Environmental performance index 2009

[Deleted]

The Yale-Columbia environmental performance index has been published. Four countries of the world received the highest ratings:

1. Iceland 93.5
2. Switzerland 89.1
3. Costa Rica 86.4
4. Sweden 86.0

The next group is:

5. Norway 81.1
6. Mauritius 80.6
7. France 78.2
8. Austria 78.1
9. Cuba 78.1
10. Colombia 76.8
11. Malta 76.3
12. Finland 74.7
13. Slovakia 74.5
14. United Kingdom 74.2
15. New Zealand 73.4
16. Chile 73.3
17. Germany 73.2
18. Italy 73.1
19. Portugal 73.0
20. Japan 72.5

Canada dropped to 46th, the United States to 61st and China to 121st.

The validity of the ratings is open to speculation of course, because some of the environmental data is difficult to quantify.

[bixaorellana]

Wow -- some real surprises there. Are some of the countries highly rated because of their lack of industry (polluting or otherwise), do you suppose?

Also, hasn't Iceland been in the vanguard of low-impact, high-yield use of its natural resources for decades? I think it's led the field in hydroelectric generation, heating sidewalks with thermal springs, etc.

[Deleted]

I think that a big part of the criteria concerns energy sources, carbon emissions, non-polluting transportation options and obvious industrial pollution.

I figure there are two big reasons that France is well placed: its 'clean' nuclear power (80% of the supply) and the emphasis on electric powered rail transportation. Perhaps the pollution laws are stricter than most, but I don't really know.

I am really impressed and intrigued by Costa Rica and Mauritius. Also Cuba.

[bixaorellana]

Well, not to be cynical but ......... France is impressive because as an industrialized country it must constantly be proactive in order to maintain the environment and to make the best possible use of resources.

My question is, are countries like Cuba truly impressive as non-polluters if by default they pollute less simply because of being less "developed"?

[auntieannie]

Cuba has had to adapt to almost no petrol being available after the crumbling of the Soviet Union. In general, I believe the index also has to do with government laws and recommendations with regard to environment.

[Deleted]

I was really amazed at local transportation in Havana. They use empty flatbed trucks as 'buses' to get as many people around for the lowest cost.