Environment in Cyprus Essay ⋆ Environment Essay Examples ⋆ EssayEmpire

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I n 1960, t h e island of Cyprus obtained independence from Britain after years of organized resistance. Three years later, ethnic tensions between the Greek Cypriot majority and the Turkish Cypriot minority led to violence in Nicosia, the capital city. United Nations peacekeepers were deployed in 1964, but sporadic violence continued. After intervening to put down a Greek-led revolt a decade later, the Turks gained control of a third of the land area of the island, proclaiming it the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. However, other nations have refused to recognize Turkey’s claim to this area. An attempt by the United Nations to resolve differences failed in 2004, and the island of 780,000 people continues to operate under divided loyalties.

Cyprus operates dual economies. With a per capita income of $21,600, the Republic of Cyprus is considered the 48th richest nation in the world. On the other hand, northern Cyprus is classified as the 109th richest with a per capita income of only $7,135. That income is heavily dependent on remittances from Turkey. In the Republic of Cyprus, the service sector accounts for more than three-fourths of the Gross Domestic Product, with tourism and financial services dominating the economy. Agriculture plays a more important role in northern Cyprus, employing 14.5 percent of the workforce as compared to 6 percent in the Republic of Cyprus. Likewise, unemployment is higher in the north (15.6 percent versus 3.8 percent), as is inflation (19.1 percent versus 2.5 percent). All Cypriots have access to safe drinking water and improved sanitation. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Human Development Reports rank Cyprus 29th in the world in overall quality-of-life issues.

Bordered by the Mediterranean Sea, Cyprus has a coastline of 402 miles (648 kilometers). Northern and southern Cyprus is generally mountainous with plains in the central area and along the southern coast. The temperate and Mediterranean climates produce hot, dry summers and cool winters. Cyprus experiences droughts and moderate earthquake activity. Natural resources include copper, pyrites, asbestos, gypsum, timber, salt, marble, and clay earth pigment. Less than 8 percent of the land area is arable.

In the absence of natural reservoir catchments and prolonged dry periods, the entire island suffers from a lack of fresh water sources. Because sea water has intruded into the largest aquifer, increased salinization has become a problem in the north. Sewage and industrial wastes have polluted the water, and coastal areas are experiencing degradation. Irresponsible urbanization has led to a loss of biodiversity. In 2006, a study by scientists at Yale University ranked Cyprus 29th in the world in environmental performance, well above the relevant income group but slightly below the relevant geographic group. The lowest score was received in the category of air quality. Nearly 70 percent of the population live in urban areas, and there are 404 passenger cars per 1,000 people. Intense urbanization has also led to an increase in the rate of carbon dioxide emissions per capita metric tons from 5.2 in 1980 to 8.3 in 2002.

The Framework Law on the Environment and the Protection of Nature provides a foundation for all environment policy in Cyprus. Specific legislation includes: Control of Water Pollution, Control of Atmospheric Pollution from Industrial Sources, Agrochemicals, and Pollution of Public Spaces. The Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Environment is the governmental agency responsible for promoting sustainable development and resource protection and management. This ministry coordinates the environmental activities of the Council of Ministers that are involved with implementing policies and monitoring compliance in the areas of responsible water use, water conservation, waste storage and treatment, water development, desalinization, pesticide and fertilizer control, air and water quality control, environmental impact assessment, industrial pollution control, and the protection of wetlands and biodiversity.

Cyprian commitment to global environmentalism is demonstrated through participation in the following international agreements: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, and Ship Pollution.

Bibliography:

Timothy Doyle, Environmental Movements in Minority and Majority Worlds: A Global Perspective (Rutgers University Press, 2005);
Kevin Hillstrom and Laurie Collier Hillstrom, Africa and the Middle East: A Continental Overview of Environmental Issues (ABC-CLIO, 2003).