Major global environmental problems are caused. Problems of nature - common problems of man and the Earth

08/16/2017 article

The expression "global ecological problems is familiar to everyone, but far from always we are aware of how serious the semantic load it carries.

Global means worldwide, total, embracing the entire planet. That is, the problems in question are directly related to each of us, and it is difficult to imagine their consequences.

Planetary climate change

Such a problem of mankind as global warming is closely connected with the strengthening of the greenhouse effect - these two concepts are practically inseparable. The optical properties of the atmosphere are in many ways similar to the properties of glass: by letting in sunlight, it allows the surface of the Earth to heat up, but its opacity to infrared radiation serves as an obstacle to the escape of rays emitted by the heated surface into space. The accumulated heat leads to an increase in the temperature in the lower layers of the atmosphere, called global warming. The consequences are very sad - unable to withstand high temperature, Arctic ice begins to melt, raising ocean levels. In addition to the melting of ice, warming entails a number of other changes that are detrimental to our planet:

more frequent floods;
increase in populations of harmful insects - carriers of deadly dangerous diseases― and their spread to countries with a previously cool climate;
hurricanes - the consequences of an increase in the temperature of ocean waters;
drying up of rivers and lakes, reduction of drinking water reserves in lands with an arid climate;
intensification of volcanic activity associated with the melting of mountain glaciers and the subsequent erosion of rocks;
an increase in the amount of plankton in the ocean, leading to an increase in the release carbon dioxide in atmosphere;
reduction in the diversity of biological species on Earth: according to scientists, the number of plant and animal species as a result of droughts threatens to decrease by about 30%;
numerous forest fires caused by global warming.

There are several causes of global warming, and not all of them are anthropogenic. For example, in the case of volcanic activity, we are dealing with a vicious circle: a volcanic eruption leads to the release of carbon dioxide and a violation of the protective ozone layer, which in turn causes new eruptions. There is a theory according to which it was this circular dependence that led the planet to the alternation of glacial and interglacial periods, the duration of each of which is approximately one hundred thousand years.

The second most popular theory related to the climate future of the planet is the theory of "global cooling" Ecocosm

The very fact of an increase in average temperatures over the past 100 years is not denied by anyone, but the reasons for these changes and forecasts may be different. The theory of global warming also has its weaknesses. This is also a short period of time on the basis of which conclusions are drawn about climate change. After all, the history of our planet has about 4.5 billion years, during which time the climate of the planet has changed a huge number of times without human intervention. It also completely ignores other greenhouse gases such as methane or even water vapor. And the most important statement of the theory of global warming - carbon dioxide of anthropogenic origin causes an increase in temperature on the entire planet, can be questioned. After all, an increase in global temperatures caused by a non-anthropogenic factor can lead to an increase in biomass in the ocean, which, in the process of photosynthesis, begins to produce more carbon dioxide.

In modern science, there is another view of global warming. The second most popular theory related to the planet's climate future is the cyclical or "global cooling" theory. She says that there is nothing extraordinary in the current processes climate change no. These are just climatic cycles. And we really need to wait not for warming, but for a new ice age.

This theory is confirmed by the Institute of Geography of the Russian Academy of Sciences based on an analysis of the Earth's climate over the past 250 thousand years. The data obtained during the drilling of ice over Lake Vostok in Antarctica indicate that the Earth's climate is changing regularly, cyclically. The main reasons for these cycles are cosmic (changes in the angle of the earth's axis, changes in the plane of the ecliptic, etc.) And now we are living in the interglacial period, which has been going on for about 10,000 years. But it's too early to rejoice, because it must certainly be replaced by a new ice age. During the last one, which ended only 8000-10000 BP, the ice sheet over Moscow was several hundred meters. This theory suggests that a new glacier should be expected in a few thousand years.

But we should not relax, whichever of these climate change theories turns out to be correct, in the near future we can see an increase in average temperature caused by anthropogenic activity. Even if the theory of cyclicity turns out to be correct, i.e., in a few thousand years we will face global cooling, the greenhouse effect caused by industrial carbon dioxide emissions will have an impact on the climate in the next 100 years. And until temperatures begin to drop dramatically as a result of cyclicality, we will experience all the negative consequences of global warming that scientists scare us with. Therefore, the idea of a distant global cooling cannot compensate for the catastrophic phenomena that we are already beginning to observe.

The relationship of this problem with a number of others indicates its serious scale.

Destruction of the ozone layer

The height of the ozone layer in different latitudes can vary from 15 - 20 km (in polar regions) to 25 - 30 (in tropical regions). This part of the stratosphere contains the largest amount of ozone, a gas formed by the interaction of solar ultraviolet radiation and oxygen atoms. The layer serves as a kind of filter that blocks ultraviolet radiation that causes skin cancer. Is it necessary to say how important the integrity of the precious layer is for the Earth and its inhabitants?

However, the evidence of experts regarding the state of the ozone layer is disappointing: in certain areas there is a significant decrease in the concentration of ozone in the stratosphere, leading to the formation of ozone holes. One of the largest holes was discovered in 1985 over Antarctica. Even earlier, in the early 80s, the same site, although smaller in area, was seen in the Arctic region.

Causes and consequences of the appearance of ozone holes

Until recently, it was believed that the ozone layer is significantly affected during aircraft flights and spaceships. However, to date, in the course of numerous studies, it has been proven that the work of transport has only a minor impact on the state of the ozone layer in comparison with other causes:

natural processes that do not depend on human activity (for example, a lack of ultraviolet radiation in winter);
human activity leading to the reaction of ozone molecules with substances that destroy them (bromine, chlorine, etc.), which, however, does not currently have sufficient practical evidence

Ozone can have not only the form of a blue gas, but also be in a liquid or solid state - respectively, acquiring a shade of indigo or blue-black.

If the entire ozone layer of the Earth took the form of a solid, its thickness would be no more than 2-3 mm Ecocosm

It is easy to imagine how fragile and vulnerable this shell that protects the planet from sizzling ultraviolet radiation.

Reducing the thickness of the ozone layer can cause irreparable harm to all life on Earth. Ultraviolet rays can not only cause skin cancer in humans, but also cause the death of marine plankton - an important link in the food chain of any marine ecosystem, the violation of which is ultimately fraught with starvation for the human race. The impoverishment of food sources for many peoples can turn into bloody wars for fertile territories, as has happened more than once throughout the history of mankind.

Depletion of sources fresh water and their pollution

Despite the fact that more than 70% of the Earth's surface is covered with water, only 2.5% of it is fresh, and only 30% of the Earth's population is fully provided with water suitable for consumption. At the same time, surface water, the main renewable source, is gradually depleted over time.

Bad water and the diseases it carries kill 25 million people every year Ecocosm

If in the 70s of the XX century the available annual amount of water per person was 11 thousand cubic meters, then by the end of the century this number had decreased to 6.5 thousand. However, these are average figures. There are nations on earth whose water supply is 1-2 thousand cubic meters of water per capita per year ( South Africa), while in other regions this amount is equal to 100 thousand cubic meters.

Why is this happening?

Along with an acute shortage of fresh water, existing resources are far from always suitable for using them without jeopardizing the health of Ecocosm

The primary reason that the water in the rivers turned into a poisonous slurry is, of course, human activity. Of the three sources of pollution - industrial, agricultural and household - the first occupies a leading position in terms of volumes. harmful emissions into rivers and lakes. Water polluted by industrial enterprises is very difficult to treat.

Fertilizers and pesticides used in agriculture tend to accumulate in the soil, inevitably polluting surface water. A significant contribution to the increase in the concentration of harmful substances in water is made by wastewater from urban areas, garbage and exhaust gases.

Soil pollution and depletion, desertification

Irrational use natural resources, in particular soil, often leads to their depletion. Overgrazing, over-plowing and fertilization, and deforestation are short and sure paths to soil degradation and desertification. Forest fires also cause great harm, most often the result of the irresponsible behavior of lovers of romance. In the dry summer period, it is not even necessary to leave the fire unattended for a fire to break out - just one spark, picked up by the wind, is enough to get into the thick of dry needles on an old pine.

The scorched territories for a long time turn into bare wastelands, unsuitable for the small number of animals that were lucky enough to survive in the flames of the fire. Subject to erosion by strong winds and heavy rains, these lands become lifeless and useless.

Clay, silt and sand are the three main constituents of soil. Deprived of vegetation, the surface of the earth ceases to be protected and reliably fortified by roots. Rains quickly wash away the silt, leaving instead only sand and clay, which have minimal relation to soil fertility - and the desertification mechanism is launched.

Incorrect human agricultural activities, as well as industrial enterprises that pollute the soil with wastewater containing compounds hazardous to health, cause no less harm to land resources.

Atmospheric pollution

Emissions of chemical compounds into the atmosphere as a result of activities industrial enterprises contributes to the concentration of uncharacteristic substances in it - sulfur, nitrogen and others chemical elements. As a result, there are qualitative changes not only the air itself: the decrease in the pH value in precipitation, which occurs due to the presence of these substances in the atmosphere, leads to the formation of acid rain.

Acid precipitation can cause great harm not only to living organisms, but also to objects made of durable materials - cars, buildings and world heritage sites often become their victims. Rains with a low pH level contribute to the ingress of toxic compounds into underground springs by poisoning the water.

Household waste

Domestic waste, simply called garbage, is a danger to humanity no less than all other environmental problems. Volumes of old packages and used plastic bottles are so great that, if we do not get rid of them, in the next couple of years, humanity will drown in a continuous stream of its own garbage.

Most landfills make room for new waste by burning the old. At the same time, plastic emits toxic smoke into the atmosphere, which returns to the earth as part of acid rain. Burials of plastic are no less harmful: decomposing over millennia, this material will slowly but surely poison the soil with toxic emissions.

In addition to plastic containers, humanity "thanks" nature for its gifts and such things as mountains of discarded plastic bags, batteries, broken glass and rubber items.

Reduction of the gene pool of the biosphere

It would be strange to assume that all of the above problems will in no way affect the abundance and diversity of living organisms on Earth. The strong interconnection between ecosystems contributes to serious disturbances within each of them, provided that at least one link falls out of the food chain.

The average lifespan of each species is 1.5 - 2 million years - after its extinction, new ones appear. Ecocosm

The average lifespan of each species is 1.5 - 2 million years - after its disappearance, new ones appear. So it was before modern civilization made its own adjustments to this process. Today, the species diversity of the planet is reduced by 150-200 species every year, which leads to an inevitable ecological catastrophe.

The reduction in the habitat area of many animals contributes to the impoverishment of species diversity to a special extent. Only the areas of tropical forests have decreased by 50% over the past 200 years - growing cities are gradually crowding out their inhabitants from the planet, depriving them of shelter and food sources.

What we can do?

It's time for each of us to ask this question, since nature's resources are not unlimited.

An ordinary person cannot stop the work of an industrial enterprise that pours wastewater into the river. We cannot refuse to use transport. However, everyone can train themselves to do a few simple and useful things that do not require much time, but give tangible results.

Waste sorting

This step is not at all a call to dig in the trash can, sorting through the waste. Easy enough to fold plastic bottles and paper separately from the rest of the garbage, so that they can then be lowered into specially designed containers. Glass, on the other hand, would be most reasonable to hand over to a glass container collection point - it will be used as a recyclable material.

Proper disposal of household items

Many things, such as thermometers, batteries, energy-saving lamps or computer monitors, should not be thrown away with the rest of the garbage, as they are sources of toxic substances that poison the soil when they enter it. Such things should be handed over to special collection points, where they are disposed of, observing all safety rules.

For everyone who does not yet know where the nearest collection point for obsolete thermometers or batteries is located, enthusiasts have created special maps on which all points in every city in Russia or any other country are marked. Only a small thing is left for you - to find the right point and hand over dangerous trash to specialists, saving the life of more than one living creature.

Refusal of plastic bags and containers

Giving up plastic bags is not only healthy, but also very stylish. V last years in European countries, the popularity of plastic bags has significantly decreased, giving way to original bags made of environmentally friendly materials. Such a thing will help protect not only nature, but also the owner’s budget - if it gets dirty, you don’t need to throw it away to buy a new one: linen bags can be washed many times.

Humanity has a power on this planet that can cause great damage to it. Ecocosm

The same goes for plastic water containers: it's time to ditch the countless bottles, bottles and bottles. Today, residents of almost any city have the opportunity to order home delivery of water in 20-liter reusable containers, which the company's employees are ready to replace at the first call of the client.

Humanity has a power on this planet that can cause great damage to it. But are we able to turn our power and knowledge for good, and not for harm?

Perhaps, this is worth thinking about for everyone who claims to be a representative of a reasonable race.

Planets are a real scourge of the 21st century. Also, many think about the issue of preserving and restoring the environment. After all, otherwise future generations will get only a lifeless surface.

No man is an island!

It is likely that at least once in a lifetime each of us asked ourselves the question: "What environmental problems of the planet exist at the present time and what can I do to solve them?" It would seem, indeed, that only one person can? Nevertheless, each of us is capable of much. First, begin to "look after" the environment on your own. For example, throwing garbage into strictly designated containers, and it will not be superfluous to also pay attention to the separation of waste into specific materials (glass in one tank, and plastic in another). In addition, you can regulate and gradually reduce the consumption of both electricity and other resources (water, gas) necessary for your comfortable living. In the event that you are a driver and are faced with the choice of a suitable vehicle, then you should pay attention to cars that have a low content of harmful compounds in exhaust gases. It will also be right - both for you and for the whole planet - a small engine size installed in the selected car model. And, as a result, reduced fuel consumption. With such simple and accessible activities for everyone, we can solve the environmental problems of the planet.

Let's help the whole world

Despite everything described earlier, you will not be left alone in this struggle. As a rule, the policy of many modern states is aimed at the well-known environmental problems of the planet and, of course, ways to solve them. In addition, there is an active propaganda program, the purpose of which is to limit and exterminate rare representatives of flora and fauna. Nevertheless, such a policy of world powers is quite purposeful and allows you to create conditions for the normal life of the population, which at the same time do not violate natural ecosystems.

Environmental problems of the planet: list

Modern scientists identify about a few dozen basic issues that require special attention. Such planets arise as a result of significant changes in the natural environment. And those, in turn, are the result of devastating natural disasters, as well as the ever-increasing environmental problems of the planet, it is quite easy to list. One of the first places is air pollution. Each of us knows from an early age that, due to the content of a certain percentage of oxygen in the air space of the planet, we are able to exist normally. However, every day we not only consume oxygen, but also exhale carbon dioxide. But there are still plants and factories, cars and planes are traveling all over the world and knocking on the rails of the train. All of the above objects in the process of their work emit substances of a certain composition, which only aggravates the situation and increases the environmental problems of the planet Earth. Unfortunately, even despite the fact that modern production facilities are equipped with the latest developments in cleaning systems, the state of the airspace is gradually deteriorating.

Deforestation

Ever since the school biology course, we know that representatives of the plant world contribute to maintaining the balance of substances in the atmosphere. Thanks to natural processes, such as photosynthesis, the green spaces of the Earth not only purify the air of harmful impurities, but also gradually enrich it with oxygen. Thus, it is easy to conclude that the extermination of flora, in particular forests, only exacerbates the global environmental problems of the planet. Unfortunately, the economic activity of mankind leads to the fact that felling is carried out on an especially large scale, but the replenishment of green spaces is often not carried out.

Reducing fertile land

Similar ecological problems of the planet arise as a result of the previously mentioned deforestation. In addition, the misuse of various agricultural techniques and improper farming also leads to the depletion of the fertile layer. And pesticides and other chemical fertilizers for many years poison not only the soil, but also all living organisms that are interconnected with it. But, as you know, the layers fertile land recover much more slowly than forested areas. It will take more than one century to fully replace the lost land cover.

Reducing fresh water supplies

If you are asked: "What environmental problems of the planet are known?", you have the right to immediately recall the life-giving moisture. Indeed, in some regions there is already an acute shortage of this resource. And as time goes on, this situation will only get worse. Therefore, the above topic can be considered one of the most important in the list of "Ecological problems of the planet". Examples of misuse of water can be found everywhere. Starting from the pollution of lakes and rivers by all kinds of industrial enterprises and ending with the irrational consumption of resources at the household level. In this regard, already at the present time, many natural reservoirs are closed areas for swimming. However, the environmental problems of the planet do not end there. The list can be continued with the next paragraph.

Extermination of flora and fauna

Scientists have calculated that in modern world every hour, one representative of the animal or plant world of the planet dies. At the same time, it is important to remember that not only poachers are involved in such actions, but also ordinary people who consider themselves respectable citizens of their country. Every day, mankind conquers more and more new territories both for the construction of their own housing and for agricultural and industrial needs. And animals have to move to new lands or die, remaining to live in an ecosystem destroyed by anthropogenic factors. Among other things, it must be remembered that all of the above factors also adversely affect the state of flora and fauna, both present and future. For example, pollution of water bodies, destruction of forests, etc., entails the disappearance of the diversity of the animal and plant world that our ancestors used to see. Even over the last hundred years, the species abundance has significantly decreased under direct or indirect impact anthropogenic factor.

Earth's protective shell

If the question arises: "What environmental problems of the planet are currently known?", then holes in the ozone layer are easily remembered. Modern human economic activity involves the release of special substances that cause thinning of the Earth's protective shell. Consequently, the formation of new so-called "holes", as well as an increase in the area of existing ones. Many people know this problem, but not everyone understands how all this can turn out. And it leads to the fact that dangerous solar radiation reaches the Earth's surface, which negatively affects all living organisms.

desertification

The global environmental problems presented earlier are causing the development of a severe catastrophe. It's about desertification. As a result of improper agriculture, as well as pollution of water resources and deforestation, there is a gradual weathering of the fertile layer, drainage of soils and other negative consequences, under the influence of which the land cover becomes unsuitable not only for further use for economic purposes, but also for living. people.

Reduction of mineral reserves

A similar topic is also present in the list "Ecological problems of the planet." It is quite easy to list the currently used resources. These are oil, coal of various varieties, peat, gas and other organic components of the solid shell of the Earth. According to scientists, in the next hundred years, mineral reserves will come to an end. In this regard, humanity has begun to actively introduce technologies that work on renewable resources, such as wind, solar, and others. However, the use of alternative sources is still quite small compared to more familiar and traditional ones. In connection with this state of affairs, modern governments of countries are conducting various incentive programs that contribute to a deeper introduction of alternative energy sources both in industry and in the everyday life of ordinary citizens.

overpopulation

Over the past century, a significant increase in the number of people has been observed on the globe. In particular, over a period of just 40 years, the world's population has doubled - from three to six billion people. According to scientists, by 2040 this number will reach nine billion, which, in turn, will lead to a particularly acute shortage of food, water and energy resources. The number of people living in poverty will increase significantly. There will be an increase in deadly diseases.

Municipal solid waste

In the modern world, a person daily produces several kilograms of garbage - these are cans from canned food and drinks, and polyethylene, and glass, and other waste. Unfortunately, at present, their secondary use is carried out only in countries with a highly developed standard of living. In all others, such household waste is taken to landfills, the territory of which often occupies vast areas. In countries with a low standard of living, heaps of garbage can lie right on the streets. This not only contributes to soil and water pollution, but also increases the growth of disease-causing bacteria, which in turn leads to widespread acute and sometimes fatal diseases. It should be noted that even the Earth's atmosphere is filled with tons of debris left after the launch of research probes, satellites and spacecraft into the vastness of the Universe. And since get rid of all these traces human activity naturally quite difficult, it is necessary to develop effective methods solid waste processing. Many modern states are implementing national programs that promote the spread of easily recyclable materials.

Ecological problem is one of the global problems of our time. It is closely related to issues of resource scarcity. environmental safety and ecological crisis. One of the ways to solve the environmental problem is the path of "sustainable development", proposed as the main alternative to the development of human civilization.

Global environmental issues

Scientific and technological progress has set before mankind a number of new, very difficult problems with which it had not previously encountered at all, or the problems were not so large-scale. Among them, a special place is occupied by the relationship between man and the environment. In the 20th century, nature was under pressure due to a 4-fold increase in population and an 18-fold increase in world production. Scientists say that from about the 1960s and 70s. changes in the environment under the influence of man have become global, i.e. affecting all countries of the world without exception, so they began to be called global. Among them, the most relevant are:

Earth's climate change;
air pollution;
destruction of the ozone layer;
depletion of fresh water and pollution of the oceans;
land pollution, destruction of soil cover;
depletion of biological diversity, etc.

Environmental changes in the 1970s-90s and forecast for

2030 are reflected in table. one. General Secretary UN Kofi Annan at the meeting of heads of state and government of UN member states (September 2000) presented the report "We the peoples: the role of the United Nations in the XXI century". The report looks at the priority policy areas facing humanity in the new millennium and emphasizes that "the challenge of securing an environmentally sustainable future for future generations will be one of the most challenging."

Table 1. Environmental changes and expected trends up to 2030

Characteristic	Trend 1970-1990	Scenario 2030
Shrinkage of natural ecosystems	Reducing at a rate of 0.5-1.0% per year on land; by the early 1990s. about 40% of them survived	Continued trend, approaching near-total elimination on land
Consumption of primary biological products	Consumption growth: 40% land-based, 25% global (1985 est.)	Consumption growth: 80-85% onshore, 50-60% global
Change in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere	Growth in greenhouse gas concentrations from tenths of a percent to a few percent annually	Growth in concentration, acceleration of growth in the concentration of CO, and CH 4 due to accelerated destruction of biota
Depletion of the ozone layer, the growth of the ozone hole over Antarctica	Depletion of 1-2% per year of the ozone layer, an increase in the area of ozone holes	Continued trend even if CFC emissions are phased out by the year 2000
Reduction in forest area, especially tropical	Reduction at a rate from 117 (1980) to 180 ± 20 thousand km 2 (1989) per year; reforestation refers to deforestation as 1:10	Continuing the trend, reducing the area of forests in the tropics from 18 (1990) to 9-11 million km 2, reducing the area of forests in the temperate zone
desertification	Expansion of the area of deserts (60 thousand km 2 per year), growth of technogenic desertification. toxic deserts	The trend will continue, growth rates are possible due to a decrease in moisture turnover on land and the accumulation of pollutants in soils
land degradation	Increased erosion (24 billion tons annually), reduced fertility, accumulation of pollutants, acidification, salinization	Continued trend, increased erosion and pollution, reduced agricultural land per capita
Ocean level rise	Ocean level rise by 1-2 mm per year	Maintaining the trend, it is possible to accelerate the rise in the level up to 7 mm per year
Natural disasters, man-made accidents	Growth in number by 5-7%, increase in damage by 5-10%, increase in the number of victims by 6-12% per year	Maintaining and strengthening trends
Extinction of species	Rapid extinction of species	Increasing trend towards the destruction of the biosphere
Qualitative depletion of land waters	Growth in the volume of wastewater, point and area sources of pollution, the number of pollutants and their concentration	Maintaining and increasing trends
Accumulation of pollutants in media and organisms, migration in trophic chains	Growth in the mass and number of pollutants accumulated in media and organisms, growth in the radioactivity of the environment, “chemical bombs”	Persistence of trends and their possible strengthening
Deterioration of the quality of life, the growth of diseases associated with environmental pollution (including genetic ones), the emergence of new diseases	Increasing poverty, food shortages, high infant mortality, high morbidity, insecurity of clean drinking water v developing countries; increase in genetic diseases, high accident rate, increase in drug consumption, increase in allergic diseases in developed countries; AIDS pandemic in the world, lowering of the immune status	Continuing trends, growing food shortages, growing diseases associated with environmental disturbances (including genetic ones), expanding the territory of infectious diseases, the emergence of new diseases

Environmental problem

Environment (natural environment, natural environment) called that part of nature with which human society directly interacts in its life and economic activity.

Although the second half of the 20th century This is a time of unprecedented rates of economic growth, however, to an ever greater extent, it will be carried out without proper consideration of the possibilities of the natural environment, permissible economic burdens on it. As a result, the degradation of the natural environment occurs.

Irrational nature management

Deforestation and depletion of land resources can be cited as an example of environmental degradation as a result of unsustainable nature management. The process of deforestation is expressed in the reduction of the area under natural vegetation, and primarily forest. According to some estimates, at the time of the emergence of agriculture and animal husbandry, 62 million km 2 of land were covered with forests, and taking into account shrubs and copses - 75 million km 2, or 56% of its entire surface. As a result of the deforestation that has been going on for 10 thousand years, their area has decreased to 40 million km 2, and the average forest cover to 30%. Today, deforestation continues at an ever faster pace: about 100 thousand hectares are destroyed annually. km 2. Forest areas are disappearing as the plowing of land and pastures expands, and timber harvesting grows. A particularly threatening situation has developed in the tropical forest zone, primarily in countries such as Brazil and the Philippines. Indonesia, Thailand.

As a result of soil degradation processes, about 7 million hectares of fertile lands are annually withdrawn from the world agricultural turnover. The main reasons for this process are growing urbanization, water and wind erosion, as well as chemical (contamination with heavy metals, chemical compounds) and physical (destruction of the soil cover during mining, construction and other works) degradation. The process of soil degradation is especially intense in drylands, which occupy about 6 million km 2 and are most characteristic of Asia and Africa. The main areas of desertification are also located within the arid lands, where, due to the high growth rates of the rural population, overgrazing, deforestation and irrational irrigated agriculture lead to anthropogenic desertification (60 thousand km 2 annually).

Pollution of the natural environment with waste

Another reason for the degradation of the natural environment is its pollution with waste from industrial and non-industrial human activities. These wastes are divided into solid, liquid and gaseous.

The following calculations are indicative. Currently, on average, about 20 tons of raw materials are mined and grown annually per inhabitant of the Earth. At the same time, 50 km 3 of fossil rocks (more than 1000 billion tons) are extracted from the subsoil alone, which, using an energy capacity of 2500 W and 800 tons of water, are converted into 2 tons of the final product, of which 50% is immediately thrown away, the rest goes to the deposited waste.

The structure of solid waste is dominated by industrial and mining waste. In general and per capita, they are especially high in Russia and the USA. Japan. The per capita indicator of municipal solid waste is dominated by the United States, where 800 kg of garbage per inhabitant per year (400 kg per inhabitant of Moscow).

Liquid waste pollutes primarily the hydrosphere, with sewage and oil being the main pollutants here. The total volume of wastewater at the beginning of the XXI century. amounted to about 1860 km 3. To dilute a unit volume of polluted wastewater to a level acceptable for use, an average of 10 to 100 and even 200 units is required. clean water. Asia, North America and Europe account for about 90% of the world's wastewater discharges.

As a result, degradation aquatic environment has now become global. Approximately 1.3 billion people use only polluted water in their homes, and 2.5 billion experience a chronic lack of fresh water, which is the cause of many epidemic diseases. Due to the pollution of rivers and seas, fishing opportunities are reduced.

Of great concern is the pollution of the atmosphere with dusty and gaseous wastes, the emissions of which are directly related to the combustion of mineral fuels and biomass, as well as from mining, construction and other earthworks(2/3 of all emissions come from the developed countries of the West, including the USA - 120 million tons). Examples of major pollutants are typically particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide. Every year, about 60 million tons of particulate matter are emitted into the Earth's atmosphere, which contribute to the formation of smog and reduce the transparency of the atmosphere. Sulfur dioxide (100 million tons) and nitrogen oxides (about 70 million tons) are the main sources of acid rain. A large-scale and dangerous aspect of the ecological crisis is the impact on the lower layers of the atmosphere of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide and methane. Carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere mainly as a result of the combustion of mineral fuels (2/3 of all inputs). The sources of methane emissions into the atmosphere are biomass combustion, some types of agricultural production, gas leakage from oil and gas wells. The international community has decided to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 20% by 2005 and by 50% by the middle of the 21st century. In the developed countries of the world, relevant laws and regulations have been adopted for this (for example, a special tax on carbon dioxide emissions).

The impoverishment of the gene pool

One aspect of the environmental problem is the reduction of biological diversity. The biological diversity of the Earth is estimated at 10-20 million species, including in the territory former USSR-10-12% of the total. The damage in this area is already quite tangible. This is due to the destruction of the habitat of plants and animals, the overexploitation of agricultural resources, environmental pollution. According to American scientists, over the past 200 years, about 900 thousand species of plants and animals have disappeared on Earth. In the second half of the XX century. the process of reducing the gene pool has accelerated sharply, and if the existing trends continue over the last quarter of a century, the extinction of 1/5 of all species that now inhabit our planet is possible.

Ecological situation in Russia at the beginning of the XXI century.

The ecological situation in our country is determined by two factors: a decrease in environmental protection costs, on the one hand, and a smaller scale of economic activity than before, on the other.

For example, in 2000, almost 21,000 enterprises with emissions into the atmosphere operated in Russia. These emissions (including cars) amounted to more than 85 million tons, of which almost 16 million were without any treatment. For comparison, in the USSR, emissions from stationary sources and road transport in the mid-1980s amounted to. 95 million tons, in Russia in the early 90s - about 60 million tons. The largest air pollutants in modern conditions are the Siberian and Ural federal districts. They accounted for about 54% of total emissions from stationary sources.

According to the State Water Cadastre, in 2000 the total water intake from natural objects will be 86 km 3 (of which more than 67 km 3 was used for household and drinking, industrial needs, irrigation and agricultural water supply). The total volume of discharges of polluted wastewater into surface waters exceeded 20 km3, of which 25% falls on the Central Federal District. In the USSR, this figure was 160 km 3, in Russia in the 90s. — 70 km 3 (40% of them untreated or insufficiently treated).

In 2000, more than 130 million tons of toxic waste were generated in Russia as a whole. Only 38% of the waste was fully used and neutralized. The largest number of them was formed in the Siberian Federal District (31% of the entire RF). If we talk about solid waste in general, then in the USSR about 15 billion tons of them were generated annually, in Russia in the early 90s. — 7 billion tons.

Thus, although in Russia in the 90s. due to the economic crisis, there was a sharp decrease in emissions of all types of waste, the subsequent economic growth leads to an increase in the volume of waste polluting the environment.

Environmental problems of the earth- these are critical environmental situations that are relevant for the entire planet, and their solution is possible only with the participation of all mankind.

It should be immediately noted that any environmental problems of the earth are closely related to other global world problems, they affect each other and the occurrence of one leads to the emergence or exacerbation of others.

1. Climate change

First of all, we are talking about global warming. It is this that has been worrying ecologists and ordinary people Worldwide.

The consequences of this problem are completely bleak: rising sea levels, a decrease in agricultural production, a shortage of fresh water (primarily for lands that are located north and south of the equator). One of the main causes of climate change is greenhouse gases.

Ecologists have suggested the following options solutions to this problem:

– reduction of carbon dioxide emissions

– switch to carbon-free fuels

– developing a more economical fuel strategy

2. Overpopulation of the planet

During the second half of the 20th century, the world's population grew from 3 to 6 billion. And according to existing forecasts, by 2040 this figure will reach the milestone of 9 billion people. This will lead to shortages of food, water and energy. The number of diseases will also increase.

3. Depletion of the ozone layer

This environmental problem leads to an increase in the influx of ultraviolet radiation to the Earth's surface. To date, the ozone layer over countries with a temperate climate has already decreased by 10%, which causes irreparable harm to human health, can cause skin cancer, vision problems. The depletion of the ozone layer can also harm agriculture, as many crops are damaged by excessive ultraviolet radiation.

4. Reduction of biodiversity

Due to intensive human activities, many animals and plants have disappeared from the face of the earth. And this trend continues. The main reasons for the reduction of biological diversity are considered to be loss of habitat, overexploitation of biological resources, environmental pollution, and the impact of biological species brought from other territories.

5. Pandemics

Recently, almost every year there are new dangerous diseases caused by previously unknown viruses and bacteria. What caused the centers of epidemics around the world.

6. Crisis of fresh water resources

About a third of people on earth suffer from lack of fresh water. At the moment, practically nothing is being done to conserve existing water sources. According to the UN, most cities around the world do not properly treat their wastewater. Because of this, nearby rivers and lakes are prone to pollution.

7. Widespread use of chemical and toxic substances, heavy metals

Over the past two centuries, mankind has been actively using chemical, toxic substances, heavy metals in industry, which causes great harm to the environment. An ecosystem polluted with toxic chemicals is very difficult to clean up, and in real life it is rarely done. Meanwhile, reducing the production of harmful compounds and minimizing their release is an important part of preserving the environment.

8. Deforestation

Deforestation around the world is proceeding at alarming rates. The first place in this environmental problem is occupied by Russia: in the period from 2000 to 2013, 36.5 million hectares of forest were cut down. This problem irreparably harms the vital habitat of many plants and animals and leads to the loss of biodiversity and the deterioration of important ecosystems, as well as an increase in the greenhouse effect due to a decrease in photosynthesis.

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The level of human impact on the environment depends primarily on the technical equipment of society. It was extremely small at the initial stages of human development. However, with the development of society, the growth of its productive forces, the situation begins to change dramatically. The 20th century is the century of scientific and technological progress. Associated with a qualitatively new relationship between science, engineering and technology, it colossally increases the possible and real scale of the impact of society on nature, poses a number of new, extremely acute problems for humanity, primarily environmental.
What is ecology? This term, first used in 1866 by the German biologist E. Haeckel (1834-1919), refers to the science of the relationship of living organisms with the environment. The scientist believed that the new science would deal only with the relationship of animals and plants with their environment. This term has firmly entered our lives in the 70s of the XX century. However, today we are actually talking about environmental problems as social ecology- a science that studies the problems of interaction between society and the environment.

Today ecological situation in the world can be characterized as close to critical. Among the global environmental problems are the following:

1. - the atmosphere in many places is polluted to the maximum permissible extent, and clean air becomes scarce;

2. - the ozone layer is partially broken, protecting from cosmic radiation harmful to all living things;

3. the forest cover has been largely destroyed;

4. - surface pollution and disfigurement of natural landscapes: on Earth it is impossible to find a single square meter of the surface, where there would be no elements artificially created by man.
thousands of species of plants and animals have been destroyed and continue to be destroyed;

5. - the world ocean is not only depleted as a result of the destruction of living organisms, but also ceases to be a regulator of natural processes

6. - the available stock of minerals is rapidly declining;

7. - extinction of animal and plant species

1Atmospheric pollution

Back in the early sixties, it was believed that atmospheric pollution is a local problem of large cities and industrial centers, but later it became clear that atmospheric pollutants can spread through the air over long distances, having an adverse effect on areas located at a considerable distance from the place of emission of these substances. । Thus, air pollution is a global phenomenon and international cooperation is needed to control it.

Table 1 Ten most dangerous pollutants of the biosphere


Carbon dioxide	Formed during the combustion of all types of fuel. An increase in its content in the atmosphere leads to an increase in its temperature, which is fraught with detrimental geochemical and environmental consequences.
carbon monoxide	Formed during incomplete combustion of fuel. Can disturb the heat balance of the upper atmosphere.
Sulphur dioxide	Contained in the smoke of industrial enterprises. Causes exacerbation of respiratory diseases, harms plants. Attacks limestone and some rocks.
nitrogen oxides	They create smog and cause respiratory diseases and bronchitis in newborns. Promotes overgrowth of aquatic vegetation.

	One of the dangerous pollutants food products, especially of marine origin. It accumulates in the body and has a harmful effect on the nervous system.
	added to gasoline. It acts on enzyme systems and metabolism in living cells.
	Leads to detrimental environmental consequences, causes the death of planktonic organisms, fish, seabirds and mammals.
DDT and other pesticides	Very toxic to crustaceans. They kill fish and organisms that serve as food for fish. Many are carcinogens.
radiation	In excess of permissible doses, it leads to malignant neoplasms and genetic mutations.

Among the mostcommon atmospheric pollutants include gases such as freons
। Greenhouse gases also include methane released into the atmosphere during the extraction of oil, gas, coal, as well as during the decay of organic residues, an increase in the number of cattle। Methane growth is 1.5% per year। This also includes such a compound as nitrous oxide, which enters the atmosphere as a result of the widespread use of nitrogen fertilizers in agriculture, as well as as a result of the combustion of carbon-containing fuels in combined heat and power plants। However, do not forget that despite the huge contribution of these gases to the "greenhouse effect", the main greenhouse gas on Earth is still water vapor। With this phenomenon, the heat received by the Earth does not spread into the atmosphere, but thanks to greenhouse gases remains near the Earth's surface, and only 20% of the total thermal radiation of the earth's surface irretrievably goes into space. Roughly speaking, greenhouse gases form a kind of glass cap over the surface of the planet.

In the future, this can lead to increased ice melting and an unpredictable rise in the level of the world ocean, to the flooding of part of the coast of the continents, the disappearance of a number of plant and animal species that are unable to adapt to new natural conditions of life. The phenomenon of the "greenhouse effect" is one of the main root causes of such an urgent problem as global warming।

2 Ozone holes

The ecological problem of the ozone layer is no less complex in scientific terms. As you know, life on Earth appeared only after the protective ozone layer of the planet was formed, covering it from cruel ultraviolet radiation. For many centuries, nothing foreshadowed trouble. However, in recent decades, intensive destruction of this layer has been noticed.

4 Desertification

Under the influence of living organisms, water and air on the surface layers of the lithosphere

gradually formed the most important ecosystem, thin and fragile - the soil, which is called the "skin of the Earth." It is the keeper of fertility and life. A handful of good soil contains millions of microorganisms that support fertility.
It takes a century to form a layer of soil with a thickness (thickness) of 1 centimeter. It can be lost in one field season. Geologists estimate that before people began to engage in agricultural activities, graze livestock and plow land, rivers annually carried about 9 billion tons of soil into the oceans. Now this amount is estimated at about 25 billion tons 2 .

Soil erosion - a purely local phenomenon - has now become universal. In the US, for example, about 44% of cultivated land is subject to erosion. Unique rich chernozems with 14–16% humus content (organic matter that determines soil fertility) disappeared in Russia, which were called the citadel of Russian agriculture. In Russia, the areas of the most fertile lands with a humus content of 10-13% have decreased by almost 5 times 2 .

A particularly difficult situation arises when not only the soil layer is demolished, but also the parent rock on which it develops. Then the threshold of irreversible destruction sets in, an anthropogenic (that is, man-made) desert arises.

One of the most formidable, global and fleeting processes of our time is the expansion of desertification, the fall and, in the most extreme cases, the complete destruction of the biological potential of the Earth, which leads to conditions similar to those of a natural desert.

Natural deserts and semi-deserts occupy more than 1/3 of the earth's surface. About 15% of the world's population lives on these lands. Deserts are natural formations that play a certain role in the overall ecological balance of the planet's landscapes.

As a result of human activity, by the last quarter of the 20th century, more than 9 million square kilometers of deserts appeared, and in total they already covered 43% of the total land area 2.

In the 1990s, desertification began to threaten 3.6 million hectares of drylands.

This represents 70% of the potentially productive drylands, or ¼ of the total land area, and this figure does not include the area of natural deserts. About 1/6 of the world's population suffers from this process 2 .

According to UN experts, the current loss of productive land will lead to the fact that by the end of the century the world may lose almost 1/3 of its arable land 2 . Such a loss, at a time of unprecedented population growth and increased food demand, could be truly disastrous.

5 Pollution of the hydrosphere

One of the most valuable resources of the Earth is the hydrosphere - oceans, seas, rivers, lakes, glaciers of the Arctic and Antarctic. There are 1385 million kilometers of water reserves on Earth and very little, only 25% of fresh water suitable for human life. And in spite of

these are people who are very crazy about this wealth and completely, randomly destroy it, polluting the water with various wastes. Mankind uses mainly fresh water for its needs. Their volume is slightly more than 2% of the hydrosphere, and the distribution of water resources across the globe is extremely uneven. In Europe and Asia, where 70% of the world's population lives, only 39% of river waters are concentrated. The total consumption of river waters is increasing from year to year in all regions of the world. It is known, for example, that since the beginning of the 21st century, fresh water consumption has increased 6 times, and in the next few decades it will increase by at least 1.5 times.

The lack of water is exacerbated by the deterioration of its quality. The waters used in industry, agriculture and everyday life are returned to water bodies in the form of poorly treated or generally untreated effluents. Thus, pollution of the hydrosphere occurs primarily as a result of the discharge into rivers, lakes and seas of industrial,

agricultural and domestic wastewater.
According to the calculations of scientists, soon 25,000 cubic kilometers of fresh water, or almost all of the actually available resources of such a runoff, may soon be required to dilute these very wastewaters. It is not difficult to guess that this, and not the growth of direct water intake, is the main reason for the aggravation of the problem of fresh water. It should be noted that wastewater containing mineral residues, human waste products enrich water bodies. nutrients, which in turn leads to the development of algae, and as a result to the waterlogging of the reservoir. Currently, many rivers are heavily polluted - the Rhine, Danube, Seine, Ohio, Volga, Dnieper, Dniester and others. Urban runoff and large landfills are often the cause of water pollution with heavy metals and hydrocarbons. Since heavy metals accumulate in marine food chains, their concentrations can reach lethal doses, which happened after a large industrial release of mercury into the coastal waters of Japan near the city of Minimata. The increased concentration of this metal in the tissues of fish has led to the death of many people and animals who have eaten the contaminated product. Increased doses of heavy metals, pesticides and petroleum products can significantly weaken the protective properties of organisms. The concentration of carcinogens in the North Sea is currently reaching enormous values. Huge reserves of these substances are concentrated in the tissues of dolphins,

being the last link in the food chain. The countries located on the coast of the North Sea have recently been implementing a set of measures aimed at reducing, and in the future, completely stopping the discharge into the sea and the incineration of toxic waste. In addition, man carries out the transformation of the waters of the hydrosphere through the construction of hydraulic structures, in particular reservoirs. Large reservoirs and canals have a serious negative impact on the environment: they change the groundwater regime in the coastal strip, affect soils and plant communities, and, in the end, their water areas occupy large areas of fertile land.

Nowadays, pollution of the world's oceans is growing at an alarming rate. And here a significant role is played not only by sewage pollution, but also by the ingress of a large amount of oil products into the waters of the seas and oceans. In general, the most polluted are the inland seas: the Mediterranean, North, Baltic, Japan, Java, and Biscay,

Persian and Mexican Gulfs. Pollution of the seas and oceans occurs through two channels. Firstly, sea and river vessels pollute water with waste products from operational activities, products of internal combustion in engines. Secondly, pollution occurs as a result of accidents when toxic substances, most often oil and oil products, enter the sea. Diesel engines of ships are thrown out harmful substances into the atmosphere, which subsequently settle on the surface of the water. On tankers, before each next loading, containers are washed to remove the remains of previously transported cargo, while the washing water, and with it the remains of cargo, are most often dumped overboard. In addition, after the delivery of the cargo, the tankers are sent to the new loading point empty, in this case, for proper navigation, the tankers are filled with ballast water, which is contaminated with oil residues during the navigation. Before loading, this water is also poured overboard. As for the legislative measures to control oil pollution during the operation of oil terminals and the discharge of ballast water from oil tankers, they were taken much earlier, after the danger of large spills became obvious.

Among these methods (or possible ways problem solving) can be attributed to the emergence and activity of various kinds "green" movements and organizations. In addition to the notorious « Green PeaWithe'a",distinguished not only by the scope of its activities, but also, at times, by a noticeable extremism of actions, as well as similar organizations directly conducting environmental protection

In other words, there is another type of environmental organization - structures that stimulate and sponsor environmental activities - such as the Wildlife Fund, for example. All environmental organizations exist in one of the forms: public, private state or mixed type organizations.

In addition to various kinds of associations that defend the rights of civilization that are gradually destroying nature, there are a number of state or public environmental initiatives in the field of solving environmental problems. For example, environmental legislation in Russia and other countries of the world, various international agreements or the system of "Red Books".

International "Red Book" - a list of rare and endangered species of animals and plants - currently includes 5 volumes of materials. In addition, there are national and even regional "Red Books".

Among the most important ways to solve environmental problems, most researchers also highlight the introduction of environmentally friendly, low-waste and waste-free technologies, construction treatment facilities, rational distribution of production and use of natural resources.

Although, undoubtedly - and this proves the whole course human history- the most important direction in solving the environmental problems facing civilization is the increase in the ecological culture of man, a serious environmental education and education, all that eradicates the main ecological conflict - the conflict between the savage consumer and the intelligent inhabitant of the fragile world that exists in the human mind.