Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa are the most polluted countries in Africa

Thursday, March 28, 2024

The recent report prepared by Greenpeace Africa and Greenpeace MENA, titled “Major Air Polluters in Africa Unmasked,” casts a stark light on the severe air pollution disease burden in Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa.

These three nations, identified as Africa’s most polluted, are grappling with the profound health consequences of air pollution, which is further exacerbating the impacts of climate change on the continent.

In Africa, air pollution is not just an environmental issue but a dire public health crisis, with as many as 1.1 million premature deaths annually linked to this invisible killer. The report’s findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to combat air pollution and safeguard the health and well-being of Africa’s people.

Dr. Aidan Farrow, a Senior Scientist at the Greenpeace Research Laboratories, highlights a critical challenge in tackling air pollution in Africa: the lack of air quality monitoring. This deficiency has allowed pollution levels to escalate unnoticed, with the true extent of the crisis only now being unveiled through satellite data and fuel sales analyses. These technological advances have revealed significant pollution hotspots, such as Mpumalanga in South Africa, where coal-fired power plants significantly contribute to the nation’s air quality woes.

The report delineates the heavy toll of pollutant emissions on human health, noting that exposure to air pollution is the second leading risk factor for death on the continent. The health implications are vast, with air pollution linked to a spectrum of adverse outcomes, including heart and lung diseases, pregnancy complications, kidney issues, and cancer. The data present a compelling case for immediate action, pointing to the fossil fuel industry, and particularly thermal power plants, as primary culprits.

Remarkably, Africa is home to some of the world’s worst nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) hotspots, with South Africa’s Eskom-operated power plants among the most polluting. The report’s findings are a call to arms, underscoring the necessity of transitioning to cleaner energy sources to mitigate the health impacts of air pollution.

The health impact studies cited in the report suggest that meeting World Health Organization air quality guidelines could significantly boost life expectancy in Africa, by up to 3 years in some nations. This potential gain underscores the importance of addressing air pollution not only as an environmental challenge but as a central public health priority.

The call to action is clear, with Greenpeace urging governments, particularly in North Africa, to adopt the report’s recommendations. These include the installation of air quality monitors and ensuring access to real-time data. Such measures would empower communities to demand action from their governments, fostering a collective effort towards achieving cleaner and healthier environments.

The testimony of Fana Sibanyoni, an activist from the coal-impacted region of Mpumalanga, South Africa, brings a human face to the statistics. Sibanyoni’s account of the health and employment challenges faced by residents in areas surrounding coal plants underscores the broader social and economic repercussions of air pollution. It highlights the systemic injustice that fuels health disparities and unemployment, linking environmental degradation directly to the lives of those most affected.

The report’s recommendations extend beyond immediate measures to address air pollution. It calls for substantial investment in clean technologies, especially in the energy sector, and underscores the role of international institutions in supporting sustainable development in Africa. This approach not only aims to tackle the immediate health impacts of air pollution but also to address its root causes by transitioning away from fossil fuels, which are also major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.

The linkage between air pollution and climate change is a critical aspect of the report, emphasizing that policies aimed at reducing air pollution can simultaneously address climate change. This win-win strategy underscores the interconnectedness of environmental sustainability and public health, highlighting the potential for holistic solutions that benefit both people and the planet.

In conclusion, the “Major Air Polluters in Africa Unmasked” report by Greenpeace Africa and Greenpeace MENA serves as a clarion call for urgent action to address the air pollution crisis in Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa. By identifying the sources and consequences of air pollution, the report lays the groundwork for a concerted effort to combat this issue through cleaner energy initiatives, improved monitoring, and policy reforms. The health and well-being of millions of Africans, as well as the global fight against climate change, hinge on the successful implementation of these recommendations. The time for action is now, with the promise of a healthier, more sustainable future for Africa and its people within reach.

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