In the modern world, there is a point of view that a person, by his activities, harms the environment, extracting minerals, polluting and destroying the world around him. There are people who openly fight against human activity, denying the benefits of civilization in favor of life in "harmony with nature." At the same time, these people enjoy these benefits no less than others, but consider it possible to consider themselves good. The other side is people who mine, build, produce. They give humanity the opportunity to live in the industrial world, but from this point of view, they are considered rapists over nature ... But lately, I increasingly learn one more point of view regarding what is happening in the world.
The statement that man harms nature is, firstly, very selfish and pursuing the goal not of improving the state of nature, but exclusively the interests of the person who says it. Secondly, this statement is based on the opinion that man is not a part of nature. Let's take a closer look at this concept.
Man over nature
A person in his development has reached the stage when he began to globally influence the world around him. He uproots forests, extracts huge amounts of minerals such as coal, oil, natural gas, which have been forming over millions of years. It pollutes soil, water, air and even space.
Therefore, man begins to oppose nature, to separate from it. As a result of industrialization, people began to believe that they should use nature for their own purposes: “We cannot wait for favors from nature, it is our task to take them from her” (IV Michurin). This phrase has become a symbol of the consumer attitude towards nature.
Others began to oppose such people, who shouted that animals should not be killed, the environment should not be polluted, fossil remains should not be mined because they are finite. In 100 years, oil, gas, coal will run out and people will come to an energy crisis. Such people accuse others of making life on the planet worse, but that they themselves have done to improve the situation.
A friend who studies water says “I hate people. They pollute the Earth. " But what did he himself do? He just kindled aggression in people that would be directed at him. He also, like everyone else, enjoys the benefits of civilization. He has not improved the lives of others, has not figured out how to improve the conditions of life on earth ... But he hates.
At the same time, in reality, everyone pursues only their own goals. Some are mining. Others spend government money to simulate environmental improvement activities. This state of affairs is beneficial to everyone ... except for humanity.
Man is part of nature
However, there is another point of view. Man is part of nature. If you think about it, the consequences of accepting this simple postulate are enormous.
Throughout the history of the development of the Earth, periods have arisen many times in which thousands of species of living beings were destroyed. There were also creatures that also significantly influenced the world around them. And they also died out. Life on earth has constantly evolved, and now the crown of the creation of evolution on Earth is man.
However, evolution continues. The activity of any creature, including man, is exactly what was given by nature. It is nature (or we can say - planet Earth) that seeks to constantly evolve. It seeks now to go beyond one planet and spread further into space. And it is man who, by his activity, is now driving the development of nature.
Let's think about what minerals are ... For the last millions of years, life has been boiling on the Earth's surface. And when dying, living organisms (animals, plants, microorganisms) turned into soil. This process went on continuously, and gradually this layer grew and grew. Substances were removed from the cycle of life and deposited in the Earth. Gradually, all this turned into those fossil substances that people are now extracting.
Through his activity, a person again extracts what was buried millions of years ago, and enters into the cycle of substances. What is the meaning of nature from senselessly lying substances. There is nothing useless in nature, and through human activity the Earth shakes up all its resources, striving to develop further.
The statement that a person harms the Earth by his activities is not true. He only harms himself. As a result of this activity, in the near future he will use up the materials he has thought of. If he cannot come up with something new and dies out, then this is exclusively the problem of a species that could not adapt and develop. The earth, as it was before, will continue to be so. She will strive for other species to be able to move on where the person has failed.
By polluting the environment, a person only worsens the conditions of his life. Chernobyl now is one of the cleanest places in Ukraine, apart from radiation. There is the cleanest air, many animals, many plants. For some 25 years, the Earth has already begun to forget about the presence of people there. The same will happen if a person cannot cope with his brain and figure out how to destroy himself. It means a defective species, and you need to develop differently.
So there is no need to think about how to take care of nature, it will take care of itself. There will be a nuclear war. In a million years, life will flourish on Earth again, but without people. And some other species will begin to dominate and develop, and maybe go beyond humans. 60 million years ago, 99% of the species of terrestrial living beings, including dinosaurs, became extinct, and mammals began to dominate. They lived before, but dinosaurs did not give them the opportunity to develop. Now they have this opportunity. Everything in the world is going on expediently, and if a person does not meet the expectations of evolution, then he will be forced to leave in favor of others.
Future
It turns out that we need to care not about the world in which we live, but about humanity. If a person destroys himself, then the planet "shakes off" and moves on. But if a person begins to think about how to improve his living conditions, purifying air, water, food from harmful substances; develop intellectually and move those branches of science that are really capable of improving his environment; to study new sources of energy and apply those that are least harmful to the person himself, then he has a chance to conquer the universe.
The difference here is that in the first understanding of the world there are two types of activity: one of them worsens human living conditions (pollutes the environment, affects water, food, etc.), and the other tries to improve (purifies). It is like bending an iron rod in different directions. Sooner or later, you can break it. This is similar to how a person drinks a lot of coffee, and then immediately valocardin in order for the heart to survive this portion of coffee. But by both actions, a person only worsens his condition.
People who are struggling with human activity (with industry) are fighting with themselves. They come out with banners and call for something, but in reality they only contribute to it.
In the second understanding of the world, there is the idea that it is necessary not to fight against activity, but to put human activity for the benefit of humanity. Those. it is necessary not to fight with factories that throw waste into the air, but to come up with ways to replace these factories with something new, more progressive, which will not have such a detrimental effect on a person, but better - also improve his well-being. Instead of talking about saving endangered species (i.e. activities directed against evolution), it is necessary to save the main dominant species on the planet - man. Only when human activity is aimed at the good of humanity itself, only then will a person have a chance to continue his evolutionary development.
When the last tree is cut down, when the last river is poisoned, when the last bird is caught - only then will you understand that you cannot eat money.
Prophecy of the Cree Indians
- Man appeared on a unique planet where there was plenty of clean water and clean air - everything that is so necessary for life. Centuries passed, and it seemed to people that it would always be so, that the gifts of nature are inexhaustible. But lately we have noticed more and more that the air has become completely different from what it used to be - it becomes difficult for them to breathe. And what have become our water sources - rivers and lakes? They became shallow, overgrown with mud and became so dirty that even “purified” water has to be drunk with caution ...
With what have we entered the XXI century? What's in store for us?
The fact-based environmental forecast is extremely disappointing. Scientists believe that humanity has reached such a level of technical development when. where his unrestrained economic activity is capable of irreversibly changing the natural environment on Earth, as a result of which an ecological apocalypse will occur, that is, the death of all life on our still blue and green planet.
Formally, in Russia, and in other countries, measures are being taken to protect the natural environment, international symposia are held, agreements are signed between countries. For example, in 1972, agreements were signed between the USSR and the USA on cooperation in the field of environmental protection. But there are no visible improvements. On the contrary, the severity of the environmental problem increases every year: the content of carbon dioxide increases in the atmosphere, and the amount of free oxygen decreases; before our very eyes, tropical forests are being destroyed, rare species of animals and plants are disappearing, fertile lands are declining, and supplies of clean fresh water are decreasing. In a word, nature is degenerating. And if nature deteriorates, people begin to be overcome by diseases ...
One of the most important components of the natural environment is the atmosphere. According to researchers, industrial enterprises and thermal power plants annually emit into the earth's atmosphere many billions of tons (!) Of harmful chemical compounds, ash and dust. In countries with a high level of industrial development, pollution emissions roughly double every 12 years. Over 40% of all pollution comes from road transport.
Atmospheric pollution has no boundaries. Today, within the troposphere, the air is already polluted throughout the Earth. In comparison with 1965, pollution has increased by about three times. According to geochemists' calculations, over 300 billion tons of carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere from the burning of oil, coal, gas and wood every year! With an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide, the thermal balance of the planet changes: the Earth absorbs more infrared (thermal) radiation, the outflow of heat into space decreases, and the average temperature of the surface air layer rises. Consequently, "thermal" pollution is causing climate change on a planetary scale.
Some warming, which is currently observed, is causing the ice in Antarctica and Greenland to melt, which inevitably leads to an increase in the level of the World Ocean. In the future, this process may become irreversible, and then an increase in the ocean level by 5-6 m (due to the intensified melting of continental glaciations) will pose a serious threat to the population living in the low-lying coastal regions of the Earth.
In cities, pollution is usually 5-10 times more than in rural areas. This is facilitated by dumps of industrial and household waste that form around cities. Such landfills have become a real disaster for the surrounding nature and people. They are a source of pollution not only for the atmosphere, but also for the soil, and water basins, and even groundwater.
Recently, the danger has begun to come even from rural areas and due to the widespread use in agriculture of the so-called pesticide he - highly toxic chemicals that are used to control pests of agricultural crops. Air currents and waterways, these substances are distributed throughout the Earth. Suffice it to say that DDT has been found even in the stomachs of chinstrap penguins.
No less serious danger to humanity is the pollution of water sources. It is not only about the purity of our rivers, lakes and reservoirs, but also about the purity of the salty sea water. For some reason, it is considered in the order of things to release spent fuel oil directly overboard. Every year its waste from all ships amounts to tens of thousands of tons (this is in addition to 10 million tons of oil flowing into the oceans as a result of accidents of oil tankers). You can imagine what this will lead to if each ton of fuel oil or oil spreads over the water surface as a thin film over an area of \u200b\u200b12 km2, and the ocean is the main supplier of oxygen! The space images taken from the orbital station show that many thousands of square kilometers of the coastal waters of the World Ocean and seas are covered with a dark oil film ...
The famous French aquanaut scientist Jacques Yves Cousteau (1910-1997) was concerned about the results of his research of the deep sea: due to the constant pollution of the World Ocean, there was a real threat of complete destruction of many of its inhabitants. More than a thousand species of marine fauna have disappeared in the last 50 years alone.
If contaminants are present in the atmosphere, iodine and soil, they inevitably accumulate in plants and animals. Man eats plant and animal food. Consequently, many harmful substances, such as lead and mercury, enter the human body through food.
At present, it is very difficult to find such a place on Earth that would not be exposed to human influence. But, changing the natural conditions, a person often does not take into account how this will affect his own health. In an effort to get immediate economic benefits, people do not at all think about what irreparable harm they cause not only to themselves, but also to future generations.
Thus, thoughtless economic activity of man leads to negative changes in the entire environment and, ultimately, to the complete devastation of nature. In turn, the polluted environment - the dying nature - becomes the cause of mass illness of people with chronic bronchial tubes, lung cancer, disorders of the nervous and cardiovascular systems.
All living things on Earth have always been exposed to ionizing radiation, the source of which is natural radioactive isotopes. They create a natural radioactive background of the planet, to which man has adapted well enough.
But in 1945, in connection with the first tests of nuclear weapons, radioactive substances created by people themselves appeared in the atmosphere. And together with the air and water, the person began to swallow them. The radioactive isotopes of strontium and uranium turned out to be especially dangerous for a living organism. Over the years, they accumulate in human bone tissue, which becomes a source of ionizing radiation that causes leukemia - a serious incurable disease.
Now all over the world at nuclear power plants there are about 500 nuclear power units. And if disasters like the Chernobyl on April 26, 1986 are repeated, the possibility of contamination with the most dangerous strontium-90 of the entire Earth is not excluded ...
As you can see, the problem of nature protection has acquired a global significance today. To cope with the impending threat, people across the earth must see their planet as one. Therefore, to successfully solve the global environmental problem, space sensing is indispensable. For the timely detection of pollution centers, their localization and neutralization, special patrol observations of the Earth from space are needed. Such observations are already being established.
Space methods for operational control over the state of the natural environment are very effective. And it is only thanks to this that the further development of space research should be recognized as an absolutely necessary matter. But for a complete solution of the environmental problem, it will be necessary to launch an offensive along the "entire front".
First of all, it is necessary to take urgent measures to reduce environmental pollution. A promising way is the establishment of a waste-free technological process at industrial enterprises. But even if we create a waste-free land-based industry, it will still not bring the desired result: the pollution of the planet will continue to some extent. There is only one way out: to relocate all our industrial production into space.
Some supporters of the environmental movement, the so-called "green", believe that space technology has a detrimental effect on the natural environment: it pollutes the earth's atmosphere with harmful products of rocket fuel combustion and destroys the ozone layer. Of course, this is happening to some extent. But a complete rejection of further space research will not save the nature of our planet from destruction. The most favorable development strategy should proceed from a reasonable combination of conflicting requirements: on the one hand, to preserve the earthly nature, on the other, to ensure not only human survival, but also his further progress.
The Russian scientist-philosopher Arkady Dmitrievich Ursul put forward a hypothesis about the division and future of social production into earthly and cosmic. The former should be predominantly agricultural, the latter industrial. If it is not completely possible to create closed technological cycles, then it is important to develop such an option so that the waste of space production does not pollute the near space - near-earth space, does not affect the Earth's atmosphere and its nature.
At the present time on our planet there is an intensive accumulation of radioactive waste that is generated at nuclear power plants. This waste poses a deadly threat to humans and the earth's biosphere. Burying containers of radioactive isotopes in deep spent mines and on the ocean floor is not a good option. All this for the time being. Trouble can strike at any time and will be worse than Chernobyl!
The solution has long been asking: the place of nuclear power is space! In the meantime, it continues to operate on Earth, we should think better: what to do with radioactive waste? There are projects for the space disposal of this highly hazardous waste. For example, the removal with the help of rockets outside the solar system - into interstellar space. But from an environmental point of view, the best option is considered to be the incineration of radioactive waste in the plasma envelope of the Sun.
Removal of industrial production beyond the Earth and the creation of orbital industrial complexes in space is a task that humanity must begin to solve in the second half of the 21st century. Only from the standpoint of space exploration can we solve the impending ecological catastrophe and save the nature of the Earth. There is no other way.
“All riches start from the land, and the land loves care,” says a Russian proverb. The wise meaning of these words is clear to everyone: a person must protect and protect nature in a fatherly way - our priceless wealth, the source of all our earthly goods.
To the question How does a person harm nature? given by the author Victoria Okun the best answer is Well, firstly, man destroys virgin nature, turning all its large areas into anthropogenic, as it is called in the social environment, creates a "second nature" .... this naturally disrupts the level of oxygen release into the atmosphere, as valuable trees and other plants are also destroyed by humans ... secondly, inventions in industry exacerbate this situation. With the development of various industries, new methods of manufacturing goods, etc., appear, which negatively affects nature, since as production progresses, a huge amount of hazardous gases are emitted into the atmosphere, and even modern filters installed on the pipes of factories do not save from harm and pollution ... thirdly, the problem with garbage arises from the above problem, which appears in large quantities after consuming the same industrial products ... reservoirs are polluted by irresponsible factories that throw industrial waste directly into the seas and lakes without thinking about their own the future ... again, man destroys many species of innocent animals pleasing daily money and just for his own pleasure ... in fact, there are many such negative influences of man on nature, one might even say that they are at every step ...
Answer from Flush[guru]
Dumps waste into rivers, lakes. Drain swamps, cut down forests, exhaust gases into the atmosphere, create artificial reserves,
destruction of animals
Answer from Alla Mikhailets[newbie]
roman bitch
Answer from Grow up[newbie]
1. A person is so arranged that he seeks to consciously change nature, adjust it to his needs, and this is the main harm that he causes her. Man builds huge factories that poison the atmosphere and the hydrosphere with toxic emissions, man cuts down forests, plows fields, extracts underground natural resources, leaving voids underground and mountains of ugly rocks on the surface, upsets the ecological balance. Man destroyed and destroys various types of animals and plants. Man builds cities, lays roads, makes fires, litters. Sometimes it seems that the very presence of a person harms nature.
But man is still a rational being, and in recent years he began to think about the harm that he carries, and how it can be corrected. If in this endeavor he acts consistently, soon the harm caused to nature can be significantly reduced.
2. As a conscious and more organized being, a person causes great damage to nature (Paradoxically). Let's start with commonplace rubbish. Picnics in the spring in nature, after which, as a rule. garbage is not removed. The fire is not really extinguished. For example, plastic bags and bottles are not subject to decay and decay. Which means plastic hell. if something like that is not processed, not far off. Exhaust gases from cars, a great attachment to cleaning chemicals that only harm, cutting down trees and exterminating animals ... And this is only a small part of the harm that a person can do ...
Answer from Marriage[newbie]
1 irrational use of water
Everyone knows that water enters the water supply system from natural sources. Now imagine the morning, the population of a large city and in each apartment, shower and tap are on. Now think about how much water flows away in just one morning. And this is only the beginning of the day, how many times during the day the tap will still open and water will flow. For example, all Muscovites taken together on average spend from 200 liters of water to 4 million cubic meters per day. Several years ago there was even a question of water scarcity. And such a situation is quite possible, because the resources of the earth are not infinite.
2. Toothpaste and hygiene products
Let's continue with water. Anything you flush down the sink or toilet ends up in the wastewater. Today, a system for their cleaning has been developed, but it concerns only the central sewerage system. That is, before draining waste water into a reservoir, it is subjected to several stages of purification. However, she cannot completely cope with the chemical components of hygiene products. The same toothpaste contains fluoride, which, like chlorine, interacts with organic substances and forms dangerous chemical compounds. What can we say about hygiene products that contain various dangerous flavors, pea, polymer molecules. All these components, one way or another, penetrate the environment.
3. Car
Everything seems clear about the car. Exhaust gases from a single car release over ten thousand pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Thanks to the large number of vehicles, Moscow and St. Petersburg are considered one of the dirtiest cities in the country. Unfortunately, while the share of alternative eco-mobiles accounts for only a small part.
4.Smoking
In addition to the fact that during smoking, harmful substances get into the air, in order to dry tobacco, almost five million hectares of forest are destroyed every year.
5. Incorrect disposal of garbage
We have written more than once that improper waste disposal is harmful to the environment. You can read about this on our website here and here.
6. Perfume
Musk is often used in perfumery compositions, it is he who causes the greatest concern among environmentalists. It can penetrate the adipose tissue of aquatic species. Imagine you are on vacation, perfumed with your favorite aroma (which, by the way, may contain a number of chemicals hazardous to health and nature) and plunged into the sea. Congratulations, all the harmful substances along with the musk got into the reservoir. You may want to have a fresh fish dinner later. There is a possibility that you will not only inhale all the harmful components of your perfume, but also eat them.
7. Household cleaning and laundry products
We also wrote about the dangers of such funds. Read this text.
8. Means for the renovation of premises
Today, there are environmental counterparts to unsafe paints, adhesives, varnishes and other repair products that contain hazardous components. True, such funds are more expensive. If you are looking for an economical renovation, be prepared for the fact that your home will harm nature and your health.
9. Carcinogens formed during frying food
Fancy fried cutlets for dinner? Stop. Think again and steam them, as frying produces a dangerous carcinogen that can cause cancers in humans and animals.
The AiF project “Explaining what is happening” is dedicated to clarifying simple and at the same time complex questions 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 non-profit organizations and social (charitable) projects of representatives of the real sector of the economy (including those supported by NGOs)”.
From April 15 to June 5, the All-Russian Days of Protection against Environmental Hazard are held. The AiF correspondent talked with Victoria Labzukova, head of the department of activities in the field of ecology and environmental management of the All-Russian Regional 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 the number of cities on the planet ...
Victoria Labzukova spoke about the Center's project - environmental classes "Water Lesson", "Cleanliness Lesson", "Environmental problems of the city" - she 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 can, few people think about where it ends up? When you look at photographs of huge landfills for the disposal of household waste, you begin to come to a simple idea. If we do not collect waste separately, the number of landfills will increase, - says Victoria Labzukova. - Why not hand over paper and plastic bottle separately? Plastic takes about 200 years to decompose, although the bottle may not decompose during this period. Who knows? Everything that can be taken separately must be taken. Another problem is waste batteries and mercury lamps, which many residents dispose of with household waste. But this waste is considered hazardous and causes irreparable harm to the environment, ending up at the landfill. "
When I cleaned it myself, next time you will think 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 large cities, this is easier - there are points that accept recyclable materials. You can hand over glass, cardboard, waste paper, textiles, plastic bottles, polyethylene. It is desirable that such points are within walking distance for any resident of our city and region.
- What if you do not live in the regional center and want to donate waste separately?
We do everything in our power. We leave for the districts of the Voronezh region, agree with the heads of municipalities on holding an action to collect secondary material resources. In advance, the participants of the action - the population, educational institutions, business entities - begin to collect waste paper, plastic bottles. On the day of the campaign, all separately collected waste is transferred to specialized organizations. For this purpose, such organizations make a special trip to the region on the day of the action. During the action, the collection of waste batteries is also carried out - batteries, accumulators from mobile devices.
- What happens to the batteries that we hand over at promotions?
The collected waste batteries are transferred for disposal. The only plant in Russia that deals with the processing of used batteries is located in Chelyabinsk. Few people know that you have to pay money to neutralize batteries. Last year, the cost of this service was 110 rubles per 1 kg of batteries. In 2015, together with the Department of Ecology, the collection of waste batteries was organized. For this, containers were installed for collecting batteries in all district governments, as well as in universities, schools, libraries. About 500 kg of batteries were collected. In carrying out the action, we were supported by partner organizations who paid for the transfer of batteries for neutralization.
If it seems to you that building near your home, dumping or cutting down trees is illegal, you can contact the Environmental Policy Center for help.
- What to do with used mercury lamps?
By order of the Voronezh administration, companies that manage apartment buildings must accept used mercury lamps from residents of these buildings. You can take the used light bulb to your management company or homeowners association. There is, however, one requirement - the light bulb must be in the package so as not to break. And already management companies must transfer used mercury lamps to specialized organizations licensed to collect this type of waste. If your management company was denied you, you can report this to the administration of the city district, the city of Voronezh, or contact us.
If you live in the private sector, the mercury light bulb must be handed over directly to a specialized organization. The problem is that such organizations, as a rule, are located in an industrial zone, which is not very convenient to get to. But if you dispose of the mercury light bulb with your household waste, it will go to a landfill. During the burial process, the light bulb is likely to break, thereby mercury compounds will enter the soil and water, causing great harm to nature.
Kids lessons for adults
Schoolchildren are taught rational nature 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?
Anyone should start with himself. Now each of us can, for example, stop using plastic bags and use paper bags or buy fabric bags. Paper bags can be returned with waste paper, and cloth bags last much longer than a regular bag.
Vending machines for accepting plastic and aluminum containers have long appeared in Moscow. Perhaps they will appear with us too. Solving issues in the waste management system requires an integrated approach, and here we cannot do without the support of our government. Now legislation in the field of waste management is changing a lot. Soon, hopefully we will come to a more civilized approach. For our part, our organization is carrying out a great educational work in this direction.
- How can you tell the whole city about the ecological way of life?
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 significant environmental dates - Water Day, Earth Day, Bird Day, Forest Day, etc. We invite people of different ages to participate, but most of the events are aimed at working with the younger generation. We conduct ecological lessons "Water Lesson", "Cleanliness Lesson", "Environmental problems of the city". All meetings are held in an interesting way. Children learn rational nature management, rules of waste management, rules of behavior in nature. We also organize excursions to enterprises that collect secondary material resources for school students.
- Why do you focus on lessons for children?
It is easier to communicate with children, they perceive new information with interest and try to apply the knowledge gained in everyday life. Children tell their parents and relatives about what they have learned during the class. Again, students who take part in subbotniks develop a more respectful attitude towards nature. When I cleaned it myself, next time you will think whether to throw a piece of paper or not. And relatives will have the thought: "My child has cleaned this place, I won't litter here."
Eco-active lifestyle
Taking care of the environment is easy - you don't need to use plastic bags or start making birdhouses. Photo: Center for Environmental Policy
- Where to 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 pages in different social networks, for example, VKontakte, and there they inform about their events. The Center for Environmental Policy is ready to share its experience. We have ready-made presentations, handouts. We need volunteers who can carry out the environmental activities we have developed.
And there are people who, without waiting for help, are trying to do something themselves to improve the environmental situation. Thus, an active group of citizens appeared in Voronezh, who purchased 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 are full. This initiative has found a great response among the townspeople, calls are received several times a day. Hence 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 I noticed an illegal dump or tree felling?
You see some kind of violation. For example, it seems to you that construction near your house is illegal, or you have discovered a garbage dump, or have noticed that work is underway to cut down trees. You can contact our organization, call by phone, write by 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 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 is to resolve these issues.
Regarding the felling of trees on the territory of the city, you can immediately contact the ecology department. 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 suppress this fact.
Our organization cooperates with public movements, initiative groups of citizens who are not indifferent to the problems associated with environmental protection, and we also actively interact with the authorities to solve these problems.
Do not forget that not only harmful emissions from production, mountains of garbage, pollution of rivers and seas, deforestation, destruction of animals and plants, but also our weekend trips to barbecues or to pick mushrooms, do harm to nature. Naturally, the harm to the environment caused by the fire we have built is incommensurate with what a chemical plant or a landfill "gives" nature to nature, but it is still tangible.
You have never paid attention, like a mother, walking with a child in the park, suddenly with an exclamation of "fu, what disgusting!" something diligently crushes with your foot? A child is receptive and quickly learns that a butterfly fluttering in a clearing is cute and beautiful, and that crawling underfoot is disgusting and unworthy of life. The lesson learned in childhood will remain for life: "I myself determine what and who are worthy to live and grow on this earth."
Recently, nature is increasingly letting us know that it is offended by our stupid activities: either snow will fall where it was not seen in its birth - in Africa or in southern Asia, then rains will flood Europe, then drought will leave huge regions without crops.
Recently, more and more people are beginning to understand that they must learn to live in harmony with nature, obey the laws of ecology - the science of our common home.
The term "ecology" was proposed in 1866 by the German scientist Ernst Haeckel, defining it as the science of the relationship of all living things to the environment. In Greek, "oikos" is dwelling, house, residence, and "logos" is a word, teaching.
Let's not go deep into the scientific jungle, the essence of ecology can be formulated in one short phrase: "Human, do no harm." But, unfortunately, we harm a lot and sophisticatedly, causing irreparable harm to nature. We have become accustomed to the fact that every summer television shows a mass of fires destroying thousands of hectares of forests. And most of the fires are man-made.
An unstuffed cigarette butt or ember, a bottle of transparent glass thrown on dry grass (magnifying glass effect) in dry windy weather can turn a calm green forest into a fiery hell in a few minutes, in which a lot of living things will perish.
Scientists have calculated that 1 hectare of forest absorbs at least 5 tons of carbon dioxide per year, releasing 10 tons of oxygen during the same time. For example: in one hour a hectare of forest will absorb all the carbon dioxide emitted by breathing 200 people.
Convincing numbers, aren't they? And there are many such examples.
Do not forget that in city parks and squares living beings, maybe not much less than in a wild forest, but they are much more vulnerable and are entirely dependent on human whims. Our ancestors have long formulated the basic principles of human behavior in relation to nature. Let's and we will follow them.
Try not to keep wild animals at home. In most cases, you will not be able to turn them into home ones. More often than not, your inept "care" is disastrous for them. If you decide to help a wild animal, think about whether you can do it without harming it.
In no case should you bring grown chicks or baby animals from the forest. In the overwhelming majority of cases, they are not abandoned by their parents; the parents are simply busy looking for food.
You should not approach animal holes and bird nests if there are young animals in them, which usually give themselves away with a squeak.
If your dog is poorly educated, in the spring and early summer, do not let it off the leash in the park, forest, on wastelands, where there may be bird nests or young wild animals. Try not to create unnecessary noise during this period that scares away birds and animals. Cubs who do not have time to run away after adults can get lost and die.
Take care of the smallest inhabitants of the forest. Don't cut off the cobwebs, just walk around them. Do not destroy anthills or step on ant paths.
Do not overturn stones, driftwood, old logs, or break moss stumps unnecessarily. A large number of living beings live under them and in them. If you want to make sure of this, sit on the sidelines for a while. The anxiety caused by your steps will subside, and lizards will crawl out onto the stumps, millipedes will rush about their business, beetles will appear, birds will scurry, a mouse will crawl out of the hole - the forest will heal with its usual life.
For nature, all living things are important and necessary, all have their own niche and complex relationships with others. Among them there are no "nasty and nasty", so no need to put pressure on anyone, no one to step on. The scary-looking hairy caterpillar will tomorrow turn into a beautiful butterfly and pollinate the flowers.
Try not to unnecessarily disturb the forest soil. Do not forget that a passing car with its wheels compacts it, leading to the death of many living creatures. Exhaust gases do not benefit the forest either. It is advisable to walk through the forest along the existing paths, without laying new ones unnecessarily. If you are going off-road, try not to break or trample plants.
There is no need to pluck the plants just to admire them. To do this, it is enough to bend over to the flower, which in its natural environment will always look better than in your hands. If there is a need to pluck the plants - for example, when collecting medicinal herbs, do not arrange "total weeding", pluck them little by little in different places, trying not to harm other plants.
When picking mushrooms, berries, nuts, try not to cause unnecessary harm to nature. Do not crush everything around to get to the coveted mushroom or berry brush. Do not pick all the berries and nuts to a single one - besides you, there are many who have views on them. Do not forget that in nature all plants are needed, this applies to fly agarics, and pale toadstools, and various tinder fungi.
By the way, collecting our beloved birch sap is by no means harmless to trees. It is difficult to refuse this delicacy, but do not overdo it, and be sure to cover the wounds on the birches, best of all with garden pitch, you can also use ordinary plasticine.
It is clear that the harm that a particular tourist, hunter or mushroom picker can cause to nature is usually small, but if possible, you should try to minimize it to the limit. Nature generously shares its gifts with us, but it also expects to be treated with care and care. Don't forget the words of Antoine de Saint-Exupery:
"We are all ... on the same planet - we are all the crew of the same ship."