1st Edition
Russian Nature Exploring the Environmental Consequences of Societal Change
Jonathan D Oldfield provides a detailed assessment of the changing relationship between Russian society and the wider environment since the fall of the Soviet Union. Through this, he highlights the need to critically evaluate assumptions regarding the post-Soviet environment, in order to move beyond generalization and engage meaningfully with the particularities of Russia's contemporary environmental situation. The book begins by focusing on the nature of Soviet environmental legacies as a necessary backdrop to the remainder of the study. This is followed by a general examination of the relationship between economic change and pollution output during the course of the 1990s. Further chapters provide in depth analysis of recent legislative and policy developments in the area of environmental protection and an exploration of emerging pollution and environmental quality trends at both the national and regional level. In addition, the book highlights pressures that are related to Russia's engagement with the global economy.
Biography
Jonathan D Oldfield is Lecturer in the Human Geography of Post-Communist States, in the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, and is Associate Member of the Centre for Russian and East European Studies, both at the University of Birmingham, UK.
’Nuanced and rich in detail, Oldfield's book is probably the most up-to-date presentation of Russian environmental regulation in the literature. Avoiding the common pitfalls of presenting Russian nature as either just catastrophic or in transition to a better future, Oldfield probes into Russian environmental thought and bureaucratic tradition. This book is warmly recommended.' Dr Geir Hønneland, The Fridtjof Nansen Institute, Norway ’Anyone interested in Russian environment and its management will benefit by reading this book, which highlights the complex nature of Russia's contemporary environmental situation. This timely contribution moves beyond simplistic accounts of Russian environment and its management both during the Soviet period and the Russian post-communist transformation.’ Professor Petr Pavlinek, University of Nebraska at Omaha, USA ’Oldfield skilfully weaves political, economic, and historical analyses to explain why the demise of the Soviet economic system did not result in long-term environmental improvements in the Russian Federation, as expected. This succinct volume will provide students of Russian environmental affairs with an excellent overview, and a wealth of source material, relating to environmental trends in Russia during the critical 1991-2003 period.’ Dr Philip R. Pryde, San Diego State University, USA
