Environment - current issues In 35 editions of 36.

• large areas subject to overpopulation, industrial disasters, pollution (air, water, acid rain, toxic substances), loss of vegetation (overgrazing, deforestation, desertification), loss of wildlife, soil degradation, soil depletion, erosion;
• global warming becoming a greater concern

• soil erosion from overgrazing and other poor farming practices;
• desertification;
• dumping of raw sewage, petroleum refining wastes, and other industrial effluents is leading to the pollution of rivers and coastal waters;
• Mediterranean Sea, in particular, becoming polluted from oil wastes, soil erosion, and fertilizer runoff;
• inadequate supplies of potable water

• overuse of pastures and subsequent soil erosion attributable to population pressures;
• desertification;
• deforestation of tropical rain forest, in response to both international demand for tropical timber and to domestic use as fuel, resulting in loss of biodiversity;
• soil erosion contributing to water pollution and siltation of rivers and dams;
• inadequate supplies of potable water

• inadequate supplies of potable water;
• poaching threatens wildlife populations;
• deforestation;
• desertification

• overgrazing;
• desertification;
• limited freshwater resources

• recent droughts and desertification severely affecting agricultural activities, population distribution, and the economy;
• overgrazing;
• soil degradation;
• deforestation

• soil erosion as a result of overgrazing and the expansion of agriculture into marginal lands;
• deforestation (little forested land remains because of uncontrolled cutting of trees for fuel);
• habitat loss threatens wildlife populations

• soil erosion;
• deforestation due to demand for wood used as fuel;
• water shortages;
• desertification;
• environmental damage has threatened several species of birds and reptiles;
• illegal beach sand extraction;
• overfishing

• waterborne diseases are prevalent;
• deforestation;
• overgrazing;
• desertification;
• poaching;
• overfishing

• tap water is not potable;
• poaching has diminished the country's reputation as one of the last great wildlife refuges;
• desertification;
• deforestation

• inadequate supplies of potable water;
• improper waste disposal in rural areas contributes to soil and water pollution;
• desertification

soil degradation and erosion results from crop cultivation on slopes without proper terracing; deforestation

• poaching threatens wildlife populations;
• water pollution;
• deforestation;
• refugees responsible for significant deforestation, soil erosion, and wildlife poaching;
• mining of minerals (coltan - a mineral used in creating capacitors, diamonds, and gold) causing environmental damage

• air pollution from vehicle emissions;
• water pollution from the dumping of raw sewage;
• tap water is not potable;
• deforestation

• deforestation (most of the country's forests - once the largest in West Africa - have been heavily logged);
• water pollution from sewage and industrial and agricultural effluents

• inadequate supplies of potable water;
• limited arable land;
• desertification;
• endangered species

• agricultural land being lost to urbanization and windblown sands;
• increasing soil salination below Aswan High Dam;
• desertification;
• oil pollution threatening coral reefs, beaches, and marine habitats;
• other water pollution from agricultural pesticides, raw sewage, and industrial effluents;
• limited natural freshwater resources away from the Nile, which is the only perennial water source;
• rapid growth in population overstraining the Nile and natural resources

tap water is not potable; deforestation

• deforestation;
• desertification;
• soil erosion;
• overgrazing;
• loss of infrastructure from civil warfare

• limited supplies of potable water;
• wildlife populations being depleted because of excessive hunting;
• overgrazing;
• soil degradation;
• soil erosion

• deforestation;
• overgrazing;
• soil erosion;
• desertification;
• water shortages in some areas from water-intensive farming and poor management

deforestation; poaching

• deforestation;
• desertification;
• water-borne diseases prevalent

• recurrent drought in north severely affects agricultural activities;
• deforestation;
• overgrazing;
• soil erosion;
• poaching and habitat destruction threatens wildlife populations;
• water pollution;
• inadequate supplies of potable water

• deforestation;
• inadequate supplies of potable water;
• desertification;
• soil contamination and erosion;
• overfishing, overpopulation in forest region;
• poor mining practices have led to environmental damage

• deforestation;
• soil erosion;
• overgrazing;
• overfishing

• water pollution from urban and industrial wastes;
• degradation of water quality from increased use of pesticides and fertilizers;
• water hyacinth infestation in Lake Victoria;
• deforestation;
• soil erosion;
• desertification;
• poaching

• population pressure forcing settlement in marginal areas results in overgrazing, severe soil erosion, and soil exhaustion;
• desertification;
• Highlands Water Project controls, stores, and redirects water to South Africa

• tropical rain forest deforestation;
• soil erosion;
• loss of biodiversity;
• pollution of coastal waters from oil residue and raw sewage

• desertification;
• limited natural freshwater resources;
• the Great Manmade River Project, the largest water development scheme in the world, brings water from large aquifers under the Sahara to coastal cities

• soil erosion results from deforestation and overgrazing;
• desertification;
• surface water contaminated with raw sewage and other organic wastes;
• several endangered species of flora and fauna unique to the island

• deforestation;
• land degradation;
• water pollution from agricultural runoff, sewage, industrial wastes;
• siltation of spawning grounds endangers fish populations

• deforestation;
• soil erosion;
• desertification;
• inadequate supplies of potable water;
• poaching

• overgrazing, deforestation, and soil erosion aggravated by drought are contributing to desertification;
• limited natural freshwater resources away from the Senegal, which is the only perennial river;
• locust infestation

water pollution, degradation of coral reefs

• land degradation/desertification (soil erosion resulting from farming of marginal areas, overgrazing, destruction of vegetation);
• water supplies contaminated by raw sewage;
• siltation of reservoirs;
• oil pollution of coastal waters

• a long civil war and recurrent drought in the hinterlands have resulted in increased migration of the population to urban and coastal areas with adverse environmental consequences;
• desertification;
• pollution of surface and coastal waters;
• elephant poaching for ivory is a problem

• limited natural freshwater resources;
• desertification;
• wildlife poaching;
• land degradation has led to few conservation areas

• overgrazing;
• soil erosion;
• deforestation;
• desertification;
• wildlife populations (such as elephant, hippopotamus, giraffe, and lion) threatened because of poaching and habitat destruction

• soil degradation;
• rapid deforestation;
• urban air and water pollution;
• desertification;
• oil pollution - water, air, and soil;
• has suffered serious damage from oil spills;
• loss of arable land;
• rapid urbanization

• deforestation results from uncontrolled cutting of trees for fuel;
• overgrazing;
• soil exhaustion;
• soil erosion;
• widespread poaching

NA

deforestation; soil erosion and exhaustion

• wildlife populations threatened by poaching;
• deforestation;
• overgrazing;
• soil erosion;
• desertification;
• overfishing

water supply depends on catchments to collect rainwater

• rapid population growth pressuring the environment;
• overharvesting of timber, expansion of cattle grazing, and slash-and-burn agriculture have resulted in deforestation and soil exhaustion;
• civil war depleted natural resources;
• overfishing

• famine;
• use of contaminated water contributes to human health problems;
• deforestation;
• overgrazing;
• soil erosion;
• desertification

• lack of important arterial rivers or lakes requires extensive water conservation and control measures;
• growth in water usage outpacing supply;
• pollution of rivers from agricultural runoff and urban discharge;
• air pollution resulting in acid rain;
• soil erosion;
• desertification

• inadequate supplies of potable water;
• wildlife populations threatened by excessive hunting;
• soil erosion;
• desertification;
• periodic drought

• soil degradation;
• deforestation;
• desertification;
• destruction of coral reefs threatens marine habitats;
• recent droughts affected marginal agriculture;
• wildlife threatened by illegal hunting and trade, especially for ivory

• deforestation attributable to slash-and-burn agriculture and the use of wood for fuel;
• water pollution presents health hazards and hinders the fishing industry;
• air pollution increasing in urban areas

• toxic and hazardous waste disposal is ineffective and poses health risks;
• water pollution from raw sewage;
• limited natural freshwater resources;
• deforestation;
• overgrazing;
• soil erosion;
• desertification

• draining of wetlands for agricultural use;
• deforestation;
• overgrazing;
• soil erosion;
• water hyacinth infestation in Lake Victoria;
• widespread poaching

sparse water and lack of arable land

• air pollution and resulting acid rain in the mineral extraction and refining region;
• chemical runoff into watersheds;
• poaching seriously threatens rhinoceros, elephant, antelope, and large cat populations;
• deforestation;
• soil erosion;
• desertification;
• lack of adequate water treatment presents human health risks

• deforestation;
• soil erosion;
• land degradation;
• air and water pollution;
• the black rhinoceros herd - once the largest concentration of the species in the world - has been significantly reduced by poaching;
• poor mining practices have led to toxic waste and heavy metal pollution

• in 1998, NASA satellite data showed that the Antarctic ozone hole was the largest on record, covering 27 million square kilometers;
• researchers in 1997 found that increased ultraviolet light passing through the hole damages the DNA of icefish, an Antarctic fish lacking hemoglobin;
• ozone depletion earlier was shown to harm one-celled Antarctic marine plants;
• in 2002, significant areas of ice shelves disintegrated in response to regional warming

NA

• introduction of foreign species on Iles Crozet has caused severe damage to the original ecosystem;
• overfishing of Patagonian toothfish around Iles Crozet and Iles Kerguelen

NA

NA

protection of the arctic environment; preservation of the Inuit traditional way of life, including whaling and seal hunting

water pollution from fertilizer runoff; inadequate wastewater treatment

NA

NA

• limited natural freshwater resources;
• inadequate supplies of potable water;
• soil degradation;
• overgrazing;
• deforestation (much of the remaining forests are being cut down for fuel and building materials);
• desertification;
• air and water pollution

• soil pollution from toxic chemicals such as DDT;
• the energy crisis of the 1990s led to deforestation when citizens scavenged for firewood;
• pollution of Hrazdan (Razdan) and Aras Rivers;
• the draining of Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan), a result of its use as a source for hydropower, threatens drinking water supplies;
• restart of Metsamor nuclear power plant in spite of its location in a seismically active zone

• local scientists consider the Abseron Yasaqligi (Apsheron Peninsula) (including Baku and Sumqayit) and the Caspian Sea to be the ecologically most devastated area in the world because of severe air, soil, and water pollution;
• soil pollution results from oil spills, from the use of DDT pesticide, and from toxic defoliants used in the production of cotton

• many people are landless and forced to live on and cultivate flood-prone land;
• waterborne diseases prevalent in surface water;
• water pollution, especially of fishing areas, results from the use of commercial pesticides;
• ground water contaminated by naturally occurring arsenic;
• intermittent water shortages because of falling water tables in the northern and central parts of the country;
• soil degradation and erosion;
• deforestation;
• severe overpopulation

soil erosion; limited access to potable water

NA

• air pollution (greenhouse gases, sulfur dioxide particulates) from reliance on coal produces acid rain;
• China is the world's largest single emitter of carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels;
• water shortages, particularly in the north;
• water pollution from untreated wastes;
• deforestation;
• estimated loss of one-fifth of agricultural land since 1949 to soil erosion and economic development;
• desertification;
• trade in endangered species

• air pollution, particularly in Rust'avi;
• heavy pollution of Mtkvari River and the Black Sea;
• inadequate supplies of potable water;
• soil pollution from toxic chemicals

• deforestation;
• soil erosion;
• overgrazing;
• desertification;
• air pollution from industrial effluents and vehicle emissions;
• water pollution from raw sewage and runoff of agricultural pesticides;
• tap water is not potable throughout the country;
• huge and growing population is overstraining natural resources

• air pollution from power plant emissions results in acid rain;
• acidification of lakes and reservoirs degrading water quality and threatening aquatic life;
• Japan is one of the largest consumers of fish and tropical timber, contributing to the depletion of these resources in Asia and elsewhere

• radioactive or toxic chemical sites associated with former defense industries and test ranges scattered throughout the country pose health risks for humans and animals;
• industrial pollution is severe in some cities;
• because the two main rivers that flowed into the Aral Sea have been diverted for irrigation, it is drying up and leaving behind a harmful layer of chemical pesticides and natural salts;
• these substances are then picked up by the wind and blown into noxious dust storms;
• pollution in the Caspian Sea;
• soil pollution from overuse of agricultural chemicals and salination from poor infrastructure and wasteful irrigation practices

• water pollution;
• inadequate supplies of potable water;
• waterborne disease;
• deforestation;
• soil erosion and degradation

• air pollution in large cities;
• acid rain;
• water pollution from the discharge of sewage and industrial effluents;
• drift net fishing

• water pollution;
• many people get their water directly from contaminated streams and wells;
• as a result, water-borne diseases are prevalent;
• increasing soil salinity from faulty irrigation practices

• depletion of freshwater aquifers threatens water supplies;
• global warming and sea level rise;
• coral reef bleaching

• limited natural freshwater resources in some areas;
• the policies of former Communist regimes promoted rapid urbanization and industrial growth that had negative effects on the environment;
• the burning of soft coal in power plants and the lack of enforcement of environmental laws severely polluted the air in Ulaanbaatar;
• deforestation, overgrazing, and the converting of virgin land to agricultural production increased soil erosion from wind and rain;
• desertification and mining activities had a deleterious effect on the environment

• deforestation (overuse of wood for fuel and lack of alternatives);
• contaminated water (with human and animal wastes, agricultural runoff, and industrial effluents);
• wildlife conservation;
• vehicular emissions

• water pollution from raw sewage, industrial wastes, and agricultural runoff;
• limited natural freshwater resources;
• most of the population does not have access to potable water;
• deforestation;
• soil erosion;
• desertification

• air pollution from heavy industry, emissions of coal-fired electric plants, and transportation in major cities;
• industrial, municipal, and agricultural pollution of inland waterways and seacoasts;
• deforestation;
• soil erosion;
• soil contamination from improper application of agricultural chemicals;
• scattered areas of sometimes intense radioactive contamination;
• groundwater contamination from toxic waste;
• urban solid waste management;
• abandoned stocks of obsolete pesticides

• deforestation;
• soil erosion;
• wildlife populations threatened by poaching and urbanization;
• coastal degradation from mining activities and increased pollution;
• freshwater resources being polluted by industrial wastes and sewage runoff;
• waste disposal;
• air pollution in Colombo

• inadequate sanitation facilities;
• increasing levels of soil salinity;
• industrial pollution;
• excessive pesticides

• contamination of soil and groundwater with agricultural chemicals, pesticides;
• salination, water logging of soil due to poor irrigation methods;
• Caspian Sea pollution;
• diversion of a large share of the flow of the Amu Darya into irrigation contributes to that river's inability to replenish the Aral Sea;
• desertification

• shrinkage of the Aral Sea has resulted in growing concentrations of chemical pesticides and natural salts;
• these substances are then blown from the increasingly exposed lake bed and contribute to desertification and respiratory health problems;
• water pollution from industrial wastes and the heavy use of fertilizers and pesticides is the cause of many human health disorders;
• increasing soil salination;
• soil contamination from buried nuclear processing and agricultural chemicals, including DDT

supplies of potable water sometimes cannot meet increasing demand largely because of poor distribution system

water management - a major concern because of limited natural freshwater resources - is further hampered by the clearing of trees to increase crop production, causing rainfall to run off quickly

NA

coral reef decay; solid waste disposal

• pollution of coastal waters from waste disposal by ships;
• soil erosion;
• illegal solid waste disposal threatens contamination of aquifers

• deforestation;
• water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff;
• solid and sewage waste disposal

• limited natural freshwater resources except for a few seasonal streams and springs on Tortola;
• most of the islands' water supply comes from wells and rainwater catchments

no natural freshwater resources; drinking water supplies must be met by rainwater catchments

• deforestation and land use change, largely a result of the clearing of land for cattle ranching and agriculture;
• soil erosion;
• coastal marine pollution;
• fisheries protection;
• solid waste management;
• air pollution

• air and water pollution;
• biodiversity loss;
• deforestation

NA

NA

• water shortages;
• soil eroding into the sea damages coral reefs;
• deforestation

• deforestation;
• soil erosion;
• water pollution;
• contamination of soils from disposal of toxic wastes

NA

• deforestation in the Peten rainforest;
• soil erosion;
• water pollution

• extensive deforestation (much of the remaining forested land is being cleared for agriculture and used as fuel);
• soil erosion;
• inadequate supplies of potable water

• urban population expanding;
• deforestation results from logging and the clearing of land for agricultural purposes;
• further land degradation and soil erosion hastened by uncontrolled development and improper land use practices such as farming of marginal lands;
• mining activities polluting Lago de Yojoa (the country's largest source of fresh water), as well as several rivers and streams, with heavy metals

• heavy rates of deforestation;
• coastal waters polluted by industrial waste, sewage, and oil spills;
• damage to coral reefs;
• air pollution in Kingston from vehicle emissions

land erosion occurs on slopes that have been cleared for cultivation

NA

• deforestation;
• soil erosion;
• water pollution

• water pollution from agricultural runoff threatens fishery resources;
• deforestation of tropical rain forest;
• land degradation and soil erosion threatens siltation of Panama Canal;
• air pollution in urban areas;
• mining threatens natural resources

erosion; occasional drought causing water shortages

with no natural rivers or streams, fresh water is in short supply, especially in summer, and provided by desalinization of sea water, collection of rain water, or imported via water tanker

NA

deforestation; soil erosion, particularly in the northern region

freshwater supply is dependent on desalinization of sea water

• pollution of coastal waters and shorelines from discharges by pleasure yachts and other effluents;
• in some areas, pollution is severe enough to make swimming prohibitive

NA

• water pollution from agricultural chemicals, industrial wastes, and raw sewage;
• oil pollution of beaches;
• deforestation;
• soil erosion

limited natural freshwater resources, private cisterns collect rainwater

lack of natural freshwater resources

• deforestation;
• soil erosion;
• water pollution from industrial and domestic effluents

• deforestation;
• overgrazing of mountain meadows contributes to soil erosion;
• air pollution;
• wastewater treatment and solid waste disposal

• some forest degradation caused by air and soil pollution;
• soil pollution results from the use of agricultural chemicals;
• air pollution results from emissions by coal- and oil-fired power stations and industrial plants and from trucks transiting Austria between northern and southern Europe

soil pollution from pesticide use; southern part of the country contaminated with fallout from 1986 nuclear reactor accident at Chornobyl' in northern Ukraine

• the environment is exposed to intense pressures from human activities: urbanization, dense transportation network, industry, extensive animal breeding and crop cultivation;
• air and water pollution also have repercussions for neighboring countries;
• uncertainties regarding federal and regional responsibilities (now resolved) had slowed progress in tackling environmental challenges

• air pollution from metallurgical plants;
• sites for disposing of urban waste are limited;
• water shortages and destruction of infrastructure because of the 1992-95 civil strife;
• deforestation

• air pollution from industrial emissions;
• rivers polluted from raw sewage, heavy metals, detergents;
• deforestation;
• forest damage from air pollution and resulting acid rain;
• soil contamination from heavy metals from metallurgical plants and industrial wastes

• air pollution (from metallurgical plants) and resulting acid rain is damaging the forests;
• coastal pollution from industrial and domestic waste;
• landmine removal and reconstruction of infrastructure consequent to 1992-95 civil strife

• air and water pollution in areas of northwest Bohemia and in northern Moravia around Ostrava present health risks;
• acid rain damaging forests;
• efforts to bring industry up to EU code should improve domestic pollution

• air pollution, principally from vehicle and power plant emissions;
• nitrogen and phosphorus pollution of the North Sea;
• drinking and surface water becoming polluted from animal wastes and pesticides

• air polluted with sulfur dioxide from oil-shale burning power plants in northeast;
• however, the amount of pollutants emitted to the air have fallen steadily, the emissions of 2000 were 80% less than in 1980;
• the amount of unpurified wastewater discharged to water bodies in 2000 was 1/20 the level of 1980;
• in connection with the start-up of new water purification plants, the pollution load of wastewater decreased;
• Estonia has more than 1,400 natural and manmade lakes, the smaller of which in agricultural areas need to be monitored;
• coastal seawater is polluted in certain locations

NA

NA

• air pollution from manufacturing and power plants contributing to acid rain;
• water pollution from industrial wastes, agricultural chemicals;
• habitat loss threatens wildlife populations

• some forest damage from acid rain;
• air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions;
• water pollution from urban wastes, agricultural runoff

• emissions from coal-burning utilities and industries contribute to air pollution;
• acid rain, resulting from sulfur dioxide emissions, is damaging forests;
• pollution in the Baltic Sea from raw sewage and industrial effluents from rivers in eastern Germany;
• hazardous waste disposal;
• government established a mechanism for ending the use of nuclear power over the next 15 years;
• government working to meet EU commitment to identify nature preservation areas in line with the EU's Flora, Fauna, and Habitat directive

limited natural freshwater resources:

large concrete or natural rock water catchments collect rainwater (no longer used for drinking water) and adequate desalination plant

air pollution; water pollution

NA

NA

the upgrading of Hungary's standards in waste management, energy efficiency, and air, soil, and water pollution to meet EU requirements will require large investments

• water pollution,
• especially of lakes,
• from agricultural runoff

waste disposal (both household and industrial); transboundary air pollution

• air pollution from industrial emissions such as sulfur dioxide;
• coastal and inland rivers polluted from industrial and agricultural effluents;
• acid rain damaging lakes;
• inadequate industrial waste treatment and disposal facilities

NA

• Latvia's environment has benefited from a shift to service industries after the country regained independence;
• the main environmental priorities are improvement of drinking water quality and sewage system, household, and hazardous waste management, as well as reduction of air pollution;
• in 2001, Latvia closed the EU accession negotiation chapter on environment committing to full enforcement of EU environmental directives by 2010

NA

contamination of soil and groundwater with petroleum products and chemicals at military bases

air and water pollution in urban areas, soil pollution of farmland

limited natural freshwater resources; increasing reliance on desalination

• heavy use of agricultural chemicals, including banned pesticides such as DDT, has contaminated soil and groundwater;
• extensive soil erosion from poor farming methods

NA

pollution of coastal waters from sewage outlets, especially in tourist-related areas such as Kotor

• water pollution in the form of heavy metals, organic compounds, and nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates;
• air pollution from vehicles and refining activities;
• acid rain

air pollution from metallurgical plants

• water pollution;
• acid rain damaging forests and adversely affecting lakes, threatening fish stocks;
• air pollution from vehicle emissions

• situation has improved since 1989 due to decline in heavy industry and increased environmental concern by post-Communist governments;
• air pollution nonetheless remains serious because of sulfur dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants, and the resulting acid rain has caused forest damage;
• water pollution from industrial and municipal sources is also a problem, as is disposal of hazardous wastes;
• pollution levels should continue to decrease as industrial establishments bring their facilities up to EU code, but at substantial cost to business and the government

• soil erosion;
• air pollution caused by industrial and vehicle emissions;
• water pollution, especially in coastal areas

• soil erosion and degradation;
• water pollution;
• air pollution in south from industrial effluents;
• contamination of Danube delta wetlands

air pollution; urbanization decreasing rural farmlands

air pollution around Belgrade and other industrial cities; water pollution from industrial wastes dumped into the Sava which flows into the Danube

air pollution from metallurgical plants presents human health risks; acid rain damaging forests