An insight to atmospheric pollution- Improper waste management and climate change nexus

Abstract

Urbanization and industrialization along with expansion of the cities, extract resources indiscriminately in order to provide better access to food security, education, health and employment. However, accompanying this urbanization and industrialization, there is an increase in generation of vast amount of waste. Per capita waste generation is closely related to high quality life style, consumer pattern and economic development. Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is affected by many drivers (socio-economic, political, environmental, etc.) and its impact differs from country to country. The scenario is worse and complicated in developing countries due to negligence in waste management sector. Improper waste management has emerged as one of the potent source of series of air pollutants that arises concerns over ambient air quality, environmental degradation and public health. Overall waste sector is estimated to contribute around 3-5% of global greenhouse emission. But, this estimate does not include the emission from the uncollected waste that decays anaerobically and is the main cause of methane generation which has not yet been quantified. Therefore, it is imperative to integrate proper waste management technologies especially for developing economies. Thus, this chapter attempts to relate the nexus between improper management of municipal solid waste and climate change and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through proven technologies and existing policies.