It's like scenes from a disaster movie about the end of the world...
Everyone knows that human activity has a bad effect on the environment. But few can correctly imagine the extent of the damage we are doing to nature. These photos will show you the problem for what it really is.
When you see the consequences of deforestation or oil puddles in the ocean, it becomes somehow uncomfortable. We have not been able to wisely use the riches that our planet has so generously endowed us with. Today's deplorable state of the environment should finally enlighten us ... After all, every person can help nature, at least stop harming it.
1. Melting glaciers in Norway.
2. Perhaps the Maldives will soon go under water, as the water level in the ocean is rising by leaps and bounds.
3. Parade in Germany. Looking at the crowds at such events, you understand how densely populated the major cities of the world are.
4. Place of diamond mining, Russia.
5. Surfer and a wave of garbage, Indonesia.
6. The consequences of deforestation in Canada.
7. Countless shipping containers in the port of Singapore.
8. Burning oil slick in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico.
9. Coal-fired power plants in the UK
10. This is what a densely populated area in Mexico City, Mexico looks like. There is no trace left of nature...
Share these shocking footage with your friends and don't forget to watch your behavior towards the environment. Remember that even at the local level, a small shift in better side can fix a lot! In any case, I want to believe that humanity will someday learn to live in harmony with nature...
A couple of centuries ago, man still remained a part of nature and lived in harmony with it, because the main population lived in. And villagers have always perceived themselves as part of the world around them. Hunters killed the beast when it was necessary to get meat for food and skins for clothes. Animals have never been killed for fun. The land was treated with respect and care, because it is the main breadwinner. There were no factories in the villages, no forests were cut down, no toxic waste was dumped into the rivers. But environmental problems on the planet did not begin suddenly and not yesterday. Remember the whales, which were almost all exterminated due to the fact that the Europeans needed materials to make corsets. And without them, not a single self-respecting woman left the house. Yes, and the vast majority of men had a noble posture, not because of strong, trained muscles, but thanks to the same corsets. And what did gentle and brave young ladies in rainy London or hot Madrid care about some distant and unknown whales? Over the past centuries, the population has increased dramatically. Cities with millions of people have grown. The volume of industrial production increased hundreds, and even thousands of times. Forests are destroyed, animals, water in rivers and lakes are polluted, in order to breathe clean air, the townspeople have to travel far outside the city. This is a retribution for the blessings of civilization. Who wants to grow bread today, bake in winter, walk tens of kilometers and sew clothes yourself? There are eccentrics who build eco-villages and try to lead an almost primitive communal system. But how many of them compared to the rest of the world's population? People want to live in comfort, and therefore turn a blind eye to many things. Life is already full of stress to think seriously about ozone holes. Who really cares about the problems of extinction of some animals in the Ussuri taiga or the death Aral Sea? Here you need to pay off the money for the mortgage faster and change the tires on the car. What kind of tigers or whales are there? Not up to them. And the official, sitting in a huge office on the top floor of a building made of stone and concrete, and giving orders to cut down several hectares of forest, does not consider himself a criminal and a destroyer of nature. He has not seen this forest and never will. What difference does it make to him that several species of animals will die there, because their natural habitat will be destroyed. But a personal bank account is close and understandable. And such people are not monsters with hooves and tails. No, these are often loving fathers of the family and witty interlocutors. Most likely, they have a beloved dog with whom they like to run in the morning or an affectionate cat. And they love animals in general. But they love themselves and their comfort more. No matter how a person breaks away from nature, he still remains a part of it. By destroying nature, humanity is slowly and systematically destroying itself. People suffer from diseases that few people knew about 50 years ago. Allergies, stress and phobias have become a real scourge modern society. What will happen next? Nobody can predict. One thing is clear - you need to change your attitude to the world around you. If it's not too late.
The AiF project "Explaining What's Happening" is dedicated to clarifying simple and at the same time complex issues about the life of Voronezh residents in society. The project is being implemented within the framework of the program “Improving media coverage of the problems of socially oriented NGOs and social (charitable) projects of representatives of the real sector of the economy (including support for NGOs)”.
From April 15 to June 5, All-Russian days of protection from environmental hazards are held. The correspondent of the AiF spoke with Victoria Labzukova, head of the department of activities in the field of ecology and nature management of the Regional Public Organization "Center for Environmental Policy", and learned shocking facts. An average family generates an average of 1.5 kg of garbage per day, about 10 kg per week and 40 kg per month. Now remember the arithmetic and multiply this figure by the number of families living in your high-rise building. And then on the number of high-rise buildings in the city. And then on the number of cities on the planet ...
Victoria Labzukova spoke about the Center's project - environmental classes "Lesson of Water", "Lesson of Cleanliness", " Ecological problems cities” - shared how communication with schoolchildren can help the environment in the future.
trash can pest
“Throwing another plastic bottle or piece of paper into the trash, few people think, but where does it end up? When you look at photographs of huge landfills for the disposal of household waste, you begin to come to a simple thought. If we do not collect waste separately, the number of landfills will increase, - says Victoria Labzukova. - Why not donate paper and plastic bottle separately? Plastic takes about 200 years to decompose, although it is possible that a bottle will not decompose during this period. Who knows? Anything that can be handed in separately must be handed over. Another problem is used batteries and mercury lamps, which many residents throw away with household waste. But these wastes are considered hazardous and cause irreparable harm to the environment, ending up at a waste disposal site.”
When he removed it himself, the next time you think about whether to throw a piece of paper or not. Photo: Center for Environmental Policy
- How to properly handle household waste?
In our opinion, one of the most competent ways of waste management is their separate collection. IN major cities it’s easier with this - there are points that deal with the reception of recyclables. You can donate glass, cardboard, waste paper, textiles, plastic bottles, polyethylene. It is desirable that such points be within walking distance for any resident of our city and region.
What to do if you don't live in regional center Do you want to dispose of waste separately?
We do everything in our power. Traveling to the regions Voronezh region, we agree with the heads of municipalities on holding a campaign to collect secondary material resources. In advance, the participants of the action - the population, educational establishments, business entities - begin to collect waste paper, plastic bottles. On the day of the action, all waste collected separately is transferred to specialized organizations. For this purpose, such organizations specially go to the area on the day of the action. During the action, waste batteries are also collected - batteries, accumulators from mobile devices.
- What happens to the batteries that we sell at promotions?
Collected waste batteries are transferred for disposal. The only plant in Russia that recycles used batteries is located in Chelyabinsk. Few people know that you have to pay money for the disposal of batteries. Last year, the cost of this service was 110 rubles per 1 kg of batteries. In 2015, together with the Department of Ecology, a collection of used batteries was organized. For this, containers for collecting batteries were installed in all district administrations, as well as in universities, schools, and libraries. About 500 kg of batteries were collected. In carrying out the campaign, we were supported by partner organizations that paid for the transfer of batteries for disposal.
If you think that building near your home, dumping or cutting down trees is illegal, you can contact the Center for Environmental Policy for help.
- What to do with waste mercury lamps?
By decree of the Voronezh administration, companies that manage apartment buildings must accept used mercury lamps from residents of these buildings. You can take your used light bulb to your management company or homeowners association. There is, however, one requirement - the light bulb must be in the package so that it does not break. And management companies must transfer waste mercury lamps to specialized organizations licensed to collect this type of waste. If your management company has refused you, you can report this to the administration of the city district of Voronezh or contact us.
If you live in the private sector, the mercury bulb must be transferred directly to a specialized organization. The problem is that such organizations, as a rule, are located in the industrial zone, where it is not very convenient to get to. But if you throw away a mercury bulb with household waste, it will go to a landfill. During the burial process, the light bulb is likely to break, thereby the mercury compounds will enter the soil and water, causing great harm to nature.
Children's lessons for adults
Schoolchildren are taught rational environmental management and waste management rules. Photo: Center for Environmental Policy
- Is it possible to develop this habit in society - to think about what you throw away?
Every person must start with himself. Now each of us can, for example, stop using plastic bags and use paper or buy cloth bags. Paper bags can be handed over with waste paper, and fabric bags last much longer than a regular bag.
Automatic machines for receiving plastic and aluminum containers have long appeared in Moscow. Perhaps we will have them too. Solving issues in the waste management system requires an integrated approach, and here we cannot do without the support of our government. Now the legislation in the field of waste management is changing a lot. Soon, I hope, we will come to a more civilized approach. For our part, our organization is doing a lot of educational work in this direction.
- How can you tell the whole city about the ecological lifestyle?
The Center for Environmental Policy organizes and conducts various environmental events and actions, both in the city and in the region. For example, timed to coincide with significant environmental dates - Water Day, Earth Day, Bird Day, Forest Day, etc. We invite people to participate different ages, but most of the activities are aimed at working with the younger generation. We conduct environmental lessons "Lesson of Water", "Lesson of Cleanliness", "Ecological problems of the city". All meetings are held in an interesting game form. Children learn rational nature management, waste management rules, rules of behavior in nature. We also organize excursions for school students to enterprises that collect secondary material resources.
- Why do you focus on the lessons for children?
It is easier to communicate with children, they perceive new information with interest and try to apply the acquired knowledge in Everyday life. Children tell their parents and relatives about what they learned during the classes. Again, students who take part in subbotniks develop a more careful attitude towards nature. When he removed it himself, the next time you think about whether to throw a piece of paper or not. Yes, and relatives will have the thought: “My child cleaned here, I won’t litter here.”
eco-active lifestyle
Taking care of the environment is easy - you can not use plastic bags or start making birdhouses. Photo: Center for Environmental Policy
- Where do you go if you want to become an eco-activist?
There are initiative groups of citizens and movements that are not indifferent to environmental issues. They create their own pages in various social networks, for example, VKontakte, and inform about their events there. The Center for Environmental Policy is ready to share its experience. We have prepared presentations, handouts. We need volunteers who could carry out the environmental events we have developed.
And there are people who, without waiting for help, try to do something themselves in order to improve environmental situation. So, in Voronezh, an active group of citizens appeared who bought containers for collecting plastic bottles and installed them in the courtyards of apartment buildings. The containers were labeled with phone numbers to call when they were full. This initiative has found a great response from the townspeople, calls are received several times a day. From this we can conclude that Voronezh residents are ready to collect waste separately. Such initiatives, of course, must be supported by the government of our region.
- What to do if you notice illegal dumping or felling of trees?
You see some kind of violation. For example, you think that construction near your house is illegal, or you find a garbage dump, or you notice that work is underway to cut down trees. You can contact our organization, call by phone, write to e-mail or leave information in the VKontakte group. To do this, you must indicate the exact address where, in your opinion, an environmental violation occurs, leave your coordinates, it is advisable to record the fact of the violation and send it to us. It happens that they call anonymously, report that something is happening somewhere and hang up. It is important to leave your contacts so that we have the opportunity to contact and clarify the necessary information. In turn, we send an appeal to the executive authorities, whose competence includes resolving these issues.
If you need to cut down trees in the city, you can contact the environmental department directly. There you will be answered whether there is a permit for felling or not. If there is no permission, the necessary measures will be taken to prevent this fact.
Our organization cooperates with social movements, initiative groups of citizens who are not indifferent to the problems associated with environmental protection, and we also actively cooperate with the authorities to solve these problems.
Today, the sad truth is no longer a secret to anyone - our planet is in danger, and plants and animals have to survive in conditions of anthropogenic pollution. Even the photographs that appear in the press from time to time are not able to convey the seriousness and scale of the pollution problem. In this review, little-known and shocking facts that allow you to understand the seriousness of the problem.
1. 3 million plastic bottles
Earth
More than 6 billion kilograms of garbage is dumped into the world's oceans every year. Most of this garbage is plastic, which is toxic to marine life. In America alone, 3 million plastic bottles are thrown away every hour. But each such bottle decomposes within 500 years.
2. "Trash Continent"
Pacific Ocean
Few people know about this, but pacific ocean there is an entire "continent" of plastic waste known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. By some estimates, this plastic "garbage continent" could be twice the size of the United States.
3. 500 million cars
Earth
There are over 500 million cars in the world today, and by 2030 this number is expected to grow to over a billion. This means that pollution caused by cars could potentially double in 14 years.
4. 30% of the world's waste
USA
Americans make up only 5% of the world's population. In doing so, they produce 30% of the world's waste and use about a quarter of the world's natural resources.
5. Oil spills
World Ocean
Everyone knows that mass fatal oil spills are formed after accidents with tankers or drilling rigs. At the same time, it is practically unknown that for every million tons of oil shipped, there is always one ton of spilled oil (and this is without any accidents).
6. Pure Antarctica
Antarctica
The only relatively clean place on Earth is Antarctica. This continent is protected by the Antarctic Treaty, which prohibits military activities, mining, nuclear explosions and disposal of nuclear waste.
7. Beijing air
China
China is one of the countries with the most high level air pollution in the world. Just breathing the air in Beijing increases your risk of lung cancer to the same extent as smoking 21 cigarettes a day. In addition, almost 700 million Chinese (about half of the country's population) are forced to drink contaminated water.
8. Ganges River
India
Water pollution is even worse in India, where almost 80% of all city waste is dumped into the Ganges River - the Hindus' most sacred river. Also in this river, poor Indians bury dead family members.
9. Lake Karachay
Russia
Lake Karachay - a radioactive waste dump of the former Soviet Union, which is located in Chelyabinsk region, is the most polluted place on Earth. If a person spends only an hour in this lake, he is guaranteed to die.
10. Electronic waste
Earth
As computers, televisions, mobile phones and other electronic devices become more and more accessible in the world, e-waste is a growing problem in last years. For example, in 2012 alone, people threw away almost 50 million tons of e-waste.
11. A third of British fish change sex
England
About a third of fish in British rivers change sex due to water pollution. Scientists believe that the main reason for this are hormones from the waste in sewage, including birth control pills.
12. 80 thousand synthetic chemicals
Earth
In modern days, up to 500 chemical substances, which it did not have until 1920. There are almost 80,000 synthetic chemicals on the market today.
13. San Francisco air from China
Environmental problem: light pollution.
Earth
Light pollution does not generally have a significant effect on people, but it does lead to serious problems for many animals. Birds often confuse days and nights, and scientists have found that light pollution can even change the migration patterns of some animal species.
Today, people are looking for different ways to make their lives safer and production more environmentally friendly. So, .
The nature of our planet is very diverse and inhabited by unique species of plants, animals, birds and microorganisms. All this diversity is closely interconnected and allows our planet to preserve and maintain a unique balance between various life forms.
In contact with
Human impact on the environment
From the very first days of the appearance of man, he began to influence the environment. And with the invention of more and more new tools, human civilization has increased its impact to a truly enormous scale. And at the present time several important issues How does man influence nature? What human actions harm the soil that provides us with basic food? What is the influence of man on the atmosphere we breathe?
At present, the impact of man on the world around him not only contributes to the development of our civilization, but often leads to the fact that appearance The planet is undergoing significant changes: rivers are drained and dry up, forests are cut down, new cities and factories appear in place of the plains, mountains are destroyed for the sake of new transport routes.
With the rapid increase in the population of the Earth, humanity needs more and more food, and with the rapid growth of production technologies, the production capacities of our civilization are growing, requiring more and more resources for processing and consumption, the development of more and more new territories.
Cities are growing, capturing more and more new lands from nature and displacing their natural inhabitants from there: plants and animals.
This is interesting: in the chest?
Main reasons
Causes negative impact man to nature are:
All these factors have a significant and sometimes irreversible impact on the world around us. And more and more often a question arises before a person: what consequences will such an influence eventually lead to? Will we eventually turn our planet into a waterless desert, unsuitable for existence? How can a person minimize Negative consequences its influence on the world? The inconsistency of the impact of people on natural environment is now becoming a subject of discussion at the international level.
Negative and controversial factors
In addition to the obvious positive influence of man on surrounding nature, there are significant disadvantages of such interaction:
- Destruction of large areas of forests by cutting them out. This influence is connected, first of all, with the development of the transport industry - a person needs more and more new highways. In addition, wood is actively used in the paper industry and other industries.
- wide application of chemical fertilizers V agriculture actively contributes to the rapid contamination of the soil.
- Widely developed network industrial productions their emissions harmful substances into the atmosphere and water are not only the cause of environmental pollution, but also contribute to the death of entire species of fish, birds and plants.
- Rapidly growing cities and industrial centers significantly affect the change in the external living conditions of animals, the reduction of their natural habitat and the reduction of the populations of various species themselves.
Also, one cannot ignore man-made disasters that can cause irreversible harm not just to a separate species of flora or fauna, but to entire regions of the planet. For example, after the famous accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, to date, a large region of Ukraine is uninhabitable. The level of radiation in this area exceeds the maximum permissible norms by dozens of times.
Also, a leak of contaminated water from the reactor of a nuclear power plant in the city of Fukushima could lead to ecological disaster on a global scale. The damage that this heavy contaminated water could do ecological system world ocean, would be simply irreplaceable.
And the construction of conventional hydroelectric power plants does no less harm to the environment. Indeed, for their construction it is necessary to build a dam and flood a large area of adjacent fields and forests. As a result of such human activity, not only the river and adjacent territories suffer, but also animal world living in these areas.
In addition, many mindlessly throw away garbage, polluting not only the soil, but also the waters of the oceans with their waste products. After all, light debris does not sink and remains on the surface of the water. And given that the decomposition period of some types of plastic is more than a dozen years, such floating "dirt islands" make it much more difficult to obtain oxygen and sunlight sea and river inhabitants. Therefore, entire populations of fish and animals have to migrate in search of new, more habitable territories. And many of them die in the process of searching.
Deforestation on the slopes of mountains makes them susceptible to erosion, as a result, the soil becomes loose, which can lead to destruction of the mountain range.
Yes, and to vital supplies fresh water people are negligent - daily polluting freshwater rivers with sewage and industrial waste.
Of course, the existence of a person on the planet brings her considerable benefits. In particular, it is people who carry out activities aimed at improving the ecological situation in the environment. On the territory of many countries, people organize nature reserves, parks and reserves, which allow not only to preserve the surrounding nature in its natural original form, but also contribute to the preservation and increase in the populations of rare and endangered species of animals and birds.
Special laws have been created to protect rare representatives of the nature around us from destruction. There are special services, funds and centers that fight against the destruction of animals and birds. Specialized associations of ecologists are also being created, the task of which is to fight for the reduction of emissions into the atmosphere that are harmful to the environment.
Security organizations
One of the most famous organizations fighting for the conservation of nature is Greenpease is an international organization created to save the environment for our descendants. The employees of Greenpease set themselves several main tasks:
- The fight against pollution of the world's oceans.
- Significant restriction on whaling.
- Reducing the scale of deforestation of the taiga in Siberia and much more.
With the development of civilization, humanity must look for alternative sources of energy: solar or space, to save life on Earth. Also great importance to preserve the nature around us, they have the construction of new canals and artificial water systems aimed at maintaining soil fertility. And to keep the air clean, many factories install specially designed filters to reduce the amount of pollutants emitted into the atmosphere.
Such reasonable and careful attitude to the world around us definitely has a positive impact on nature.
Every day, the positive impact of man on nature is increasing, and this cannot but affect the ecology of our entire planet. Therefore, the struggle of man for the preservation of rare species of flora and fauna, the preservation of rare species of plants is so important.
Mankind has no right to violate the natural balance and lead to the depletion of natural resources by its activities. To do this, it is necessary to control the extraction of minerals, carefully monitor and carefully treat the fresh water reserves on our planet. And it is very important to remember that it is we who are responsible for the world around us and it depends on us how our children and grandchildren will live!
