South Africa's Environmental Pollution: A Geographical Perspective

This essay examines South Africa's significant contribution to global pollution, particularly focusing on air quality issues stemming from industrial activities and reliance on coal energy. The analysis highlights the high levels of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions, especially concentrated in the Mpumalanga province, leading to severe health risks and environmental degradation. Citing research from organizations like Greenpeace and NASA, the essay emphasizes the urgent need for global attention and action to mitigate the harmful effects of pollution in South Africa and other heavily polluted regions worldwide. Desklib offers similar essays and study resources for students.

GEOGRAPHY
By Name
Course
Instructor
Institution
Location
Date

WORLD POLLUTION
Vlavianos, Chris. “Mpumalanga SO2 Pollution as Bad as NO2, New Study Finds.”
Greenpeace Africa, 4 Mar. 2020, www.greenpeace.org/africa/en/press/7678/mpumalanga-
so2-pollution-as-bad-as-no2-new-study-finds/
Sulfur dioxide pollution is so harmful just like nitrogen dioxide in Mpumalanga.
Due to the coal-fired power stations which are highly concentrated in the Kriel area in
Mpumalanga, it is seen that a lot of toxic gas is being produced to the air which comes from the
Sulfur dioxide. Sulfur dioxide gas is toxic to the environment and may cause several illnesses
like respiratory infections and can increase a high death rate due to high risks of stroke. Another
danger that can come in line with the emission of Sulfur dioxide is the formation of the
particulate matter known as PM 2.5 which may cause some conditions like lung cancer and later
cause death.
Chute, Lynsey. “This Picturesque Corner of South Africa Has the World's Deadliest Air
Pollution.” Quartz Africa, Quartz, 29 Oct. 2018, qz.com/africa/1441504/highest-
concentration-of-deadly-air-pollution-found-in-south-africa/
South Africa is known to be among the worst ecological polluters.
Green rolling hills, a province in South Africa is one of the world's leading places in air
pollution. This is a place where numerous power stations that produce coal are situated thus the
emission of poisonous gas to the atmosphere. Analyses by the Greenpeace foundation show that
the province has got the largest amount of NO2. Apart from the province in South Africa, China

has got the largest number of personal hotspots. Other countries include India, the European
Union, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the United States. Nitrogen dioxide comes about
when fuel is burned at high temperature in the presence of nitrogen.
Pillay, Kamcilla. “South Africa One of the Worst Environmental Polluters, Research
Shows.” IOL, IOL | News That Connects South Africans, 29 June 2017,
www.iol.co.za/mercury/news/south-africa-one-of-the-worst-environmental-polluters-
research-shows-10019891
South Africa is known to be among the worst ecological polluters.
In Mozambique, most of the energy originates from green which produces a lot of waste
daily. Some of the harmful gases which are emitted in South Africa regions include carbon
dioxide which very harmful as it pollutes environments. The total amount of tons of carbon
dioxide emitted is approximately 31.1 tones in each person. Therefore, South Africa is known to
be the worst in pollution since carbon dioxide is 9.3 tones on each person. Pollution cuts across
the world and there is no single country or continent that is not polluted. Some of the gases that
cause pollution include nitrogen dioxide, carbon dioxide, and sulfur dioxide. This calls for global
attention on matters concerning pollution.
REFERENCES

Chute, Lynsey. “This Picturesque Corner of South Africa Has the World's Deadliest Air
Pollution.” Quartz Africa, Quartz, 29 Oct. 2018, qz.com/africa/1441504/highest-concentration-
of-deadly-air-pollution-found-in-south-africa/
Pillay, Kamcilla. “South Africa One of the Worst Environmental Polluters, Research Shows.”
IOL, IOL | News That Connects South Africans, 29 June 2017,
www.iol.co.za/mercury/news/south-africa-one-of-the-worst-environmental-polluters-research-
shows-10019891
Vlavianos, Chris. “Mpumalanga SO2 Pollution as Bad as NO2, New Study Finds.” Greenpeace
Africa, 4 Mar. 2020, www.greenpeace.org/africa/en/press/7678/mpumalanga-so2-pollution-as-
bad-as-no2-new-study-finds/