President Uhuru Kenyatta opens one of the geothermal facilities in ol karia as Energy CS Keter looks on/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, June 14 – A latest research has named Kenya as the least toxic country, topping a list that takes account of air pollution, energy consumption and renewable energy production.
According to the study by International Energy Agency and World Health Organization, the cleanest countries were largely those from Sub-Saharan Africa, while countries in the Middle East dominated the other end of the list.
Maria Neira, WHO’s public health chief, said the figures were indicative of a “major, major public health problem,” stressing that public awareness of the issue needed to be raised.
“We have a public health emergency in many countries,” she said. “Urban air pollution continues to rise at an alarming rate, wreaking havoc on human health. It’s dramatic, one of the biggest problems we are facing globally, with terrible future costs to society.”
“The cost for countries is enormous. Air pollution affects economies and people’s quality of life. It leads to major chronic diseases and to people ultimately dying.”
The report cited Saudi Arabia as the most toxic country.
The Eco Experts describe the results of the research as a warning that continued emissions of greenhouse gases could cause disastrous and irreversible damage to the planet.
Data released by WHO last year revealed that levels of air pollution had increased by 8 percent between 2009 and 2016.
The ranking did not include every country, with one notable omission being that of Iceland, which could have been lauded on the list.
The Nordic’s country use of geothermal energy means air pollution levels are typically very low.
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