In the Baltic area, plans are soon to be released on a comprehensive clean-up program. In January 1994, "The governments of five central Aisan states last week pledged to put 1 per cent of their budgets into a central fund to help save the [Aral] sea and improve the health of the people around it.... The agreement is the third such deal involving former Soviet states to address severe crises in the region’s seas. Last April, Russia, Ukraine and Georgia joined Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey in an agreement aimed at reducing the chronic pollution of the Black Sea" (Pearce 10).

Spot road checks are being made for exhaust to curb the massive air pollution, however this has been unsuccessful due to the lack of monitoring equipment. Other accomplishments include “new environmental laws empowering local officials or individuals to sue for damages and fines and demand immediate closure and it holds polluters responsible” (Stanglin 44). Legislation has also been enacted to identify “critical environmental zones.” Thus far, Nizhni Tagil, a city cited on page three, has applied for environmental assistance under the new laws along with Chapayevsk, a city haunted by dioxin. Approximately 100 more cities have applied (Pryde 46). Progress is also resulting from aid packages. In April 1993, “Clinton announced a $1.6 billion package of economic assistance” (Engelman 36) which includes $35 million to "emphasize institutional development, especially within NIS environmental ministries; develop management strategies for specific badly polluted geographic areas; and demonstrate low-cost, innovative environmental technologies, especially in the energy sector, AID programs will emphasize macroeconomic aspects of environmental policy (e.g., environmental liability), private-sector initiative, and public awareness and accountability (e.g., support for environmental citizen’s groups)" (Freeman 608).

Canada is providing $100 million for technical assistance and park and wildlife protection. Finland is contributing $30 million with a focus on hazardous waste and transborder air and water pollution. Furthermore, the World Bank is preparing to loan $300-400 million to Russia (Freeman 608).

The Western resources that are being drawn upon include people. An expedition of thirty foresters and ecologists (From the West and Russia) was recently used for advice on how to rectify damage done from the oil and gas searching in Siberia (Pearce 4). Education is also being used as a weapon in the NIS. Given a lack of qualified environmental engineers, planners, and managers, the agency (the Ecological Fund in Chelyabinsk) established an “environmental school” in 1990 (an 80 hour course). The agency also publishes the Ecological Herald monthly and recently, the Ecological Fund was able to stop construction in a sensitive watershed by using video (Peterson 600). Even 6entrepreneurs are getting involved by developing “products that solve environmental problems” (Marcus 67). One exciting result occurred after the switch was made from coal to natural gas in one city, decreasing emissions by 25% (105 million to 96 million metric tons (Green, E. 592)) (Pope 51)! Why aren’t there more results like this?

Many factories are working hard to comply with society’s demands but cost is the barrier. “Among these making the argument, in fact, were Soviet scholars who calculated the annual economic costs of environmental damage as of 1990 at 15 to 17 percent of GNP” (Feshbach, Friendly 27). Even though it would be easier to send economic aid to defray these costs, nations must be wary. The EC has already contributed millions of dollars that simply seemed to disappear (Engelman 36). So progress will result from hands on aid. But for many, ”The interest is in surviving, the environment can come later” (Stanglin 42). “But many would argue that without cleaner air, purer water and agriculture less dependent on dangerous chemicals, advances in other measures of social and economic well-being could not be sustained” (Feshbach, Friendly 253-4). 7

“‘There is no worse ecological situation on the planet than ours in the USSR,’ judged Dr. Grigory Matveyevich Barenboim, a leading independent environmental analyst” (Feshbach, Friendly 11). More people are also needed to “assist local governments in their transition from communism to private market economy” (Rieth 1).

There are several ways Americans can help. One can educate friends about the pollution in the former Soviet Union. At the moment, it is not common knowledge. Let representatives, senators, the vice-president, and the president know it’s extent and your concern. Sway them toward more non-monetary aid packages for the republics (such as medical supplies), grants, and developing programs for engineers and social scientists to serve there for a period of time. Help them realize the benefits of a cleaner Earth, and the consequences of not enough aid. In the community, one could organize a drive to send necessities to the republics. Recently, Girl Scouts of America sent packages of toothpaste, washcloths, and coloring books, among other things, to Russia.

"These countries are depending on the U.S. and at the present time we are letting them down... We should be leading, by example, in all areas of social improvements. Money is not the entire answer. Skills and people to teach these skills must be transferred to the area as soon as possible. American know-how and volunteers can, and in some areas are, making an impact. Much more needs to be done" (Rieth 1).

"Perhaps we are shocked by the revelations of ecocide in the USSR because we thought that those days were past, that people and governments were too civilized to wantonly destroy nature and endanger their colleagues. The recent history of the Soviet Union reminds us, however, that our values can be easily distorted by potential and economic pressures and that the environmental movement is less about laws than it is about morals. As we proceed to perfect the systems of environmental and public health protection on the planet, let us not forget" (Glaze 577).