Six years of glasnost in the republics of the former Soviet Union have revealed enormous environmental problems in that region. This book provides an up-to-date report on the state of the environment and environmental policy in the former USSR. In addition to official data, the author cites anecdotal material drawn from the local media to illustrate the challenges presented by a contaminated food supply, tainted drinking water, foul air and rampant toxic waste. He also considers the possible effects of current political and economic trends on the environment and on environmental policy in the newly independent republics.