1. Moldova: Environmental Organizations
By Nicole Degner

2. Source: www.mldnet.com/moldova/
Geography of Moldova
Many people are unaware of the small country known as Moldova
Source:

3. Geography of Moldova
Moldova is located in Eastern Europe between Romania and Ukraine
Source: moldova_map.html Source: moldova/

4. Geography of Moldova About the size of Maryland Landlocked
Closest large body of water is the Black Sea which is to the south

5. Geography of Moldova Few rivers which are important
Dniester River
Important transportation route for agricultural products and lumber
Prut River
Raut River
Underground water reserve
200 million cubic meters
Source of drinking water

6. Geography of Moldova
The topography varies from rolling hills, mountainous areas, and plains
Moderately continental
Mild and dry winters (25 degrees F)
Long and warm summers (68 degrees F)
Moderate rainfall

7. Geography of Moldova Soils in Moldova allow for massive agriculture
Agricultural products include:
Fruits
Vegetables
Wine
Sugar beets
Sunflower seed and oil
Tobacco
Grain
Beef
Milk

8. Agriculture of Moldova
Economy depends a lot on the agricultural sector
Over ¼ of Moldova’s GDP is from agriculture
Source: CIA, 2003

9. Agriculture of Moldova
Chernozem soil, which is the most fertile soil in the world
75% of the land is covered in this black soil

10. Environmental Problems and Concerns
Moldova is experiencing environmental degradation
Concerns:
Soil erosion
Chemical fertilizers and pesticides
Intensive exploitation of land, water, and forest
Deforestation
Non-treated waste and sewage waters
Reservoirs and wetlands

11. Environmental Problems and Concerns
Soil Erosion
Due to poor farming methods
Another poor farming method is to clear forested regions to support vineyards
forest-clear-cut%5B1%5D.jpg

12. Environmental Problems and Concerns
Chemical fertilizers and pesticides
“In the early 1990’s, per hectare use of pesticides in Moldova averaged approximately twenty times that of other former Soviet republics and Western nations.”
Library of Congress
Chemicals have not only polluted the soil, but they have also leached into the groundwater supply that is the source of drinking water

14. Environmental Problems and Concerns
Air Pollution
No rules or laws controlling emissions from factories during Soviet rule
Air pollution Moldovan factories and other neighboring countries’ factories
Air pollution today is from transportation processes

17. Environmental Problems and Concerns
Non-treated waste and sewage waters
Dam collapsed in 1983 on the Dniester River
Hazardous wastes from a fertilizer plant were discarded into the Dniester River
Fish and organisms were killed and Moldovans who relied on the river were endangered

18. Environmental Problems and Concerns
Deforestation
Mass timber-cutting
State Department for Environmental and Natural Resources Protection has started to conserve forest lands
Project is aiming to make Moldovans aware of the resources that are quickly decreasing

19. Environmental Problems and Concerns
Civil War in the eastern part of the country (Transdnistria) has also plagued the environment
Human beings have contributed to the damage of forests and aquatic environments in that part of the country
Overall, there has been a drastic reduction in biodiversity

20. Environmental Problems and Concerns
Many have taken action now that they are aware of problems
NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) have been working towards building an “infrastructure for the Moldovan environmental community”
Moldova seems to be taking more control over the environmental problems that plague the region

21. Moldovan Environmental Organizations
Many, if not all, of the NGOs in Moldova rely on donations
The organizations are also independent

22. Moldovan Environmental Organizations
Ecological Society BIOTICA
“Scientists, experts, teachers, and students working to conserve biodiversity, develop national environmental legislation, and promote public participation in decisions related to environmental protection.”

23. Moldovan Environmental Organizations
Ecological Society BIOTICA
Registered with Moldova in 1993
Organized field studies on the Dniester River concerning conservation of the endangered species and habitats
Mainly concerned with the Dniester River area and biodiversity

24. Moldovan Environmental Organizations
Ecological Movement of Moldova
Mission is to restore the natural balance between the population and the environment

25. Moldovan Environmental Organizations
Regional Environmental Center
Established in 1998
Assist in solving environmental problems
Goal is to increase public participation and awareness in environmental decision making processes
Also looking into pollution control and waste management

26. Other Moldovan Environmental Organizations
Ecological Movement of Moldova
Sustainable Ecosystems Institute
Ecosfera
                                                                                                                                                                                    

27. European Environmental Assistance
Milieukontakt Oost-Europa
Cooperate with NGOs in Moldova and other Central and Eastern European countries
Give support, train, and advise
Support ecological sustainability
One main idea of Milieukontakt Oost-Europa is to promote public awareness of environmental issues

28. European Environmental Assistance
Milieukontakt Oost-Europa
Not only helps with the physical environment, but also helps groups with technology
Set up communications between other NGOs
Through helping Moldova become more technological environmentally, they are helping the issues become more public

29. Conclusion
Although Moldova has been independent since 1991, it is still dealing with many issues that happened during its time under Soviet rule
Moldovans are now paying environmentally for mistakes that were out of their control

30. Conclusion
Many of the Non-Governmental Organizations in Moldova are working towards the same goal:
To make all citizens of Moldova aware of the environmental issues
Educating the citizens to make environmentally safe decisions

31. Conclusion
With NGOs’ help, the environment of Moldova can become more pleasant to live in
The underground water supply may be spared from pesticides and fertilizers
Moldova has a long way to go, but with the number of NGOs (about 100), Moldova can recover and learn from the past.

32. Bibliography
BIOTICA. “BIOTICA Ecological Society.” (April 13, 2003).
CIA. “The World FactBook 2002.”
February 15, 2003.
Ecological Monitoring Centre of the National Institute of Ecology. “SUMMARY  ENVIRONMENT  STATE  IN
THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA.” (April 13, 2003).
Karsten, Margaret, ed. Economic Review Moldova. (Washington D.C.: International
Monetary Fund, 1992).
Library of Congress. “Moldova: A Country Study.”
(February 13, 2003).
Milieukontakt Oost-Europa. “Milieukontakt Oost-Europa.”
(February 19, 2003).
National Biological Information Infrastructure. “Moldova: Biological Organizations and Resources.”
(April 13, 2003).
Rodgers, Mary M., Streissguth, Tom, & Sexton, Colleen, ed. Moldova. (Minneapolis:
Lerner Publications Company, 1993).
Sheehan, Patricia. Cultures of the World: Moldova. (New York: Marshall Cavendish,
2000).