The greening of Eastern Europe: Devastated countries try to reverse Communism's environmental toll

Journal Article · Fri Nov 15 04:00:00 EST 1991 · CQ Researcher; (United States)

OSTI ID:5233428

Marshall, P G

Eastern Europe endured the political and economic oppression of Communism for some 40 years - until the revolutions of 1989. But human freedom wasn't the only victim of the Communist regimes. The environment, too, suffered greatly under centrally planned economies that put a priority on production quotas and developing heavy industries while providing no incentives for conservation or pollution controls. Now two huge tasks confront Eastern Europeans as they try to bring order to their countries: They must energize crippled economies and find the resources to clean up four decades of profligate pollution. Western nations are providing help, but far less than is needed. Some experts worry that without more aid, some countries in the region may not hold together under the economic stresses. The two most heavily polluted countries, Czech Republic and Poland, are heavily industrialized and rely on high-sulfur brown coal. This article examines whether the Eastern European countries can, or will, clean up their environments on their own, and what some countries have done so far to improve their environmental laws and organizations.

• OSTI ID: 5233428
• Journal Information: CQ Researcher; (United States), Journal Name: CQ Researcher; (United States) Vol. 1:26; ISSN CQREEX
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290200 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Economics & Sociology
290300* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
AGREEMENTS
AIR POLLUTION
EASTERN EUROPE
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
EUROPE
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS
LEGISLATION
NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
POLLUTION
PUBLIC HEALTH
WATER POLLUTION