| | Environment - current issues (2004) | Environment - current issues (2005) |
 |
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 coming 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 |
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 |
 |
Cameroon |
water-borne diseases are prevalent; deforestation; overgrazing; desertification; poaching; overfishing |
waterborne diseases are prevalent; deforestation; overgrazing; desertification; poaching; overfishing |
 |
Cape Verde |
soil erosion; demand for wood used as fuel has resulted in deforestation; desertification; environmental damage has threatened several species of birds and reptiles; illegal beach sand extraction; overfishing |
soil erosion; deforestation due to demand for wood used as fuel; desertification; environmental damage has threatened several species of birds and reptiles; illegal beach sand extraction; overfishing |
 |
Hungary |
the upgrading of Hungary's standards in waste management, energy efficiency, and air, soil, and water pollution with environmental requirements for EU accession will require large investments |
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 |
 |
Korea, North |
water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water; water-borne disease; deforestation; soil erosion and degradation |
water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water; waterborne disease; deforestation; soil erosion and degradation |
 |
Latvia |
Latvia's environment has benefited from a shift to service industries after the country regained independence; the main environmental priorities are improvement of drinking water quality and sewage system, household and hazardous waste management, and reduction of air pollution; in 2001, Latvia closed the EU accession negotiation chapter on environment committing to full enforcement of EU environmental directives by 2010 |
Latvia's environment has benefited from a shift to service industries after the country regained independence; the main environmental priorities are improvement of drinking water quality and sewage system, household, and hazardous waste management, as well as reduction of air pollution; in 2001, Latvia closed the EU accession negotiation chapter on environment committing to full enforcement of EU environmental directives by 2010 |
 |
Paraguay |
deforestation; water pollution; inadequate means for waste disposal present health risks for many urban residents; loss of wetlands |
deforestation; water pollution; inadequate means for waste disposal pose health risks for many urban residents; loss of wetlands |
 |
Vanuatu |
a majority of the population does not have access to a potable and reliable supply of water; deforestation |
a majority of the population does not have access to a reliable supply of potable water; deforestation |