ESTONIAN ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW 2009

Foreword
This Estonian Environmental Review provides a thorough
look at the state of the Estonian environment. It will inform
you about which aspects are in good condition, but also honestly
acknowledges the shortcomings and tasks ahead of us.
In describing the state of the environment and pressure on
the environment, this publication relies on hard data from
different points in time; it is not merely conjectural.
The first review of its kind was published 20 years ago
and the most recent one came out in 2005. Both the previous
edition and this volume follow the requirements of the
Århus Convention, one of the conditions of which is that
state of the environment and pressure on the environment
must be described in a manner understandable to all. It is
a reasonable requirement. Although legal acts, strategies,
development plans and other policy papers can be drafted by
the hundreds, their benefits are limited if they are not readily
comprehensible to people. The most decisive factor is each
person’s understanding of their role in the environment and
the ability to assess the associations between and impact of
their actions and omissions. Only this allows environmentally
aware decisions to be made – to stop the hand poised to
throw litter out of a car window or prevent the planning of a
high-rise building in a protected area. I do not believe that
people generally cause deliberate harm to the environment;
the reason is predominantly low awareness.
The Estonian Environmental Review 2009 is yet another
step toward greater environmental awareness for us all. I
hope this volume makes for interesting reading, and I hope
Estonia’s beautiful, rich natural environment provides you
much enjoyment!
Jaanus Tamkivi
Minister of the Environment
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