Over the past century, humanity has made an unprecedented technological breakthrough. There are technologies that can significantly change the world. If earlier man's impact on nature could not upset the fragile ecological balance, then new ingenious inventions allowed him to achieve this unfortunate result. As a result, many species of animals were destroyed, many living beings are on the verge of extinction, and large-scale climate changes begin on Earth.
The results of human activities cause such monstrous damage to the environment that more and more people begin to worry about the future of our planet. Numerous public organizations for the protection of nature have become the result of growing anxiety. Today they conduct their activities everywhere, monitor the preservation of the unique natural heritage, uniting millions of enthusiasts around the globe. But this was not always the case, the pioneers of the eco-movement have come a long way to achieve the current state of affairs.
Originconservation organizations
The beginning of the creation of the international ecological community can be considered 1913, when the first International Conference dedicated to the protection of nature was held in Switzerland. It was attended by 18 countries, but the meeting was purely scientific in nature, not involving any action to protect the environment. Ten years later, the first International Congress for the Protection of Nature takes place in Paris. Then the International Bureau for the Protection of Nature opened in Belgium. However, it did not try to somehow influence the ecological situation in the world, but simply collected statistical data on reserves and environmental legislation.
Then, in 1945, the United Nations was created, which took environmental cooperation between nations to a whole new level. In 1948, a special branch was created at the UN - the International Council for the Protection of Nature. It was he who was responsible for the international partnership in the protection of the environment. Scientists suddenly began to understand that it is impossible to solve environmental problems at the level of one country, because an ecosystem is a delicate mechanism full of non-obvious, intricate relationships. A change in the natural balance in one place on the planet can have a catastrophic effect on other, seemingly very distant places. The need for a joint solution of environmental problems has become obvious.
Further development
In the future, international nature conservation has become one of the most important topics for discussion at major scientific andcultural events. In 1972, Sweden hosted the UN Conference on the Environment, which was attended by 113 countries. It was at this event that the foundations of the modern conservation movement were laid. This day has become an international holiday - World Environment Day.
Then came years of stagnation in the environmental movement, when public conservation organizations began to receive less and less funding, and the popularity of their ideas began to wane. But in the early 1980s, the situation began to change for the better, resulting in the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development in Brazil. This event was held in Rio de Janeiro and continued the work started in Sweden. The conference adopted the basic concepts affecting the theme of the further harmonious development of mankind. The model of sustainable development considered in Rio offers a completely new perspective on the further development of human civilization. It assumes controlled development within certain limits, so as not to harm the environment. The conference in Brazil marked the activities of conservation organizations up to the present day.
Our days
Today, society is greatly alarmed by changes in the environment caused by human activity. Many countries have adopted a series of laws to control pollution, and organizations such as Greenpeace or the World Wide Fund for Nature have gained millions of followers around the world. In almost any more or less large country there are representative offices of international organizations for the protectionnature. Internet communities and thematic sites allow you to get quick and convenient access to information related to the environment. Also, the Internet allows you to coordinate the efforts of people all over the planet - here everyone can make a contribution to protecting the environment.
Science also does not stand still, new inventions are constantly appearing, bringing the era of clean energy closer. Many countries have begun to actively use natural energy: wind energy, water, geothermal sources, the sun, etc. Of course, man-made emissions have not decreased, and corporations are still mercilessly exploiting nature for profit. But the general interest in the problem of ecology allows us to hope for a brighter future. Let's take a look at the largest public conservation organizations.
Greenpeace
Greenpeace is by far the most popular environmental company in the world. It appeared thanks to enthusiasts who oppose the uncontrolled testing of nuclear weapons. The first members of Greenpeace, who are also its founders, managed to achieve an end to nuclear testing by the Americans in the area of the island of Amchitka. Further protests led France to also stop testing nuclear weapons, and other countries later joined.
Despite the fact that Greenpeace was created to protest against nuclear tests, its activities are not limited to this. Members of the organizationaround the world protests designed to protect the nature of our planet from suicidal and stupid human activities. Thus, Greenpeace activists were able to stop the brutal whaling, which was carried out on an industrial scale in the last century.
Modern protest actions of this unusual organization are aimed at combating air pollution. Despite the fact that the harm that emissions from factories and factories cause to the atmosphere has been proven, corporations and their unscrupulous owners do not care deeply about all life on this planet, they only care about profit. Therefore, Greenpeace activists carry out their actions to stop the barbaric attitude towards the environment. Sadly, it is likely that their protests will never be heard.
WWF
There are a wide variety of conservation organizations. The list of non-governmental associations would be incomplete without mentioning the World Wildlife Fund. This organization operates in more than 40 countries around the world. In terms of the number of supporters, the Wildlife Fund overtakes even Greenpeace. Millions of people support their ideas, many of them are fighting for the preservation of all forms of life on earth, not only in word but also in deed, more than 1000 environmental projects around the world are excellent evidence of this.
Like many other public organizations for the protection of nature, the World Wildlife Fund has as its main task the conservation of biological diversity inEarth. Members of this conservation organization are trying to protect animals from the harmful effects of humans.
UN Environment Program
Of course, the head of public and state organizations for the protection of nature is the United Nations. It is her environmental activities that are of the most ambitious nature. Almost every UN meeting touches upon issues of the environment and international cooperation in improving the environmental situation on the planet. The branch dealing with environmental issues is called UNEP. Its tasks include control over pollution of the atmosphere and the oceans, conservation of species diversity.
This nature conservation system does its job not only in words, many important international laws designed to protect the environment were adopted precisely thanks to the UN. UNEP has been able to get closer monitoring of the transport of hazardous substances, and a commission has been set up to monitor acid rain in an attempt to stop the scourge.
Russian environmental organizations
Some international environmental movements have been described above. Now let's look at what organizations are engaged in nature protection in Russia. Despite the fact that the popularity of domestic environmental organizations is significantly lower than that of their international counterparts, these societies still fulfill their function and attract new enthusiasts.
The All-Russian Society for the Conservation of Nature is a large and influential organization dealing with environmental problems in the Russian Federation. It performs many different tasks, one of the main ones is promoting knowledge about ecology to the masses, educating people, drawing attention to environmental problems. The VOOP is also engaged in scientific activities and monitors compliance with environmental legislation.
The All-Russian Society for the Protection of Nature was founded back in 1924. The fact that this organization was able to survive to this day, while increasing its number to three million people, shows the genuine interest of people in the environmental problem. There are other Russian associations of environmentalists, but VOOP is by far the largest all-Russian organization for nature conservation.
Nature Conservation Team
The Nature Conservation Team was established in 1960 at the Faculty of Biology of Moscow State University and continues its work to this day. Moreover, some of the major Russian universities have joined this organization and created their own squads. Today, DOP is engaged in the same activities as other nature protection organizations in Russia. They carry out explanatory work, trying to improve the education of citizens in the environmental sphere. In addition, the nature conservation team is involved in protests against the destruction of the wild corners of Russia, helps in the fight against forest fires and makes its contribution to science.
The future of conservation organizations
There are a wide variety of conservation organizations, a list of some of their non-governmental representativesis:
- WWF.
- Greenpeace.
- United Nations Program (UNEP).
- World Society for the Protection of Animals.
- Global Nest.
The number of such associations is growing every year, they are gaining more and more popularity. This is not surprising, since the consequences of the barbaric expansion carried out by man are becoming more and more visible. Scientists and public figures, like most people on Earth, have long understood that something needs to be changed before we turn our planet into a lifeless dump. Of course, today the opinions of the people do not matter in any of the existing states, which allows industrial magnates to continue their dirty work, using impunity and their own shortsightedness.
However, there is still hope for a brighter future. With the advent of the Internet, non-governmental conservation organizations have been able to conduct their educational activities with millions of people. Now everyone who cares about the environment can communicate with like-minded people and get any necessary information about the environment, it has become much easier to unite supporters and coordinate protests. Of course, most people still remain victims of years of propaganda that puts the "green" movement in an unsightly light. However, the situation can change at any second, because environmental organizations have become a force to be reckoned with.
What can be done to protect nature?
Loud speeches aboutprotecting the environment and preserving species diversity can excite the minds of young enthusiasts. But, unfortunately, this is all that words are capable of, the real benefit to nature can only be brought by actions. Of course, you can find out which organizations are engaged in nature protection in your city, and plunge headlong into their useful activities. This path is not suitable for everyone, so it is best to start saving nature by stopping destroying and polluting it with your own hands.
Everyone has ever seen beautiful forest clearings littered with piles of garbage after someone's stormy rest. So, before you start to benefit nature, you first need to stop harming it. How can you encourage others to take care of the environment if you yourself are polluting the environment? Garbage collected after rest, a fire extinguished in time, trees that you did not kill for firewood - all this is very simple, but brings wonderful results.
If everyone remembers that the Earth is our home, and the fate of all mankind depends on its condition, the world will change. For those who want to be more actively involved in protecting the environment, numerous Russian environmental organizations are ready to provide such an opportunity. The era of change has come, today it is decided what we will leave to our descendants - a radioactive dump or a beautiful green garden. The choice is ours!
