world news - 04.06.2008
Green alarm for Russia’s economic boom
Russia is home to some of the most
polluted places on Earth. The quality of air and water is
deteriorating, toxic waste levels are going up and the country's
forests are disappearing at an alarming rate.
Greenpeace is warning of permanent environmental
damage unless Russia’s booming economy is managed differently. The
activists say turning a blind eye to green concerns may cause trouble
in years to come.
Greenpeace Russia names illegal logging and toxic waste as two of their main concerns.
According to the organisation, there is no real state control of
logging. Illegal logging is booming and forest fire data is inaccurate,
making it difficult to find a solution.
Toxic waste volumes are increasing faster than the country’s GDP at 15 to 16%.
Much of the damage dates back to the Soviet Era, when the environment was the last thing on people’s minds.
While Greenpeace seems to think the government isn't helping to solve the problem, the authorities say they're making an effort.
President Dmitry Medvedev has called on the government to toughen up
environmental laws throughout the country, pointing out the ecological
dangers a lot of Russians are exposed to:
“Some forty million Russians are
living in unfavourable environmental conditions. One million of these
live in places which have dangerous pollution levels”.
Russia is bound by the Kyoto Protocol and is meeting its emissions
target. Across the country, slowly but surely, steps are being taking
in the right direction.
Besides the government's initiative, big business is taking action.
Rusal, the world’s largest aluminium producer, launched a
billion-dollar programme to clean up its factories and carry out other
environmental projects. Russia’s Transneft and Gazprom are also mixing
eco-awareness with business projects. But it’s debatable if their work
is enough.
According to environmentalists, the key lies in finding a balance between the economy and the environment.
The concern of Greenpeace comes ahead of World Environment Day on Thursday.
See also:
- — Finnish forest owners plant 160 million saplings
- — Congo Basin Forest Is Biggest For Approved Logging
- — Global trade of woodchips reaching new records
- — Roundwood sales from small-scale private forests
- — Scientists generated bacteria producing cellulose