Bahamas, Thecoral reef decay; solid waste disposal
Bahraindesertification resulting from the degradation of limitedarable land, periods of drought, and dust storms; coastaldegradation (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 freshwaterresources, groundwater and seawater are the only sources for allwater needs
Baker Islandno natural fresh water resources
Bangladeshmany people are landless and forced to live on andcultivate flood-prone land; water-borne diseases prevalent insurface water; water pollution, especially of fishing areas, resultsfrom the use of commercial pesticides; ground water contaminated bynaturally occurring arsenic; intermittent water shortages because offalling water tables in the northern and central parts of thecountry; soil degradation and erosion; deforestation; severeoverpopulation
Barbadospollution of coastal waters from waste disposal by ships;soil erosion; illegal solid waste disposal threatens contaminationof aquifers
Bassas da IndiaNA
Belarussoil pollution from pesticide use; southern part of thecountry contaminated with fallout from 1986 nuclear reactor accidentat Chornobyl' in northern Ukraine
Belgiumthe environment is exposed to intense pressures from humanactivities: urbanization, dense transportation network, industry,extensive animal breeding and crop cultivation; air and waterpollution also have repercussions for neighboring countries;uncertainties regarding federal and regional responsibilities (nowresolved) have slowed progress in tackling environmental challenges
Belizedeforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrialeffluents, agricultural runoff; solid and sewage waste disposal
Benininadequate supplies of potable water; poaching threatenswildlife populations; deforestation; desertification
Bermudasustainable development
Bhutansoil erosion; limited access to potable water
Boliviathe clearing of land for agricultural purposes and theinternational demand for tropical timber are contributing todeforestation; soil erosion from overgrazing and poor cultivationmethods (including slash-and-burn agriculture); desertification;loss of biodiversity; industrial pollution of water supplies usedfor drinking and irrigation
Bosnia and Herzegovinaair pollution from metallurgical plants;sites for disposing of urban waste are limited; water shortages anddestruction of infrastructure because of the 1992-95 civil strife;deforestation
Botswanaovergrazing; desertification; limited fresh water resources
Bouvet IslandNA
Brazildeforestation in Amazon Basin destroys the habitat andendangers a multitude of plant and animal species indigenous to thearea; there is a lucrative illegal wildlife trade; air and waterpollution in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and several other largecities; land degradation and water pollution caused by impropermining activities; wetland degradation; severe oil spills
British Indian Ocean TerritoryNA
British Virgin Islandslimited natural fresh water resources (exceptfor a few seasonal streams and springs on Tortola, most of theislands' water supply comes from wells and rainwater catchments)
Bruneiseasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia
Bulgariaair pollution from industrial emissions; rivers pollutedfrom raw sewage, heavy metals, detergents; deforestation; forestdamage from air pollution and resulting acid rain; soilcontamination from heavy metals from metallurgical plants andindustrial wastes
Burkina Fasorecent droughts and desertification severely affectingagricultural activities, population distribution, and the economy;overgrazing; soil degradation; deforestation
Burmadeforestation; industrial pollution of air, soil, and water;inadequate sanitation and water treatment contribute to disease
Burundisoil erosion as a result of overgrazing and the expansion ofagriculture into marginal lands; deforestation (little forested landremains because of uncontrolled cutting of trees for fuel); habitatloss threatens wildlife populations
Cambodiaillegal logging activities throughout the country and stripmining for gems in the western region along the border with Thailandhave resulted in habitat loss and declining biodiversity (inparticular, destruction of mangrove swamps threatens naturalfisheries); soil erosion; in rural areas, most of the populationdoes not have access to potable water; declining fish stocks becauseof illegal fishing and overfishing
Cameroonwaterborne diseases are prevalent; deforestation;overgrazing; desertification; poaching; overfishing
Canadaair pollution and resulting acid rain severely affectinglakes and damaging forests; metal smelting, coal-burning utilities,and vehicle emissions impacting on agricultural and forestproductivity; ocean waters becoming contaminated due toagricultural, industrial, mining, and forestry activities
Cape Verdesoil erosion; deforestation due to demand for wood usedas fuel; desertification; environmental damage has threatenedseveral species of birds and reptiles; illegal beach sandextraction; overfishing
Cayman Islandsno natural fresh water resources; drinking watersupplies must be met by rainwater catchments
Central African Republictap water is not potable; poaching hasdiminished the country's reputation as one of the last greatwildlife refuges; desertification; deforestation
Chadinadequate supplies of potable water; improper waste disposalin rural areas contributes to soil and water pollution;desertification
Chilewidespread deforestation and mining threaten naturalresources; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions;water pollution from raw sewage
Chinaair 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 landsince 1949 to soil erosion and economic development;desertification; trade in endangered species
Christmas Islandloss of rainforest; impact of phosphate mining
Clipperton IslandNA
Cocos (Keeling) Islandsfresh water resources are limited torainwater accumulations in natural underground reservoirs
Colombiadeforestation; soil and water quality damage from overuseof pesticides; air pollution, especially in Bogota, from vehicleemissions
Comorossoil degradation and erosion results from crop cultivationon 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 theair pollution from vehicle emissions; waterpollution from the dumping of raw sewage; tap water is not potable;deforestation
Cook IslandsNA
Coral Sea Islandsno permanent fresh water resources
Costa Ricadeforestation and land use change, largely a result ofthe clearing of land for cattle ranching and agriculture; soilerosion; coastal marine pollution; fisheries protection; solid wastemanagement; air pollution
Cote d'Ivoiredeforestation (most of the country's forests - oncethe largest in West Africa - have been heavily logged); waterpollution from sewage and industrial and agricultural effluents
Croatiaair pollution (from metallurgical plants) and resulting acidrain is damaging the forests; coastal pollution from industrial anddomestic waste; landmine removal and reconstruction ofinfrastructure consequent to 1992-95 civil strife
Cubaair and water pollution; biodiversity loss; deforestation
Cypruswater resource problems (no natural reservoir catchments,seasonal disparity in rainfall, sea water intrusion to island'slargest aquifer, increased salination in the north); water pollutionfrom sewage and industrial wastes; coastal degradation; loss ofwildlife habitats from urbanization
Czech Republicair and water pollution in areas of northwest Bohemiaand in northern Moravia around Ostrava present health risks; acidrain damaging forests; efforts to bring industry up to EU codeshould improve domestic pollution
Denmarkair pollution, principally from vehicle and power plantemissions; nitrogen and phosphorus pollution of the North Sea;drinking and surface water becoming polluted from animal wastes andpesticides
Dhekelianetting and trapping of small migrant songbirds in thespring and autumn
Djiboutiinadequate supplies of potable water; limited arable land;desertification; endangered species
DominicaNA
Dominican Republicwater shortages; soil eroding into the seadamages coral reefs; deforestation
East Timorwidespread use of slash and burn agriculture has led todeforestation and soil erosion
Ecuadordeforestation; soil erosion; desertification; waterpollution; pollution from oil production wastes in ecologicallysensitive areas of the Amazon Basin and Galapagos Islands
Egyptagricultural land being lost to urbanization and windblownsands; increasing soil salination below Aswan High Dam;desertification; oil pollution threatening coral reefs, beaches, andmarine habitats; other water pollution from agricultural pesticides,raw sewage, and industrial effluents; very limited natural freshwater resources away from the Nile, which is the only perennialwater source; rapid growth in population overstraining the Nile andnatural resources
El Salvadordeforestation; soil erosion; water pollution;contamination of soils from disposal of toxic wastes
Equatorial Guineatap water is not potable; deforestation
Eritreadeforestation; desertification; soil erosion; overgrazing;loss of infrastructure from civil warfare
Estoniaair polluted with sulfur dioxide from oil-shale burningpower plants in northeast; however, the amount of pollutants emittedto the air have fallen steadily, the emissions of 2000 were 80% lessthan in 1980; the amount of unpurified wastewater discharged towater bodies in 2000 was one twentieth the level of 1980; inconnection with the start-up of new water purification plants, thepollution load of wastewater decreased; Estonia has more than 1,400natural and manmade lakes, the smaller of which in agriculturalareas need to be monitored; coastal seawater is polluted in certainlocations
Ethiopiadeforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification;water shortages in some areas from water-intensive farming and poormanagement
Europa IslandNA
European UnionNA
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 Chornobyl disaster
Faroe IslandsNA
Fijideforestation; soil erosion
Finlandair pollution from manufacturing and power plantscontributing to acid rain; water pollution from industrial wastes,agricultural chemicals; habitat loss threatens wildlife populations
Francesome forest damage from acid rain; air pollution fromindustrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from urban wastes,agricultural runoff
French GuianaNA
French PolynesiaNA
French Southern and Antarctic LandsNA
Gabondeforestation; poaching
Gambia, Thedeforestation; desertification; water-borne diseasesprevalent
Gaza Stripdesertification; salination of fresh water; sewagetreatment; water-borne disease; soil degradation; depletion andcontamination of underground water resources
Georgiaair pollution, particularly in Rust'avi; heavy pollution ofMtkvari River and the Black Sea; inadequate supplies of potablewater; soil pollution from toxic chemicals
Germanyemissions from coal-burning utilities and industriescontribute to air pollution; acid rain, resulting from sulfurdioxide emissions, is damaging forests; pollution in the Baltic Seafrom raw sewage and industrial effluents from rivers in easternGermany; hazardous waste disposal; government established amechanism for ending the use of nuclear power over the next 15years; government working to meet EU commitment to identify naturepreservation areas in line with the EU's Flora, Fauna, and Habitatdirective
Ghanarecurrent drought in north severely affects agriculturalactivities; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; poaching andhabitat destruction threatens wildlife populations; water pollution;inadequate supplies of potable water
Gibraltarlimited natural freshwater resources: large concrete ornatural rock water catchments collect rainwater (no longer used fordrinking water) and adequate desalination plant
Glorioso IslandsNA
Greeceair pollution; water pollution
Greenlandprotection of the arctic environment; preservation of theInuit traditional way of life, including whaling and seal hunting
GrenadaNA
GuadeloupeNA
Guamextirpation of native bird population by the rapidproliferation of the brown tree snake, an exotic, invasive species
Guatemaladeforestation in the Peten rainforest; soil erosion; waterpollution
GuernseyNA
Guineadeforestation; inadequate supplies of potable water;desertification; soil contamination and erosion; overfishing,overpopulation in forest region; poor mining practices have led toenvironmental damage
Guinea-Bissaudeforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing; overfishing
Guyanawater pollution from sewage and agricultural and industrialchemicals; deforestation
Haitiextensive deforestation (much of the remaining forested landis being cleared for agriculture and used as fuel); soil erosion;inadequate supplies of potable water
Heard Island and McDonald IslandsNA
Holy See (Vatican City)NA
Hondurasurban population expanding; deforestation results fromlogging and the clearing of land for agricultural purposes; furtherland degradation and soil erosion hastened by uncontrolleddevelopment and improper land use practices such as farming ofmarginal lands; mining activities polluting Lago de Yojoa (thecountry's largest source of fresh water), as well as several riversand streams, with heavy metals
Hong Kongair and water pollution from rapid urbanization
Howland Islandno natural fresh water resources
Hungarythe upgrading of Hungary's standards in waste management,energy efficiency, and air, soil, and water pollution to meet EUrequirements will require large investments
Icelandwater pollution from fertilizer runoff; inadequatewastewater treatment
Indiadeforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing; desertification; airpollution from industrial effluents and vehicle emissions; waterpollution from raw sewage and runoff of agricultural pesticides; tapwater is not potable throughout the country; huge and growingpopulation is overstraining natural resources
Indian Oceanendangered marine species include the dugong, seals,turtles, and whales; oil pollution in the Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf,and Red Sea
Indonesiadeforestation; water pollution from industrial wastes,sewage; air pollution in urban areas; smoke and haze from forestfires
Iranair pollution, especially in urban areas, from vehicleemissions, refinery operations, and industrial effluents;deforestation; overgrazing; desertification; oil pollution in thePersian Gulf; wetland losses from drought; soil degradation(salination); inadequate supplies of potable water; water pollutionfrom raw sewage and industrial waste; urbanization
Iraqgovernment water control projects have drained most of theinhabited marsh areas east of An Nasiriyah by drying up or divertingthe feeder streams and rivers; a once sizable population of MarshArabs, who inhabited these areas for thousands of years, has beendisplaced; furthermore, the destruction of the natural habitat posesserious threats to the area's wildlife populations; inadequatesupplies of potable water; development of the Tigris and Euphratesrivers system contingent upon agreements with upstream riparianTurkey; air and water pollution; soil degradation (salination) anderosion; desertification
Irelandwater pollution, especially of lakes, from agriculturalrunoff
Isle of Manwaste disposal (both household and industrial);transboundary air pollution
Israellimited arable land and natural fresh water resources poseserious constraints; desertification; air pollution from industrialand vehicle emissions; groundwater pollution from industrial anddomestic waste, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides
Italyair pollution from industrial emissions such as sulfurdioxide; coastal and inland rivers polluted from industrial andagricultural effluents; acid rain damaging lakes; inadequateindustrial waste treatment and disposal facilities
Jamaicaheavy rates of deforestation; coastal waters polluted byindustrial waste, sewage, and oil spills; damage to coral reefs; airpollution in Kingston results from vehicle emissions
Jan MayenNA
Japanair pollution from power plant emissions results in acid rain;acidification of lakes and reservoirs degrading water quality andthreatening aquatic life; Japan is one of the largest consumers offish and tropical timber, contributing to the depletion of theseresources in Asia and elsewhere
Jarvis Islandno natural fresh water resources
JerseyNA
Johnston Atollno natural fresh water resources
Jordanlimited natural fresh water resources; deforestation;overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification
Juan de Nova IslandNA
Kazakhstanradioactive or toxic chemical sites associated withformer defense industries and test ranges scattered throughout thecountry pose health risks for humans and animals; industrialpollution is severe in some cities; because the two main riverswhich flowed into the Aral Sea have been diverted for irrigation, itis drying up and leaving behind a harmful layer of chemicalpesticides and natural salts; these substances are then picked up bythe wind and blown into noxious dust storms; pollution in theCaspian Sea; soil pollution from overuse of agricultural chemicalsand salination from poor infrastructure and wasteful irrigationpractices
Kenyawater pollution from urban and industrial wastes; degradationof water quality from increased use of pesticides and fertilizers;water hyacinth infestation in Lake Victoria; deforestation; soilerosion; desertification; poaching
Kingman Reefnone
Kiribatiheavy pollution in lagoon of south Tarawa atoll due toheavy migration mixed with traditional practices such as lagoonlatrines and open-pit dumping; ground water at risk
Korea, Northwater pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water;waterborne disease; deforestation; soil erosion and degradation
Korea, Southair pollution in large cities; acid rain; waterpollution from the discharge of sewage and industrial effluents;drift net fishing
Kuwaitlimited natural fresh water resources; some of world'slargest and most sophisticated desalination facilities provide muchof the water; air and water pollution; desertification
Kyrgyzstanwater pollution; many people get their water directlyfrom contaminated streams and wells; as a result, water-bornediseases are prevalent; increasing soil salinity from faultyirrigation practices
Laosunexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; most of thepopulation does not have access to potable water
LatviaLatvia's environment has benefited from a shift to serviceindustries after the country regained independence; the mainenvironmental priorities are improvement of drinking water qualityand sewage system, household, and hazardous waste management, aswell as reduction of air pollution; in 2001, Latvia closed the EUaccession negotiation chapter on environment committing to fullenforcement of EU environmental directives by 2010
Lebanondeforestation; soil erosion; desertification; air pollutionin Beirut from vehicular traffic and the burning of industrialwastes; pollution of coastal waters from raw sewage and oil spills
Lesothopopulation pressure forcing settlement in marginal areasresults in overgrazing, severe soil erosion, and soil exhaustion;desertification; Highlands Water Project controls, stores, andredirects water to South Africa
Liberiatropical rain forest deforestation; soil erosion; loss ofbiodiversity; pollution of coastal waters from oil residue and rawsewage
Libyadesertification; very limited natural fresh water resources;the Great Manmade River Project, the largest water developmentscheme in the world, is being built to bring water from largeaquifers under the Sahara to coastal cities
LiechtensteinNA
Lithuaniacontamination of soil and groundwater with petroleumproducts and chemicals at military bases
Luxembourgair and water pollution in urban areas, soil pollution offarmland
MacauNA
Macedoniaair pollution from metallurgical plants
Madagascarsoil erosion results from deforestation and overgrazing;desertification; surface water contaminated with raw sewage andother organic wastes; several endangered species of flora and faunaunique to the island
Malawideforestation; land degradation; water pollution fromagricultural runoff, sewage, industrial wastes; siltation ofspawning grounds endangers fish populations
Malaysiaair pollution from industrial and vehicular emissions;water pollution from raw sewage; deforestation; smoke/haze fromIndonesian forest fires
Maldivesdepletion of freshwater aquifers threatens water supplies;global warming and sea level rise; coral reef bleaching
Malideforestation; soil erosion; desertification; inadequatesupplies of potable water; poaching
Maltavery limited natural fresh water resources; increasingreliance on desalination
Marshall Islandsinadequate supplies of potable water; pollution ofMajuro lagoon from household waste and discharges from fishingvessels
MartiniqueNA
Mauritaniaovergrazing, deforestation, and soil erosion aggravatedby drought are contributing to desertification; very limited naturalfresh water resources away from the Senegal, which is the onlyperennial river; locust infestation
Mauritiuswater pollution, degradation of coral reefs
MayotteNA
Mexicoscarcity of hazardous waste disposal facilities; rural tourban migration; natural fresh water resources scarce and pollutedin north, inaccessible and poor quality in center and extremesoutheast; raw sewage and industrial effluents polluting rivers inurban areas; deforestation; widespread erosion; desertification;deteriorating agricultural lands; serious air and water pollution inthe national capital and urban centers along US-Mexico border; landsubsidence in Valley of Mexico caused by groundwater depletionnote: the government considers the lack of clean water anddeforestation national security issues
Micronesia, Federated States ofoverfishing, climate change,pollution
Midway IslandsNA
Moldovaheavy use of agricultural chemicals, including bannedpesticides such as DDT, has contaminated soil and groundwater;extensive soil erosion from poor farming methods
MonacoNA
Mongolialimited natural fresh water resources in some areas; thepolicies of former Communist regimes promoted rapid urbanization andindustrial growth that had negative effects on the environment; theburning of soft coal in power plants and the lack of enforcement ofenvironmental laws severely polluted the air in Ulaanbaatar;deforestation, overgrazing, and the converting of virgin land toagricultural production increased soil erosion from wind and rain;desertification and mining activities had a deleterious effect onthe environment
Montenegropollution of coastal waters from sewage outlets,especially in tourist-related areas such as Kotor
Montserratland erosion occurs on slopes that have been cleared forcultivation
Moroccoland degradation/desertification (soil erosion resultingfrom farming of marginal areas, overgrazing, destruction ofvegetation); water supplies contaminated by raw sewage; siltation ofreservoirs; oil pollution of coastal waters
Mozambiquea long civil war and recurrent drought in the hinterlandshave resulted in increased migration of the population to urban andcoastal areas with adverse environmental consequences;desertification; pollution of surface and coastal waters; elephantpoaching for ivory is a problem
Namibiavery limited natural fresh water resources; desertification;wildlife poaching; land degradation has led to few conservation areas
Naurulimited natural fresh water resources, roof storage tankscollect rainwater, but mostly dependent on a single, agingdesalination plant; intensive phosphate mining during the past 90years - mainly by a UK, Australia, and NZ consortium - has left thecentral 90% of Nauru a wasteland and threatens limited remainingland resources
Navassa IslandNA
Nepaldeforestation (overuse of wood for fuel and lack ofalternatives); contaminated water (with human and animal wastes,agricultural runoff, and industrial effluents); wildlifeconservation; vehicular emissions
Netherlandswater pollution in the form of heavy metals, organiccompounds, and nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates; airpollution from vehicles and refining activities; acid rain
Netherlands AntillesNA
New Caledoniaerosion caused by mining exploitation and forest fires
New Zealanddeforestation; soil erosion; native flora and faunahard-hit by invasive species
Nicaraguadeforestation; soil erosion; water pollution
Nigerovergrazing; soil erosion; deforestation; desertification;wildlife populations (such as elephant, hippopotamus, giraffe, andlion) threatened because of poaching and habitat destruction
Nigeriasoil degradation; rapid deforestation; urban air and waterpollution; desertification; oil pollution - water, air, and soil;has suffered serious damage from oil spills; loss of arable land;rapid urbanization
Niueincreasing attention to conservationist practices to counterloss of soil fertility from traditional slash and burn agriculture
Norfolk IslandNA
Northern Mariana Islandscontamination of groundwater on Saipan maycontribute to disease; clean-up of landfill; protection ofendangered species conflicts with development
Norwaywater pollution; acid rain damaging forests and adverselyaffecting lakes, threatening fish stocks; air pollution from vehicleemissions
Omanrising soil salinity; beach pollution from oil spills; verylimited natural fresh water resources
Pacific Oceanendangered marine species include the dugong, sealion, sea otter, seals, turtles, and whales; oil pollution inPhilippine Sea and South China Sea
Pakistanwater pollution from raw sewage, industrial wastes, andagricultural runoff; limited natural fresh water resources; amajority of the population does not have access to potable water;deforestation; soil erosion; desertification
Palauinadequate facilities for disposal of solid waste; threats tothe marine ecosystem from sand and coral dredging, illegal fishingpractices, and overfishing
Palmyra AtollNA
Panamawater pollution from agricultural runoff threatens fisheryresources; deforestation of tropical rain forest; land degradationand soil erosion threatens siltation of Panama Canal; air pollutionin urban areas; mining threatens natural resources
Papua New Guinearain forest subject to deforestation as a result ofgrowing commercial demand for tropical timber; pollution from miningprojects; severe drought
Paracel IslandsNA
Paraguaydeforestation; water pollution; inadequate means for wastedisposal pose health risks for many urban residents; loss of wetlands
Perudeforestation (some the result of illegal logging); overgrazingof the slopes of the costa and sierra leading to soil erosion;desertification; air pollution in Lima; pollution of rivers andcoastal waters from municipal and mining wastes
Philippinesuncontrolled deforestation especially in watershedareas; soil erosion; air and water pollution in major urban centers;coral reef degradation; increasing pollution of coastal mangroveswamps that are important fish breeding grounds
Pitcairn Islandsdeforestation (only a small portion of the originalforest remains because of burning and clearing for settlement)
Polandsituation has improved since 1989 due to decline in heavyindustry and increased environmental concern by post-Communistgovernments; air pollution nonetheless remains serious because ofsulfur dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants, and theresulting acid rain has caused forest damage; water pollution fromindustrial and municipal sources is also a problem, as is disposalof hazardous wastes; pollution levels should continue to decrease asindustrial establishments bring their facilities up to EU code, butat substantial cost to business and the government
Portugalsoil erosion; air pollution caused by industrial andvehicle emissions; water pollution, especially in coastal areas
Puerto Ricoerosion; occasional drought causing water shortages
Qatarlimited natural fresh water resources are increasingdependence on large-scale desalination facilities
ReunionNA
Romaniasoil erosion and degradation; water pollution; air pollutionin south from industrial effluents; contamination of Danube deltawetlands
Russiaair pollution from heavy industry, emissions of coal-firedelectric plants, and transportation in major cities; industrial,municipal, and agricultural pollution of inland waterways andseacoasts; deforestation; soil erosion; soil contamination fromimproper application of agricultural chemicals; scattered areas ofsometimes intense radioactive contamination; groundwatercontamination from toxic waste; urban solid waste management;abandoned stocks of obsolete pesticides
Rwandadeforestation results from uncontrolled cutting of trees forfuel; overgrazing; soil exhaustion; soil erosion; widespread poaching
Saint HelenaNA
Saint Kitts and NevisNA
Saint Luciadeforestation; soil erosion, particularly in thenorthern region
Saint Pierre and Miquelon recent test drilling for oil in waters around Saint Pierre and Miquelon may bring future development that would impact the environment
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 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
Samoasoil erosion, deforestation, invasive species, overfishing
San MarinoNA
Sao Tome and Principedeforestation; soil erosion and exhaustion
Saudi Arabiadesertification; depletion of underground waterresources; the lack of perennial rivers or permanent water bodieshas prompted the development of extensive seawater desalinationfacilities; coastal pollution from oil spills
Senegalwildlife populations threatened by poaching; deforestation;overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; overfishing
Serbiaair pollution around Belgrade and other industrial cities;water pollution from industrial wastes dumped into the Sava whichflows into the Danube
Seychelleswater supply depends on catchments to collect rainwater
Sierra Leonerapid population growth pressuring the environment;overharvesting of timber, expansion of cattle grazing, andslash-and-burn agriculture have resulted in deforestation and soilexhaustion; civil war depleting natural resources; overfishing
Singaporeindustrial pollution; limited natural fresh waterresources; limited land availability presents waste disposalproblems; seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires inIndonesia
Slovakiaair pollution from metallurgical plants presents humanhealth risks; acid rain damaging forests
SloveniaSava River polluted with domestic and industrial waste;pollution of coastal waters with heavy metals and toxic chemicals;forest damage near Koper from air pollution (originating atmetallurgical and chemical plants) and resulting acid rain
Solomon Islandsdeforestation; soil erosion; many of the surroundingcoral reefs are dead or dying
Somaliafamine; use of contaminated water contributes to humanhealth problems; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion;desertification
South Africalack of important arterial rivers or lakes requiresextensive water conservation and control measures; growth in waterusage outpacing supply; pollution of rivers from agricultural runoffand urban discharge; air pollution resulting in acid rain; soilerosion; desertification
South Georgia and the South Sandwich IslandsNA
Southern Oceanincreased solar ultraviolet radiation resulting fromthe Antarctic ozone hole in recent years, reducing marine primaryproductivity (phytoplankton) by as much as 15% and damaging the DNAof some fish; illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in recentyears, especially the landing of an estimated five to six times morePatagonian toothfish than the regulated fishery, which is likely toaffect the sustainability of the stock; large amount of incidentalmortality of seabirds resulting from long-line fishing for toothfishnote: the now-protected fur seal population is making a strongcomeback after severe overexploitation in the 18th and 19th centuries
Spainpollution of the Mediterranean Sea from raw sewage andeffluents from the offshore production of oil and gas; water qualityand quantity nationwide; air pollution; deforestation;desertification
Spratly IslandsNA
Sri Lankadeforestation; soil erosion; wildlife populationsthreatened by poaching and urbanization; coastal degradation frommining activities and increased pollution; freshwater resourcesbeing polluted by industrial wastes and sewage runoff; wastedisposal; air pollution in Colombo
Sudaninadequate supplies of potable water; wildlife populationsthreatened by excessive hunting; soil erosion; desertification;periodic drought
Surinamedeforestation as timber is cut for export; pollution ofinland waterways by small-scale mining activities
SvalbardNA
Swazilandlimited supplies of potable water; wildlife populationsbeing depleted because of excessive hunting; overgrazing; soildegradation; soil erosion
Swedenacid rain damage to soils and lakes; pollution of the NorthSea and the Baltic Sea
Switzerlandair pollution from vehicle emissions and open-airburning; acid rain; water pollution from increased use ofagricultural fertilizers; loss of biodiversity
Syriadeforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification;water pollution from raw sewage and petroleum refining wastes;inadequate potable water
Taiwanair pollution; water pollution from industrial emissions, rawsewage; contamination of drinking water supplies; trade inendangered species; low-level radioactive waste disposal
Tajikistaninadequate sanitation facilities; increasing levels ofsoil salinity; industrial pollution; excessive pesticides
Tanzaniasoil degradation; deforestation; desertification;destruction of coral reefs threatens marine habitats; recentdroughts affected marginal agriculture; wildlife threatened byillegal hunting and trade, especially for ivory
Thailandair pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution fromorganic and factory wastes; deforestation; soil erosion; wildlifepopulations threatened by illegal hunting
Togodeforestation attributable to slash-and-burn agriculture andthe use of wood for fuel; water pollution presents health hazardsand hinders the fishing industry; air pollution increasing in urbanareas
Tokelauvery limited natural resources and overcrowding arecontributing to emigration to New Zealand
Tongadeforestation results as more and more land is being clearedfor agriculture and settlement; some damage to coral reefs fromstarfish and indiscriminate coral and shell collectors; overhuntingthreatens native sea turtle populations
Trinidad and Tobagowater pollution from agricultural chemicals,industrial wastes, and raw sewage; oil pollution of beaches;deforestation; soil erosion
Tromelin IslandNA
Tunisiatoxic and hazardous waste disposal is ineffective and poseshealth risks; water pollution from raw sewage; limited natural freshwater resources; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion;desertification
Turkeywater pollution from dumping of chemicals and detergents; airpollution, particularly in urban areas; deforestation; concern foroil spills from increasing Bosporus ship traffic
Turkmenistancontamination of soil and groundwater with agriculturalchemicals, pesticides; salination, water-logging of soil due to poorirrigation methods; Caspian Sea pollution; diversion of a largeshare of the flow of the Amu Darya into irrigation contributes tothat river's inability to replenish the Aral Sea; desertification
Turks and Caicos Islandslimited natural fresh water resources,private cisterns collect rainwater
Tuvalusince there are no streams or rivers and groundwater is notpotable, most water needs must be met by catchment systems withstorage facilities (the Japanese Government has built onedesalination plant and plans to build one other); beachhead erosionbecause of the use of sand for building materials; excessiveclearance of forest undergrowth for use as fuel; damage to coralreefs from the spread of the Crown of Thorns starfish; Tuvalu isconcerned about global increases in greenhouse gas emissions andtheir effect on rising sea levels, which threaten the country'sunderground water table; in 2000, the government appealed toAustralia and New Zealand to take in Tuvaluans if rising sea levelsshould make evacuation necessary
Ugandadraining of wetlands for agricultural use; deforestation;overgrazing; soil erosion; water hyacinth infestation in LakeVictoria; poaching is widespread
Ukraineinadequate supplies of potable water; air and waterpollution; deforestation; radiation contamination in the northeastfrom 1986 accident at Chornobyl' Nuclear Power Plant
United Arab Emirateslack of natural freshwater resourcescompensated by desalination plants; desertification; beach pollutionfrom oil spills
United Kingdomcontinues to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (has metKyoto Protocol target of a 12.5% reduction from 1990 levels andintends to meet the legally binding target and move toward adomestic goal of a 20% cut in emissions by 2010); by 2005 thegovernment aims to reduce the amount of industrial and commercialwaste disposed of in landfill sites to 85% of 1998 levels and torecycle or compost at least 25% of household waste, increasing to33% by 2015; between 1998-99 and 1999-2000, household recyclingincreased from 8.8% to 10.3%
United Statesair pollution resulting in acid rain in both the USand Canada; the US is the largest single emitter of carbon dioxidefrom the burning of fossil fuels; water pollution from runoff ofpesticides and fertilizers; limited natural fresh water resources inmuch of the western part of the country require careful management;desertification
United States Pacific Island Wildlife RefugesBaker, Howland, andJarvis Islands, and Johnston Atoll: no natural fresh water resourcesKingman Reef: noneMidway Islands and Palmyra Atoll: NA
Uruguaywater pollution from meat packing/tannery industry;inadequate solid/hazardous waste disposal
Uzbekistanshrinkage of the Aral Sea is resulting in growingconcentrations of chemical pesticides and natural salts; thesesubstances are then blown from the increasingly exposed lake bed andcontribute to desertification; water pollution from industrialwastes and the heavy use of fertilizers and pesticides is the causeof many human health disorders; increasing soil salination; soilcontamination from buried nuclear processing and agriculturalchemicals, including DDT
Vanuatua majority of the population does not have access to areliable supply of potable water; deforestation
Venezuelasewage pollution of Lago de Valencia; oil and urbanpollution of Lago de Maracaibo; deforestation; soil degradation;urban and industrial pollution, especially along the Caribbeancoast; threat to the rainforest ecosystem from irresponsible miningoperations
Vietnamlogging and slash-and-burn agricultural practices contributeto deforestation and soil degradation; water pollution andoverfishing threaten marine life populations; groundwatercontamination limits potable water supply; growing urbanindustrialization and population migration are rapidly degradingenvironment in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City
Virgin Islandslack of natural freshwater resources
Wake IslandNA
Wallis and Futunadeforestation (only small portions of the originalforests remain) largely as a result of the continued use of wood asthe main fuel source; as a consequence of cutting down the forests,the mountainous terrain of Futuna is particularly prone to erosion;there are no permanent settlements on Alofi because of the lack ofnatural fresh water resources
West Bankadequacy of fresh water supply; sewage treatment
Western Saharasparse water and lack of arable land
Worldlarge areas subject to overpopulation, industrial disasters,pollution (air, water, acid rain, toxic substances), loss ofvegetation (overgrazing, deforestation, desertification), loss ofwildlife, soil degradation, soil depletion, erosion
Yemenvery limited natural fresh water resources; inadequatesupplies of potable water; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification
Zambiaair pollution and resulting acid rain in the mineralextraction and refining region; chemical runoff into watersheds;poaching seriously threatens rhinoceros, elephant, antelope, andlarge cat populations; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification;lack of adequate water treatment presents human health risks
Zimbabwedeforestation; soil erosion; land degradation; air andwater pollution; the black rhinoceros herd - once the largestconcentration of the species in the world - has been significantlyreduced by poaching; poor mining practices have led to toxic wasteand heavy metal pollution
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@2033 Environment - international agreements
Afghanistanparty to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumpingsigned, but not ratified: Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, MarineLife Conservation
Albaniaparty to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone LayerProtection, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Algeriaparty to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, EnvironmentalModification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone LayerProtection, Ship Pollution, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Andorraparty to: Hazardous Wastessigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Angolaparty to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Lawof the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollutionsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Antigua and Barbudaparty to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, ClimateChange-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, MarineDumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Argentinaparty to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol,Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, AntarcticTreaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone LayerProtection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Armeniaparty to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change,Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes,Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants
Australiaparty to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol,Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, AntarcticTreaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, EndangeredSpecies, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of theSea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone LayerProtection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94,Wetlands, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Austriaparty to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, EnvironmentalModification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone LayerProtection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94,Wetlands, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Azerbaijanparty to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change,Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Bahamas, Theparty to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, ClimateChange-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, ShipPollution, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Bahrainparty to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Bangladeshparty to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, ClimateChange-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, OzoneLayer Protection, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Barbadosparty to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, ClimateChange-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone LayerProtection, Ship Pollutionsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Belarusparty to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Sulfur 85, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes,Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Belgiumparty to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-VolatileOrganic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol,Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, AntarcticTreaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine LifeConservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, TropicalTimber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants
Belizeparty to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Lawof the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Beninparty to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, EnvironmentalModification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone LayerProtection, Ship Pollution, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Bhutanparty to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastessigned, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Boliviaparty to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Lawof the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine LifeConservation, Ozone Layer Protection
Bosnia and Herzegovinaparty to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity,Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine LifeConservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Botswanaparty to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, ClimateChange-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Brazilparty to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-MarineLiving Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification,Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes,Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, ShipPollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Bruneiparty to: Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of theSea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollutionsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Bulgariaparty to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-EnvironmentalProtocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty,Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, ShipPollution, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Sulfur 94
Burkina Fasoparty to: Biodiversity, Climate Change,Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of theSea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Burmaparty to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, OzoneLayer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, TropicalTimber 94signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Burundiparty to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,Ozone Layer Protectionsigned, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Cambodiaparty to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, ClimateChange-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection,Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Cameroonparty to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, ClimateChange-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, TropicalTimber 83, Tropical Timber 94signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Canadaparty to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol,Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, AntarcticTreaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone LayerProtection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94,Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,Marine Life Conservation
Cape Verdeparty to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, MarineDumping, Ozone Layer Protectionsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Central African Republicparty to: Biodiversity, Climate Change,Desertification, Endangered Species, Ozone Layer Protection,Tropical Timber 94signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Chadparty to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,Endangered Species, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping
Chileparty to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-MarineLiving Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification,Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes,Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, ShipPollution, Wetlands, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Chinaparty to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty,Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of theSea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Colombiaparty to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection,Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: Law of the Sea