Air Pollution in Slovenia in Socialist Yugoslavia

Abstract

After World War II Slovenia was characterized by severe air pollution. Although it experienced rapid industrial-, and economic growth until the mid-1970s, with a focus on heavy industry especially in the first decade of the postwar era, air pollution was distributed unevenly, and pollution levels varied greatly from place to place. This paper argues that Slovenia‘s geographical characteristics and location played an important role in the large difference of air pollution levels. Other important factors that influenced air pollution were a growing societal awareness of environmental issues and government response to tackle emerging environmental problems. The main purpose of the paper is therefore to analyze influencing factors of air pollution and its harmful impact on humans and the environment in Slovenia and also within a broader Yugoslav-, and international context.