The essential problem of the environment is the accumulation of oxygen-producing matter. This is related to soil fertility and the carbon cycle. If we don't add nutrients to the soil, it won't be fertile enough. The situation in the forests is not as bad as it is often made out to be. Though it is correct to say that 80 percent of trees are affected in one way or another, the level of trees seriously affected is under 4 percent.
Air pollution determines the state of health of our forests.
Toxic emissions have been greatly reduced in recent years. Controls at the production stage are partly responsible for this, but most important is the introduction of new technology to eliminate certain pollutants. But these are problems best left to other ministries to deal with. On the other hand, the change in climate in recent years is having an effect we now have unusually warm, dry summers. Slovakia is a sort of European watershed.