When a nation has more money or is rich in resources, it has more access to state-of-the-art technology for its development. This is the theory underlying a successful or a growing economy. But a study that ranked the 20 worst environmental performers in the world found no support for it. Using indicators like forest cover, species threat, fisheries, marine conservation, fertilizer use, water, air and soil pollution markers including carbon emissions, the worst offender was Brazil followed by usa and China.

Source: Down To Earth, June 2010