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| APPENDIX 01: AN INVENTORY OF 56 ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS |
The following non-prioritised list of environmental problems or issues was
compiled from the results of a general survey of the literature, reviews
of international initiatives and the results of the present study. Problems were recorded
as they were reported or identified in the analysis, and thus some are
more general expressions of particular problems which are also listed. Obvious references
to the same problem were combined, but references to linked problems or
issues with a common cause were usually kept separate to maintain the important differences of perspective and foci of interest. There are obvious groups of
related problems expressed here and few, if any, are exclusive to the
rest.
The problems listed vary widely in character: some have broad significance, others
have more confined relevance (in time or space); some are already having
effects, others refer to potential effects or risks; some are uncontested,
others are disputed. Thus, the inclusion of a problem in this list does not itself denote
significance. The list is the result of a trawl performed widely enough,
and on a sufficently comprehensive foundation as this current assessment represents to expect confidently that the most significant
environmental problems of concern to Europe are included.
The difficulties with an analysis identifying environmental
problems can be best appreciated if environmental problems are seen to move through a development 'cycle', in regard to the way in which they are viewed and
treated. First, there is the phase where awareness about the problem (or at this stage issues) begins and grows, and understanding increases. This
often leads to a policy formulation stage followed by an implementation
phase. Further evaluation of the problem and the actions taken to deal with it can result
in modifications to the policy or its means of implementation and may
give rise to insights into new problems. The level of recognition given to a problem, its
mention in the literature and information about it by which it can be
described, significantly depend upon its stage in this cycle of development. The list of 56 environmental problems identified below will therefore be
strongly influenced by this, affecting both what is included and how it is expressed. For
this reason also, despite the comprehensive approach taken for the
analysis, and for this assessment in general, the list is unlikely to be complete. Problems most likely not to be included here are those which fall into the
first 'awareness' stage of development. Conversely, the list is probably
biased towards problems that fall into the policy formulation stage about which more is
generally known and to which much attention is given.
This list of 56 broad environmental problems was used to help
identify the 12 prominent European environmental problems, presented in
Chapters 27 to 38 (see introduction to Part V). In defining the 12, a number of problems
in the list below were consolidated so that more than 20 of the 56 are
considered to be covered by the 12 prominent problems.
| CONSOLIDATED LIST OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS |
For references, please go to https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/C40I92-826-5409-5/page004.html or scan the QR code.
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