Eastern Europe Objective 1: Summarize the geography of Eastern Europe. Objective 2: Discuss current events and issues.

Natural Resources Oil and gas are in short supply. Industry depends on location of resources Many countries look to imports from Russia for support.

Environmental Concerns Burning coal and fossil fuels have caused acid rain. Forests have been destroyed by acid raid Polluted water and soil cause high rates of birth defects and cancer.

Chernobyl Where? When? – April 26, 1986 How? – Fault test – Reactor #4 – Explosion

Problems Design flaws Unheeded warnings Soviet Union disregard for human life Radiation detected on April 28 th in Sweden. Information control: “An accident occurred at the Chornobyl (sic) Atomic Power Plant and one of the reactors was damaged. Measures have been undertaken to eliminate the consequences of the accident.” Vremya, April 28 th at 9 P.M.

Chernobyl

Impact Widespread radioactive pollution over Europe. – 100X more radiation than atom bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Contaminated farmland Devastated sections of Eastern Europe. Vacated cities (Pripyat, etc…) – More than 350,000 people forced to relocate Lasting impact

Moral Questions Did the Soviet Union have an obligation to tell the world as soon as the incident occurred? Should Ukraine or Russia bear the brunt of clean-up costs? Coal EnergyNuclear Energy Pro – Large coal reserves are readily available in Eastern Europe. Pro – One station creates lots of power. Pro – Technology to reduce coal pollution has been developed. Pro – Under normal conditions, nuclear energy produces less air pollution Con – Mining coal is dangerous and damages the environment. Con – Nuclear waste is dangerous and must be stored for a long time. Con – Burning coal creates pollution that causes acid rain and may force climate change. Con – Serious accidents can spread radioactive pollution over a large area. People must move and can cause long lasting health problems.