological Society of London shows 61% decline in biodiversity in tropical areas from 1970-2008.