Global and local atmospheric pollution evaluation and control. Challenges for a small island and for developing countries

The air pollution control and evaluation has acquired high importance in the modern world. Depending on the permanence of the pollutants in the atmosphere, the pollution could be local, regional or global. The contribution of many developing countries, such as Cuba, to global climate change is very low. In these cases, while providing importance to reducing national emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG), the priority actions would be addresses to adapting to climate change and to reducing emissions that determine local and regional pollution, which have adverse effects, especially in health. The present paper examines Cuba's contribution to global greenhouse gases emissions, which turns out to be modest. Then, the problem of local pollution in the nation is addressed, reporting data from experimental measurements and comparing them with national regulations. The methodology employed and the results obtained on the levels of pollution generated by the national energy sector and corresponding impacts on health and its costs are discussed. The work may provide support for decision makers on the priorities in the use of available resources, with the aim of environment preservation. Some approaches about how to deal the right balance of local and global responsibilities for countries as Cuba, are also presented. As the development of those countries proceeds, their contribution to GHG emissions is expected to become more relevant. Some planned countermeasures for reducing such a trend are illustrated.