Forbes: The World's Cleanest Countries - Europe leads the way - by Andy Stone

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The World's Cleanest Countries - Europe leads the way - by Andy Stone

Switzerland tops the list with an overall EPI score of 95.5 out of 100, while European countries account for 14 of the top 20 environmental performers. Europe has the infrastructure to provide clean drinking water and treat waste water, lowering the likelihood that Europeans will suffer from waterborne disease. Europe scores consistently well in EPI's environmental health ranking, which measures the effects of pollution on human health. Scandinavia, with its low population and vast open spaces, enjoys pristine forests and relatively little air pollution. The U.S., once a leader in environmental protection, has failed to keep pace. "Starting 25 years ago, the United States started to fall behind in relative terms. Before that time, Europe always had dirtier air and drinking water," says Mark Levy, associate director of Columbia University's earth science center.

The U.S.' overall EPI score is 81, putting it in 39th place on the list.