Russia’s Filthy Arctic
Environmental Pollution and the First Signs of Ecological Thinking
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
Several Arctic regions within Russia are ecological crisis zones. In the area around the city of Norilsk and on the Kola Peninsula, mining caused extensive air and water pollution. The ecological systems of large areas have been destroyed. The situation is also catastrophic in the oil and gas production areas. Oil from leaking pipelines contaminates soil and water, the burning off of carrier gas pollutes the air, heavy machinery is degrading the land. In recent years, the first signs of an ecological consciousness have emerged. Moscow has declared environmental protection a central issue of its Arctic policy. Now, the various environmental strategies must also be implemented.
(Osteuropa 2-3/2011, pp. 195–210)