stockpiles have increased global security. While is-
sues of rogue sale, or theft, of weapons materials are
not so prominent today, concerns and rumors contin-
ue, including an ongoing worry that experts might go
to other states or join militant non-state groups.
Aside from issues related to weapons manage-
ment/disposal, it is disappointing how little infor-
mation is available on the formidable range of envi-
ronmental issues in Russia. A wealth of information
appeared in the 1990’s. In the early 2000s, there was
still news about debate of environmental protection
issues of national significance, such as discussion of
ratifying the Kyoto protocol, criminal proceedings
against an environmental polluter, government inter-
est in resettling people exposed to nuclear contami-
nation, and rehabilitating territories contaminated
by Soviet nuclear facilities (Yabloko Party 2003). The
little environmental news available in Russian sourc-
es comes primarily from the Green movement. The
Green movement remains a small network. The envi-
ronmental causes publicized by the Green movement
typically relate to specific local or regional issues in-
volving abuse, misappropriation or poaching by the
powerful in a specific area, rather than system-wide
policies.
One finds little data or analysis relating to national
environmental issues or significant cleanup activities.
Data the Russian government produces varies in qual-
ity, methodological consistency and completeness;
some important data are restricted and not released.
One study concluded the Russian government impos-
es “significant logistical and political constraints” to
the pursuit of scientific research and to its broad dis-
semination (Henry and Douhovnikoff 2008, 443, 445-
48). Pollution sources continue to exceed health lim-
sharon
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