what is nicaragua doing to help the environment

No other issue other than climate change is a truly global concern. Global temperatures are projected to ascension between 2.five-10 degrees Fahrenheit over the adjacent century, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climatic change, a grouping of over one,300 scientists from the U.South. and effectually the world. The impacts of climatic change are already existence felt and will likely but intensify over time.

The telescopic of the impact of climate change is difficult to overstate. Everything from wildlife, ecosystems, agriculture, and human health will all exist affected on a global calibration. Already the consequence is felt worldwide. A global problem requires a global solution, and when it comes to protecting the environment for future generations, some countries are doing more than than others.

24/7 Wall St. created an index to measure environmental performance by country using information from Yale University's 2018 Environmental Performance Index and the World Bank's "What a Waste material Database." The measures that contain this index range in telescopic and include air quality, water quality, biodiversity, wastewater treatment, carbon emissions, and proactive environmental policies.

Information technology is of import to annotation that the high ranking countries on this list are non necessarily exemplary at resource direction and per capita waste material. Several of the countries that rank high in certain measures of environmental stewardship are some of the same countries that produce the most waste material.

Poorest countries:These are the 25 poorest countries in the world

Richest countries:These are the 25 richest countries in the world

Addressing environmental issues costs money, and many poorer nations lack the resources necessary to tackle even the virtually pressing environmental issues. In fact, many of the countries doing the to the lowest degree to protect the environment as well rank among the 25 poorest countries in the globe. Conversely, many of the countries doing the most rank amongst the globe'southward richest countries.

Countries doing the most to protect the environment

fifteen. Peru

• Population exposed to dangerous air pollution levels: 100%

• Area with gov. protection: 13.ane%

• Gross domestic product per capita: $12,237

Desire to pollute in Peru? They'll see you in courtroom! Just over a year ago, the South American nation established its first specialized environmental court, aiming to add some muscle to its environmental laws as the country deals with illegal mining, deforestation, environmental deposition, and illicit trade in wildlife, mining equipment, and chancy waste product. In less than a year, the court had nearly 3,000 ecology complaints on the docket.

14. Tunisia

• Population exposed to unsafe air pollution levels: 100%

• Expanse with gov. protection: 5.2%

• GDP per capita: $10,849

Sustainable ecology policies are part of the economic and social strategies of this Northward African nation, which is aiming for a balance betwixt development and protecting natural resource. To crack downwards on illegal dumping, Tunisia introduced a "green police" force in 2017, with fines levied for littering or burning waste material and possible imprisonment for offenses impacting public health. Other responsibilities of the green police include raising awareness of environmental and waste management issues amid the general public.

13. Singapore

• Population exposed to unsafe air pollution levels: 100%

• Expanse with gov. protection: 2.v%

• Gdp per capita: $85,535

Betwixt 2006 and 2016, Singapore'southward emissions from fossil fuel consumption dropped by a healthy 19.ane%, though sadly carbon emissions from fossil fuels and cement production soared 225.iii% from 2007 to 2017. The Southeast Asian nation declared 2018 the Year of Climate Action, alerting the public to the dangers of climate change, increased regulations on discarding food, plastics, and e-waste; and turning a greater focus on sustainability. It looks every bit though immature people are poised to take a leading role in green initiatives as 60% of students in Singapore took role in the SEC-StarHub School Green Awards, which encourages young people to turn their passion for the surroundings into action.

12. Romania

• Population exposed to unsafe air pollution levels: 98%

• Area with gov. protection: 24.3%

• GDP per capita: $23,505

Romania is working with the World Bank to achieve its goals in fighting climatic change and striving for low-carbon development. Among the collaboration'due south objectives are developing an ecology strategy and activity plan, identifying carbon-trading opportunities, and building a cognition base of operations for bear on assessment and decision making. More than 24% of Romania's terrestrial and marine areas are protected, and betwixt 2006 and 2016, carbon emissions from fossil fuel consumption dropped by more than 33%. The level of carbon emissions from fossil fuels and cement production is also down by 26.3%. Industry-related air and water pollution in Romania is linked to acrid rain, high greenhouse-gas levels, and industrial runoff into the river system.

11. Belarus

• Population exposed to unsafe air pollution levels: 99.9%

• Area with gov. protection: 9.iv%

• GDP per capita: $17,175

Belarus is 1 of several countries that benefited from the Un Evolution Programme, which aimed to promote economic growth through environmentally sustainable means. The project, which stretched from 2014 to 2017, resulted in nearly ii-dozen pilot projects, including a motor oil collection and processing system in the Barysau and Krupki Districts and the state'due south kickoff wood educational center in Horni Park, Lida District. The projection also created 50 new light-green jobs.

Additionally, the presence of dangerous fine particulate matter declined by 40.8% in the state from 1990 to 2016.

10. Republic of hungary

• Population exposed to unsafe air pollution levels: 100%

• Area with gov. protection: 22.6%

• Gross domestic product per capita: $26,861

Hungary has made considerable progress in ecology protection in recent years. The landlocked fundamental European country has managed to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 35% since 1990. Additionally, the country is on rail to more than meet or exceed its goal of 14.vii% renewable energy by 2020. Hungary is also exemplary in its protection of its land. Slightly more 22% of the country's territory is protected by the government, a larger than typical share.

All the same, as is the example with every country on this list, more progress needs to be fabricated. Fossil fuels nonetheless account for over 70% of Republic of hungary's energy, and the country has i of the worst mortality rates due to air pollution among OECD countries.

9. Trinidad and Tobago

• Population exposed to unsafe air pollution levels: 100%

• Area with gov. protection: 2.0%

• Gdp per capita: $28,763

A regional leader in environmental protection, Trinidad and Tobago is the simply Caribbean nation to rank on this list. Economical growth has historically been driven by environmentally harmful means, such as mining and deforestation. Now the country is shifting toward more environmentally sustainable growth practices, which the isle nation's authorities acknowledges is essential for both businesses and communities in the country.

The regime is leading past example, pledging to conserve resource and free energy, attach to sustainable waste matter management practices, reduce pollution, and reduce output of harmful greenhouse gases. The presence of dangerous fine particulate air pollution declined by 13.3% in the state from 1990 to 2016.

eight. Bulgaria

• Population exposed to dangerous air pollution levels: 99.9%

• Area with gov. protection: 28.three%

• GDP per capita: $18,606

Since joining the European Wedlock in 2007, Bulgaria has made significant strides toward developing an environmentally sustainable economy, in accord with EU directives, including working towards the goal of 16% renewable free energy past 2020. Results are already axiomatic. The presence of unsafe PM2.5 air pollution declined by 43.3% in the state from 1990 to 2016.

The Bulgarian authorities too protects much of its land. Over 28% of the country'southward lands are reserves with express public admission similar national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, protected landscapes, and areas managed for sustainable apply.

7. United States

• Population exposed to dangerous air pollution levels: 3.3%

• Area with gov. protection: 26.iii%

• GDP per capita: $54,471

Despite the internationally criticized 2017 determination to withdraw from the Paris Agreement – a multinational accordance to collectively combat global warming – the U.S. ranks among the 10 countries doing the most to protect the environment. Over a quarter of U.Due south. territory is protected reserves with limited public access like national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and areas managed for sustainable use, a larger share than most countries. Additionally, only 3.3% of the U.S. population are exposed to dangerous levels of air pollution.

Under the Trump Administration's 2020 budget proposal, funding for the Ecology Protection Agency volition be slashed by 31%. Should these cuts take event, the U.Southward. may not remain ane of the global leaders in ecology protection for long.

6. Canada

• Population exposed to unsafe air pollution levels: 0%

• Area with gov. protection: 6.5%

• GDP per capita: $44,018

Though only six.five% of the terrestrial and marine areas are protected in Canada, that's still a lot of surface area when you have into consideration it is the second largest country on the globe in landmass. The country comprises burgeoning urban areas, the fragile Chill Circle, and a variety of terrains in between. Environmental achievements include supporting climate-friendly technology leading to energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable urban transportation; reducing greenhouse gas emissions; and providing biodiversity planning and protection for country and sea. Challenges include rapid warming in the formerly frozen-solid n, the impact of air pollution on wildlife, vegetation, h2o and soil, and acid rain.

five. Australia

• Population exposed to unsafe air pollution levels: 24.ix%

• Area with gov. protection: 29.seven%

• GDP per capita: $44,643

Right behind its neighbour New Zealand, Australia has the second highest percentage of protected terrestrial and marine areas of countries on this list. There was, however, an 8.4% increase in consumption emissions between 2006 and 2016 and a iii.2% hike in carbon emissions from fossil fuel and cement production. Earlier this year, a written report past the OECD condemned Australia's record on emissions and declared the country non on the right path to encounter its 2030 goals under the Paris agreement. But the country has too been cited for its ecology achievements, including its plastic bag ban, its strategy to halve nutrient waste, and the construction of the earth's largest lithium battery to more effectively shop wind free energy.

iv. New Zealand

• Population exposed to unsafe air pollution levels: 0%

• Area with gov. protection: 30.5%

• Gdp per capita: $36,013

Watching "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" movies may exist as close as many of us will get to enjoying New Zealand'southward pristine air, but apparently those sparkling, clean skies are existent and not CGI, as evidenced by the 0% of the population exposed to unsafe fine particle air pollution levels. Almost ane-third of the terrestrial and marine area is protected, the highest share among the summit 15 countries doing the nigh to protect the surround. New Zealand met targets for reducing greenhouse emissions set under the first Kyoto Protocol, and it has set up additional reduction goals for 2020, 2030, and 2050. Still, fifty-fifty if you're doing a great job, at that place's e'er room for improvement. The WWF notes that deforestation, soil erosion, and destruction of wildlife habitats continue to exist issues.

3. Kingdom of norway

• Population exposed to unsafe air pollution levels: two%

• Area with gov. protection: 5.ane%

• Gross domestic product per capita: $64,965

Thanks to an abundance of hydro power, Kingdom of norway's power organization is practically 100% renewable. Yet, the northern nation has somewhat higher per capita greenhouse emissions than other countries in Europe and Asia. Norway, which signed the Kyoto Protocol, hopes to reduce that number in the coming year. Carbon neutrality by 2050 is another goal. With that said, only v.1% of the terrestrial and marine areas in Norway are protected, among the everyman percentages of the 15 countries doing the near to protect the environment.

2. Finland

• Population exposed to unsafe air pollution levels: 0%

• Surface area with gov. protection: 14.2%

• GDP per capita: $41,018

Finland is known as 1 of the most environmentally friendly countries on World thanks largely to its nigh unbelievable achievement of having 0% of its population exposed to unsafe levels of fine particle air pollution, according to the WHO. One of the world's wealthiest industrialized countries, Finland clearly has the wherewithal to back up vigorous green policies, aiming to anticipate risks and forbid damage before any harm is done. Ongoing environmental goals include reducing per capita greenhouse emissions, significantly increasing the use of renewable energy, and protecting wood and farmland habitats.

ane. Denmark

• Population exposed to unsafe air pollution levels: 56.9%

• Area with gov. protection: 17.ix%

• Gross domestic product per capita: $47,270

Denmark already ranked loftier when we reported on this topic in 2017. The country has continued to brand strides forward, in air quality in item. On the previous report, 78.eight% of the population was exposed to unsafe levels of fine particle air pollution; at present, the effigy has dropped to 56.ix%. Denmark tops the list of countries doing the most to protect the environment, and continues to set ambitious goals, among them having at least half its energy consumption come from renewables past 2030 and to exist independent of fossil fuels by 2050.

Countries doing the least to protect the surround

xv. Sao Tome and Principe

• Population exposed to dangerous air pollution levels: 100%

• Area with gov. protection: 0.2%

• Gdp per capita: $3,053

In that location's a clear link between a nation's wealth and its ability to protect the surroundings, and then it'southward no surprise that Sao Tome and Principe, with its tiny per capita GDP of just over $three,000, ranks amid the worst in the world. About 50% of the land is used for agriculture in this modest isle nation that is less than 1,000 square kilometers, roughly five times larger than Washington D.C. Situated off the west coast of Africa, Sao Tome and Principe'southward environmental challenges include deforestation, soil erosion, and inadequate treatment of sewage in urban areas.

14. Republic of botswana

• Population exposed to dangerous air pollution levels: 100%

• Area with gov. protection: 29.one%

• Gdp per capita: $xv,474

Botswana shares a daunting statistic with the other 14 countries doing the to the lowest degree to protect their environment: 100% of its population is exposed to air pollution levels exceeding the Earth Health Organization'southward guidelines. But it ranks among the highest in this grouping when it comes to the percentage of the protected terrestrial and marine area. Despite that, the southern African nation is likely to find itself embroiled in conservationist controversy for the foreseeable future following its May 22 conclusion to terminate its ban on elephant hunting.

13. Sudan

• Population exposed to unsafe air pollution levels: 100%

• Expanse with gov. protection: two.8%

• GDP per capita: $4,467

Sudan is a nation in turmoil. South Sudan split off from Sudan in 2011, taking a large piece of oil acquirement with it. A civil war bankrupt out in South Sudan in 2013, and Sudan has become a destination for refugees and asylum seekers. The northern African country's resources are stretched sparse by this serial of events, but it is supported by the UN in preparing its first Land of the Environment and Outlook Report, aiming to help the authorities make informed decisions and adopt an integrated approach to understanding the link between social and economical evolution.

12. Republic of malaŵi

• Population exposed to dangerous air pollution levels: 100%

• Expanse with gov. protection: 22.9%

• Gross domestic product per capita: $1,095

The simple and necessary act of cooking a repast is a source of environmental business organization in Republic of malaŵi, one of the world's poorest countries. Very few people in the country have access to electricity, then most meals are prepared on wood fires. The need for wood and charcoal contributes to deforestation, with an estimated 3% of Malawi's forests lost each year. And the fume from the woods fires takes its price on air quality, releasing hundreds of substances into the air, including particulates, soot, carcinogens, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons, leading to lung disease, with women and children specially susceptible.

Among Malawi's sustainable development goals are ensuring access to modernistic, sustainable, affordable and reliable energy for all and enact sustainable water direction practices.

11. Chad

• Population exposed to unsafe air pollution levels: 100%

• Surface area with gov. protection: twenty.4%

• GDP per capita: $1,768

The good news is that in the years since 24/7 Wall St. last reported on the countries doing the least to protect the environment, Chad has increased its terrestrial and marine-protected areas – from 17.8% of land to 20.4% today.

The bad news is that merely 9.5% of the population has access to basic sanitation, and many deaths are related to dangerous water and sanitation and the lack of hygienic conditions. Chad's ecology goals include reducing air pollution from vehicle emissions, dropping pb levels in fuel, and lowering emissions from biomass called-for.

x. Guinea-bissau

• Population exposed to unsafe air pollution levels: 100%

• Surface area with gov. protection: 11.half-dozen%

• GDP per capita: $one,549

Ecology protections are necessities that can feel like luxuries in desperately poor countries, where a large pct of the population lacks regular access to food, drinkable water, and basic sanitation. Add political instability to the equation and information technology'due south like shooting fish in a barrel to imagine sustainability and green policies sliding down the priority listing. Guinea-Bissau fits that description, with almost 70% of the population living below the poverty line and as much as half of the population nutrient-insecure in some regions. The West African country has been in chronic political turmoil since it gained independence in 1974.

9. Uganda

• Population exposed to unsafe air pollution levels: 100%

• Surface area with gov. protection: sixteen.1%

• GDP per capita: $ane,698

Uganda is one of several African nations lagging behind nearly countries in the world in terms of environmental protection efforts. Between 1990 and 2016, a period over which well-nigh countries reported improved air quality, the concentration of harmful fine air pollution known as PM2.v increased past 21.3% in Uganda. Rapid population growth in the country is leading to mass deforestation, and oil exploration in the Albertine Rift Valley continues every bit the country has an evident lack of alternative energy sources.

8. Rwanda

• Population exposed to unsafe air pollution levels: 100%

• Surface area with gov. protection: ix.1%

• GDP per capita: $ane,857

As in many other African nations on this list, many of Rwanda's environmental bug stem from rapid population growth straining natural resource. Major bug include deforestation, loss of biodiversity, reduced soil fertility, and poaching. Even though the country faces considerable threats from climate change, information technology'due south not well equipped to address the increased frequency and severity of floods and droughts inside its borders.

Many of the Rwandan government's initiatives to combat environmental deterioration, like increasing woods embrace to thirty% by 2020, are being stymied by rapid population growth.

vii. Iraq

• Population exposed to unsafe air pollution levels: 100%

• Expanse with gov. protection: 1.5%

• Gross domestic product per capita: $15,393

Less than 2% of land in Iraq is protected by the government, among the least of whatsoever country in the world. Protected lands include reserves with limited public access like national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, protected landscapes, and areas managed for sustainable use.

Environmental challenges in the country are also a product of several recent wars, poor country use planning, and the subversive homo affect on unprotected fragile ecosystems. Currently, the country faces water quality and shortage issues, poor soil, and ecosystem deterioration. These bug are expected to only go worse as a issue of global warming.

half dozen. Sierra Leone

• Population exposed to dangerous air pollution levels: 100%

• Surface area with gov. protection: 3.3%

• Gross domestic product per capita: $one,391

The regime of Sierra Leone has protected simply 3.iii% of the country's territory from environmental damage, a far smaller share than about countries. Indeed, much of the country's environmental bug are a product of unrestricted mineral excavation – specifically diamonds – and resulting deforestation. Recently, a mudslide attributable to deforestation killed over 1,000 people in the country and displaced nearly five,000 others.

Sierra Leone is among the globe's poorest countries, and many who alive at that place rely on untreated, polluted water supplies. Additionally, everyone living in the land is exposed to unsafe levels of air pollution.

v. Djibouti

• Population exposed to unsafe air pollution levels: 100%

• Area with gov. protection: 1.two%

• Gdp per capita: $2,705

Djibouti is a barren country of about 90% desert, and the country'due south government has fallen brusk on state-use planning and water handling and management. Republic of djibouti is also specially susceptible to the effects of global warming and needs to build up coastal protections, shore upward landfill walls, and install drainage systems for water, among other precautionary measures.

Deforestation is depleting the country's already limited wooded areas. Currently, simply 1.2% of the country'southward territory is protected as national parks, wildlife reserves and sanctuaries, or areas managed for sustainable use. Additionally, the presence of harmful fine particle pollution has climbed past 54.iii% betwixt 1990 and 2016 and everyone who lives in Djibouti is exposed to harmful levels of air pollution.

4. Eritrea

• Population exposed to dangerous air pollution levels: 100%

• Area with gov. protection: 3.0%

• Gross domestic product per capita: $ane,510

Though Eritrea has signed the Paris Understanding on climate change and issued a proclamation in 2017 for ecology protection and restoration, it continues to exist amidst the nations with the fewest ecology protections. Only almost xi% of the population have access to basic sanitation services. Droughts, floods, and irregular pelting patterns have led to soil erosion, desertification, and land degradation.

three. Lesotho

• Population exposed to unsafe air pollution levels: 100%

• Area with gov. protection: 0.3%

• Gross domestic product per capita: $ii,665

Kingdom of lesotho, in southeastern Africa, has almost no protected marine or terrestrial areas. Destruction of groundcovers and an abundance of surface h2o have led to soil exhaustion and erosion. The Lesotho Highlands Water Project uses dams and tunnels to channel some of the backlog surface water to South Africa and generate hydroelectricity. A 2nd stage of the projection is expected to be completed in 2020.

ii. Republic of haiti

• Population exposed to unsafe air pollution levels: 100%

• Surface area with gov. protection: 0.4%

• Gross domestic product per capita: $one,653

The Caribbean isle nation of Haiti is the poorest state in the Western Hemisphere, with millions of people subsisting beneath the poverty line. It's besides prone to natural disasters, including hurricanes and earthquakes. Deforestation, soil erosion, sedimentation in coastal waters, water pollution, and poor waste management are among the ecology challenges. A variety of government agencies and NGOs are assisting Republic of haiti in developing more sustainable agronomical and business practices.

1. Burundi

• Population exposed to unsafe air pollution levels: 100%

• Area with gov. protection: vii.six%

• GDP per capita: $668

Carbon emissions from fossil fuel and cement production rose in Burundi by a whopping 183.2% between 2007 and 2017. Deforestation, disappearance of wetlands, and water pollution are among the pressing environmental issues in the due east-key Africa nation. With a tiny per capita GDP of $668, Burundi is among the poorest nations in the world, with almost 75% of the population living below the poverty line, and there is little awareness of environmental protection practices. Burundi has signed the Paris Agreement to fight back against climate change, simply the road to the country taking whatsoever environmental measures when information technology struggles with then many bug is spring to exist challenging.

Methodology

To decide the most environmentally conscious countries, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed Yale Academy's 2018 Environmental Performance Index (EPI). The EPI scores 180 countries on environmental health and ecosystem vitality. These two areas consist of several subfactors:

Environmental Health: air quality, h2o quality, heavy metals, PM2.v extendance, sanitation, pb exposure, PM2.five exposure, drinking h2o, household solid fuels.

Ecosystem Vitality: biodiversity, forests, fisheries, climate & energy, air pollution, water resources, marine protected areas, tree encompass loss, fish stock condition, CO2 emissions total, SO2 emissions, wastewater treatment, biome protection-national, species protection alphabetize, representativeness index, species habitat index, regional marine trophic, CO2 emissions ability, NO emissions, methane emissions, N2O Emissions, blackness carbon emissions.

A country'south identify on our list was also affected by the presence of environmentally friendly policies and programs enacted (for case having laws in place that enforce solid waste regulations and having readily available waste management information for the public). This comes from the World Bank'southward "What a Waste Database," which was last updated in September 2018.

Nosotros also reviewed supplementary measures related to EPI themes — such as health impacts, air quality, h2o and sanitation, water resources, agronomics, forests, fisheries, biodiversity and habitat, and climate and energy — from the World Bank for 2017 or the most recent menses available. Data on Gdp per capita also came from the World Bank and is in current international PPP dollars for 2017.

24/7 Wall Street is a United states of america TODAY content partner offering financial news and commentary. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.

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Source: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/07/14/climate-change-countries-doing-most-least-to-protect-environment/39534413/

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