The concept of the environment characterizes the conditions in which living organisms exist. They are divided into natural and anthropogenic. Objects of the environment and its components are such factors as climate, air, water, soil, nature and the anthropogenic environment. The phrase “state of the environment” is most often used in relation to how it is favorable or unfavorable for human life. This concept is also generalized. To assess the state, currently accepted norms and ideas are used. They may change over time. The concept of the environment has its own formulation in Russian legislation. It defines what it is. This item is in the federal law "On Environmental Protection".
Human Influence
Human activity has everythinggreater impact on the geographic envelope of the planet, especially on the biosphere. The greatest changes are associated with the transformation of landscapes, in which areas covered with natural vegetation are transformed into anthropogenic areas designed to meet human needs. This process has been going on since ancient times, but over the past century it has acquired catastrophic proportions. The areas untouched by man are getting smaller every year. In the past, the reduction of natural areas took place in the temperate and subtropical zones, but recently this process has been more active in the tropics and at the equator. The most destructive for nature is agriculture, which requires huge areas and can completely change the ecosystem. Therefore, the question of how to save nature is becoming more and more urgent.
Factors of anthropogenic influence
The main driver of change is population growth, and second in importance is the increase in people's needs. If earlier the majority was content with a small living space and consumed little production, now appetites have increased markedly, the size of houses has increased, and the consumption of industrial products has become enormous. All this has led to the acceleration of the transformation of the environment and the deterioration of its quality. Such a large-scale offensive cannot go unnoticed and creates ever greater risks. If these trends continue, then humanity will live in an extremely unfavorable environment, and the cost of many resources will sharply increase.increase.
Good environment
This concept is also rather vague. It is enshrined in the legislation of the Russian Federation, in the federal law "On Environmental Protection" dated January 10, 2002. A favorable environment is an environment that allows you to maintain the sustainable functioning of natural and anthropogenic objects and systems.
Environmental standards are used to assess the quality of the environment. If they are observed, biological diversity is preserved and sustainable functioning, enshrined in the definition of a favorable environment, is ensured. They are at the heart of state environmental protection.
Concept
Different people and organizations understand the term "environment" differently. Most often, there are such close definitions as: "living environment", "human environment", "human habitat", "natural environment", "environment of people", etc. Although these are quite different concepts, they are sometimes used as substitutes the concept of "environment", which is not entirely correct. The environment for the vast majority of people is a thin life shell called the biosphere. To some extent, the environment is also outer space surrounding the planet Earth on which we live. And also the lithosphere. But they change little, that is, they are quite constant. The inclusion of the lithosphere is important for understanding the close relationship between natural resources and the environment in ecology.
Forhuman environment is the natural, anthropogenic and social environment. Therefore, the factors of this environment include physical, chemical, biological, social, as well as aesthetic factors. The role of aesthetics is quite important. A person often feels more comfortable where there is a lot of greenery, flowers, where there are natural reservoirs, and the air is saturated with natural aromas. In cities, among asph alt, iron and concrete, neuroses and depressions are more common, and a feeling of dissatisfaction may arise. It is no coincidence that many cities are trying to plant trees and shrubs, create parks, squares, ponds, and people like to go on a picnic outside the city or to their country house, visit excursions to monuments of nature and architecture, and go fishing. Therefore, it is impossible to reduce environmental problems only to environmental pollution and the extinction of species.
Different interpretation
In a broader sense, the environment can be understood as everything that surrounds a person, starting with his own apartment and ending with outer space. The elements of the environment include air, water, food, landscapes, other people, and so on. The quality of human life directly depends on all this, whether he will be happy or unhappy.
Individual preferences
Each person has their own ideas about the ideal environment, which can change throughout life. Something for him will be a priority, and something secondary. Everyone has their own set of priorities. Those who are easily influenced by fashion and various propaganda can quickly change their preferences and are more likely to be satisfied with life,than those whose opinion does not depend on the opinion of the majority.
Environment in ecology
The term "environment" is primarily an ecological concept. In order for the environment to be comfortable for the life of most people, it must comply with accepted norms and requirements. There are quite a lot of environmental problems facing humanity. First of all, this is a change in landscapes, a reduction in the number of plant and animal species, pollution of various environments.
Human pollution
Before the so-called industrial revolution, the world was almost perfectly clean. The water in any river did not contain harmful impurities and was often clear. There were many different fish in the rivers and lakes, which were also clean. The air was filled with natural aromas and was not spoiled by vehicle exhausts or industrial fumes. The food was also natural and organic. The same can be said about the soil. Animals and the environment were in harmony, and they could be found where they had long been forgotten. They were found almost everywhere, sometimes posing a threat to villagers.
Now everything is different. It has already reached the point that a giant accumulation of debris has formed in the center of the Pacific Ocean, which is brought there by currents. And marine life, wherever they live, are exposed to anthropogenic pollution and then become their source. Populations are declining evenin areas where there is no human activity. Some species, on the contrary, began to rapidly increase their numbers, posing a threat to humans and other species. It is impossible to find absolutely pure products in even the most expensive restaurant.
Solution to the pollution problem
In most countries, this problem is given great attention. After all, pollution causes various diseases, makes water taste bad and threatens climate change. However, the possibilities for solving the problem are quite limited. However, efforts are being made in the following areas:
- Phase out of coal energy in favor of renewable energy sources (RES). Until recently, as a transitional option, it was proposed to switch to gas. However, the rapid reduction in the cost of solar and (to a lesser extent) wind energy leads to a review of previous projects, and it is possible that coal energy will be immediately replaced by renewable energy.
- Reducing the use of oil and oil products in vehicles, shipping, aviation. This becomes possible due to the improvement of battery devices and the development of hydrogen energy. This will happen most quickly in the passenger car segment. Slightly slower - cargo. The period of electrification of water transport will stretch even longer, and aviation will be the last to switch to ecological rails. Full electrification of transport is planned by 2050, but with the development of technology, the process may accelerate.
- Declining production of plastics,being one of the main environmental pollutants in the 21st century. Many countries are phasing out packaging and other types of plastic products. Nevertheless, in the coming years, the production of polymers will grow, and a full-fledged replacement has not yet been found.
- Improve energy efficiency and reduce material consumption. These measures will not completely eliminate pollution, but will help to reduce it. For example, switching from incandescent lamps to LED lamps can reduce energy consumption, and hence the air pollution associated with its production. In Europe, since September 2018, all types of lamps, except for LED, have been banned. Prior to this, the ban applied only to incandescent lamps.
- Planting forests, forest belts, creating green areas, greening cities.
- Improving the filtration of emissions and discharges.
- Recycling materials, creating closed cycles of production and consumption.
- Indirect measures include environmental propaganda, birth control (still almost never used).
All this is part of the answers to the question: how to preserve nature and restore purity?
