What is the greatest cause of environmental deaths?

• A. Deforestation
• B. Pollution
• C. Climate change
• D. Overfishing

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that pollution drives the highest number of deaths tied to environmental factors because it creates direct, widespread exposure to hazardous substances that harm health across populations. Air pollution harms the lungs and heart, leading to respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular disease, and stroke, and it accounts for millions of deaths every year worldwide. Indoor air pollution from traditional cooking fuels adds a large burden in many regions. Water and soil pollution spread pathogens and toxins, causing diarrheal diseases and poisoning that kill people and affect wildlife as well. Deforestation, climate change, and overfishing are major ecological stressors, but their death tolls are more indirect and longer-term, whereas pollution causes immediate health impacts that affect a vast number of people across many environments.