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Global problems of human ecology. Contemporary environmental problems. Water and soil pollution

Environmental problems are a series of factors that mean the degradation of the natural environment. Most often they are caused by human activity: with the development of industry and technology, problems began to arise associated with the violation of balanced conditions in the ecological environment, which are very difficult to compensate.

One of the most destructive factors in human activity is pollution. It manifests itself in an increased level of smog, the emergence of dead lakes, industrial water, saturated with harmful elements and unusable, and is also associated with the extinction of some animal species.

Thus, a person, on the one hand, creates conditions for comfort, and on the other hand, he destroys nature and ultimately harms himself. Therefore, in recent years, special attention among scientists has been paid to the main environmental problems and is aimed at finding alternatives.

Major environmental issues

Initially, environmental problems are divided according to scale conditions: they can be regional, local and global.

An example of a local environmental problem is a plant that does not treat industrial effluent before discharging it into a river. This leads to the death of fish and harms humans.

As an example of a regional problem, one can take Chernobyl, or rather, the soils that adjoin it: they are radioactive and pose a threat to any biological organisms in this territory.

Global ecological problems of mankind: characteristics

This series of environmental problems is of enormous scale and directly affects all ecological systems, as opposed to local and regional ones.

Environmental issues: climate warming and ozone holes

Warming is felt by the inhabitants of the Earth during mild winters, which were previously rare. Since the first International Year of Geophysics was held, the temperature of the squat air layer has increased by 0.7 ° C. The lower layers of ice began to thaw due to the fact that the water warmed up by 1 ° С.

Some scientists are of the opinion that the reason for this phenomenon is the so-called "greenhouse effect", which arose due to the large amount of fuel burning and accumulation carbon dioxide in the atmospheric layers. Because of it, heat transfer is disturbed and the air cools more slowly.

Others believe that warming is associated with solar activity and does not play a significant role here.

Ozone holes are another human problem associated with technological progress. It is known that life began on Earth only after the emergence of a protective ozone layer, which protects organisms from strong UV radiation.

But at the end of the 20th century, scientists discovered that the ozone content over Antarctica is extremely low. This situation persists to this day, while the damaged area is equal to the size of North America. Such anomalies were found in other areas, in particular, there is an ozone hole over Voronezh.

The reason for this is active and satellites as well as aircraft.

Environmental problems: desertification and forest destruction

The reason for which - the operation of power plants, contribute to the spread of another global problem - the destruction of forests. For example, in Czechoslovakia, more than 70% of the forests have been destroyed by such rains, and in the UK and Greece, more than 60%. Because of this, entire ecosystems are disrupted, however, humanity is trying to fight these artificially planted trees.

Desertification is also currently a global problem. It consists in the impoverishment of the soil: large areas are unsuitable for use in agriculture.

Man contributes to the emergence of such areas, demolishing not only the soil layer, but also the parent rock.

Environmental problems caused by water pollution

The supplies of fresh clean water that can be consumed have also been significantly reduced recently. This is due to the fact that a person pollutes it with industrial and other wastes.

Today, one and a half billion people do not have access to clean drinking water, and two billion live without filters to purify polluted water.

Thus, we can say that mankind is to blame for the present and many future environmental problems and it will have to deal with some of them in the next 200-300 years.

Ecological problem is a change in the natural environment as a result of human activity, leading to a violation of the structure and functioning nature ... This is a man-made problem. In other words, it arises as a result of the negative impact of man on nature.

Environmental problems can be local (a certain area is affected), regional (a specific region) and global (the impact is on the entire biosphere of the planet).

Can you give an example of a local environmental problem in your region?

Regional problems cover the territories of large regions, and their impact affects a significant part of the population. For example, pollution of the Volga is a regional problem of the entire Volga region.

The drainage of the Polesie bogs caused negative changes in Belarus and Ukraine. The change in the water level of the Aral Sea is a problem for the entire Central Asian region.

Global environmental problems include problems that pose a threat to all of humanity.

Which of the global environmental problems, in your opinion, are of greatest concern? Why?

Let's take a quick look at how environmental problems have evolved over the course of human history.

Actually, in a sense, the entire history of human development is the history of an increasing impact on the biosphere. In fact, humanity in its progressive development went from one ecological crisis to another. But crises in ancient times were of a local nature, and environmental changes were, as a rule, reversible, or did not threaten people with total death.

The primitive man, who was engaged in gathering and hunting, unwittingly everywhere disturbed the ecological balance in the biosphere, spontaneously harmed nature. It is believed that the first anthropogenic crisis (10-50 thousand years ago) was associated with the development of hunting and overhunting of wild animals, when the mammoth, cave lion and bear disappeared from the face of the earth, on which the hunting efforts of the Cro-Magnons were directed. Especially a lot of harm was caused by the use of fire by primitive people - they burned out forests. This led to a decrease in the level of rivers and groundwater. Overgrazing on pastures may have had an ecological result in the emergence of the Sahara Desert.

Then, about 2 thousand years ago, there was a crisis associated with the use of irrigated agriculture. It led to the development of a large number of clay and saline deserts. But let's take into account that at that time the population of the Earth was small, and, as a rule, people had the opportunity to move to other places that were more suitable for life (which is impossible to do now).

In the era of the great geographical discoveries, the impact on the biosphere has increased. This is due to the development of new lands, which was accompanied by the extermination of many species of animals (remember, for example, the fate of American bison) and the transformation of vast territories into fields and pastures. However, human impact on the biosphere acquired a global scale after the industrial revolution of the 17th-18th centuries. At this time, the scale of human activity increased significantly, as a result of which the geochemical processes taking place in the biosphere began to transform (1). In parallel with the course of scientific and technological progress, the number of people has sharply increased (from 500 million in 1650, the conditional start of the industrial revolution - to the current 7 billion), and, accordingly, the need for food and industrial goods, in an increasing amount of fuel , metal, cars. This led to a rapid increase in the load on ecological systems, and the level of this load in the middle of the XX century. - the beginning of the XXI century. reached a critical value.

How do you understand in this context the inconsistency of the results of technical progress for people?

Humanity has entered an era of a global environmental crisis. Its main components:

depletion of energy and other resources of the planet's interior
the greenhouse effect,
depletion of the ozone layer,
soil degradation,
radiation hazard,
transboundary transfer of pollution, etc.

The movement of mankind towards an ecological catastrophe of a planetary nature is confirmed by numerous facts. People are continuously accumulating the number of compounds not utilized by nature, developing hazardous technologies, storing and transporting many pesticides and explosives, polluting the atmosphere, hydrosphere and soil. In addition, the energy potential is constantly being increased, the greenhouse effect is stimulated, etc.

There is a threat of loss of stability of the biosphere (violation of the eternal course of events) and its transition to a new state, which excludes the very possibility of human existence. It is often said that one of the causes of the ecological crisis our planet is in is the crisis of human consciousness. What do you think of it?

But humanity is still able to solve environmental problems!

What conditions are required for this?

The unity of the goodwill of all the inhabitants of the planet in the problem of survival.
Establishing peace on Earth, ending wars.
Ending the destructive effect of modern production on the biosphere (resource consumption, environmental pollution, destruction of natural ecosystems and biodiversity).

Development of global models of nature restoration and scientifically based nature management.

Some of the points listed above seem impracticable or not? What do you think?

Undoubtedly, human awareness of the danger of environmental problems is associated with serious difficulties. One of them is caused by non-obviousness for modern man its natural basis, psychological alienation from nature. Hence the disdain for the observance of environmentally sound activities, or, to put it simply, the lack of an elementary culture of attitude to nature on various scales.

To solve environmental problems, it is necessary to develop new thinking in all people, to overcome stereotypes of technocratic thinking, ideas about the inexhaustibility of natural resources and a lack of understanding of our absolute dependence on nature. An unconditional condition for the continued existence of mankind is the observance of the environmental imperative as the basis for environmentally friendly behavior in all areas. It is necessary to overcome alienation from nature, to realize and realize personal responsibility for how we relate to nature (for saving land, water, energy, for protecting nature). Video 5.

There is a phrase “think globally - act locally”. How do you understand this?

There are many successful publications and programs devoted to environmental problems and the possibilities of their solution. In the last decade, quite a few environmentally oriented films have been filmed, and regular environmental film festivals have begun to be held. One of the most outstanding films is the environmental education film HOME (Home. Travel Story), which was first presented on June 5, 2009 on World Environment Day by the distinguished photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand and renowned director and producer Luc Bessonne. This film tells about the history of the life of the planet Earth, the beauty of nature, environmental problems caused by the destructive impact of human activity on the environment, threatening the destruction of our common home.

I must say that the premiere of HOME was an unprecedented event in cinema: for the first time, the film was shown simultaneously in the largest cities of dozens of countries, including Moscow, Paris, London, Tokyo, New York, in an open screening format, and free of charge. TV viewers saw the one and a half hour film on large screens installed in open areas, in cinemas, on 60 TV channels (excluding cable networks), on the Internet. HOME has been shown in 53 countries. At the same time, in some countries, for example, in China and Saudi Arabia, the director was refused permission to conduct aerial photography. In India, half of the footage was simply confiscated, and in Argentina, Arthus-Bertrand and his assistants had to spend a week in prison. In many countries, a film about the beauty of the Earth and its environmental problems, the demonstration of which, according to the director, "borders on a political appeal", was banned from showing.

Yann Arthus-Bertrand (FR.Yann Arthus-Bertrand, born March 13, 1946 in Paris) - French photographer, photojournalist, Knight of the Legion of Honor and holder of many other awards

We end our conversation about environmental problems with a story about the film by J. Arthus-Bertrand. Watch this movie. Better than words, it will help you think about what awaits the Earth and humanity in the near future; to understand that everything in the world is interconnected, that our task now is common and for each of us - to try, as far as possible, to restore the ecological balance of the planet that we have disturbed, without which the existence of life on Earth is impossible.

In Video 6 pref den excerpt from the movie Home. The whole movie can be watched - http://www.cinemaplayer.ru/29761-_dom_istoriya_puteshestviya___Home.html.

The scientific and technological revolution and the use of mineral resources of the land have led to the fact that the ecological situation on our planet is deteriorating literally before our eyes. The level of pollution of the subsoil, hydrosphere and air layer of the earth is approaching a critical level. Humanity is on the doorstep global catastrophe technogenic character. Fortunately, more and more government and public organizations understand the depth and danger of the problem.

Work to improve the current situation is gaining momentum. Already, modern technologies offer many ways to solve environmental problems, from the creation of ecological fuels, ecological transport to the search for new environmentally friendly sources of energy and the rational use of the Earth's resources.

Ways to solve the problem

A comprehensive approach to environmental issues is required. It should include long-term and planned activities aimed at all spheres of society.

To radically improve the ecological situation, both on the ground in general and in a single country, it is necessary to implement measures of this nature:

Legal. These include the creation of environmental laws. International agreements are also important.
Economic. Elimination of the consequences of technogenic impact on nature requires serious financial investments.
Technological. In this area, there is where inventors and innovators disagree. The use of new technologies in the mining, metallurgical and transport industries will allow minimizing environmental pollution. The main task is to create environmentally friendly energy sources.
Organizational. They consist in the even distribution of transport along the streams to prevent its prolonged congestion in one place.
Architectural. It is advisable to plant greenery in large and small settlements, to divide their territory into zones using plantations. Planting around enterprises and along roads is also important.

Particular importance should be attached to the protection of flora and fauna. Their representatives simply do not have time to adapt to changes in the environment.

Current measures to preserve the environment

Awareness of the dramatic situation in ecology forced humanity to take urgent and effective measures to correct it.

The most popular are the following areas of activity:

Reducing household and industrial waste. This is especially true for plastic dishes. It is gradually being replaced by paper. Research is underway to eliminate bacteria that feed on plastic.
Sewage treatment. Billions of cubic meters of water are consumed annually to support various branches of human activity. Modern treatment facilities allow you to purify it to its natural state.
Transition to clean energy sources. This means the phasing out of nuclear energy, engines and furnaces fueled by coal and petroleum products. The use of natural gas, wind, solar and hydroelectric power ensures a clean atmosphere. The use of biofuels can significantly reduce the concentration of harmful substances in exhaust gases.
Protection and restoration of lands and forests. New forests are being planted in the areas of felling. Measures are being taken to drain lands, protect them from erosion.

Constant agitation in favor of ecology changes people's views on this problem, incline them to respect the environment.

Prospects for solving environmental problems in the future

In the future, the main efforts will be aimed at eliminating the consequences of man-made human activities and reducing harmful emissions.

For this, there are such prospects:

Construction of special factories for the complete disposal of all types of waste. This will allow not to occupy new territories for landfills. Energy obtained from combustion can be used for the needs of cities.
Construction of thermal power plants operating on the "solar wind" (Helium 3). This substance is found on the moon. Despite the high cost of its extraction, the energy obtained from the "solar wind" is thousands of times higher than the heat transfer from nuclear fuel.
Transfer of all vehicles to power plants operating on gas, electricity, batteries and hydrogen. This solution will help reduce air emissions.
Cold nuclear fusion. This option for obtaining energy from water is already under development.

Despite the serious damage caused to nature, humanity has every chance to return it to its original appearance.

The right to a favorable environment is enshrined in the Constitution of the Russian Federation. A number of bodies monitor compliance with this norm:

Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia;
Rosprirodnadzor and its territorial departments;
environmental prosecutor's office;
executive authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation in the field of ecology;
a number of other departments.

But it would be more logical to consolidate the obligation of everyone to preserve natural resources, minimize consumption waste, and respect nature. A person has many rights. And what does nature have? Nothing. Only the obligation to satisfy all the growing human needs. And this consumer attitude leads to environmental problems. Let's take a look at what it is and how to improve the current state of affairs.

Concept and types of environmental problems

Ecological problems are interpreted in different ways. But the essence of the concept boils down to one thing: it is the result of a thoughtless, soulless anthropogenic impact on the environment, which leads to a change in the properties of landscapes, depletion or loss of natural resources (minerals, flora and fauna). And a boomerang is reflected in human life and health.

Environmental problems affect the entire natural system. Based on this, there are several types of this problem:

Atmospheric. In the atmospheric air, most often in urban areas, there is an increased concentration of pollutants, including particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and oxide, and carbon monoxide. Sources - road transport and stationary objects (industrial enterprises). Although, according to the State Report "On the State and Protection of the Environment of the Russian Federation in 2014", the total volume of emissions decreased from 35 million tons / year in 2007 to 31 million tons / year in 2014, the air is not becoming cleaner. The dirtiest Russian cities by this indicator are Birobidzhan, Blagoveshchensk, Bratsk, Dzerzhinsk, Yekaterinburg, and the cleanest ones are Salekhard, Volgograd, Orenburg, Krasnodar, Bryansk, Belgorod, Kyzyl, Murmansk, Yaroslavl, Kazan.
Aquatic. Depletion and pollution of not only surface but also groundwater is observed. Take, for example, the "great Russian" river Volga. The waters in it are characterized as "dirty". Exceeded the standard for the content of copper, iron, phenol, sulfates, organic substances. This is due to the operation of industrial facilities that discharge untreated or insufficiently treated wastewater into the river, the urbanization of the population - a large share of domestic wastewater through biological treatment facilities. The decrease in fish resources was influenced not only by the pollution of rivers, but also by the construction of a cascade of hydroelectric power plants. Even 30 years ago, even near the city of Cheboksary, it was possible to catch a Caspian beluga, but now nothing larger than a catfish will be caught. It is possible that the annual actions of hydropower to launch fry of valuable fish species, such as sterlet, will someday bring tangible results.
Biological. Resources such as forests and pastures are degrading. Fish resources were mentioned. As for the forest, we have the right to call our country the largest forest power: a quarter of the area of all forests in the world grows in our country, half of the country's territory is occupied by woody vegetation. We need to learn to treat this wealth more carefully in order to preserve it from fires, to identify and punish “black” lumberjacks in a timely manner.

Fires are most often the work of human hands. It is possible that in this way someone is trying to hide the traces of illegal use of forest resources. Perhaps it is no coincidence that Rosleskhoz classifies Zabaikalsky, Khabarovsky, Primorsky as the most "flammable" areas, Krasnoyarsk Territory, the republics of Tyva, Khakassia, Buryatia, Yakutia, Irkutsk, Amur regions, the Jewish Autonomous Region. At the same time, huge amounts of money are spent on the elimination of fires: for example, in 2015, over 1.5 billion rubles were spent. There are good examples as well. So, the republics of Tatarstan and Chuvashia in 2015 did not allow a single forest fire. There is someone to take an example from!

Land. We are talking about the depletion of mineral resources, about the development of minerals. To save at least some of these resources, it is enough to recycle waste as much as possible and send it for reuse. Thus, we will help to reduce the area of landfills, and enterprises can save on quarrying by using recyclable materials in production.
Soil - geomorphological... Active farming and deforestation lead to ravines, soil erosion, and salinization. According to the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia, as of January 1, 2014, almost 9 million hectares of farmland are subject to degradation, of which more than 2 million hectares of land have been degraded. If erosion occurs as a result of land use, then the soil can be helped: by terracing, creating forest belts for protection from the wind, changing the type, density and age of vegetation.
Landscaping. Deterioration of the state of individual natural-territorial complexes.

Modern world environmental problems

Local and global environmental problems are closely interrelated. What happens in a particular region ultimately affects the general situation around the world. Therefore, the solution of environmental issues must be approached in an integrated manner. To begin with, let's highlight the main global environmental problems:

Depletion of the ozone layer... As a result, protection from ultraviolet radiation is reduced, which leads to various diseases of the population, including skin cancer.
Global warming... Over the past 100 years, there has been an increase in the temperature of the surface layer of the atmosphere by 0.3-0.8 ° C. The area of snow in the north has decreased by 8%. There was a rise in the level of the world ocean up to 20 cm. Over 10 years, the growth rate of the average annual temperature in Russia was 0.42 ° C. This is twice the rate of increase in the global temperature of the Earth.
Air pollution... Every day we breathe in about 20 thousand liters of air, saturated not only with oxygen, but also containing harmful suspended particles and gases. So, if we consider that there are 600 million cars in the world, each of which daily emits up to 4 kg of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, soot and zinc into the atmosphere, then by means of simple mathematical calculations we come to the conclusion that the car fleet emits 2.4 billion kg of harmful substances. We must not forget about emissions from stationary sources. Therefore, it is not surprising that annually over 12.5 million people (and this is the entire population of Moscow!) Die from diseases associated with poor ecology.

Acid rain. This problem leads to the pollution of water bodies and soils with nitric and sulfuric acid, cobalt and aluminum compounds. As a result, yield falls, forests die. Toxic metals fall into drinking water and poison us.
Soil pollution... 85 billion tons of waste per year for mankind needs to be stored somewhere. As a result, the soil under authorized and unauthorized dumps is contaminated with solid and liquid industrial waste, pesticides, and household waste.
Water pollution... The main pollutants are oil and oil products, heavy metals and complex organic compounds. In Russia, the ecosystems of rivers, lakes, and reservoirs are kept at a stable level. The taxonomic composition and structure of communities do not undergo significant changes.

Ways to improve the environment

No matter how deeply modern environmental problems penetrate, their solution depends on each of us. So what can we do to help nature?

Using an alternative fuel or alternative vehicle. To reduce harmful emissions into the air, it is enough to switch the car to gas or switch to an electric car. A very environmentally friendly way to travel on a bicycle.
Separate collection. It is enough to install two garbage containers at home in order to effectively implement separate collection. The first is for waste that cannot be recycled, and the second is for subsequent transfer to recyclable materials. The cost of plastic bottles, waste paper, glass is becoming more and more expensive, so separate collection is not only environmentally friendly, but also economical. By the way, while in Russia the volume of waste generation is twice as high as the volume of waste use. As a result, the volume of waste in landfills has tripled in five years.
Moderation. In everything and everywhere. An effective solution to environmental problems presupposes a rejection of the model of a consumer society. A person does not need 10 boots, 5 coats, 3 cars, etc. for life. It is easy to switch from plastic bags to eco-packages: they are stronger, the service life is much longer, and the cost is about 20 rubles. Many hypermarkets offer eco-bags under their own brand: Magnet, Auchan, Lenta, Karusel, etc. Everyone can independently evaluate what they can easily refuse.
Environmental education of the population. Take part in environmental campaigns: plant a tree in the yard, go to the restoration of forests damaged by fires. Take part in a clean-up day. And nature will thank you with the rustle of leaves, a light breath of the breeze ... Raise in children love for all living things and teach competent behavior while walking in the forest, on the street.
Join the ranks of environmental organizations. Not sure how to help nature and preserve a healthy environment? Join the ranks of environmental organizations! These can be the global environmental movements Greenpeace, the Wildlife Fund, the Green Cross; Russian: All-Russian Society for Nature Conservation, Russian Geographical Society, ECA, Separate Collection, Green Patrol, RosEko, Non-Governmental Ecological Fund named after V.I. Vernadsky, Movement of Nature Conservation Brigades, etc. A creative approach to preserving a favorable environment and a new circle of friends await you!

Nature is one, there will never be another. Already today, by starting to jointly solve environmental problems, by combining the efforts of citizens, the state, public organizations and commercial enterprises, it is possible to improve the world around us. Many people are worried about environmental issues, because the way we treat them today depends on what conditions our children will live in tomorrow.

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State budgetary professional educational institution

Stavropol Territory "Kislovodsk Medical College"

on the topic: "Global environmental problems and ways to solve them"

discipline "Ecology"

Completed by Saidova D.K.

checked by the teacher Kodzhakova S.Z.

Mr. Kislovodsk 2016

Introduction

Global Environmental Issue # 2: Ozone Depletion

Global Environmental Issue # 4: Acid Rain

Environmental problem # 5: Soil pollution

Conclusion

Introduction

Continuous technological progress, the continuing enslavement of nature by man, industrialization, which has changed the surface of the Earth beyond recognition, have become the causes of the global ecological crisis. At present, the world's population is particularly acutely faced with such environmental problems as air pollution, ozone layer depletion, acid rain, greenhouse effect, soil pollution, ocean pollution and overpopulation.

Global environmental problem # 1: Air pollution

Every day, the average person inhales about 20,000 liters of air, which contains, in addition to vital oxygen, a whole list of harmful suspended particles and gases. Air pollutants, polluted air are the cause of many chronic diseases.

Air pollution is an environmental problem that is familiar to residents of absolutely all corners of the earth.

It is especially acutely felt by representatives of cities in which enterprises of ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, energy, chemical, petrochemical, construction and pulp and paper industries operate. In some cities, the atmosphere is also severely poisoned by vehicles and boiler houses. These are all examples of anthropogenic air pollution. As for natural sources chemical elements polluting the atmosphere, then these include forest fires, volcanic eruptions, wind erosion (dispersal of soil and rock particles), the spread of pollen, evaporation of organic compounds and natural radiation.

Consequences of air pollution. Atmospheric air pollution adversely affects human health, contributing to the development of heart and lung diseases (in particular, bronchitis).

In addition, atmospheric pollutants such as ozone, nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide destroy natural ecosystems, destroying plants and causing the death of living things (in particular, river fish).

The solution to the environmental problem. The global environmental problem of air pollution, according to scientists and government officials, can be solved in the following ways:

Limiting population growth;

Reducing energy use;

Improving energy efficiency;

Reducing waste;

Switching to environmentally friendly renewable energy sources;

Air purification in highly polluted areas.

Global Environmental Issue # 2: Ozone Depletion

The ozone layer is a thin strip of the stratosphere that protects all life on Earth from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the Sun.

Causes of the environmental problem. Back in the 1970s. ecologists have discovered that the ozone layer is destroyed by the action of chlorofluorocarbons. These chemical substances are found in refrigeration and air conditioner coolants, as well as solvents, aerosols / sprays and fire extinguishers. To a lesser extent, the thinning of the ozone layer is also facilitated by other anthropogenic influences: the launch of space rockets, flights of jet aircraft in the high layers of the atmosphere, testing of nuclear weapons, and the reduction of the planet's forest lands. There is also a theory that global warming contributes to the depletion of the ozone layer.

The consequences of the destruction of the ozone layer. As a result of the destruction of the ozone layer, ultraviolet radiation passes unhindered through the atmosphere and reaches the earth's surface. Exposure to direct UV rays is detrimental to human health by weakening the immune system and causing diseases such as skin cancer and cataracts. Ways to tackle ozone depletion

Awareness of the danger leads to the fact that the international community is taking more and more new steps to protect the ozone layer. Let's take a look at some of them.

1) Creation of various organizations for the protection of the ozone layer (UNEP, COSPAR, MAGA)

2Conducting conferences.

a) Vienna Conference (September 1987). The Montreal Protocol was discussed and signed there:

The need for constant monitoring of the manufacture, sale, and use of the substances most hazardous to ozone (freons, bromine-containing compounds, etc.)

The use of chlorofluorocarbons in comparison with the 1986 level should be reduced by 20% by 1993 and by half by 1998.

b) At the beginning of 1990. scientists came to the conclusion that the restrictions of the Montreal Protocol are insufficient and proposals were made to completely stop production and emissions into the atmosphere already in 1991-1992. those freons that are limited by the Montreal Protocol.

The problem of preserving the ozone layer is one of the global problems of mankind. Therefore, it is discussed in many forums of all levels, up to Russian-American summit meetings.

All that remains is to believe that deep awareness of the danger threatening mankind will prompt the governments of all countries to take the necessary measures to reduce emissions of substances harmful to ozone.

Global Environmental Issue # 3: Global Warming

Like the glass walls of a greenhouse, carbon dioxide, methane, nitric oxide and water vapor allow the sun to heat our planet and at the same time prevent infrared radiation reflected from the earth's surface from escaping into space. All of these gases are responsible for maintaining temperatures acceptable for life on earth. However, an increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen oxide and water vapor in the atmosphere is another global environmental problem called global warming (or the greenhouse effect).

Causes of global warming. During the 20th century, the average temperature on earth rose by 0.5 - 1 ° C. The main cause of global warming is considered to be an increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere due to an increase in the volume of fossil fuels (coal, oil and their derivatives) burned by humans.

However, according to Alexei Kokorin, head of climate programs for the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Russia, “the largest amount of greenhouse gases is formed as a result of the operation of power plants and methane emissions during the extraction and delivery of energy resources, while road transport or the burning of associated petroleum gas in torches do relatively little harm to the environment. "

Overpopulation, deforestation, ozone depletion and littering are other prerequisites for global warming.

However, not all ecologists blame anthropogenic activities for the increase in average annual temperatures.

Some believe that the natural increase in the abundance of oceanic plankton is also contributing to global warming, leading to an increase in the concentration of the same carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Consequences of the greenhouse effect. If the temperature during the 21st century increases by another 1 ° C - 3.5 ° C, as scientists predict, the consequences will be very sad:

The world ocean level will rise (due to melting polar ice), the number of droughts will increase and the process of land desertification will intensify,

Many species of plants and animals, adapted to exist in a narrow range of temperatures and humidity, will disappear,

Hurricanes will become more frequent.

The solution to the environmental problem. According to ecologists, the following measures will help to slow down the process of global warming:

Rising prices for fossil fuels,

Replacing fossil fuels with environmentally friendly ( solar energy, wind and sea currents),

Development of energy-saving and waste-free technologies,

Taxation of emissions into the environment,

Minimization of methane losses during its extraction, transportation through pipelines, distribution in cities and villages and use at heat supply and power plants,

Introduction of technologies for absorption and binding of carbon dioxide,

Tree planting,

Reducing the size of families,

Environmental education,

The use of phytomelioration in agriculture.

Global Environmental Issue # 4: Acid Rain

Acid rain containing combustion products also poses a threat to the environment, human health and even the integrity of architectural monuments.

The effects of acid rain. The solutions of sulfuric and nitric acids, aluminum and cobalt compounds contained in polluted sediments and fog pollute the soil and water bodies, adversely affect vegetation, causing the dry tops of deciduous trees and oppressing conifers. Due to acid rain, crop yields are falling, people are drinking water enriched with toxic metals (mercury, cadmium, lead), marble architectural monuments are turned into gypsum and eroded.

The solution to the environmental problem. In the name of saving nature and architecture from acid rain, it is necessary to minimize emissions of sulfur and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere.

Global environmental problem # 5: Soil pollution

Every year people pollute the environment with 85 billion tons of waste. Among them are solid and liquid waste from industrial enterprises and transport, agricultural waste (including pesticides), household waste and atmospheric deposition of harmful substances.

The main role in soil pollution is played by such components of industrial waste as heavy metals (lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, thallium, bismuth, tin, vanadium, antimony), pesticides and oil products. From the soil, they penetrate into plants and water, even spring water. Along the chain, toxic metals enter the human body and are not always quickly and completely removed from it. Some of them tend to accumulate over the years, provoking the development of serious diseases.

Solution ways:

Development of environmental technologies or waste-free production.

Disinfection of hazardous waste, waste water.

Fight against toxic emissions from various types of equipment.

Waste disposal or recycling.

Disinfection of contaminated soil, water and air.

Global Environmental Issue # 6: Water Pollution

pollution atmosphere water greenhouse

Pollution of the world's oceans, groundwater and surface waters of the land is a global environmental problem, the responsibility for which lies entirely with humans.

Causes of the environmental problem. The main pollutants of the hydrosphere today are oil and oil products. These substances penetrate into the waters of the world's oceans as a result of the wreck of tankers and regular discharges of wastewater by industrial enterprises.

In addition to anthropogenic oil products, industrial and domestic facilities pollute the hydrosphere with heavy metals and complex organic compounds. Agriculture and the food industry are recognized as leaders in the poisoning of the world's oceans with minerals and biogenic elements.

The hydrosphere is also involved in such a global environmental problem as radioactive pollution. The precondition for its formation was the burial of radioactive waste in the waters of the world's oceans. Many powers with a developed nuclear industry and a nuclear fleet, from 49 to 70 years of the XX century, purposefully stored harmful radioactive substances in the seas and oceans. In places where radioactive containers are buried, the level of cesium is often off scale even today. But "underwater test sites" are not the only radioactive source of pollution of the hydrosphere. The waters of the seas and oceans are also enriched with radiation as a result of underwater and surface nuclear explosions.

Consequences of radioactive contamination of water. Oil pollution of the hydrosphere leads to the destruction of the natural habitat of hundreds of representatives of oceanic flora and fauna, the death of plankton, seabirds and mammals. Poisoning of the world's oceans also poses a serious danger to human health: fish and other seafood "contaminated" with radiation can easily get on the table.

Humanity, realizing that as a result of its vital activity, sometimes causes irreparable damage to the aquatic biosphere, is trying to find effective ways to purify natural waters from various kinds of pollution. Activities of this kind include the following types of actions:

Industrial and domestic waste water treatment;

Disinfection of natural waters using chemical reagents;

Pumping contaminated water into special reservoirs or aquifers;

Development in the production of recycling water supply technologies that do not require additional water intake and water flow.

Conclusion

Global problems are a challenge to the human mind. It is impossible to get away from them. They can only be overcome. To overcome through the efforts of each person and each country in close cooperation for the great goal of preserving the opportunity to live on Earth.

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Global problems of human ecology. Contemporary environmental problems. Water and soil pollution

Ways to solve the problem

Current measures to preserve the environment

Prospects for solving environmental problems in the future

Concept and types of environmental problems

Modern world environmental problems

Ways to improve the environment

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Global environmental problem # 1: Air pollution

Global Environmental Issue # 2: Ozone Depletion

Global Environmental Issue # 3: Global Warming

Global Environmental Issue # 4: Acid Rain

Global environmental problem # 5: Soil pollution

Global Environmental Issue # 6: Water Pollution

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