Eesti in brief - 2010-01-06

According to an opinion poll conducted by TNS Emor, the Estonian people are almost evenly split over their desire for entry into the eurozone, reports bbn.ee. While 47 percent said they were in favor of the euro, 41 percent held the opposite view. Those in favor said the euro would simplify travel, purchasing of goods, financial transactions, etc. They also said that the single currency would be beneficial to the economy, create confidence and help to develop Estonia’s economy. The key fear of those against the euro was that it would push up prices and lower their living standards. In comparison with a previous poll in December 2008, which showed support around 50 percent, the share of support now has fallen slightly, mainly because non-Estonians have become notably more critical of the issue. Their support has fallen from 36 percent to 23 percent, while support from Estonians has increased from 56 percent to 59 percent. In a related poll, 81 percent of respondents said they were in favor of Estonia’s EU membership.

The state of Estonia’s coastal sea and lakes is not good: out of 16 coastal areas, just 4 are in a good state and the state of 40 percent of lakes is considered poor or bad, shows the publication “Estonian environmental state indicators 2009,” reports LETA. “In many cases the situation has emerged that nothing can be done to improve the state of a lake,” said environment ministry water department chief specialist Rene Reisner. “The general problem is eutrophication, or ageing of a waterbody.” While most of the lakes are in a good state, the state of the coastal sea is good only in Laanemaa and Saaremaa counties and Vainameri sea region. According to the publication, the state of Estonian rivers and brooks has improved, being generally good or very good. Environment ministry water bureau chief specialist Peeter Ennet said that a lot of investments have been made in building water purification plants, and pollution from industry has fallen as industrial volumes have fallen in the economic crisis.