environmental impacts of economic development

• the environment has suffered from rapid economic growth, exposing the population to serious air and water pollution
• environmental degradation costs india 80 billion per year, or 5.7 percent of its economy
• of 178 countries whose environments were surveyed, india ranked 155th overall and almost last in air pollution exposure
• 13 of the 20 most polluted cities are in India
• fossil fuels like coal and oil are the most readily available and affordable fuels, but release lots of pollution and greenhouse gases, the capital Delhi is the most polluted city in the world
• since 1990, Indias forest cover has stopped decreasing and started to grow
• the national green tribunal is an environmental court that was set up in 2010 and deals with issues regarding environmental protection