Which of the following statements best characterizes how developed and developing countries impact the environment? A. Neither developed nor developing countries have had a significant impact on the environment in the past century. B. Developed countries have tended to improve the environment, while developing countries have tended to damage it. C. Developed countries have damaged the environment, while developing countries have had little impact. D. Both developed and developing countries have had significant negative impacts on the environment.

As its name indicates a developing country, it is a country that is in full economic development, that is, it was in a state of poverty or underdevelopment and has already made efforts to move towards development. On the other hand, a developed country is a country that, according to its human development indices, is developed, that is, it offers its citizens opportunities to access education, work, health, among other services. To achieve this status of developed or developing countries these countries must boost their industries and factories to generate wealth, however, this causes significant environmental damage through air and water pollution, and the exploitation of natural resources. So, the correct answer is D. Both developed and developing countries have had significant negative impacts on the environment.