Archive for category: Pollution

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Fighting Black Carbon Pollution in Nepal

Black Carbon Pollution in NepalBlack carbon is the second largest contributor to global climate warming after carbon dioxide. In 2019, 5.8 million tons of black carbon were released into the atmosphere.

This pollutant is produced through the incomplete combustion of fuels such as wood, coal and other forms of biomass. In many rural communities in Nepal, burning biomass remains essential for both daily cooking and the country’s brick manufacturing industry. However, these traditional methods release significant amounts of black carbon into the air. Black carbon contributes to climate change and poses serious risks to human health. Exposure has been linked to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and the pollutant is responsible for $8.1 trillion in annual health costs globally.

The government of Nepal (GoN), alongside other organizations, is working to reduce black carbon pollution in Nepal. Through initiatives promoting cleaner cooking technologies and improved brick kiln designs, these efforts aim to improve the health of the population.

Household Cooking and the Health Risks of Black Carbon

Globally, around 2.3 billion people still lack access to clean cooking fuels. In Nepal, nearly 70% of families burn wood and cow dung in open fires or biomass stoves for daily cooking, a practice that remains common for its cultural significance and affordability.

The black carbon emitted from such cooking methods has harmful effects on human health. When inhaled, it can damage the lungs and cause a range of conditions, including cardiovascular disease and blood pressure complications.

These health impacts are most prevalent among women and children, who are more likely to spend extended periods near cooking areas due to domestic responsibilities. Studies suggest that inhaling black carbon during pregnancy may contribute to the development of cardiovascular conditions in the fetus, leading to intergenerational health risks.

Cleaner Cooking Solutions

Governments and international organizations are increasingly working together to reduce black carbon pollution in Nepal by improving household cooking. The GoN is encouraging households to adopt cleaner cooking methods by 2030 as part of its environmental and public health strategy. The government aims for 25% of households across Nepal to adopt electric cooking methods by 2030.

To support this transition, the GoN has provided financial incentives to make clean cooking technologies more affordable. The government has also launched awareness campaigns to promote the benefits of clean energy and the health risks associated with traditional biomass cooking. These campaigns particularly target rural communities where biomass stove use remains most common.

International organizations have also played a key role in supporting Nepal’s transition to cleaner cooking. The Clean Cooking Alliance (CCA), founded in 2010, has partnered with the GoN to expand access to cleaner cooking solutions. Since its establishment, the CCA has supplied more than 400 million households with access to cleaner cooking techniques such as improved biomass cookstoves and electric cooking technologies. As a result, more than 4.6 million people have been spared the harmful health effects associated with black carbon exposure.

UNICEF implemented the Eco-Zone project in Nepal from 2021 to 2024, which focused on providing eco-cookstoves to 11,000 households in the provinces of Karnali and Sudurpaschim. The project also generated awareness about clean cooking techniques by distributing 23,000 flyers to households about black carbon pollution in Nepal and its health effects.

Zigzag Kiln Technology

Brick kilns are another major source of black carbon pollution in Nepal. Much of the country’s brick production still relies on traditional technologies that are often inefficient and produce large amounts of harmful pollutants.

To address this, cleaner technologies are increasingly being introduced within Nepal’s brick manufacturing sector. One of the most promising innovations is the zigzag brick kiln. This technology involves stacking bricks in a zigzag pattern, which redirects airflow inside the kiln. By improving air circulation, the design enables more complete fuel combustion, increasing energy efficiency while significantly reducing pollution. The design does not require a change in fuel source but rather improves the efficiency of existing methods already used in Nepal’s brick kiln industry.

Organizations such as the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and the Federation of Nepal Brick Industries (FNBI) have led the transition to zigzag brick kiln technology across Nepal, Bangladesh and India. The adoption of zigzag kilns has produced measurable benefits, including a 20% reduction in coal consumption and improved brick quality.

Cleaner Air and Healthier Communities

Although black carbon pollution in Nepal remains a serious environmental and public health challenge, the country’s growing commitment to cleaner technologies is producing results. Efforts to promote electric and eco-friendly cooking solutions are helping households reduce harmful indoor air pollution, while innovations such as zigzag brick kilns are transforming industrial practices. Together, these initiatives demonstrate how practical and accessible technological changes can reduce black carbon pollution in Nepal.

– Lucy Kerr

Lucy is based in Coventry, UK and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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3 Initiatives Fighting Pollution and Plastic Waste in Nigeria

Plastic Waste in NigerianAlthough Lagos is one of the fastest growing tech ecosystems, plastic waste persists as a large problem in Nigeria, clogging streets, gutters and waterways. In fact, according to the Associated Press, Lagos is one of the most polluted cities. With a population of more than 20 million, Lagos contributed around 870,000 tons to the world’s 57 million tons of plastic waste in 2024.

Nigeria itself is a major contributor to ocean pollution, ranking ninth globally, where proposed bans often struggle with inconsistency across the country. Studies also show alarming levels of microplastics in water sources such as the Osun River.

However, numerous organizations are actively trying to combat plastic waste and pollution in Nigeria and the city of Lagos. Below are three organizations creating a significant impact towards fighting pollution in Nigeria.

Recycling Scheme for Women and Youth Empowerment (RESWAYE)

What’s unique about this organization is that it tackles plastic pollution and empowers women and young people economically through recycling and waste collection. Focusing its area of work in the coastal communities of Lagos for marine pollution, the target demographic for volunteers is females 16 and older.

Doyinsola Ogunye founded the organization in 2019 while previously attending the University of Lagos and went to Nigerian Law School.

One of the most prominent projects within the organization is the plastic buy-back scheme in Ibeju Lekki, a coastal area made up of 16 communities heavily affected by plastic pollution. Supported by The Coca-Cola Foundation and carried out in partnership with the Mental and Environmental Development Initiative for Children (MEDIC), the project aimed to reduce plastic waste while creating economic opportunities for women and young people.

As a result, the program collected about 150,000 kilograms of plastic waste, preventing it from entering waterways and coastal ecosystems. Besides the environmental impact made, it was reported that more than 2,000 women and youth received training, support, and income-generating opportunities through recycling.

Besides this initiative, the organization’s main goal is to engage with and educate the community, host beach cleanups and collaborate with partners. In 2022, RESWAYE partnered with Unity Bank to remove over 100,000 plastic bottles from a Lagos beach on World Earth Day.

Splendour Empowerment Foundation (SEF)

SEF has a mission to integrate digital technology with community-led recycling to transform plastic waste into economic benefit. The organization has developed mobile platforms and applications that let residents log their plastic-collection activity and track how much waste was collected and what type of waste was collected. The information is stored in a tamper-proof digital record or a “digital ledger” to help with transparency and prevent greenwashing, which is when companies or groups make themselves look environmentally responsible without real proof or action

Splendour Joe-King, a well-known Nigerian child rights activist, founded the organization and gained public attention very young. At age 9, she authored a book, Effects of Terrorism on Children, drawing on her experiences and interviews.

Beyond environmental work, SEF focuses on peace in Nigeria. In 2022, the organization launched a “Peace Club Nigeria” project in schools to train children to become peace ambassadors. That same year, the organization announced it will be focusing on improving education for children ages 0-18.

The SEF’s original mission was to support children’s education, health, and peacebuilding. In recent years, it has expanded its mission to address environmental issues.

RecyclePoints

Based in Nigeria, this social benefit venture tackles pollution’s main challenge: sustaining its effectiveness. To combat this, the organization is using a points-based incentive model to encourage recycling, where properly disposing of plastic bottles, used beverage cans, glass bottles, old newspapers and brown corrugated cartons can bring citizens points that redeem household items.

The collection program uses “points” to quantify the number of recycled items at the time of disposal. Members get weekly messages through their cellphones, updating them how many points they have. The points redeemed reach the iRecycle Store, where subscribers can choose to use their points for any household product they need. Members can also earn bonus points for any additional environmentally sustainable activity.

However, under the WastePickers Initiative (WPI), members can trade in their points for cash instead of products. The amount of money an individual receives is based on the calculated weight of materials being recycled.

In addition to educating residents, the organization also partners with companies and schools to expand recycling efforts citywide.

Founded in 2012 by Mazi Ukonu (CEO) and Chioma Uko (COO), the organization has since been in partnership with the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA). In 2021, RecyclePoints launched a partnership with the Mastercard Foundation to scale their initiative under Project DORI where they procured and installed 40 recycling bins across Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Owerri.

Plastic waste in Nigeria is a prominent global challenge, RecyclePoints demonstrates that change can begin with ordinary households and everyday habits.

– Zosia Paciorek

Zosia is based in St. Louis, MO, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Air Pollution and Poverty in Trinidad and Tobago

Poverty in Trinidad and TobagoTrinidad and Tobago, a dual-island Caribbean nation with about 1.4 million residents, faces persistent challenges with poverty and air pollution. Around 20% of Trinbagonians live below the national poverty line and air pollution disproportionately affects these communities. Over decades, the nation’s industrial growth has contributed to significant environmental and health issues.

High Air Pollution Levels

Trinidad and Tobago’s abundant petroleum and natural gas deposits have driven industrial development since the 1960s. However, environmental considerations were often overlooked, leading to severe air pollution. The nation’s industrial enterprises—many located in densely populated areas—are the primary source of harmful air pollutants. These pollutants contribute to rising rates of respiratory conditions and allergic reactions. Health professionals have also linked air pollution to diseases such as cancer, which spiked in 2019 alongside extreme air pollution levels. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution in Trinidad and Tobago causes approximately 20 deaths per 100,000 people annually.

Impact of Air Pollution

Globally, people living in poverty are more likely to experience the effects of air pollution because they often live and work near its sources. In countries with economies reliant on polluting industries, air pollution levels tend to be particularly high. This is especially true in Trinidad and Tobago, where industrial sites are the primary source of air pollution and are located in densely populated areas due to the islands’ small size.

These industrial sites not only dominate the job market but also expose workers to harmful levels of air pollutants, posing significant health risks. Long-term exposure can lead to serious illnesses and in Trinidad and Tobago, 19 out of every 100,000 working-age individuals die each year from occupational diseases linked to air pollution.

While Trinidad and Tobago offers free public health care through its national health insurance system, many people living in poverty face barriers such as lack of transportation and long wait times, making access to care challenging. Addressing air pollution at its source through stronger government regulations could alleviate these health care burdens and help protect vulnerable populations from compounding hardships caused by pollution.

Efforts to Combat Air Pollution

Trinidad and Tobago has taken steps to address air pollution:

  • BreatheLife Campaign. In 2020, Trinidad and Tobago became the first Caribbean country to join this global initiative, pledging to reduce fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels. By 2025, the government aims to align with WHO guidelines, reducing PM2.5 from 65 μg/m³ to 35 μg/m³ for 24-hour concentrations.
  • Paris Agreement. After ratifying the treaty in 2018, the nation committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from key sectors—transportation, industry and power generation—by 2030.

The Environmental Management Authority (EMA), led by Managing Director Hayden Romano, acknowledged the challenges ahead: “We are aware of the adverse health effects of both short-term and long-term exposure to particulate matter and that no air quality standard can guarantee complete protection for all citizens against all possible adverse health effects of particulate matter.”

Looking Forward

Trinidad and Tobago has taken concrete steps to address air pollution through international commitments and updated regulations targeting industrial emissions. The government’s goals include reducing particulate matter levels and greenhouse gas emissions within established timelines. Furthermore, efforts to mitigate health risks associated with pollution remain ongoing, with officials emphasizing the importance of aligning national standards with global health guidelines. These initiatives represent a structured approach to reducing environmental hazards and their associated impacts on public health.

– Nivea Walker

Nivea is based in Elon, NC, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Recycling Waste in Bangladesh

Recycling Waste in BangladeshBangladesh, located in South Asia, is home to more than 170 million people. The capital, Dhaka, has seen its population rise to 9 million. This rapid urbanization, along with an expanding middle class and a robust manufacturing sector, has led to a significant increase in plastic waste production. Each year, the country generates approximately 977,000 tonnes of plastic waste, with a substantial portion originating from Dhaka. A World Bank Blogs report indicates that the average resident of Dhaka produces 22.5 kg of plastic waste annually, a figure that is expected to rise as the city’s population continues to grow.

Health Risks of Waste Disposal

As the volume of plastic waste continues to grow, Dhaka’s recycling sector is increasingly struggling to process it sustainably. While Dhaka’s recycling industry employs approximately 5,400 people, it is a relatively informal sector, exposing many workers to hazardous conditions without effective health protection. Without funding or support, the increasing volumes of waste can potentially overwhelm the current recycling systems. As a result, much of this waste ends up in landfills and into rivers, putting the cities’ population at risk of poor health. The ingestion of microplastics and the contamination of water and soil link to increased dengue fever cases, which claimed 327 lives over seven months in 2023. This crisis strains local health systems and disproportionately affects the poorest citizens, who struggle to afford necessary medical treatments.

Recycling Waste in Bangladesh

Recognizing the strain that escalating plastic waste places on its infrastructure and citizens, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Environment formulated a National Action Plan for Sustainable Plastic Management. This initiative targets a 50% increase in recycling waste in Bangladesh by 2025 and aims to cut overall plastic consumption by 2030. The plan underscores the adoption of a circular economy to mitigate the hazardous impacts of waste disposal. By enhancing recycling efforts initially and subsequently addressing the fundamental issue of excessive plastic usage, this strategy aims to alleviate waste-related health risks across the nation.

Micro-Enterprises in Bangladesh

While government initiatives address large-scale waste management by implementing policies, the real momentum often comes from grassroots efforts. A recent World Bank Blogs report reveals the work of many entrepreneurs who prioritize recycling plastic waste in their small businesses. With support from the World Bank’s Sustainable Enterprises project (SEP), Md Jashim Uddin, a micro-entrepreneur, for example, recycles waste from local shoe factories to produce new footwear. This small-scale circular economic model not only mitigates environmental impact but also enhances local health conditions by reducing pollution and creating new jobs with improved working conditions.

Looking Ahead

Bangladesh faces the escalating issue of plastic waste as urbanization and industrial growth continue. Government initiatives aim to boost recycling rates and reduce plastic use, while grassroots efforts and micro-enterprises contribute to waste management and environmental health. These combined strategies can potentially improve public health and achieve sustainable development. Ongoing dedication to innovative solutions and effective waste management could be vital for Bangladesh’s future.

– Aimee Masters

Aimee is based in London, UK and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Improving Chad’s Air Quality

Chad's Air QualityThe Republic of Chad, an independent nation in Central Africa, is landlocked by Niger, Libya, Sudan, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, Cameroon and Nigeria. With a population of approximately 17.7 million, according to the World Bank, Chad suffers from some of the world’s worst air quality. Several factors contribute to the country’s poor air conditions, significantly impacting children with respiratory infections. Nevertheless, Chad is implementing measures to enhance its air quality and improve the lives of its citizens.

Factors Contributing to Air Pollution in Chad

Air pollution is when the air is contaminated by particles, gas and chemicals that are harmful when breathed in and cause respiratory illnesses. Chad is one of the worst in the world because according to the World Health Organization (WHO), it measured to be 17 times higher than the acceptable limit, making the country dangerous to breathe in. 

The factors contributing to Chad’s poor air pollution include indoor sources such as stoves but also uncontrolled waste burning, textile, oil, meatpacking industries and vehicle emissions.

The electricity in Chad is also generated from 90% fossil fuel, which is another cause of air pollution, as well as the Bodele Depression. Located south of the Sahara Desert in north-central Africa, it is one of the largest sources of airborne dust, which brings large dust clouds to the region.

Bad quality air affects everyone in Chad, but it is especially dangerous to those who live in urban cities such as N’Djamena, Chad’s capital. It affects those in poverty-stricken areas more often as they live closer to the factories and other pollution-causing sources and don’t have the means to protect themselves from the air. The most vulnerable groups affected by air pollution are the elderly, children and pregnant women.

Health Impacts of Poor Air Quality

Air pollution can not only lead to respiratory disease, but it can also cause strokes, lung cancer and heart disease. In the worst cases, it can even cause death. In 2017, an estimated 13,329 Chadians died with association from air pollution, with more than 7,000 of those deaths being young children with respiratory infections.

According to the State of Global Air, air pollution is the third-leading risk of death or disability in Chad as of 2017, trailing behind sanitation and malnutrition. Additionally, Chadians lose 2 years and 11 months in life expectancy at birth due to air pollution. 

Initiatives to Improve Air Quality

There are some initiatives in place to combat this rampant air pollution in Chad. According to a study by UNEP in 2015, it found that the government lacks policies in place to combat pollution. However, this is changing, as Chad is beginning to promote cleaner cooking fuel to reduce indoor air pollution and grid electrification.

The National Poverty Reduction Strategy is also working to make power generation more widespread and cost-efficient, reducing air pollution, as well as other methods of energy like solar and wind. With the United Nations’ support, it implemented waste management in refugee camps and communities such as Sila, Wadi Fira and Salamat, which granted 74% of households proper services. 

The Interactive Country Fiches also includes opportunities to implement new policies such as waste management to improve public health rather than burning it. Different factories and industries also require more regulation to better improve the health of all Chadians and beyond. 

Looking Ahead

Chad is on a promising path to significantly enhance air quality and public health through targeted environmental initiatives and cleaner energy solutions. By focusing on sustainable practices and improved regulatory frameworks, the nation aims to reduce the burden of air pollution on its most vulnerable citizens. Continued collaboration with international organizations and a commitment to innovative policies could be crucial for improving Chad’s air quality and securing a healthier future for all Chadians.

– Sabrina Betterly

Sabrina Betterly is based in Drums, PA, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash