Modern ecological problems table of the earth. Ecological problems

16.08.2017 article

The expression "global ecological problems»Is familiar to everyone, but we do not always realize how serious the semantic load it carries.

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

Climate change of the planet

The growing greenhouse effect is closely related to such a problem of humanity as global warming - these two concepts are practically inseparable. The optical properties of the atmosphere are in many ways similar to those of glass: by letting in sunlight, it allows the surface of the Earth to heat up, but its opacity for infrared radiation prevents rays emitted by the heated surface from going out into space. The accumulated heat leads to an increase in temperature in lower layers atmosphere, called global warming. The consequences are very sad - not withstanding the high temperature, the Arctic ice begins to melt, raising the water level in the ocean. In addition to melting ice, warming entails a number of other changes that are disastrous for our planet:

more frequent floods;
an increase in populations of harmful insects - carriers of deadly diseases - and their spread to countries with previously cool climates;
hurricanes - the consequences of an increase in the temperature of ocean waters;
drying up of rivers and lakes, reduction of reserves drinking water in lands with an arid climate;
intensification of volcanic activity associated with the melting of mountain glaciers and subsequent erosion rocks;
an increase in the amount of plankton in the ocean, leading to an increase in carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere;
a decrease in the diversity of biological species on Earth: according to forecasts of scientists, the number of species of plants and animals 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 disruption of the protective ozone layer, which in turn causes new eruptions. There is a theory according to which it was precisely such a circular relationship that led the planet to an alternation of ice and interglacial periods, the duration of each of which is approximately one hundred thousand years.

The second most popular theory related to the climatic 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 has its weaknesses. This and a short period of time on the basis of which conclusions about climate change are made. After all, the history of our planet has about 4.5 billion years, during this time the planet's climate has changed a huge number of times and without human participation. Other greenhouse gases such as methane or even water vapor are also completely ignored. 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 the 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 climatic future of the planet is the theory of cyclicity or "global cooling". She says that there is nothing extraordinary in the current processes of climate change. They are just climate cycles. And you 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 the analysis of the Earth's climate over the past 250 thousand years. The data obtained when drilling ice over Lake Vostok in Antarctica suggests that the Earth's climate changes regularly, cyclically. The main reasons for these cycles are cosmic (a change in the tilt angle earth axis, a change in the plane of the ecliptic, etc.) And now we live in the interglacial period, which has been going on for about 10,000 years. But it is too early to rejoice, for it will certainly be replaced by a new ice age. During the latter, which ended only 8000-10000 years ago, the ice sheet over Moscow was several hundred meters. This theory suggests that it is worth waiting for a new glacier in a few thousand years.

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

The interrelation of this problem with a number of others testifies to its serious scale.

Depletion of the ozone layer

The height of the ozone layer at different latitudes can vary from 15-20 km (in the polar regions) to 25-30 (in the tropical). This is the part of the stratosphere that 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 traps ultraviolet radiation that causes skin cancer. Needless to say, how important is the integrity of the precious layer for the Earth and its inhabitants?

However, the evidence from specialists 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. Earlier, in the early 80s, the same area, albeit 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 suffers significantly during airplane flights and spaceships... However, to date, in the course of numerous studies, it has been proven that the operation of transport has only a slight effect on the state of the ozone layer in comparison with other reasons:

natural processes that do not depend on human activity (for example, a lack of ultraviolet radiation in the 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 be not only in the form of a blue gas, but also in a liquid or solid state - respectively, acquiring a shade of indigo or bluish-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 is, which protects the planet from incinerating ultraviolet radiation.

A decrease in 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 can ultimately lead to hunger for human race... The depletion 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 fresh water sources 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 world'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.

Low-quality water and diseases carried by it 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 decreased to 6.5 thousand. However, these are averaged figures. There are peoples on earth whose water supply is 1 - 2 thousand cubic meters water per capita per year (South Africa), while in other regions this amount is equivalent to 100 thousand cubic meters.

Why is this happening?

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

The primary reason that the water in the rivers has turned into a poisonous slurry is, of course, human activities. Of the three sources of pollution - industrial, agricultural and domestic - the first one takes the leading place in terms of the volume of harmful emissions into rivers and lakes. Water polluted by industrial plants is very difficult to treat.

Fertilizers and pesticides used in agriculture tend to accumulate in the soil, inevitably polluting surface waters. Wastewater from urban areas, garbage and exhaust gases also make a significant contribution to the increase in the concentration of harmful substances in water.

Soil pollution and depletion, desertification

Irrational use natural resources, in particular, the 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 as a result of the irresponsible behavior of lovers of romance. In the dry summer season, it is not even necessary to leave the fire unattended for a fire to happen - one spark caught by the wind is enough to get into the thick of dry needles on an old pine tree.

The scorched territories for a long time turn into barren wastelands, unsuitable for habitation of the small number of animals that were lucky enough to survive in the flames of the fire. Eroded by strong winds and rainstorms, 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 strengthened by roots. The rains quickly wash away the silt, leaving only sand and clay instead, which have minimal relation to soil fertility - and the desertification mechanism is launched.

No less harm to land resources is caused by incorrect agricultural activities of a person, as well as industrial enterprises that pollute the soil with wastewater containing compounds hazardous to health.

Contamination of the atmospheric layer

Emissions of chemical compounds into the atmosphere as a result of the activities of industrial enterprises contributes to the concentration of uncharacteristic substances in it - sulfur, nitrogen and others chemical elements... As a result, qualitative changes occur not only in the air itself: a 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.

Acidic precipitation can cause great harm not only to living organisms, but also to objects made of durable materials - cars, buildings and world heritage sites are often their victims. Rains with low pH levels allow toxic compounds to enter underground sources, poisoning the water.

Household waste

Household waste, simply called garbage, poses a danger to humanity no less than all other environmental problems. The volumes of old packages and used plastic bottles are so large that, if you 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 old waste. At the same time, plastic emits toxic smoke into the atmosphere, which returns to the ground as part of acid rain. Burials of plastic carry no less harm: decomposing over millennia, this material will slowly but surely poison the soil with toxic secretions.

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 objects.

Reducing the gene pool of the biosphere

It would be strange to assume that all of the above problems will in no way affect the number and diversity of living organisms on Earth. 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 extinction, new ones appear. This was the case before modern civilization made its own adjustments to this process. Today, the species diversity of the planet is decreasing by 150-200 species every year, which leads to an inevitable environmental disaster.

The decline in species diversity is especially facilitated by the reduction in the habitat of many animals. Only the territories of tropical forests have decreased by 50% over the past 200 years - growing cities are gradually displacing their inhabitants from the planet, depriving them of shelter and sources of food.

What we can do?

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

An ordinary person cannot stop the work of an industrial enterprise pouring wastewater into a 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. It is enough just to put plastic bottles and paper separately from the rest of the garbage in order to then lower them into specially designed containers. Glass, however, would be most reasonable to hand over to the collection point for glass containers - 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 trash, as they are sources of toxic substances that poison the soil if they get into 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 outdated thermometers or batteries is located, enthusiasts have created special maps on which all points in every city of Russia or any other country are marked. You have only a little left - to find the right point and hand over the dangerous trash to specialists, saving the life of more than one living creature.

Refusal from plastic bags and containers

Avoiding plastic bags is not only useful, but also a very stylish solution. IN last years in European countries, the popularity of plastic bags has dropped significantly, giving way to original bags made of eco-friendly materials. Such a thing will help protect not only nature, but also the owner's budget - if it gets dirty, it does not need to be thrown away to buy a new one: linen bags can be washed many times.

Humanity has power on this planet that can inflict enormous damage on it. Ecocosm

The same goes for plastic water containers: it's time to ditch 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 from the client.

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

Perhaps everyone who claims to high rank representative of an intelligent race.

Environmental problems can be called a number of factors that mean the degradation of the natural environment around us. They are often caused by direct human activity. With the development of industry, problems arose that were directly related to the imbalance previously established in ecological environment that are difficult to compensate.

The world is diverse. Today the situation in the world is such that we are on the verge of collapse. Among the ecology, we can mention such as:

Destruction of thousands of species of animals and plants, an increase in the number of endangered species;

Reducing the stock of minerals and other vital resources;

Extermination of the forest;

Pollution and drainage of the world's oceans;

Disruption of the ozone layer, which protects us from radiation from space;

Air pollution, lack of clean air in some areas;

Pollution natural landscape.

Today, there is practically no surface left on which there would not be elements artificially created by man. The perniciousness of the influence of man as a consumer on nature is also undeniable. The mistake is that the world around us is not only a source of wealth and various resources. Man has lost his philosophical attitude to nature as to the mother of all living things.

The problems of our time lie in the fact that we are not brought up to take care of it. Man as a being in itself is selfish, creates conditions for his own comfort, violating and destroying nature. We do not think that by doing so we harm ourselves. It is for this reason that today it is necessary to pay special attention not so much to the solution of environmental problems as to the education of man as a part of nature.

Environmental problems are initially divided according to the level of their magnitude into regional, local and global. An example of a local problem is a factory that does not clean the effluent before it is discharged into the river, and thus pollutes the water and destroys the living organisms that live in this water. Speaking of regional problems, the well-known situation in Chernobyl can be cited as an example. The tragedy affected thousands of lives of people, as well as animals and other biological organisms that previously lived in this area. And finally global problems are those critical situations that affect the population of the entire planet and can be fatal for millions of us.

The world's environmental problems today require immediate solutions. First of all, as mentioned above, it is worth paying attention to Having come to harmony with nature, people will stop treating it exclusively as a consumer. Further, it is necessary to take a number of measures for general greening. This will require the development of new environmentally friendly technologies in production and in everyday life, an ecological examination of all new projects is required, and a closed cycle is required.

Returning to the human factor, it is worth mentioning that the ability to save and limit yourself will not hurt here either. Reasonable use of resources such as energy, water, gas, etc. can save the planet from scarcity. It is worth knowing and remembering that while you have clean water in your tap, some countries suffer from drought, and the population of these countries is dying from a lack of fluid.

The world's environmental problems can and should be addressed. Remember that the preservation of nature and a healthy future of the planet depends exclusively on ourselves! Of course, prosperity is impossible without the use of resources, but it is worth thinking about the fact that oil and gas may run out in a few decades. Environmental problems of the world affect everyone and everyone, do not remain indifferent!

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 are conventionally divided into 2 types: natural and anthropogenic. The latter prevail.

The chemical industry is not doing well. Plants emit harmful substances such as dust, oil ash, various chemical compounds, nitrogen oxides and much more. Air measurements showed the catastrophic position of the atmospheric layer, polluted air is 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 the natural sources of chemical elements that pollute the atmosphere, they 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 global environmental problem of air pollution, according to scientists and government officials, can be solved in the following ways:

limiting population growth;
reduction in energy use;
improving energy efficiency;
reduction of waste;
transition to environmentally friendly renewable energy sources;
air purification in especially 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 found that the ozone layer is destroyed by the influence 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 impacts: the launch of space rockets, flights of jet aircraft in the high layers of the atmosphere, tests nuclear weapons, the reduction of the planet's forest land. There is also a theory that global warming contributes to the thinning of the ozone layer.

Effects of ozone depletion

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.

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 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 the statement Alexey Kokorin, Head of Climate Programs The World Fund wildlife (WWF) Russia, "The largest amount of greenhouse gases is generated by power plants and methane emissions during the extraction and delivery of energy resources, while road transport or the flaring of associated petroleum gas cause 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 rise in average annual temperatures. Some believe that the natural increase in the abundance of oceanic plankton contributes 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 level of the world ocean will rise (due to the melting of 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.

Solving an environmental problem

According to ecologists, the following measures will help to slow down the process of global warming:

higher prices for fossil fuels,
replacement of fossil fuels with environmentally friendly ( solar energy, wind and sea currents),
development of energy-saving and waste-free technologies,
taxation of emissions in environment,
minimization of methane losses during its extraction, transportation through pipelines, distribution in cities and villages and application at heat supply and power plants,
introduction of technologies for absorption and binding of carbon dioxide,
tree planting,
decrease in family size,
environmental education,
the use of phytomelioration in agriculture.

Global Environmental Issue # 4: Acid Rain

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

The effects of acid rain

Contained in contaminated sediments and fog solutions of sulfuric and nitric acid, compounds of aluminum and cobalt pollute the soil and water bodies, have a detrimental effect on 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 turn into gypsum and erode.

Solving an 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.

Global Environmental Issue # 6: Water Pollution

Pollution of the oceans, ground and surface waters of the land is a global environmental problem, the responsibility for which lies entirely with man.

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 oceans as a result of tanker wrecks and regular discharges. Wastewater 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 not spared by 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 often goes off scale 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.

Yang 31.05.2018 10:56
So that all this does not need to be decided not for the state budget, but for free!
And besides, you need to add environmental protection laws to your country's constitution
namely, strict laws that should make at least 3% of environmental pollution not
only their homeland but also all countries of the world!

24werwe 21.09.2017 14:50
Cause of air pollution water soil crypto-Jews. On the street, degenerates with signs of Jews. Greenpeace and ecologists vile cryptoreyskie TV-ri. They are engaged in eternal criticism according to the Catechism of the Jew in the USSR (according to the Talmud). Dosed poisoning is being promoted. They do not name the reason - the deliberate destruction of all the living by the Jews hiding under the label of "peoples". There is only one way out: the extermination of the Jews with their agriculture and the shutdown of production.

The concept of "global problems" has spread since the late 60s. By the global are those problems that are of a common human nature. They affect the interests of each people and each person individually, their solution is possible only by joint efforts; the fate of all mankind depends on the direction in which their decision will be implemented (or not implemented). Finally, these problems embody the inseparability of the social and natural sides of life.

8.3.1 Climate change... The sharp climate warming that began in the second half of the 20th century is a reliable fact. The average temperature of the surface air layer in comparison with 1956 ... 1957, when the First International Geophysical Year was held, increased by 0.7 0 C. There is no warming at the equator, but the closer to the poles, the more noticeable it is. Beyond the Arctic Circle, it reaches 2 ° C. At the North Pole, the under-ice water warmed up by 1 ° C and the ice cover began to melt from below.

What is the reason for this phenomenon? Some scientists believe that this is the result of burning a huge mass of organic fuel and releasing large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which is a greenhouse gas, that is, it makes it difficult to transfer heat from the Earth's surface.

So what is the greenhouse effect? Billions of tons of carbon dioxide are released into the atmosphere every hour as a result of the burning of coal and oil, natural gas and firewood, millions of tons of methane rise into the atmosphere from the development of gas, from the rice fields of Asia, water vapor, fluorocarbons are released there. These are all "greenhouse gases". As in a greenhouse, a glass roof and walls let in solar radiation, but do not allow heat to escape, so carbon dioxide and other "greenhouse gases" are practically transparent to sunlight, but delay long-wavelength thermal radiation Earth, do not allow him to go into space.

The forecast for the future (2030 ... 2050) assumes a possible increase in temperature by 1.5 ... 4.5 0 C. These are the conclusions reached by the International Conference of Climatologists in Austria in 1988.

In connection with the warming of the climate, a number of related questions arise. What are the prospects for its further development? How will warming affect the increase in evaporation from the surface of the oceans and how will this affect the amount of precipitation? How will this precipitation be distributed over the area?

All these questions can be answered exactly. However, for this, various Scientific research.

8.3.2 Depletion of the ozone layer. The environmental problem of the ozone layer is no less scientifically complex. As you know, life on Earth appeared only after the planet's protective ozone layer was formed, which covered it from the brutal ultraviolet radiation. For many centuries, nothing foreshadowed trouble. However, in recent decades, intense destruction of this layer has been noticed.

The problem of the ozone layer arose in 1982, when a probe launched from a British station in Antarctica, at an altitude of 25 ... 30 km, detected a sharp decrease in the ozone content. Since then, an ozone "hole" of varying shapes and sizes has been recorded over Antarctica. According to the latest data for 1992, it is equal to 23 million km 2, that is, an area equal to the whole of North America. Later, the same "hole" was discovered over the Canadian Arctic archipelago, over Spitsbergen, and then in different parts of Eurasia, in particular over Voronezh.

The depletion of the ozone layer is a much more dangerous reality for all life on Earth than the fall of some super-large meteorite, because ozone does not allow dangerous radiation to reach the Earth's surface. In the event of a decrease in ozone, humanity faces at least an outbreak of skin cancer and eye diseases. In general, an increase in the dose of ultraviolet rays can weaken the human immune system, and at the same time reduce the harvest of fields, reduce the already narrow food supply base of the Earth.

The depletion of the ozone layer has worried not only scientists, but also governments in many countries. The search for the reasons began. At first, suspicion fell on chlorine and fluorocarbons used in refrigeration units, the so-called freons. They are really easily oxidized by ozone, thereby destroying it. Large sums were allocated for the search for their substitutes. However, refrigeration units are used mainly in countries with warm and hot climates, and for some reason ozone holes are most clearly manifested in the polar regions. This caused bewilderment. Then it was found that a lot of ozone is destroyed by rocket engines of modern aircraft flying at high altitudes, as well as when launching spaceships and satellites.

Detailed scientific research is needed to finally resolve the issue of the causes of the depletion of the ozone layer. Another cycle of research is needed to develop the most rational methods for artificially restoring the previous ozone content in the stratosphere. Work in this direction has already begun.

8.3.3 Death and deforestation. One of the causes of forest death in many parts of the world is acid rain, the main culprits of which are power plants. Emissions of sulfur oxides and their long-range transport result in such rainfall far from emission sources. In Austria, eastern Canada, the Netherlands and Sweden, more than 60% of the sulfur deposited on their territory comes from external sources, and in Norway even 75%. Other examples of long-range transport of acids are acid rain on remote Atlantic islands such as Bermuda and acid snow in the Arctic.

Over the past 30 years, the world has lost almost 200 million hectares of forestland, which is equal to the area of the United States east of the Mississippi. The depletion of tropical forests - the "lungs of the planet" and the main source of the planet's biological diversity, poses a particularly great environmental threat. There, about 200 thousand km 2 are annually cut down or burned, which means that 100 thousand (!) Species of plants and animals disappear. This process is especially fast in the richest tropical forests regions - the Amazon and Indonesia.

8.3.4 Desertification. Under the influence of living organisms, water and air on the surface layers of the lithosphere, the most important ecosystem, thin and fragile, is gradually formed - the soil, which is called the "skin of the Earth". This is the keeper of fertility and life. A handful of good soil contains millions of microorganisms that support fertility. It takes a century for a layer of soil to form with a thickness (thickness) of 1 cm. It can be lost in one field season. According to geologists, 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.

Soil erosion, a purely local phenomenon, has now become universal. In the United States, for example, about 44% of cultivated land is subject to erosion. Unique rich chernozems with humus content ( organic matter determining soil fertility) in 14 ... 16%, which was called the citadel of Russian agriculture.

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 comes, an anthropogenic (that is, man-made) desert appears.

Natural deserts and semi-deserts occupy more than 1/3 of the earth's surface. These lands are home to about 15% of the world's population. Deserts are natural formations that play a role in the overall ecological balance of the planet's landscapes. As a result of human activity, by the last quarter of the twentieth century, more than 9 million km 2 of deserts appeared, and in total they covered 43% total area sushi.

In the 1990s, desertification threatened 3.6 million hectares of drylands. This represents 70% of the potentially productive drylands, or total land surface area, and does not include the area of natural deserts. About 1/6 of the world's population suffers from this process.

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. Such a loss in a period of unprecedented population growth and increased food demand can be truly disastrous.

8.3.5 Pollution of the World Ocean. Man pollutes water from time immemorial. Probably one of the first major polluters of water bodies was the legendary Greek hero Hercules, who, with the help of a river diverted to a new channel, cleaned the Augean stables.

So, the deficit becomes and pure water, and water shortages can affect faster than the consequences of the "greenhouse effect": 1.2 billion people live without clean drinking water, 2.3 billion - without treatment facilities for the use of contaminated water. Water consumption for irrigation is growing, now it is 3300 km 3 per year; 6 times the flow of one of the most abundant rivers in the world - the Mississippi. The widespread use of groundwater leads to a decrease in their level. In Beijing, for example, he fell 4 meters in recent years.

Such an ordinary substance as water rarely attracts our attention, although we encounter it every day, rather even hourly: during the morning toilet, at breakfast, when we drink tea or coffee, when leaving the house in the rain or snow, while preparing dinner. and washing dishes, while washing ... In general, very, very often. Think for a minute about water, imagine that it suddenly disappeared, well, for example, there was an accident in the water supply network. Perhaps this has happened to you before? With all the obviousness in such a situation, it becomes clear that "without water and neither there, nor syuda."

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 the greatest concern? Why?

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

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 not threatening 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. - early XXI in. 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
Greenhouse effect,
depletion of the ozone layer,
soil degradation,
radiation hazard,
transboundary transport 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 that cannot be 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 increasing, 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 goodwill of all the inhabitants of the planet in the problem of survival.
Establishing peace on Earth, ending wars.
Cessation of the destructive effect of modern production on the biosphere (resource consumption, environmental pollution, destruction natural ecosystems and biodiversity).

Development of global models of nature restoration and scientifically sound 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 the non-obviousness for modern man of his 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, 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 the famous 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, a film was shown simultaneously in largest cities dozens of countries, including Moscow, Paris, London, Tokyo, New York, in an open 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 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.