Afghanistan
limited natural fresh water 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
Akrotiri
hunting around the salt lake; note - breeding place for
loggerhead and green turtles; only remaining colony of griffon
vultures is on the base
Albania
deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution from industrial
and domestic effluents
Algeria
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
American Samoa
limited natural fresh water resources; the water
division of the government has spent substantial funds in the past
few years to improve water catchments and pipelines
Andorra
deforestation; overgrazing of mountain meadows contributes
to soil erosion; air pollution; wastewater treatment and solid waste
disposal
Angola
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
Anguilla
supplies of potable water sometimes cannot meet increasing
demand largely because of poor distribution system
Antarctica
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
Antigua and Barbuda
water management - a major concern because of
limited natural fresh water resources - is further hampered by the
clearing of trees to increase crop production, causing rainfall to
run off quickly
Arctic Ocean
endangered marine species include walruses and whales;
fragile ecosystem slow to change and slow to recover from
disruptions or damage; thinning polar icepack
Argentina
environmental problems (urban and rural) typical of an
industrializing economy such as deforestation, soil degradation,
desertification, air pollution, and water pollution
note: Argentina is a world leader in setting voluntary greenhouse
gas targets
Armenia
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
Aruba
NA
Ashmore and Cartier Islands
illegal killing of protected wildlife by
traditional Indonesian fisherman, as well as fishing by
non-traditional Indonesian vessels, are ongoing problems
Atlantic Ocean
endangered marine species include the manatee, seals,
sea lions, turtles, and whales; drift net fishing is hastening the
decline of fish stocks and contributing to international disputes;
municipal sludge pollution off eastern US, southern Brazil, and
eastern Argentina; oil pollution in Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico,
Lake Maracaibo, Mediterranean Sea, and North Sea; industrial waste
and municipal sewage pollution in Baltic Sea, North Sea, and
Mediterranean Sea
Australia
soil erosion from overgrazing, industrial development,
urbanization, and poor farming practices; soil salinity rising due
to the use of poor quality water; desertification; clearing for
agricultural purposes threatens the natural habitat of many unique
animal and plant species; the Great Barrier Reef off the northeast
coast, the largest coral reef in the world, is threatened by
increased shipping and its popularity as a tourist site; limited
natural fresh water resources
Austria
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
Azerbaijan
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
Bahamas, The
coral reef decay; solid waste disposal
Bahrain
desertification resulting from the degradation of limited
arable land, periods of drought, and dust storms; coastal
degradation (damage to coastlines, coral reefs, and sea vegetation)
resulting from oil spills and other discharges from large tankers,
oil refineries, and distribution stations; lack of freshwater
resources (groundwater and seawater are the only sources for all
water needs)
Bangladesh
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
Barbados
pollution of coastal waters from waste disposal by ships;
soil erosion; illegal solid waste disposal threatens contamination
of aquifers
Belarus
soil pollution from pesticide use; southern part of the
country contaminated with fallout from 1986 nuclear reactor accident
at Chornobyl' in northern Ukraine
Belgium
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
Belize
deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial
effluents, agricultural runoff; solid and sewage waste disposal
Benin
inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching threatens
wildlife populations; deforestation; desertification
Bermuda
sustainable development
Bhutan
soil erosion; limited access to potable water
Bolivia
the clearing of land for agricultural purposes and the
international demand for tropical timber are contributing to
deforestation; soil erosion from overgrazing and poor cultivation
methods (including slash-and-burn agriculture); desertification;
loss of biodiversity; industrial pollution of water supplies used
for drinking and irrigation
Bosnia and Herzegovina
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
Botswana
overgrazing; desertification; limited fresh water resources
Bouvet Island
NA
Brazil
deforestation in Amazon Basin destroys the habitat and
endangers a multitude of plant and animal species indigenous to the
area; there is a lucrative illegal wildlife trade; air and water
pollution in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and several other large
cities; land degradation and water pollution caused by improper
mining activities; wetland degradation; severe oil spills
British Indian Ocean Territory
NA
British Virgin Islands
limited natural fresh water resources (except
for a few seasonal streams and springs on Tortola, most of the
islands' water supply comes from wells and rainwater catchments)
Brunei
seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia
Bulgaria
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
Burkina Faso
recent droughts and desertification severely affecting
agricultural activities, population distribution, and the economy;
overgrazing; soil degradation; deforestation
Burma
deforestation; industrial pollution of air, soil, and water;
inadequate sanitation and water treatment contribute to disease
Burundi
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
Cambodia
illegal logging activities throughout the country and strip
mining for gems in the western region along the border with Thailand
have resulted in habitat loss and declining biodiversity (in
particular, destruction of mangrove swamps threatens natural
fisheries); soil erosion; in rural areas, most of the population
does not have access to potable water; declining fish stocks because
of illegal fishing and overfishing
Cameroon
waterborne diseases are prevalent; deforestation;
overgrazing; desertification; poaching; overfishing
Canada
air pollution and resulting acid rain severely affecting
lakes and damaging forests; metal smelting, coal-burning utilities,
and vehicle emissions impacting on agricultural and forest
productivity; ocean waters becoming contaminated due to
agricultural, industrial, mining, and forestry activities
Cape Verde
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
Cayman Islands
no natural fresh water resources; drinking water
supplies must be met by rainwater catchments
Central African Republic
tap water is not potable; poaching has
diminished the country's reputation as one of the last great
wildlife refuges; desertification; deforestation
Chad
inadequate supplies of potable water; improper waste disposal
in rural areas contributes to soil and water pollution;
desertification
Chile
widespread deforestation and mining threaten natural
resources; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions;
water pollution from raw sewage
China
air pollution (greenhouse gases, sulfur dioxide particulates)
from reliance on coal produces acid rain; 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
Christmas Island
loss of rainforest; impact of phosphate mining
Clipperton Island
NA
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
fresh water resources are limited to
rainwater accumulations in natural underground reservoirs
Colombia
deforestation; soil and water quality damage from overuse
of pesticides; air pollution, especially in Bogota, from vehicle
emissions
Comoros
soil degradation and erosion results from crop cultivation
on slopes without proper terracing; deforestation
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
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
Congo, Republic of the
air pollution from vehicle emissions; water
pollution from the dumping of raw sewage; tap water is not potable;
deforestation
Cook Islands
NA
Coral Sea Islands
no permanent fresh water resources
Costa Rica
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
Cote d'Ivoire
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
Croatia
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
Cuba
air and water pollution; biodiversity loss; deforestation
Curacao
NA
Cyprus
water resource problems (no natural reservoir catchments,
seasonal disparity in rainfall, sea water intrusion to island's
largest aquifer, increased salination in the north); water pollution
from sewage and industrial wastes; coastal degradation; loss of
wildlife habitats from urbanization
Czech Republic
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
Denmark
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
Dhekelia
netting and trapping of small migrant songbirds in the
spring and autumn
Djibouti
inadequate supplies of potable water; limited arable land;
desertification; endangered species
Dominica
NA
Dominican Republic
water shortages; soil eroding into the sea
damages coral reefs; deforestation
Ecuador
deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; water
pollution; pollution from oil production wastes in ecologically
sensitive areas of the Amazon Basin and Galapagos Islands
Egypt
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 fresh water
resources away from the Nile, which is the only perennial water
source; rapid growth in population overstraining the Nile and
natural resources
El Salvador
deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution;
contamination of soils from disposal of toxic wastes
Equatorial Guinea
tap water is not potable; deforestation
Eritrea
deforestation; desertification; soil erosion; overgrazing;
loss of infrastructure from civil warfare
Estonia
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 one-20th 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
Ethiopia
deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification;
water shortages in some areas from water-intensive farming and poor
management
European Union
NA
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
overfishing by unlicensed vessels
is a problem; reindeer were introduced to the islands in 2001 for
commercial reasons; this is the only commercial reindeer herd in the
world unaffected by the 1986 Chornobyl disaster
Faroe Islands
NA
Fiji
deforestation; soil erosion
Finland
air pollution from manufacturing and power plants
contributing to acid rain; water pollution from industrial wastes,
agricultural chemicals; habitat loss threatens wildlife populations
France
some forest damage from acid rain; air pollution from
industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from urban wastes,
agricultural runoff
French Polynesia
NA
French Southern and Antarctic Lands
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
Gabon
deforestation; poaching
Gambia, The
deforestation; desertification; water-borne diseases
prevalent
Gaza Strip
desertification; salination of fresh water; sewage
treatment; water-borne disease; soil degradation; depletion and
contamination of underground water resources
Georgia
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
Germany
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
Ghana
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
Gibraltar
limited natural freshwater resources: large concrete or
natural rock water catchments collect rainwater (no longer used for
drinking water) and adequate desalination plant
Greece
air pollution; water pollution
Greenland
protection of the arctic environment; preservation of the
Inuit traditional way of life, including whaling and seal hunting
Grenada
NA
Guam
extirpation of native bird population by the rapid
proliferation of the brown tree snake, an exotic, invasive species
Guatemala
deforestation in the Peten rainforest; soil erosion; water
pollution
Guernsey
NA
Guinea
deforestation; inadequate supplies of potable water;
desertification; soil contamination and erosion; overfishing,
overpopulation in forest region; poor mining practices have led to
environmental damage
Guinea-Bissau
deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing; overfishing
Guyana
water pollution from sewage and agricultural and industrial
chemicals; deforestation
Haiti
extensive deforestation (much of the remaining forested land
is being cleared for agriculture and used as fuel); soil erosion;
inadequate supplies of potable water
Heard Island and McDonald Islands
NA
Holy See (Vatican City)
NA
Honduras
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
Hong Kong
air and water pollution from rapid urbanization
Hungary
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
Iceland
water pollution from fertilizer runoff; inadequate
wastewater treatment
India
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
Indian Ocean
endangered marine species include the dugong, seals,
turtles, and whales; oil pollution in the Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf,
and Red Sea
Indonesia
deforestation; water pollution from industrial wastes,
sewage; air pollution in urban areas; smoke and haze from forest
fires
Iran
air pollution, especially in urban areas, from vehicle
emissions, refinery operations, and industrial effluents;
deforestation; overgrazing; desertification; oil pollution in the
Persian Gulf; wetland losses from drought; soil degradation
(salination); inadequate supplies of potable water; water pollution
from raw sewage and industrial waste; urbanization
Iraq
government water control projects have drained most of the
inhabited marsh areas east of An Nasiriyah by drying up or diverting
the feeder streams and rivers; a once sizable population of Marsh
Arabs, who inhabited these areas for thousands of years, has been
displaced; furthermore, the destruction of the natural habitat poses
serious threats to the area's wildlife populations; inadequate
supplies of potable water; development of the Tigris and Euphrates
rivers system contingent upon agreements with upstream riparian
Turkey; air and water pollution; soil degradation (salination) and
erosion; desertification
Ireland
water pollution, especially of lakes, from agricultural
runoff
Isle of Man
waste disposal (both household and industrial);
transboundary air pollution
Israel
limited arable land and natural fresh water resources pose
serious constraints; desertification; air pollution from industrial
and vehicle emissions; groundwater pollution from industrial and
domestic waste, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides
Italy
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
Jamaica
heavy rates of deforestation; coastal waters polluted by
industrial waste, sewage, and oil spills; damage to coral reefs; air
pollution in Kingston results from vehicle emissions
Jan Mayen
NA
Japan
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
Jersey
NA
Jordan
limited natural fresh water resources; deforestation;
overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification
Kazakhstan
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