A great deal of economic inequality between Eastern and Western Europe exists today.  The west tends to be much wealthier, while the east has a more average income level and an economy focusing on heavy industry and agriculture.

Europe is heavily industrialized in all regions of the continent.

Western Europe uses considerably more energy on a per capita basis than does Eastern Europe.  However, the west has also developed significantly more energy-efficient industrial processes, meaning its waste of energy is lower.  Both areas pollute, and the levels of their emissions are both high.

With the change to market economies in Eastern Europe, a general lack of knowledge and expertise in the environmental field developed.  Emerging businesses seldom had environmental experts to guide them in avoiding harmful activities.

Agriculture varies in its importance to European economies, with many of the wealthier nations less involved in agricultural work.  In Europe, farmers often use large amounts of chemicals in their work, causing harmful contamination of the environment.

The transportation industry has been growing rapidly since the 1970s, with potentially harmful environmental effects.  Both road and air transportation systems are causing increasingly greater amounts of pollution.

Tourism has been another growth industry for Europe, as 60% of all the world's tourists now head for Europe.  380 million people from outside Europe are expected to visit the continent every year.

Unfortunately, tourism has had some harmful environmental effects.   For example, tourist facilities in coastal areas have required the destruction of some natural habitats.  However, the economic benefits and increased public awareness associated with tourism have been helpful in fighting environmental degradation.