Environmental legacy mixed in Eastern Europe

Journal Article · · Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy; (United States)

OSTI ID:7021362

Liroff, R A ^[1]

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1. World Wildlife Fund-US, Washington, DC (United States)

The brown' legacy left by the former communist regimes in Eastern Europe - heavily contaminated air, water, and soil - is well known. Less well known, however, is a green' legacy - undeveloped but ecologically valuable areas. The green legacy consists of border areas previously closed for military reasons, previously designated parks and protected areas, and areas wholly within countries that deserve official protection but have not yet received it. Both public and private developers are eyeing the money that could be made from developing these areas for tourism. The author feels that steps should be taken to protect the ecological values that many of the areas contain. Environmental movements played important roles in sparking the political upheavals that overturned the former communist governments in Eastern and Central Europe in the late 1980s. The danger now is that support for environmental improvement will wane as citizens and governments alike focus on satisfying economic needs. But this does not have to be so, restoring environmental quality and rebuilding national economies should go hand in hand.

• OSTI ID: 7021362
• Journal Information: Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy; (United States), Journal Name: Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy; (United States) Vol. 6:4; ISSN 0887-8218; ISSN FARPE
• 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
CENTRALLY PLANNED ECONOMIES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
EUROPE
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
FINANCIAL INCENTIVES
FINANCING
INDUSTRY
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
POLITICAL ASPECTS
PUBLIC OPINION