Two SA cities rank among Africa’s most polluted
It is sad and shameful to see both Johannesburg and Pretoria ranking among the most polluted cities on the African continent. SOUTH AFRICAN CITIES Unfortunately, for many Johannesburg and Pretoria residents life in these metropolises is already challenging enough with deteriorating roads, ever-increasing living costs, and worsening crime levels. Increased air pollution is often visible […]
It is sad and shameful to see both Johannesburg and Pretoria ranking among the most polluted cities on the African continent.
SOUTH AFRICAN CITIES
Unfortunately, for many Johannesburg and Pretoria residents life in these metropolises is already challenging enough with deteriorating roads, ever-increasing living costs, and worsening crime levels.
Increased air pollution is often visible in the sky over these cities during the winter months. This is not good news considering the two cities are located in the continent’s most developed country.
IMPACT OF POLLUTION
Pollution is a threat to life, and poses serious health and environmental hazards to ecosystems.
Residents of many cities across the globe grapple with the increasing effects of air, water, and noise pollution.
In many of the world’s major cities, the rapid pace of industrialization and urbanization have brought with them several other issues – a significant rise in various forms of pollution. Consequently, the quality of life in urban areas suffers.
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MEASURING POLLUTION
According to Business Insider there are a number of platforms that assess pollution levels in cities.
One such platform, Numbeo, provides up-to-date information about the cost of living, quality of life, and various socio-economic factors across cities and countries.
Numbeo has updated its pollution index for 2023. Numbeo’s Pollution Index provides an estimation of overall pollution levels in cities worldwide.
The index considers factors such as air and water pollution, garbage disposal, cleanliness, noise and light pollution, green spaces, and comfort – in relation to pollution.
AFRICAN CITIES
The ten most polluted cities on the African continent for 2023 are listed as follows :
| Rank | City | Country | Pollution Index |
| 1 | Cairo | Egypt | 91.2 |
| 2 | Lagos | Nigeria | 88.9 |
| 3 | Marrakech | Morocco | 82.9 |
| 4 | Casablanca | Morocco | 82.5 |
| 5 | Nairobi | Kenya | 79.8 |
| 6 | Addis Ababa | Ethiopia | 78.6 |
| 7 | Alexandria | Egypt | 74.3 |
| 8 | Tunis | Tunisia | 71.9 |
| 9 | Johannesburg | South Africa | 61.3 |
| 10 | Pretoria | South Africa | 56.1 |
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Numbeo’s data is derived from surveys conducted by visitors to its website. Questions in these surveys are designed to be similar to many scientific and government surveys.
This news does not bode well for residents of Johannesburg and Pretoria. The quality of life in both cities is deteriorating with not just the state-controlled power cuts and lengthy water outages but increased pollution levels.