Environment in Estonia Essay ⋆ Environment Essay Examples ⋆ EssayEmpire

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For much of its history, Estonia has been dominated by larger neighboring nations. Toward the end of World War II, for instance, Estonia was unwillingly incorporated into the Soviet bloc but gained its independence in 1991 after the breakup of the Soviet Union. Since joining the European Union (EU) in 2004, Estonia has been on the road to economic recovery and is making significant environmental progress.

The topography of Estonia is varied, with marshes in the lowlands, plains in the north, and hills in the south. Bordering on the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland, Estonia has 2,464 miles (3,974 kilometers) of coastline and is home to more than 1,500 islands. The maritime climate produces wet, moderate winters and cool summers. Flooding is common in the spring of the year, increasing the potential for environmental damage.

Estonians enjoy the benefits of an economy based on strong electronics and telecommunications sectors and on strong economic ties to Finland, Sweden, and Germany. While nearly 70 percent of the population live in urban areas, 11 percent of the workforce are engaged in the agricultural sector. Estonia’s rich natural resources include peat, phosphorite, clay, limestone, sand, dolomite, arable land, and sea mud. Estonia also has the largest usable deposits of oil shale in the world. With a per capita income of $16,400, Estonians enjoy a comparably high quality of life, and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Human Development Reports ranks Estonia 38th of 232 countries on overall quality-of-life issues.

Major environmental problems of the 21st century concern water polluted by untreated wastewater and air pollution resulting from the northeastern oil shale-burning power plants that release sulfur dioxide into the air. Progress is being made in both areas, and sulfur dioxide emissions have fallen 80 percent from 1980 levels. Likewise, water pollution has dropped to one-twentieth of 1980 levels in response to the erection of water purification plants. In addition to polluted seawater, the Estonian government is concerned about the potential for agricultural pollution of the country’s 1,400 lakes. Because of heavy urbanization and a rate of 296 cars per 1,000 people, Estonia experiences carbon dioxide emissions of 11.7 metric tons per capita.

Environmental Impact

The Soviet occupation of Estonia left an enormous impact on the environment, including the aftermath of hundreds of thousands of tons of jet fuel that were dumped in Estonia. At an air base near Tapa, for instance, it has been estimated that about two square miles (six square kilometers) of land were covered by a layer of fuel, and about four square miles (11 square kilometers) of water were contaminated. The Soviets also created an environmental nightmare by improperly disposing of toxic chemicals and dumping explosives and weapons in inland waters. Additionally, a uranium plant in Sillamae discharged 1,200 tons (1,089 metric tons) of uranium and 750 tons (680 metric tons) of thorium into the Gulf of Finland. Overall, the Ministry of Environment estimated cleanup costs at nearly $300,000 (3.5 billion EKR).

With a new commitment to environmentalism, the Estonian government has protected 11.8 percent of its land. Of 65 species of mammals endemic to Estonia, four species are threatened. Bird species fare better, with only three of 204 species in danger of extinction. Improved environmental policies are due in large part to public awareness raised through the work of such groups as the Estonian Nature Conservation Society and the Green Movement.

Within the Estonian government, the Ministry of Environment oversees four units that consist of administration, management, international cooperation, and nature conservation and forestry. In 1990, the Estonian Parliament passed the comprehensive Nature Protection Act and the Act on Sustainable Development to provide a framework for environmental legislation. Subsequent supplementary legislation includes the Public Health and Packaging Acts of 1995; the Energy, Chemicals, and Environmental Supervision Acts of 1997; the Ambient Air Protection and Waste Acts of 1998; and the Pollution Charges and Environmental Monitoring Acts of 1999. In 2000, Estonia adopted the Environmental Impact Assessment aimed at coordinating all environmental plans and programs.

The Ministry of Environment is also in charge of environmental research and development centers and the works closely with 15 county environmental departments. At the international level, Estonia participates in the following international agreements: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Kyoto Protocol, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ship Pollution, Ozone Layer Protection, and Wetlands.

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