1.2 Impact of the state of the environment on socioeconomic development.

In spite of the measures taken by the government the environment situation in Russia is far from being benign.

Average levels of air pollution in hundreds of cities exceed sanitary norms. About 55% of Russians live in cities where levels of pollution exceed maximum allowable concentrations. In recent years motor vehicle ownership has surged and led to an almost 40% increase in carbon emissions which now accounts for 42% of total atmospheric emissions.

In most industrialized regions water quality is unsatisfactory. Russia’s largest rivers, the Volga, Don, Kuban, Northern Dvina, Pechora, Ural, Ob, Yenisei and Amur, are considered “polluted”. Lake Baikal, a unique ecosystem and the world’s largest fresh water body is deteriorating due to wastewater discharges. The Aral Sea was once the fourth-biggest lake in the world. It is now less than half the size it was in 1965.

Industrial waste generation and waste disposal problems are acute and widespread. What is more alarming, overall waste generation has significantly increased in recent years.

Municipal solid waste is also a major problem. This is due to increasing urbanisation, expending commercial sectors, and the doubling of waste generation per person. Most Russian urban waste disposal still relies on old landfills, many of which represent significant risks to surface and groundwater, and to air quality, if waste is burned. Illegal waste disposal sites are common in urban and rural areas.

The linkage between environmental contamination and public health is well known. Over the past 15 years Russia’s population has declined by about 12 million, men’s life expectancy has decreased by 2.75 years and women’s by 1.29 years. High mortality rates can be partly attributed to environmental pollution, particularly air pollution. Air pollution is directly responsible for up to 8% of overall annual mortality.

Poor water quality also affects public health. About 40% of surface water and 17% of groundwater sources for drinking water do not meet sanitary norms.

Costs of environmental degradation damage the Russian economy. Economic losses due to the impact of air and water pollution on public health are estimated to be at least 4-6% of gross domestic product (GDP).

2. Overview of the environmental policy in the us.

   1. Environmental Protection Agency strategic plan.

The main goal of the US environmental policy is to protect the environment for future generations. This policy grew out of the environment movement in the US in the 1960s and 1970s, during which several environmental laws were passed, regulating air and water pollution and forming the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Federal laws such as the Clean Air Act (1970), the Water Pollution Act (1972), and the Endangered Species Act (1973) led to many specific improvements in the environment.

The US EPA was established in 1970 to consolidate in one agency a variety of federal research, monitoring, standard-setting and enforcement activities. The EPA’s mission is to protect human health and to safeguard the natural environment – air, water, and land – upon which life depends.

The main strategic goals of the US environmental policy were set out by the Environmental Protection Agency in 2006. These goals reflect the results the EPA is striving to achieve: Clean air and global climate change (healthier air, protection of the ozone layer, minimization of radiation and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions);Clean and safe water (protection of human health and protection of water quality);Land preservation and restoration; Healthy communities and ecosystems. Special emphasis in all areas is placed on enhancing science and research.

EPA’s national programmes will make it possible to make substantial progress in protecting human health and ecosystems from air pollution. New motor vehicles, including trucks and buses, will be 75 to 95% cleaner than they were in 2006. Power plant emissions will be reduced by approximately 40% from 2006 levels. Taken together, these programmes will prevent tens of thousands of premature death and hospitalisations, and prevent millions of lost work and school days each year.

These national programmes will be supplemented by local control strategies designed to ensure that the air quality standards are achieved and maintained. Reductions in emissions of air toxics will substantially reduce risks to human health. Toxic emissions from cars, trucks, and buses will be cut in half, and all major industrial sources of air toxics will meet technology-based standards. Radiation releases will be minimised, and the ability to monitor such releases will be enhanced. Significant achievements will also be realised in EPA’s domestic and international efforts to protect and restore the world’s atmosphere.