Ukraine essays

Ukraine essays As the second largest country in Europe and a history of political power, the nation state of the Ukraine formed, along with Russia, the heart of the Soviet Union. The nations independence in 1991 brought with it an uncertainty over a future that had once been dominated by the specter of the USSR. Also with that independence came the possibility for the end of Russias exploitation of Ukraines environment. Through heavy industry and mining, directives issued to support the USSRs command style economy in Moscow had polluted Ukraines water and air. Would the end of the USSR mean the end of the pollution? Not quite, nor would an end of the USSR mean that state ownership would end and that democracy would prevail. Indeed, Ukraines struggle has been markedly difficult with some instances of political progress only now being made. The lasting effect of that progress is yet to be seen but it is possible to say a few words on Ukraines environment, social and economic conditions. Having been endowed with 56% arable land, for centuries Ukraine lived up to its reputation as the bread basket of Europe by cultivating wheat and grain. It still does this today as the water from the Dnieper River (Europes third largest river) feeds many fields. However, during the last 25 years, the area under agricultural use has become 1.3 times less. This is due to the industrial expansion strategy that Moscow utilized. The soil itself is at risk by over cultivation leading to significant amounts of erosion. It is estimated that 4 million tons of soil are washed out every year. All told, about 80% of Ukraines arable land or 25 million hectares are affected by erosion. There are crop losses where soil is subject to erosion. On average it is worse off by about 40% of previous year yields. Soil degradation is an issue but when you think of Ukrainian environmental problems, you immedia...