Poland is a country rich with natural resources and is currently a large producer in this area globally. However, in order to keep these resources environmentally conscious and plentiful, Poland must work now to protect them. Poland's largest natural resources are coal, sulfur, cooper, natural gas, silver, lead, salt and amber. Currently, Poland's coal mining industry employs 100,000 people in their country. 93% of Poland's electricity comes from coal fired power plants. Historically, Poland has been a center for coal mining for the last 300 years. Workers in coal mines were considered to be a landmark in the Polish economy. However, in joining the EU, Poland faces a need to meet environmental standards.In order to meet EU demands, Poland agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% in 2015. In order to do this, Poland must cut back on greenhouse gas emission for coal-mining factories.
In December of 2002, Poland officials worked to provide incentive in the decrease of coal mining employees. As part of this plan, the Polish government offers early retirement for coal mine workers. In addition, the government is offering grants for current workers to study in other areas of industry. Polish citizens are resistant to this change, seeing coal mining as a historical form of industry. Protests have been formed but have not proved to make an impact on the government's decision. Alternate sources of power, such as environment-friendly gasoline, are being investigated by the Polish government to replace the coal mining industry. Developments in these areas will allow for Poland to protect its environment and economy.
BBC Video on Coal Mining in Poland
BBC Video on Coal Mining in Poland
BBC Article on Poland's coal industry
2. Rising Unemployment Rates in Poland
A current issue facing Poland is their rising unemployment rates, specifically of the younger population. In January of 2012, Warsaw Business Journal published an article detailing Poland's rise in unemployment rates. It states that Poland's unemployment reached 12.5%. This number of Poland citizens without jobs reached 1.98 million people by the end of 2011. While unemployment rates are still much lower then form 2000-2006, there has been a growing increase in the last couple years.
Figure 1: The chart above shows the percentage of population that are unemployed in Poland.
3. Rise in Divorce Rates
Within the past 10 years, Poland has seen a large increase in the number of divorces. This is a problem for the population in terms of the sanity of marriage and the number of children produced in marriage. With a fertility rates below replacement level, Poland is in need of a rise in fertility rates to stop the decrease of their population. Divorce decreases the number of reproductive age women who are sexually active, resulting in lower fertility rates. From 1994-2004, Poland has seen a growing increase of about 1% per year in divorce rates.
The video above looks at divorce rates in 2010 in Poland.
4. Need for improvement in Poland's health care system
In relation to other European countries, Poland has a health care system that is below par. Poland has a universal health care system where health care is available to all citizens. However, Poland has long wait times for patients to be able to see physicians. In the same respect, they have little access to most up-to-date drugs. Poland ranked 27 out of 34 countries in medical services in the recent Euro Health Consumer Index. Since the last publication of this document in 2009, Poland has not improved any.
Poland's Rank in EHI
5. Rising Food Prices
Throughout the last decade, Poland has been seeing an increase in prices of food. This number only set to increase according to the Polish Federation of Food Industry.It is projected that in 2012, food prices in Poland will raise another 6%. In the EU, Poland has third highest food price inflation.Prices of fruit since December 2011 have increased by 24.3%.
2. Rising Unemployment Rates in Poland
A current issue facing Poland is their rising unemployment rates, specifically of the younger population. In January of 2012, Warsaw Business Journal published an article detailing Poland's rise in unemployment rates. It states that Poland's unemployment reached 12.5%. This number of Poland citizens without jobs reached 1.98 million people by the end of 2011. While unemployment rates are still much lower then form 2000-2006, there has been a growing increase in the last couple years.
Figure 1: The chart above shows the percentage of population that are unemployed in Poland.
3. Rise in Divorce Rates
Within the past 10 years, Poland has seen a large increase in the number of divorces. This is a problem for the population in terms of the sanity of marriage and the number of children produced in marriage. With a fertility rates below replacement level, Poland is in need of a rise in fertility rates to stop the decrease of their population. Divorce decreases the number of reproductive age women who are sexually active, resulting in lower fertility rates. From 1994-2004, Poland has seen a growing increase of about 1% per year in divorce rates.
The video above looks at divorce rates in 2010 in Poland.
4. Need for improvement in Poland's health care system
In relation to other European countries, Poland has a health care system that is below par. Poland has a universal health care system where health care is available to all citizens. However, Poland has long wait times for patients to be able to see physicians. In the same respect, they have little access to most up-to-date drugs. Poland ranked 27 out of 34 countries in medical services in the recent Euro Health Consumer Index. Since the last publication of this document in 2009, Poland has not improved any.
Poland's Rank in EHI
5. Rising Food Prices
Throughout the last decade, Poland has been seeing an increase in prices of food. This number only set to increase according to the Polish Federation of Food Industry.It is projected that in 2012, food prices in Poland will raise another 6%. In the EU, Poland has third highest food price inflation.Prices of fruit since December 2011 have increased by 24.3%.
Wowwwww,only one comment,keep up the progress and the good work ;) ;I
ReplyDeleteWow, 7 years after a comment keep up the good work
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