yoto Protocol target of a 12.5% reduction from 1990 levels and
intends to meet the legally binding target and move toward a
domestic goal of a 20% cut in emissions by 2010); by 2005 the
government reduced the amount of industrial and commercial waste
disposed of in landfill sites to 85% of 1998 levels and recycled or
composted at least 25% of household waste, increasing to 33% by 2015

United States
air pollution resulting in acid rain in both the US
and Canada; the US is the largest single emitter of carbon dioxide
from the burning of fossil fuels; water pollution from runoff of
pesticides and fertilizers; limited natural fresh water resources in
much of the western part of the country require careful management;
desertification

United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges
Baker, Howland, and
Jarvis Islands, and Johnston Atoll: no natural fresh water resources
Kingman Reef: none
Midway Islands and Palmyra Atoll: NA

Uruguay
water pollution from meat packing/tannery industry;
inadequate solid/hazardous waste disposal

Uzbekistan
shrinkage of the Aral Sea is resulting in growing
concentrations of chemical pesticides and natural salts; these
substances are then blown from the increasingly exposed lake bed and
contribute to desertification; water pollution from industrial
wastes and the heavy use of fertilizers and pesticides is the cause
of many human health disorders; increasing soil salination; soil
contamination from buried nuclear processing and agricultural
chemicals, including DDT

Vanuatu
most of the population does not have access to a reliable
supply of potable water; deforestation

Venezuela
sewage pollution of Lago de Valencia; oil and urban
pollution of Lago de Maracaibo; deforestation; soil degradation;
urban and industrial pollution, especially along the Caribbean
coast; threat to the rainforest ecosystem from irresponsible mining
operations

Vietnam
logging and slash-and-burn agricultural practices contribute
to deforestation and soil degradation; water pollution and
overfishing threaten marine life populations; groundwater
contamination limits potable water supply; growing urban
industrialization and population migration are rapidly degrading
environment in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City

Virgin Islands
lack of natural freshwater resources

Wake Island
NA

Wallis and Futuna
deforestation (only small port