Introduction
In most parts of the world, environmental awareness does not exist. The great majority of nations co
ncern themselves with economic development, regardless of its effect on the global ecology. But in r
ecent years, as environmental damage has increased, signs of change have sprung up in various pocket
s around the world. The following are a few examples of countries undertaking new environmental init
iatives.
Canada
When European explorers first came to the New World, the fishing grounds off what would become easte
rn Canada and New England held abundant cod and other species. The area, called the Grand Banks, was
the most abundant fishing ground in the world.
Now, 500 years later, excessive fishing has reduced the number of fish to dangerously low levels. In
response, Canada has closed the area to cod fishing and set strict limits on catches of other speci
es.
When Canada took similar measures to protect the supply of herring in the 1970s, the fish eventually
recovered. But experts say that some species today have been so wasted, they may never recover. The
government also faces protests from Canadian fishermen. About 40,000 are now unemployed as a result
of the fishing bans and loss of their fish supply.
Costa Rica
This Central American country has one of the most ambitious programs in the world to preserve the ec
ological diversity of its tropical rain forests. Much of the country has already been clear-cut, and
soil erosion has been extensive. But a series of new environmental laws, together with the creation
of parks and nature preserves that cover one quarter of the country, are aimed at protecting Costa
Rica's remaining forests.
Brazil
Brazil is home to the world's largest jungle rain forest, the Amazon. For decades, the government so
ught to colonize and develop the Amazon, bringing severe environmental disaster to the area and its
people.
But in 1991, under pressure from environmentalists around the world, Brazil reversed course. It ende
d tax favors that had encouraged clearing of the Amazon rain forest, and agreed to a plan to finance
new forest protection projects.
Cattle farmers, miners, and settlers have protested the move and continue to destroy the forests, al
though at a slower pace than before. The conflict enlarged last year when miners killed a group of A
mazon Indians in order to seize their land. The government promises it will protect the region's nat
ive people, but questions remain as to its true level of commitment.
Eastern Europe
The nations of Eastern Europe, including Poland, Hungary, and the Czech and Slovak Republics, are co
nsidered the most polluted of all the world's industrialized countries. Heavy metals from coal minin
g have contaminated much of the area's waters. Rivers, land, and forests are so contaminated that ma
ny are now biologically dead.
In a special series of treaties, Eastern European countries and other nations, including the United
States, have set up special funds for environmental cleanups and improving the region's power plants
. In addition, Germany and the Czech Republic have signed a treaty to protect the Elbe River from fu
rther contamination. Experts say the treaty could serve as a model for protecting other rivers in th
e region, including the Oder and Danube.
Ghana
Ghana's population has been growing by 3.2 percent a year. This explosive growth has led to removal
of forests in much of the country, and excessive use of existing farmland. Forests have been cut dow
n at the rate of 278 square miles a year.
In response, the government has urged local villages to create more shared farmland. It has sponsore
d the growing of cash crops such as cassava, maize, cotton, and the planting of trees to regenerate
waste land. Observers say the program has succeeded in strengthening the country's agricultural base
and bringing a new source of wealth to villagers. But it remains to be seen whether these measures
will have enough impact to slow the rate of removing the forests.
Indonesia
Indonesians have traditionally favored large families, and their major religion, Islam, frowns on bi
rth control. But with 188 million people, the country is now struggling to provide enough food, shel
ter, and employment for its people. In recent years, the government has waged a massive ad campaign
to encourage birth control, offering inducements such as free trips to Mecca, the birthplace of Isla
m in Saudi Arabia.
The government has succeeded in increasing use of birth control from 10 percent of the population 20
years ago to 49 percent today. As a result, the average number of births has been cut from 5.6 chil
dren per woman to 3. The government hopes to reduce this average to 2.1 children per woman by 2005.
But with such a large population base, the country must still convert millions more to the idea of b
irth control if it is to reach its population targets.