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Country ranking for field: environment current issues 1996
Other rankings:
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age structure 0-14 years
age structure 15-64 years
age structure 65 years and over
airports
airports with paved runways 1524 to 2437 m
airports with paved runways 2438 to 3047 m
airports with paved runways 914 to 1523 m
airports with paved runways over 3047 m
airports with paved runways total
airports with paved runways under 914 m
airports with unpaved runways 1524 to 2437 m
airports with unpaved runways 2438 to 3047 m
airports with unpaved runways 914 to 1523 m
airports with unpaved runways over 3047 m
airports with unpaved runways total
airports with unpaved runways under 914 m
area land
area total
area water
birth rate
broadband fixed subscriptions subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
broadband fixed subscriptions total
budget expenditures
budget revenues
budget surplus or deficit
carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy
children under the age of 5 years underweight
coastline
contraceptive prevalence rate
credit ratings Fitch rating
credit ratings Moodys rating
credit ratings Standard & Poors rating
crude oil exports
crude oil imports
crude oil production
crude oil proved reserves
current account balance
current health expenditure
death rate
debt external
dependency ratios elderly dependency ratio
dependency ratios potential support ratio
dependency ratios total dependency ratio
dependency ratios youth dependency ratio
drinking water source improved rural
drinking water source improved total
drinking water source improved urban
drinking water source unimproved rural
drinking water source unimproved total
drinking water source unimproved urban
ease of doing business index scores
education expenditures
electricity consumption
electricity exports
electricity from fossil fuels
electricity from hydroelectric plants
electricity from nuclear fuels
electricity from other renewable sources
electricity imports
electricity installed generating capacity
electricity production
elevation mean elevation
exports
gdp composition by end use exports of goods and services
gdp composition by end use government consumption
gdp composition by end use imports of goods and services
gdp composition by end use investment in fixed capital
gdp composition by end use investment in inventories
gdp composition by sector of origin agriculture
gdp composition by sector of origin industry
gdp composition by sector of origin services
gdp official exchange rate
gdp per capita ppp
gross national saving
heliports
hivaids adult prevalence rate
hivaids deaths
hivaids people living with hivaids
household income or consumption by percentage share highest 10
imports
industrial production growth rate
infant mortality rate female
infant mortality rate male
infant mortality rate total
inflation rate consumer prices
internet users percent of population
irrigated land
labor force
labor force by occupation farming forestry and fishing
labor force by occupation industry
labor force by occupation industry and services
labor force by occupation managerial professional and technical
labor force by occupation manufacturing
labor force by occupation manufacturing extraction transportation and crafts
labor force by occupation other services
labor force by occupation sales and office
labor force by occupation services
land boundaries total
land use agricultural land
land use arable land
land use forest
land use other
land use permanent crops
land use permanent pasture
life expectancy at birth female
life expectancy at birth male
life expectancy at birth total population
maritime claims contiguous zone
maritime claims exclusive economic zone
maritime claims territorial sea
maternal mortality rate
median age female
median age male
median age total
merchant marine total
military expenditures
mothers mean age at first birth
national air transport system annual freight traffic on registered air carriers
national air transport system inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers
national air transport system number of registered air carriers
nationality
nationality adjective
nationality noun
natural gas consumption
natural gas exports
natural gas imports
natural gas production
natural gas proved reserves
obesity adult prevalence rate
ousehold income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10
physicians density
population
population below poverty line
population growth rate
public debt
purchasing power parity real
railways standard gauge
railways total
real gdp growth rate
refined petroleum products consumption
refined petroleum products exports
refined petroleum products imports
refined petroleum products production
reserves of foreign exchange and gold
roadways paved
roadways total
roadways unpaved
sanitation facility access improved rural
sanitation facility access improved total
sanitation facility access improved urban
sanitation facility access unimproved rural
sanitation facility access unimproved total
sanitation facility access unimproved urban
school life expectancy primary to tertiary education female
school life expectancy primary to tertiary education male
school life expectancy primary to tertiary education total
sex ratio 0-14 years
sex ratio 15-24 years
sex ratio 25-54 years
sex ratio 55-64 years
sex ratio 65 years and over
sex ratio at birth
taxes and other revenues
telephones fixed lines subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
telephones fixed lines total subscriptions
telephones mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
telephones mobile cellular total subscriptions
total fertility rate
unemployment rate
unemployment youth ages 15-24 female
unemployment youth ages 15-24 male
unemployment youth ages 15-24 total
urbanization rate of urbanization
urbanization urban population
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This entry lists the most pressing and important environmental problems. The following terms and abbreviations are used throughout the entry:
1
Afghanistan
0
2
Pacific Ocean
endangered marine species include the dugong sea lion sea otter seals turtles and whales; oil pollution in Philippine Sea and South China Sea
3
Navassa Island
NA
4
Nepal
the almost total dependence on wood for fuel and cutting down trees to expand agricultural land without replanting has resulted in widespread deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution
5
New Caledonia
NA
6
New Zealand
deforestation; soil erosion; native flora and fauna hard-hit by species introduced from outside
7
Nicaragua
deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution
8
Niger
overgrazing; soil erosion; deforestation; desertification; wildlife populations
9
Nigeria
soil degradation; rapid deforestation; desertification; recent droughts in north severely affecting marginal agricultural activities
10
Niue
traditional methods of burning brush and trees to clear land for agriculture have threatened soil supplies which naturally are not very abundant
11
Norfolk Island
NA
12
North Korea
localized air pollution attributable to inadequate industrial controls; water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water
13
Northern Mariana Islands
contamination of groundwater on Saipan by raw sewage contributes to disease
14
Norway
water pollution; acid rain damaging forests and adversely affecting lakes threatening fish stocks; air pollution from vehicle emissions
15
Oman
rising soil salinity; beach pollution from oil spills; very limited natural fresh water resources
16
Pakistan
water pollution from raw sewage industrial wastes and agricultural runoff; limited natural fresh water resources; a majority of the population does not have access to potable water; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification
17
Namibia
very limited natural fresh water resources; desertification
18
Palau
inadequate facilities for disposal of solid waste; threats to the marine ecosystem from sand and coral dredging and illegal fishing practices that involve the use of dynamite
19
Palmyra Atoll
NA
20
Panama
water pollution from agricultural runoff threatens fishery resources; deforestation of tropical rain forest; land degradation
21
Papua New Guinea
rain forest subject to deforestation as a result of growing commercial demand for tropical timber; pollution from mining projects
22
Paracel Islands
NA
23
Paraguay
deforestation
24
Peru
deforestation; overgrazing of the slopes of the costa and sierra leading to soil erosion; desertification; air pollution in Lima; pollution of rivers and coastal waters from municipal and mining wastes
25
Philippines
uncontrolled deforestation in watershed areas; soil erosion; air and water pollution in Manila; increasing pollution of coastal mangrove swamps which are important fish breeding grounds
26
Pitcairn Islands
deforestation
27
Poland
forest damage due to air pollution and resulting acid rain; improper means for disposal of large a
.htms of hazardous and industrial waste; severe water pollution from industrial and municipal sources; severe air pollution results from emissions of sulfur dioxide from coal-fired power plants which also drifts into Germany and the Netherlands
28
Portugal
soil erosion; air pollution caused by industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution especially in coastal areas
29
Puerto Rico
the recent drought has caused water levels in reservoirs to drop and prompted water rationing for more than one-half of the population
30
Qatar
limited natural fresh water resources are increasing dependence on large-scale desalination facilities
31
Nauru
limited natural fresh water resources roof storage tanks collect rainwater; phosphate mining threatens limited remaining land resources
32
Myanmar
deforestation; industrial pollution of air soil and water; inadequate sanitation and water treatment contribute to disease
33
Russia
air pollution from heavy industry emissions of coal-fired electric plants and transportation in major cities; industrial and agricultural pollution of inland waterways and sea coasts; deforestation; soil erosion; soil contamination from improper application of agricultural chemicals; scattered areas of sometimes intense radioactive contamination
34
Maldives
depletion of freshwater aquifers threatens water supplies
35
Latvia
air and water pollution because of a lack of waste conversion equipment; Gulf of Riga and Daugava River heavily polluted; contamination of soil and groundwater with chemicals and petroleum products at military bases
36
Lebanon
deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; air pollution in Beirut from vehicular traffic and the burning of industrial wastes; pollution of coastal waters from raw sewage and oil spills
37
Lesotho
population pressure forcing settlement in marginal areas results in overgrazing severe soil erosion soil exhaustion; desertification; Highlands Water Project will control store and redirect water to South Africa
38
Liberia
tropical rain forest subject to deforestation; soil erosion; loss of biodiversity; pollution of rivers from the dumping of iron ore tailings and of coastal waters from oil residue and raw sewage
39
Libya
desertification; very limited natural fresh water resources; the Great Manmade River Project the largest water development scheme in the world is being built to bring water from large aquifers under the Sahara to coastal cities
40
Liechtenstein
NA
41
Lithuania
contamination of soil and groundwater with petroleum products and chemicals at military bases
42
Luxembourg
deforestation; air and water pollution in urban areas
43
Macau
NA
44
Macedonia
air pollution from metallurgical plants; Natural hazards:high seismic risks
45
Madagascar
soil erosion results from deforestation and overgrazing; desertification; surface water contaminated with raw sewage and other organic wastes; several species of flora and fauna unique to the island are endangered
46
Malawi
deforestation; land degradation; water pollution from agricultural runoff sewage industrial wastes; siltation of spawning grounds endangers fish population
47
Malaysia
air pollution from industrial and vehicular emissions; water pollution from raw sewage; deforestation
48
Mali
deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching
49
Mozambique
civil strife and recurrent drought in the hinterlands have resulted in increased migration to urban and coastal areas with adverse environmental consequences; desertification; pollution of surface and coastal waters
50
Malta
very limited natural fresh water resources; increasing reliance on desalination
51
Marshall Islands
inadequate supplies of potable water
52
Martinique
NA
53
Mauritania
overgrazing deforestation and soil erosion aggravated by drought are contributing to desertification; very limited natural fresh water resources away from the Senegal which is the only perennial river
54
Mauritius
water pollution
55
Mayotte
NA
56
Mexico
natural fresh water resources scarce and polluted in north inaccessible and poor quality in center and extreme southeast; raw sewage and industrial effluents polluting rivers in urban areas; deforestation; widespread erosion; desertification; serious air pollution in the national capital and urban centers along US-Mexico border
57
Midway Islands
NA
58
Moldova
heavy use of agricultural chemicals including banned pesticides such as DDT has contaminated soil and groundwater; extensive soil erosion from poor farming methods
59
Monaco
NA
60
Mongolia
limited natural fresh water resources; policies of the former communist regime promoting rapid urbanization and industrial growth have raised concerns about their negative effects on the environment; the burning of soft coal and the concentration of factories in Ulaanbaatar have severely polluted the air; deforestation overgrazing the converting of virgin land to agricultural production have increased soil erosion from wind and rain; desertification
61
Montserrat
land erosion occurs on slopes that have been cleared for cultivation
62
Morocco
land degradation/desertification
63
Romania
soil erosion and degradation; water pollution; air pollution in south from industrial effluents; contamination of Danube delta wetlands
64
Rwanda
deforestation results from uncontrolled cutting of trees for fuel; overgrazing; soil exhaustion; soil erosion
65
Kyrgyzstan
water pollution; many people get their water directly from contaminated streams and wells as a result water-borne diseases are prevalent; increasing soil salinity from faulty irrigation practices
66
United Kingdom
sulfur dioxide emissions from power plants contribute to air pollution; some rivers polluted by agricultural wastes and coastal waters polluted because of large-scale disposal of sewage at sea
67
Togo
deforestation attributable to slash-and-burn agriculture and the use of wood for fuel; recent droughts affecting agriculture
68
Tokelau
very limited natural resources and overcrowding are contributing to emigration to New Zealand
69
Trinidad and Tobago
water pollution from agricultural chemicals industrial wastes and raw sewage; oil pollution of beaches; deforestation; soil erosion
70
Tromelin Island
NA
71
Tunisia
toxic and hazardous waste disposal is ineffective and presents human health risks; water pollution from raw sewage; limited natural fresh water resources; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification
72
Turkey
water pollution from dumping of chemicals and detergents; air pollution particularly in urban areas; deforestation
73
Turkmenistan
contamination of soil and groundwater with agricultural chemicals pesticides; salinization water-logging of soil due to poor irrigation methods; Caspian Sea pollution; diversion of a large share of the flow of the Amu Darya into irrigation contributes to that river's inability to replenish the Aral Sea; desertification
74
Turks and Caicos Islands
limited natural fresh water resources private cisterns collect rainwater
75
Tuvalu
since there are no streams or rivers and groundwater is not potable all water needs must be met by catchment systems with storage facilities; beachhead erosion because of the use of sand for building materials; excessive clearance of forest undergrowth for use as fuel; damage to coral reefs from the spread of the crown of thorns starfish
76
U.S. Virgin Islands
lack of natural freshwater resources
77
Uganda
draining of wetlands for agricultural use; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; poaching is widespread
78
Ukraine
inadequate supplies of potable water; air and water pollution; deforestation; radiation contamination in the northeast from 1986 accident at Chornobyl' Nuclear Power Plant
79
United Arab Emirates
lack of natural freshwater resources being overcome by desalination plants; desertification; beach pollution from oil spills
80
United States
air pollution resulting in acid rain in both the U
.S
81
The Gambia
deforestation; desertification; water-borne diseases prevalent
82
Uruguay
substantial pollution from Brazilian industry along border; one-fifth of country affected by acid rain generated by Brazil; water pollution from meat packing/tannery industry; inadequate solid/hazardous waste disposal
83
Uzbekistan
drying up of the Aral Sea is resulting in growing concentrations of chemical pesticides and natural salts; these substances are then blown from the increasingly exposed lake bed and contribute to desertification; water pollution from industrial wastes and the heavy use of fertilizers and pesticides is the cause of many human health disorders; increasing soil salinization; soil contamination from agricultural chemicals including DDT
84
Vanuatu
a majority of the population does not have access to a potable and reliable supply of water
85
Venezuela
sewage pollution of Lago de Valencia; oil and urban pollution of Lago de Maracaibo; deforestation; soil degradation; urban and industrial pollution especially along the Caribbean coast
86
Vietnam
logging and slash-and-burn agricultural practices are contributing to deforestation; soil degradation; water pollution and overfishing threatening marine life populations; inadequate supplies of potable water because of groundwater contamination
87
Wake Island
NA
88
Wallis and Futuna
deforestation
89
West Bank
NA
90
Western Sahara
sparse water and arable land
91
Western Samoa
soil erosion; Natural hazards:occasional typhoons; active volcanism
92
Yemen
very limited natural fresh water resources; inadequate supplies of potable water; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification
93
Zaire
0
94
Zambia
air pollution and resulting acid rain in the mineral extraction and refining region; poaching seriously threatens rhinoceros and elephant populations; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; lack of adequate water treatment presents human health risks
95
The Netherlands
water pollution in the form of heavy metals organic compounds and nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates; air pollution from vehicles and refining activities; acid rain
96
The Bahamas
coral reef decay
97
Saint Helena
NA
98
Somalia
famine; use of contaminated water contributes to human health problems; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification
99
Saint Kitts and Nevis
NA
100
Saint Lucia
deforestation; soil erosion particularly in the northern region
101
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
102
San Marino
NA
103
Saudi Arabia
desertification; depletion of underground water resources; the lack of perennial rivers or permanent water bodies has prompted the development of extensive seawater desalination facilities; coastal pollution from oil spills
104
Senegal
wildlife populations threatened by poaching; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; overfishing
105
Serbia and Montenegro
pollutio
.htmcoastal waters from sewage outlets especially in tourist-related areas such as Kotor; air pollution around Belgrade and other industrial cities; water pollution from industrial wastes dumped into the Sava which flows into the Danube
106
Seychelles
no natural fresh water resources catchments collect rain water
107
Sierra Leone
rapid population growth pressuring the environment; overharvesting of timber expansion of cattle grazing and slash-and-burn agriculture have resulted in deforestation and soil exhaustion; civil war depleting natural resources; overfishing
108
Singapore
industrial pollution; limited natural fresh water resources; limited land availability presents waste disposal problems
109
Slovakia
air pollution from metallurgical plants presents human health risks; acid rain damaging forests
110
Slovenia
Sava River polluted with domestic and industrial waste; pollution of coastal waters with heavy metals and toxic chemicals; forest damage near Koper from air pollution
111
Solomon Islands
deforestation; soil erosion; much of the surrounding coral reefs are dead or dying
112
South Africa
lack of important arterial rivers or lakes requires extensive water conservation and control measures; growth in water usage threatens to outpace supply; pollution of rivers from agricultural runoff and urban discharge; air pollution resulting in acid rain; soil erosion; desertification
113
Thailand
air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from organic and factory wastes; deforestation; soil erosion; wildlife populations threatened by illegal hunting
114
South Korea
air pollution in large cities; water pollution from the discharge of sewage and industrial effluents; driftnet fishing
115
Spain
pollution of the Mediterranean Sea from raw sewage and effluents from the offshore production of oil and gas; air pollution; deforestation; desertification
116
Spratly Islands
NA
117
Sri Lanka
deforestation; soil erosion; wildlife populations threatened by poaching; coastal degradation from mining activities and increased pollution; freshwater resources being polluted by industrial wastes and sewage runoff
118
Sudan
inadequate supplies of potable water; wildlife populations threatened by excessive hunting; soil erosion; desertification
119
Suriname
deforestation as foreign producers obtain timber concessions
120
Svalbard
NA
121
Swaziland
limited access to potable water; wildlife populations being depleted because of excessive hunting; overgrazing; soil degradation; soil erosion
122
Sweden
acid rain damaging soils and lakes; pollution of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea
123
Switzerland
air pollution from vehicle emissions and open air burning; acid rain; water pollution from increased use of agricultural fertilizers; loss of biodiversity
124
Syria
deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; water pollution from dumping of raw sewage and wastes from petroleum refining; inadequate supplies of potable water
125
Taiwan
water pollution from industrial emissions raw sewage; air pollution; contamination of drinking water supplies; trade in endangered species
126
Tajikistan
inadequate sanitation facilities; increasing levels of soil salinity; industrial pollution; excessive pesticides; part of the basin of the shrinking Aral Sea which suffers from severe overutilization of available water for irrigation and associated pollution
127
Tanzania
soil degradation; deforestation; desertification; destruction of coral reefs threatens marine habitats; recent droughts affected marginal agriculture
128
Laos
deforestation; soil erosion; a majority of the population does not have access to potable water
129
Kuwait
limited natural fresh water resources; some of world's largest and most sophisticated desalination facilities provide much of the water; air and water pollution; desertification
130
Albania
deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution from industrial and domestic effluents
131
Christmas Island
NA
132
Brunei
NA
133
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
134
Burkina Faso
recent droughts and desertification severely affecting agricultural activities population distribution and the economy; overgrazing; soil degradation; deforestation
135
Burundi
soil erosion as a result of overgrazing and the expansion of agriculture into marginal lands; deforestation
136
Cabo Verde
overgrazing of livestock and improper land use such as the cultivation of crops on steep slopes has led to soil erosion; demand for wood used as fuel has resulted in deforestation; desertification; environmental damage has threatened several indigenous species of birds and reptiles; overfishing
137
Cambodia
logging activities throughout the country and strip mining for gems in the western region along the border with Thailand are resulting in habitat loss and declining biodiversity
138
Cameroon
water-borne diseases are prevalent; deforestation; overgrazing; desertification; poaching; overfishing
139
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
140
Cayman Islands
no natural fresh water resources drinking water supplies must be met by rainwater catchment
141
Central African Republic
tap water is not potable; poaching has diminished reputation as one of last great wildlife refuges; desertification
142
Chad
inadequate supplies of potable water; improper waste disposal in rural areas contributes to soil and water pollution; desertification
143
Chile
air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from raw sewage; deforestation contributing to loss of biodiversity; soil erosion; desertification
144
China
air pollution from the overwhelming use of high-sulfur coal as a fuel produces acid rain which is damaging forests; water shortages experienced throughout the country particularly in urban areas; future growth in water usage threatens to outpace supplies; water pollution from industrial effluents; much of the population does not have access to potable water; less than 10% of sewage receives treatment; deforestation; estimated loss of one-fifth of agricultural land since 1957 to soil erosion and economic development; desertification; trade in endangered species
145
Clipperton Island
NA
146
British Indian Ocean Territory
NA
147
Cocos Islands
there are no natural fresh water resources on the island groundwater does accumulate in natural underground reservoirs
148
Colombia
deforestation; soil damage from overuse of pesticides; air pollution especially in Bogota from vehicle emissions
149
Comoros
soil degradation and erosion results from crop cultivation on slopes without proper terracing; deforestation
150
Congo
air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from the dumping of raw sewage; tap water is not potable; deforestation
151
Cook Islands
NA
152
Coral Sea Islands
no permanent fresh water resources; Natural hazards:occasional tropical cyclones
153
Costa Rica
deforestation largely a result of the clearing of land for cattle ranching; soil erosion
154
Croatia
air pollution
155
Cuba
pollution of Havana Bay; overhunting threatens wildlife populations; deforestation
156
Cyprus
water resource problems
157
Czech Republic
air and water pollution in areas of northwest Bohemia centered around Zeplica and in northern Moravia around Ostrava present health risks; acid rain damaging forests
158
Côte d'Ivoire
deforestation
159
Denmark
air pollution principally from vehicle emissions; nitrogen and phosphorus pollution of the North Sea; drinking and surface water becoming polluted from animal wastes
160
British Virgin Islands
limited natural fresh water resources
161
Brazil
deforestation in Amazon Basin destroys the habitat and endangers the existence of a multitude of plant and animal species indigenous to the area; 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
162
Dominica
NA
163
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
164
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
165
American Samoa
limited natural fresh water resources; in many areas of the island water supplies come from roof catchments
166
Andorra
deforestation; overgrazing of mountain meadows contributes to soil erosion
167
Angola
population pressures contributing to overuse of pastures and subsequent soil erosion; desertification; deforestation of tropical rain forest attributable to the international demand for tropical timber and domestic use as a fuel; deforestation contributing to loss of biodiversity; soil erosion contributing to water pollution and siltation of rivers and dams; inadequate supplies of potable water
168
Anguilla
supplies of potable water sometimes cannot meet increasing demand largely because of poor distribution system
169
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
170
Arctic Ocean
endangered marine species include walruses and whales; fragile ecosystem slow to change and slow to recover from disruptions or damage
171
Argentina
erosion results from inadequate flood controls and improper land use practices; irrigated soil degradation; desertification; air pollution in Buenos Aires and other major cites; water pollution in urban areas; rivers becoming polluted due to increased pesticide and fertilizer use
172
Armenia
soil pollution from toxic chemicals such as DDT; energy blockade the result of conflict with Azerbaijan has led to deforestation as citizens scavenge for firewood; pollution of Hrazdan
173
Aruba
NA
174
Ashmore and Cartier Islands
NA
175
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
176
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
177
Azerbaijan
local scientists consider the Abseron
178
Bouvet Island
NA
179
Bahrain
desertification resulting from the degradation of limited arable land periods of drought and dust storms; coastal degradation
180
Baker Island
no natural fresh water resources
181
Bangladesh
many people are landless and forced to live on and cultivate flood-prone land; limited access to potable water; water-borne diseases prevalent; water pollution especially of fishing areas results from the use of commercial pesticides; intermittent water shortages because of falling water tables in the northern and central parts of the country; soil degradation; deforestation; severe overpopulation
182
Barbados
pollution of coastal waters from waste disposal by ships; soil erosion; illegal solid waste disposal threatens contamination of aquifers
183
Bassas da India
NA
184
Belarus
soil pollution from pesticide use; southern part of the country contaminated with fallout from 1986 nuclear reactor accident at Chornobyl'
185
Belize
deforestation; water pollution from sewage industrial effluents agricultural runoff
186
Benin
recent droughts have severely affected marginal agriculture in north; inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching threatens wildlife populations; deforestation; desertification
187
Bermuda
NA
188
Bhutan
soil erosion; limited access to potable water
189
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
190
Bosnia and Herzegovina
air pollution from metallurgical plants; sites for disposing of urban waste are limited; widespread casualties water shortages and destruction of infrastructure because of civil strife
191
Botswana
overgrazing primarily as a result of the expansion of the cattle population; desertification; limited natural fresh water resources
192
Djibouti
inadequate supplies of potable water; desertification
193
Dominican Republic
water shortages; soil eroding into the sea damages coral reefs; deforestation
194
Kiribati
NA
195
Ireland
water pollution especially of lakes from agricultural runoff
196
Haiti
extensive deforestation
197
Heard Island and McDonald Islands
NA
198
Holy See
NA
199
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
200
Hong Kong
air and water pollution from rapid urbanization
201
Howland Island
no natural fresh water resources
202
Hungary
air pollution; industrial and municipal pollution of Lake Balaton
203
Iceland
water pollution from fertilizer runoff; inadequate wastewater treatment
204
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 rapidly growing population is overstraining natural resources
205
Indian Ocean
endangered marine species include the dugong seals turtles and whales; oil pollution in the Arabian Sea Persian Gulf and Red Sea
206
Indonesia
deforestation; water pollution from industrial wastes sewage; air pollution in urban areas
207
Iran
air pollution especially in urban areas from vehicle emissions refinery operations and industrial effluents; deforestation; overgrazing; desertification; oil pollution in the Persian Gulf; inadequate supplies of potable water
208
Iraq
government water control projects have drained most of the inhabited marsh areas west of Al Qurnah by drying up or diverting the feeder streams and rivers; a once sizable population of Shi'a Muslims who have 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 Tigris-Euphrates Rivers system contingent upon agreements with upstream riparian Turkey; air and water pollution; soil degradation
209
Isle of Man
NA
210
Guinea
deforestation; inadequate supplies of potable water; desertification; soil contamination and erosion; overfishing
211
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
212
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
213
Jamaica
deforestation; coastal waters polluted by industrial waste sewage and oil spills; damage to coral reefs; air pollution in Kingston results from vehicle emissions
214
Jan Mayen
NA
215
Japan
air pollution from power plant emissions results in acid rain; acidification of lakes and reservoirs degrading water quality and threatening aquatic life; Japan's appetite for fish and tropical timber is contributing to the depletion of these resources in Asia and elsewhere
216
Jarvis Island
no natural fresh water resources
217
Jersey
NA
218
Johnston Atoll
no natural fresh water resources
219
Jordan
limited natural fresh water resources; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification
220
Juan de Nova Island
NA
221
Kazakhstan
radioactive or toxic chemical sites associated with its former defense industries and test ranges are found throughout the country and pose health risks for humans and animals; industrial pollution is severe in some cities; because the two main rivers which 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 salinization from faulty irrigation practices
222
Kenya
water pollution from urban and industrial wastes; degradation of water quality from increased use of pesticides and fertilizers; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; poaching
223
Kingman Reef
NA
224
Guyana
water pollution from sewage and agricultural and industrial chemicals; deforestation
225
Guinea-Bissau
deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing; overfishing
226
Ecuador
deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; water pollution
227
French Guiana
NA; Natural hazards:high frequency of heavy showers and severe thunderstorms; flooding
228
Egypt
agricultural land being lost to urbanization and windblown sands; increasing soil salinization 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; very limited natural fresh water resources away from the Nile which is the only perennial water source; rapid growth in population overstraining natural resources
229
El Salvador
deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution; contamination of soils from disposal of toxic wastes
230
Equatorial Guinea
tap water is not potable; desertification
231
Eritrea
famine; deforestation; desertification; soil erosion; overgrazing; loss of infrastructure from civil warfare
232
Estonia
air heavily polluted with sulfur dioxide from oil-shale burning power plants in northeast; contamination of soil and groundwater with petroleum products chemicals at military bases
233
Ethiopia
deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; famine
234
Europa Island
NA
235
Falkland Islands
NA
236
Faroe Islands
NA
237
Federated States of Micronesia
NA
238
Fiji
deforestation; soil erosion
239
Finland
air pollution from manufacturing and power plants contributing to acid rain; water pollution from industrial wastes agricultural chemicals; habitat loss threatens wildlife populations
240
France
some forest damage from acid rain; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from urban wastes agricultural runoff
241
French Polynesia
NA
242
Guernsey
NA
243
French Southern and Antarctic Lands
NA
244
Gabon
deforestation; poaching
245
Gaza Strip
desertification
246
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
247
Germany
emissions from coal-burning utilities and industries and lead emissions from vehicle exhausts
248
Ghana
recent drought in north severely affecting agricultural activities; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; poaching and habitat destruction threatens wildlife populations; water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water
249
Gibraltar
limited natural freshwater resources so large concrete or natural rock water catchments collect rain water
250
Glorioso Islands
NA
251
Greece
air pollution; water pollution
252
Greenland
NA; Natural hazards:continuous permafrost over northern two-thirds of the island
253
Grenada
NA
254
Guadeloupe
NA
255
Guam
NA
256
Guatemala
deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution
257
Zimbabwe
deforestation; soil erosion; land degradation; air and water pollution; the black rhinoceros herd_once the largest concentration of the species in the world_has been significantly reduced by poaching
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