On the 1st of May 2004, an additional 75 million people joined the European Union. Although it is undoubtedly for the benefit of all Europeans, the environment is among the most complicated issues to be dealt with during the process of enlargement of the European Union. The enlargement presents some long-term challenges for the rich natural heritage of the new member states.
Accession countries are enriching the EU through the biodiversity they are bringing, as they represent a large proportion of Europe’s remaining natural wealth. The new members harbour about one fifth of the continent’s forests, have ample freshwater resources, and are rich in animal and plant diversity. However, the greatest challenge for the new EU member states today is to retain their natural resources while offering their citizens opportunities for improving their well-being.
IUCN – The World Conservation Union takes stock of the biodiversity assets of the new member states and highlights opportunities and challenges for biodiversity conservation in an enlarged EU.
Read the IUCN Media Brief on EU Enlargement and Biodiversity: http://www.iucn.org/info_and_news/press/mediakiteu.pdf
Founded in 1948, IUCN – The World Conservation Union brings together States, government agencies and a diverse range of non-governmental organizations in a unique world partnership: over 1000 members in all, spread across some 140 countries. As a Union, IUCN seeks to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable. The World Conservation Union builds on the strengths of its members, networks and partners to enhance their capacity and to support global alliances to safeguard natural resources at local, regional and global
levels.
IUCN – The World Conservation Union http://www.iucn.org
Please also see:
Europa: http://europa.eu.int/
Declaration for a Day of Welcomes
http://www.eu2004.ie/templates/news.asp?sNavlocator=66&list_id=639
EU newcomers welcomed to the club
The EU is now the world's largest trading bloc
The new 25-member European Union has heralded its historic expansion with celebrations across the new bloc.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3675801.stm
Enlargement: what the people think
http://www.euobserver.com/index.phtml?sid=9&aid=15431
The consequences of eastward expansion of the European Union
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2004/may2004/expa-m01.shtml
Accession countries are enriching the EU through the biodiversity they are bringing, as they represent a large proportion of Europe’s remaining natural wealth. The new members harbour about one fifth of the continent’s forests, have ample freshwater resources, and are rich in animal and plant diversity. However, the greatest challenge for the new EU member states today is to retain their natural resources while offering their citizens opportunities for improving their well-being.
IUCN – The World Conservation Union takes stock of the biodiversity assets of the new member states and highlights opportunities and challenges for biodiversity conservation in an enlarged EU.
Read the IUCN Media Brief on EU Enlargement and Biodiversity: http://www.iucn.org/info_and_news/press/mediakiteu.pdf
Founded in 1948, IUCN – The World Conservation Union brings together States, government agencies and a diverse range of non-governmental organizations in a unique world partnership: over 1000 members in all, spread across some 140 countries. As a Union, IUCN seeks to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable. The World Conservation Union builds on the strengths of its members, networks and partners to enhance their capacity and to support global alliances to safeguard natural resources at local, regional and global
levels.
IUCN – The World Conservation Union http://www.iucn.org
Please also see:
Europa: http://europa.eu.int/
Declaration for a Day of Welcomes
http://www.eu2004.ie/templates/news.asp?sNavlocator=66&list_id=639
EU newcomers welcomed to the club
The EU is now the world's largest trading bloc
The new 25-member European Union has heralded its historic expansion with celebrations across the new bloc.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3675801.stm
Enlargement: what the people think
http://www.euobserver.com/index.phtml?sid=9&aid=15431
The consequences of eastward expansion of the European Union
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2004/may2004/expa-m01.shtml