Study and comparison of the effects of economic growth on environmental pollution in OPEC and selected OECD countries.

Given the importance of environmental issues in the life of the human race today, it is something that simply can not be passed. Therefore identifying and addressing the factors that lead to increased environmental pollution have been the main concern of many politicians, economists and social planners. One of the most important factors that cause and promote environmental pollution is economic growth. Because higher levels of economic activity (production or consumption) requires more energy and raw materials, and therefore can produce a larger amount of waste and pollutants. Therefore considering the importance of economic growth over environmental pollution, the present study investigates the effects of economic growth on environmental pollution (including contamination of water, soil and air) in selected OECD and OPEC countries during 1980- 2010. The results indicate that the developed countries have produced a greater environmental pollution than developing countries because the economic growth in these countries are double the developing countries.

Keywords: environmental pollution - economic growth - OPEC countries - Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries