What will happen if we pollute nature. Environmental pollution: types of pollution and their description. History of biosphere pollution

Curious to know which house we live in? Our home is planet Earth, where is the air we breathe, the water we drink, the earth we walk on and feeds us. Many people are completely mired in their work, entertainment and do not see anything around. Although, it's time to open your eyes and see that our house is close to destruction. And no one is to blame for this, except each of us.

40% of people in the world die due to environmental pollution, namely water, soil and air. These environmental issues, combined with rapid population growth, are leading to an increase in disease, according to a press release from Cornell University.

Professor David Pimentel and a group of graduate students analyzed about 120 publications on the impact of demographic and environmental factors (environmental pollution) on the prevalence of diseases. Here are the truly horrific conclusions they came to:

1. Six million children die of hunger every year, and in addition, malnutrition weakens the body and is an indirect cause of many deaths from acute respiratory infections, malaria and other diseases. 57 percent of the world's population (6.5 billion people) suffer from hunger (in 1950, 20 percent of the 2.5 billion were starving).

2. Cities often have poor sanitation and high population density, which can lead to outbreaks of diseases such as measles and influenza. Approximately half of all mankind lives in cities.

3. Water pollution leads to the reproduction of malaria mosquitoes, which kills about two million people every year. More than a billion people experience a shortage of clean water, while 80% of all infectious diseases are transmitted through water.

4. Soil pollution leads to the fact that toxic substances are absorbed by a person along with food and water.

5. Air pollution with toxic emissions into the atmosphere causes cancer, congenital pathologies, disorders of the immune system. It kills about three million people a year.

Here is such a story. We all suffer from environmental pollution. Indeed, there is something to think about and try to do at least something to, if not reduce this indicator, then at least prevent its absolute value.

The planet has become too dirty

American environmental researchers have been studying natural changes for 6 years. After the expiration of the term, they said that it was no longer possible to live in cleanliness, everything that was possible on the planet was polluted.

Thanks to a study worth six million dollars, it was possible to find out that toxic waste from industrial activities has already polluted everything. According to scientists, at least 70 types of poisonous substances are found in 20 US national parks.

Michael Kent, a professor of natural science at Oregon State University, denounces the dirty intentions of toxic substances to pollute everything the world stands on. “It is difficult to find more remote areas than the northern regions of Alaska and the peaks of the Rocky Mountains, but even there we found pollutants,” the scientist explains.

Russian ecologists do not quite agree with their Western colleagues. The environmentalists' guild explains that it is too early to sound the alarm. Almost all items now contain a complete periodic table. However, the point here, experts are sure, is not the fact of the content, but the level of permissible concentration. The fact is that there is a limiting level of concentration of toxic substances. If it is not exceeded, then you can live.

It is dangerous to live in Russian cities, environmentalists say, but nothing is so tolerable in nature reserves. However, the level of environmental pollution is steadily increasing. On this occasion, conferences are constantly held: they say, we will prevent, stop, delay - but so far, to no avail.

Meanwhile, the United States is the leader in industrial emissions into the atmosphere. Saudi Arabia and Indonesia are in second place. At the last Bali conference, all three countries were awarded anti-prizes for the inability to keep the territory clean. The role of the award was small, stuffed with coal, bags of the colors of the national flag.

It is not customary in the world to solve the environmental problem at the state level. So, according to the results of research by the Carbon Disclosure Project, only commercial structures solve the problem of emissions into the atmosphere, while state authorities cut good intentions in the bud. In numbers, 80% of companies see climate change as a significant business risk. And 95% of commercial organizations are aware of the seriousness of the situation and are working on its solution.

Aleksey Kokorin, head of the Climate and Energy Program at the World Wildlife Fund, told Pravda.Ru what Chukchi children and polar bears are afraid of: “There is a problem, and a very acute one. Toxic emissions are increasing every year. Here it is worth recalling the case with the ban on DDT (an organochlorine insecticide) after elements of DDT were found in the liver of a polar bear. After that, studies were carried out and it turned out that the organs of many Chukchi residents, including children, contain traces of DDT. In Russia, the problem is gradually beginning to be given more and more attention.

The largest garbage dump on the planet

A "plastic soup" - a floating swath of garbage - is growing at a terrifying pace in the Pacific Ocean, and, according to scientists, is now twice the size of the continental United States.

Back in 2004, the "island" weighed about 3 million tons - that's six times the amount of natural plankton. And in size corresponded to the territory of Central Europe. Four years later, the "island" afloat noticeably "recovered".

This huge pile of floating debris is kept in one place under the influence of undercurrents with eddies. The "soup" strip stretches from a point about 500 nautical miles off the coast of California across the North Pacific past Hawaii and narrowly misses distant Japan.

Actually, the "soup" is two areas connected by a bridge on both sides of the Hawaiian Islands - they are called the West Pacific and East Pacific garbage patches. Approximately one-fifth of the garbage - everything from soccer balls and kayaks to Lego blocks and plastic bags - is what is thrown from ships and oil platforms. The rest enters the ocean from land.

The American oceanologist Charles Moore, the discoverer of this "great Pacific garbage patch", also known as the "garbage cycle", believes that about 100 million tons of floating rubbish are circling in this region. He warns that if consumers do not limit the use of plastic that is not recycled, the surface area of the plastic "soup" will double in the next ten years. This is due to the fact that modern plastic is practically indestructible, and items as much as half a century old are found in the North Pacific landfill.

The bottom line is: "What goes into the ocean ends up in the stomachs of the ocean dwellers, and then on your plate. It's very simple."

Pollution of the world's oceans

Only 4% of the world's waters remain unpolluted by humans. As the new atlas of the ecological state of the World Ocean shows, ten times as large areas were affected. The most surprising thing was that different types of human activities, when combined, cause significantly more damage to biodiversity than their simple addition predicts.

Human activities - fishing, industrial and domestic waste disposal, mining, and so on - have left an indelible mark on almost every corner of the world's oceans. These are the conclusions of a new large-scale study, which for the first time made it possible to create a map of the world's waters, reflecting the degree of human intervention in natural ecosystems. Scientists have found that today there are practically no water areas that are not affected by the life of the king of nature, and 40% of the world's waters have been severely adversely affected.

As a result of large-scale research work, for the first time, mankind was able to see a whole picture of the consequences of its work to develop, as it seemed, the inexhaustible riches of the world's waters. Lead researcher Ben Halpern, a researcher at the University of California at Santa Barbara, points out that the resulting map of ocean pollution reflects the cumulative impact of naturally diverse types of human activity. The cumulative effect of these exposures turned out to be much worse than one would have imagined by simple addition, and came as an unpleasant surprise to Halpern himself.

Every year, accidentally or intentionally, hundreds of tons of oil and fuels and lubricants enter the world's oceans. The most detrimental human impact on the world's waters has been in the area of the North, South and East China, Caribbean and Mediterranean seas, the ecosystems of the Red and Bering seas, as well as the Gulf of Mexico, have been severely disturbed. A similar situation is observed along the entire eastern coast of the North American continent, as well as in the eastern part of the Pacific Ocean. Polar waters were least affected. However, due to the melting of the polar ice caps, they will soon be under threat.

Scientists note that different ecosystems have been influenced by humans to varying degrees. So, about half of the coral reefs today are on the verge of extinction, the situation is also difficult with thickets of seaweed - posidonium, eelweed, water-colored and many others. Things are bad with mangrove forests, ecosystems of marine shallows, rocky reefs and on the continental shelf. To date, benthic ecosystems and inhabitants of the open ocean have been the least affected, but in most places they have also experienced human impact.

Impact of air pollution

In recent years, due to the increased threat to human health, more and more attention has been paid to environmental pollution by emissions from internal combustion engines.

Huge damage to the environment, and as a consequence to humans, is caused by emissions into the atmosphere from industrial and energy facilities and road transport. These emissions contain such harmful substances as: sulfuric anhydride, nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, dust, lead and other heavy metals.

All air pollutants, to a greater or lesser extent, have a negative impact on human health. These substances enter the human body mainly through the respiratory system. Respiratory organs suffer directly from pollution, since about 50% of impurity particles with a radius of 0.01-0.1 microns that penetrate into the lungs are deposited in them.

Air monitoring is carried out by a network of stationary posts of the State Hydrometeorological Service of the Ministry of Natural Resources of Ukraine. The results indicate that the harmful substances contained in the atmosphere associated with emissions from industrial enterprises rarely exceed the GDK norms, although they make up a significant part of the total air pollution. High air pollution has been registered in areas close to highways and intersections. When creating in cities the so-called "green wave" traffic system, which significantly reduces the number of stops at intersections, they are designed to reduce air pollution in cities.

It is necessary to use non-waste technologies, replace harmful materials with harmless ones, seal technological processes in the production itself, dispose of hazardous waste. As a result of processing, components used in the production of ground paints, organic fertilizers for flowers, and much more. The use of the latest filter designs, the selection of the most appropriate technology for capturing harmful substances, as well as the suppression of vehicle engine emissions, the improvement of environmental legislation, as well as systems of environmental standards, norms and requirements, and the tougher punishment for environmental crimes.

But we can also locally help nature in purifying the air. Since we all know that plants are a good protective function, which, if they help us make this world a little cleaner by protecting us from harmful substances, means that we can plant more green spaces. Thus, we will make our world around us a little safer and cleaner. As you know, the process of photosynthesis will take place while the sun is shining, which means that the process of oxygen release by plants and the absorption of carbon dioxide will not stop. In addition, directly coniferous plants, especially juniper, have a beneficial effect on the human body, releasing essential oils. You need to plant plants, protecting yourself from pollution. Plant them along windows and roads. But do not forget about the plants themselves in the spring - autumn time to water and spray them. But if you do not have the opportunity, or a place under the window, you can get out of the situation in a completely simple way - buy a juniper home and you will have your own clean little world in your house.

Atmospheric pollution is caused by the emission of harmful substances. There are more and more cars on the roads every year, and the exhaust gases produced by cars every day pollute the air. Industry also has a strong negative impact on the atmosphere. Huge amounts of harmful emissions enter the atmosphere every day from plants and factories. The cement, coal, and steel industries pollute the atmosphere the most, which leads to the destruction of the ozone layer, which protects the planet from aggressive ultraviolet rays.

Contamination with radioactive elements

This type of environmental pollution causes the most serious damage. Accidents that occur at nuclear power plants, nuclear waste stored in the earth for decades, the development of nuclear weapons and work in uranium mines affect both human health and pollution of the entire planet.

Soil pollution

Pesticides and harmful additives that are commonly used in agriculture heavily pollute the soil. Waste from agricultural enterprises, which are dumped into the sewers, also has an extremely negative impact on its condition. Deforestation and mining also damage the soil.

Water pollution

Reservoirs are exposed to severe toxic effects due to garbage discharges into rivers. Tons of human waste enter the water every day. In addition, plastic bottles and plastic products, which pose a great danger to fauna, are very harmful to nature. Rivers and other bodies of water in large cities with developed industry are especially affected.

Noise pollution

This type of pollution is specific. Unpleasant, loud, harsh sounds that factories, cars, trains make every day cause noise pollution. Natural phenomena such as volcanic eruptions and hurricanes also cause noise pollution. Because of these processes, people develop headaches and other health problems.

In terms of scale, pollution can be global, regional and local. However, any of them leads humanity to health problems, as well as a reduction in life by about 8-12 years. Unfortunately, every year environmental pollution progresses, and only humanity itself can cope with this problem.

Environmental pollution is a global problem of our time, which is regularly discussed in the news and scientific circles. Many international organizations have been created to combat the deterioration of natural conditions. Scientists have long sounded the alarm about the inevitability of an environmental catastrophe in the very near future.

At the moment, much is known about environmental pollution - a large number of scientific papers and books have been written, numerous studies have been carried out. But in solving the problem, mankind has advanced very little. Pollution of nature still remains an important and urgent issue, the postponement of which can be tragic.

History of biosphere pollution

In connection with the intensive industrialization of society, environmental pollution has become especially aggravated in recent decades. However, despite this fact, natural pollution is one of the most ancient problems in human history. Even in the era of primitive life, people began to barbarously destroy forests, exterminate animals and change the landscape of the earth to expand the territory of residence and obtain valuable resources.

Even then, this led to climate change and other environmental problems. The growth of the planet's population and the progress of civilizations was accompanied by increased mining, drainage of water bodies, as well as chemical pollution of the biosphere. The Industrial Revolution marked not only a new era in society, but also a new wave of pollution.

With the development of science and technology, scientists have received tools that make it possible to accurately and thoroughly analyze the ecological state of the planet. Weather reports, monitoring of the chemical composition of air, water and soil, satellite data, as well as smoking pipes everywhere and oil slicks on the water, indicate that the problem is rapidly aggravating with the expansion of the technosphere. No wonder the appearance of man is called the main ecological catastrophe.

Classification of nature pollution

There are several classifications of environmental pollution based on their source, direction, and other factors.

So, the following types of environmental pollution are distinguished:

Biological - the source of pollution is living organisms, it can occur due to natural causes or as a result of anthropogenic activities.
Physical - leads to a change in the corresponding characteristics of the environment. Physical pollution includes thermal, radiation, noise and others.
Chemical - an increase in the content of substances or their penetration into the environment. Leads to a change in the normal chemical composition of resources.
Mechanical - pollution of the biosphere with garbage.

In fact, one type of pollution may be accompanied by another or several at once.

The gaseous shell of the planet is an integral participant in natural processes, determines the thermal background and climate of the Earth, protects against destructive cosmic radiation, and affects relief formation.

The composition of the atmosphere has changed throughout the historical development of the planet. The current situation is such that part of the volume of the gas envelope is determined by human economic activity. The composition of the air is heterogeneous and differs depending on the geographical location - in industrial areas and large cities, a high level of harmful impurities.

The main sources of chemical pollution of the atmosphere:

chemical plants;
enterprises of the fuel and energy complex;
transport.

These pollutants cause heavy metals such as lead, mercury, chromium, and copper to be present in the atmosphere. They are permanent components of the air in industrial areas.

Modern power plants emit hundreds of tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere every day, as well as soot, dust and ash.

The increase in the number of cars in settlements has led to an increase in the concentration of a number of harmful gases in the air, which are part of the engine exhaust. Anti-knock additives added to vehicle fuels release large amounts of lead. Cars produce dust and ash, which pollute not only the air, but also the soil, settling on the ground.

The atmosphere is also polluted by very toxic gases emitted by the chemical industry. Wastes from chemical plants, such as nitrogen and sulfur oxides, are the cause of acid rain and are capable of reacting with biosphere components to form other hazardous derivatives.

As a result of human activities, forest fires regularly occur, during which huge amounts of carbon dioxide are released.

Soil is a thin layer of the lithosphere, formed as a result of natural factors, in which most of the exchange processes between living and non-living systems take place.

Due to the extraction of natural resources, mining, the construction of buildings, roads and airfields, large-scale areas of soil are being destroyed.

Irrational human economic activity has caused the degradation of the fertile layer of the earth. Its natural chemical composition changes, mechanical pollution occurs. The intensive development of agriculture leads to significant losses of land. Frequent plowing makes them vulnerable to flooding, salinization and winds, which cause soil erosion.

The abundant use of fertilizers, insecticides, and chemical poisons to kill pests and cleanse weeds leads to the ingress of toxic compounds that are unnatural for it into the soil. As a result of anthropogenic activity, chemical pollution of lands by heavy metals and their derivatives occurs. The main harmful element is lead, as well as its compounds. When processing lead ores, about 30 kilograms of metal is thrown out from each ton. Automobile exhaust containing a large amount of this metal settles in the soil, poisoning the organisms living in it. Drains of liquid waste from mines contaminate the earth with zinc, copper and other metals.

Power plants, radioactive fallout from nuclear explosions, research centers for the study of atomic energy cause radioactive isotopes to enter the soil, which then enter the human body with food.

The reserves of metals concentrated in the bowels of the earth are dissipated as a result of human production activity. Then they concentrate in the topsoil. In ancient times, man used 18 elements from the earth's crust, and today - all known.

Today, the water shell of the earth is much more polluted than one can imagine. Oil slicks and bottles floating on the surface are just what you can see. A significant part of the pollutants is in a dissolved state.

Water damage can occur naturally. As a result of mudflows and floods, magnesium is washed out of the mainland soil, which enters water bodies and harms fish. As a result of chemical transformations, aluminum penetrates into fresh water. But natural pollution is negligible compared to anthropogenic pollution. Through the fault of man, the following fall into the water:

surface-active compounds;
pesticides;
phosphates, nitrates and other salts;
medicines;
oil products;
radioactive isotopes.

The sources of these pollutants are farms, fisheries, oil platforms, power plants, chemical industries, and sewage.

Acid rain, which is also the result of human activity, dissolves the soil, washing away heavy metals.

In addition to chemical pollution of water, there is physical, namely thermal. Most of the water is used in the production of electricity. Thermal stations use it to cool turbines, and the heated waste liquid is drained into reservoirs.

Mechanical deterioration of water quality by household waste in settlements leads to a reduction in the habitats of living beings. Some species are dying.

Polluted water is the main cause of most diseases. As a result of liquid poisoning, many living beings die, the ocean ecosystem suffers, and the normal course of natural processes is disturbed. Pollutants eventually enter the human body.

Pollution control

In order to avoid an ecological catastrophe, the fight against physical pollution must be a top priority. The problem must be solved at the international level, because nature has no state borders. To prevent pollution, it is necessary to impose sanctions on enterprises that emit waste into the environment, to impose large fines for placing garbage in the wrong place. Incentives to comply with environmental safety standards can also be implemented through financial methods. This approach has proven effective in some countries.

A promising direction in the fight against pollution is the use of alternative energy sources. The use of solar panels, hydrogen fuel and other energy-saving technologies will reduce the release of toxic compounds into the atmosphere.

Other pollution control methods include:

construction of treatment facilities;
creation of national parks and reserves;
increase in the number of green spaces;
population control in third world countries;
drawing public attention to the problem.

Environmental pollution is a large-scale global problem, which can be solved only with the active participation of everyone who calls the planet Earth their home, otherwise an ecological catastrophe will be inevitable.

Abstract on the topic:
"Environmental pollution"
Specialty "accounting and audit" 080110

Performed:
2nd year student 252 groups
Belova Galina

Moscow 2010
Content:

The problem of environmental pollution

Atmospheric pollution and its consequences

Pollution of the oceans. The problem of lack of fresh water.

FOREST as the most important plant resource of the planet

The role of the state and public organizations in environmental protection

Introduction.
In the coming age of high rates of all types of material production, the problem of nature protection has acquired exceptional importance on our planet. In Russia, it has become one of the most important state tasks. The practical implementation of the ideas of nature protection largely depends on environmental education of the population. Special responsibility for its implementation lies with general education schools.
The changes introduced by man into nature have become so large-scale that they have become a serious threat of disruption of the relative equilibrium existing in nature.
For a long time, man looked at nature as an inexhaustible source of material goods necessary for him. But, faced with the negative results of his impact on nature, he gradually came to the conviction of the need for a more reasonable use and protection of it.
At equal times, the concept of "nature conservation" has smoldered a different meaning. At the end of the XIX-beginning of the XX century. nature conservation was considered as the protection of individual depleting objects of nature by withdrawing them from economic use. And the forms of nature conservation were reduced to the creation of nature reserves, the prohibition of obtaining rare animals, and the protection of natural monuments.
At present, “nature protection” is commonly understood as a system of international, state and public activities aimed at the rational use, reproduction and protection of natural resources, the protection of the natural environment from pollution and destruction in the interests of meeting the material and cultural needs of both existing and future generations. people.
At the same time, the problem of nature protection and environmental pollution is becoming more and more not only a natural science problem, but also an acute social and political problem.

The problem of environmental pollution.
Man and nature are inseparable from each other and are closely interconnected. For a person, as well as for society as a whole, nature is the environment of life and the only source of resources necessary for existence. Nature and natural resources are the basis on which human society lives and develops, the primary source of meeting the material and spiritual needs of people.
The state of the human environment, the natural environment is one of the most pressing global problems of our time. The scale of the impact of human activity on the natural environment has increased extraordinary and continues to grow rapidly. In a number of cases, they reach a global dimension and are comparable to the global scale of many natural processes, or even exceed them.
The withdrawal from the system of anthropogenic exchange into nature of all kinds of waste, garbage and used products is called environmental pollution.
About 30-50 years ago, the volume and toxicity of technogenic emissions as a whole did not exceed the ability of the biosphere to absorb and neutralize them. Today they reach the limit of natural ecosystems' ability to self-purify.
Mass destruction of forests caused profound changes in the hydrology of the land and the water regime of the soil. As a result, erosion processes have intensified, destructive floods have appeared, rivers have become shallow and a problem of fresh water has arisen, and the drying effect of the climate has intensified in many regions.
In addition to the depletion of natural resources, the development of industry has created a new problem - the problem of environmental pollution. Reservoirs, atmospheric air, and soil turned out to be heavily polluted with predominantly industrial waste. These pollution not only had an extremely negative impact on soil fertility, vegetation and wildlife, but also began to pose a significant danger to human health. To date, not a single corner on the Earth has been preserved where there would be no human influence on nature. Even in Antarctica, radioactive fallout has been noted.
More than 4 million tons of sulfur and 1.25 million tons of nitrate nitrogen fell on the territory of Russia during the last goal along with precipitation. The strongest acid rains occur in the central (industrial) regions of the country. For example, in Moscow and adjacent regions, as well as St. Petersburg, with such rains, more than 1 ton of sulfur per square km falls on the skin per year. The acidity of precipitation decreases in the coastal zone of the northern, western and eastern Siberian seas. The most prosperous region in this respect is the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) ("Moskovsky Komsomolets", 09/17/97)
Harmful industrial waste, pesticides, excess fertilizers, radioactive substances, overheated water from power plants and other wastes have been introduced into the biosphere. These wastes cannot be naturally recycled and enter the further circulation of substances. They become a source of pollution of the biosphere, preventing the self-restoration of natural conditions and the renewal of resources.
The problem of nature protection has become one of the most important natural-science and socio-economic problems of our time, on the correct solution of which the prosperous existence of mankind largely depends. The importance and severity of this problem are determined by the process of ever-increasing depletion of natural resources and environmental pollution. The significance of this problem is enhanced by the emergence of such global changes in the biosphere as excessive accumulation of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, increased background radiation, a sharp reduction in the green cover of the globe, etc., which can endanger the existence of life on Earth.
However, nature can be used in different ways. You can leave barren, lifeless, hostile spaces behind you. But it is also possible to ennoble nature, to help it reveal its vitality more fully.

Atmospheric pollution and its consequences
Life on earth without an atmosphere is impossible. But it is impossible without water, and without nutrients, and without many other things. A person can live without food for weeks, without water - days, without air - minutes, without atmospheric protection - seconds. The human body is unarmed against poisonous gases without color, reserve and taste, which are many in man-made emissions, nitric oxide, lead in car exhausts, carbon monoxide and many others. Our respiratory passages pass unhindered both the elixir of life and the deadly poison, having no means of distinguishing between them. Therefore, a person needs clean air every minute.
The reduction in oxygen reserves is practically imperceptible so far. But this process is growing. The supply of oxygen is decreasing due to the reduction of the green cover of the Earth, deforestation, alienation of land for construction, highways, etc. Pollution of the oceans with oil, mercury, chlorides and many other substances can lead to mass death of ocean green algae. This is one of the most acute global environmental problems of our time.
Gaseous sulfur compounds are also always present in the atmosphere, but today almost half of its total is introduced by industry. In the air of industrial regions, the volume of sulfur emissions of industrial origin is many times greater than the amount of its natural compounds.
The most severe consequences were caused by the poisonous smog that enveloped London more than 40 years ago. Due to its complete immobility in the air, the content of harmful impurities has sharply increased, the number of respiratory diseases has risen, and then mortality. Such cases were repeated after another 4 years. After that, legislative and practical measures were taken by special commissions to prevent such high levels of air pollution.

Pollution of the oceans. The problem of lack of fresh water.
The hydrosphere also occupies a large and important place. Water vapor present in the atmosphere acts as a filter for solar radiation, and water on the earth's surface serves as a kind of midge buffer system that softens the effects of extreme temperatures. "Water is the main factor determining the climate on the Earth's surface. Water is constantly moving, while three types its movements: general circulation in the atmosphere, sea currents and river runoff.Until recently, man satisfied his needs in fresh water and did not feel a lack of it.At present, due to the rapid growth of the population and its industrial activity, in many places of the planet arose acute problem of lack of fresh water.
The threat to the cleanliness of water bodies is created by the use of pesticides that are not biodegradable for a long time, accumulate in plankton, fish, and then pass into the human body along the chain, acting depressingly on the organs and the entire body. A special type of pollution is the overgrowth of water bodies with algae, the decay of which gives the water an unpleasant odor. By releasing biologically active substances, they cause diseases in some fish. The fight against this pollution is difficult. The quality of water sources is affected by erosion products, chlorides used to de-ic the roads, and salts washed out of river channels. Mole rafting of wood is of great danger, it is mole rafting of wood, previously treated with potent pesticides used to free wood from bark. And, of course, household drains attract special attention. Dysentery, infectious viral hepatitis, etc. are transmitted through this water.

FOREST as the most important plant resource of the planet.
The forest is a wealth of nature, the importance of which is difficult to overestimate. The forest is called green gold, meaning its special value and universal economic importance. In addition, the forest has a great impact on the biosphere as a whole. Rest in the forest leaves a deep impression on a person, calms the nervous system, improves health, and raises the overall energy of life. The beneficial effect of pine forests on tuberculosis patients is known, caused by the disinfecting properties of terpenes evaporating from the resin. Tree plantations in cities absorb carbon dioxide released into the air and restore oxygen in it. They serve as a good dust filter in parks! The amount of dust in the air is ten times less than on city streets. The leaves and flowers of many trees emit odorous substances - phytoncides, which neutralize the city air, kill not only harmful microorganisms, but also delay the development of large carriers of infection (for example, flies), preventing many types of infectious diseases. Green spaces absorb sounds well, contribute to the struggle for silence in cities.
The EU is an excellent accumulator of moisture, delays snowmelt, blocks the way for spring and rain water, contributing to the replenishment of groundwater and the normal flow regime of lowland and mountain rivers. With the destruction of forests, destructive spring floods and summer floods of rivers arise. Spring and rain waters, without encountering obstacles in the form of a forest, quickly flow down ravines into rivers and then into the seas. As a result, groundwater is poorly replenished and its level drops, and it cannot make up for the loss of water in rivers and lakes, which occurs due to evaporation in the summer. As a result, reservoirs become shallow, rivers become unnavigable.
The protection of forests implies, first of all, their rational use and reproduction, which is the main task of our forestry. The main measures for the rational use of forests include the economical and full use of wood, protection of forests from fires, pests, etc. In each individual area, felling is carried out only after 80-100 years, when the forest reaches full maturity. Harm is caused by the so-called conditionally clear cuttings, when only the most valuable species and the best trees are cut down, and all deciduous species, diseased and low-quality conifers are left on the vine.
The forest has always attracted the attention of people: hunters, pickers of mushrooms and berries, who want to relax. This factor should be taken into account when protecting the forest. A huge army of visitors to the forest brings changes to his life. Natural reforestation has a negative effect on the places of fires and trampled areas around them.

The role of the state and public organizations in environmental protection
The deterioration of the environment as a result of its pollution and changes in the course of natural processes gave rise to statements about an impending ecological crisis. * This concept is widely used in scientific literature. Scientists comprehensively analyze the conditions for its possible manifestation and, most importantly, prevention. This major problem is social, and its analysis must be carried out from clear sociopolitical positions, clearly defining its general theoretical essence. Science and technology have faced the difficult and controversial task of using natural resources while maintaining the optimal quality of the natural environment.
An important prerequisite is the development of a system of long-term environmental forecasting, i.e. a comprehensive consideration of the possible impacts on the environment of large industrial, agricultural energy and other projects in order to find options that are optimal in economic and environmental terms.
A radical technological solution to the problem of preserving the optimal natural environment is to create systems of cyclic waste-free production.
The emergence of public environmental formations expands the opportunities for citizens to exercise their rights in the field of environmental protection, in the field of creating safe working conditions. Such associations are endowed by the Law with a number of additional powers in the field of environmental protection.
etc.................

Stopping pollution is essential to save our planet and to ensure the health and well-being of people. The air and water are poisoned with dangerous chemicals, and if nothing is done, the Earth will lose its beauty and diversity. In this article, we'll walk you through some of the ways you can do your part to stop pollution.

Steps

Vehicle selection

If possible, walk or ride a bike. Ditching your car for short trips is a great way to improve the environment. If you don't have much distance to go and the weather is nice, go for a walk or bike. So you will not only help stop environmental pollution, but also get useful physical activity.

Use public transport. Traveling by bus or subway will help reduce your carbon footprint because you won't be using your own car. If public transport works well where you live, use it. This will allow you to take your mind off the road and read or just relax.

Combine trips. Daily trips by private car have a negative impact on the environment. Therefore, when you need to travel for several things, try to combine your trips into one. It will also save you money, as starting a cold engine uses 20% more fuel than driving a car.

Have your vehicle serviced regularly to ensure that the engine and components are working properly. Keeping your vehicle in excellent condition will reduce your carbon footprint and also help prevent other vehicle problems.

Change oil every 3 months or every 5000 km.
Maintain the recommended tire pressure.
Change air, oil and fuel filters regularly.

Drive carefully because dangerous driving style contributes to environmental pollution. Driving safely will also save you money by reducing your fuel consumption.
- Accelerate gradually, lightly pressing on the gas pedal.
- Do not exceed the permitted speed.
- Maintain a constant speed (try using cruise control if you have one).
- Get ready to slow down.
Buy a hybrid car or an electric car. Electric vehicles run entirely on electricity, so they don't produce any emissions. A hybrid car has an electric motor and an internal combustion engine. Both electric and hybrid vehicles help reduce pollution. Although a hybrid car uses gasoline, such cars save fuel and produce fewer emissions (compared to conventional cars).
- Keep in mind that electric and hybrid vehicles are more expensive than most conventional vehicles.
Choice of food
1. Buy local produce whenever possible. Transporting food around the country and around the world consumes a significant amount of fuel, which leads to air pollution. Therefore, buy products made locally and grown on nearby farms, and not food that is brought in from other regions. If a farmer or gardener sells their own produce, ask how they grow it to learn about their efforts to prevent pollution.
  - Go to the farmers' market to interact with the direct food producers.
  - Find products made or grown locally at a nearby store.
  - In large grocery stores, look for products made in your area.
2. Limit or eliminate the consumption of animal products made in large factories. This refers to meat, milk, cheese and eggs. Such enterprises greatly pollute the environment - the waste of some of them is comparable to the waste of a small city. To do your part in protecting the environment, do not buy or eat food from animal sources produced by large enterprises.
  - If you cannot give up animal products, reduce your consumption of them, for example, to 1-2 times a week.
  - If you want to do even more to help keep the environment clean, consider becoming a vegetarian or vegan.
3. Eat organically grown fruits and vegetables. Such products are grown by farmers using production methods that do not harm the environment. For example, such farmers do not use chemical pesticides that pollute groundwater. By buying organically grown fruits and vegetables, you are contributing to the development of sustainable farming practices.
  - Look for fruits, vegetables, and other products labeled Organic.
4. Grow your own fruits and vegetables. Set up a garden or garden on your own plot, and you will contribute to the protection of the environment. Plants and trees convert carbon into oxygen, which reduces the amount of polluted air. Moreover, the fruits and vegetables you grow will replace the products from the store, which require a lot of fuel to transport.
  - If you are unfamiliar with gardening, start small. Start by planting some tomatoes, lettuce, and cucumbers in your yard. With the acquisition of experience and skills, gradually expand the area of \u200b\u200byour garden.
Choice of energy source
1. When leaving the room, turn off the lights and electrical appliances. To save more energy, you can unplug electrical appliances from the outlet. Or connect all electrical appliances to the surge protector so that when it is turned off, all electrical appliances are turned off at once.
  
  Make small changes that will result in significant energy savings. It is recommended to do the following:
  
  If you have the ability to control the temperature in the room, set the thermostat to 25°C during the warm season and 20°C during the cold season. You will save energy if you properly regulate your heating and air conditioning system.
  
  Improve the insulation of your home. To do this, caulk the gaps around the window frames or replace the old frames with new ones. In winter, you can use special tools. If you have old-style frames, and not double-glazed windows, they can be sealed for the winter so that the heat does not leave your house.
  
  Think about alternative energy sources. If you live in your own home or are planning to build one, consider installing solar panels or a windmill.
  
  Consider switching to a different energy source. This means switching from a non-renewable source (such as gas) to a renewable source (electricity). Let's say if you're designing your own home, consider installing an electric boiler instead of a gas one. In a city apartment, you can replace a stove with a gas oven with a stove with an electric one, if the electrical wiring allows.
Recycle, reuse and reduce waste
1. Recycle everything that can be recycled. If possible, do not buy products that do not have a triangle with arrows on their packaging, which indicates that these products can be recycled. Also avoid products made from several different materials (these products are difficult to recycle).
  - Find out if your waste collection company offers recycling services. If not, there may be special centers in your city where you can take recyclable waste. Find out on the Internet where you can donate, for example, waste paper or plastic bottles.
2. Buy products made from recycled materials. In this way, you will help reduce the demand for new materials that pollute the environment.
  - Look for products labeled "Made from recycled materials."
  - Products made from recycled materials often carry percentages indicating the amount of recycled material from the total raw material. Look for items with high percentages.
Preventing chemicals from entering the water supply
1. Use fewer chemicals. The chemicals we use for cleaning, hygienic care, and car washing are washed down the drain, but often end up in the water supply. Such chemicals are harmful not only to plants and animals that make up the ecosystem of our planet, but also to humans. If possible, use natural analogues of chemicals.
  - For example, to clean a bathroom, you can make a solution of vinegar and water or baking soda, salt and water. These natural ingredients are great cleaners, but they don't contaminate the water when flushed down the drain.
  - Try making your own laundry detergent and dishwashing detergent. If you don't have time, buy a cleanser made from natural ingredients.
  - If you can't find a natural alternative, use chemicals as little as possible.
2. Do not use pesticides and herbicides. These chemicals are sprayed above the ground and enter the groundwater when it rains. Pesticides and herbicides protect crops from pests, but they harm the environment by seeping into the groundwater that people and animals need to survive.
  
  Do not flush medicines down the drain. Disinfection systems cannot completely remove the residues of medical products from the water, which negatively affects every person who drinks such water. Each medicine has specific disposal instructions. If you need to throw away medicines, figure out how to do it right (don't flush medicines down the drain!).
  - Some medicines are recommended to be rinsed off so that they do not fall into the hands of a certain category of people (for example, children). But remember that this is an exception to the rule.
3. Dispose of toxic waste properly. Some substances should not be disposed of in the trash as they seep into the ground and pollute groundwater. If you are unsure how to dispose of the toxic chemicals you have, contact the appropriate service provider for instructions on how to dispose of them.
4. Save water. Remember that water is the most valuable resource, and its overuse negatively affects the environment. In daily life, you can easily reduce water consumption and improve the ecosystem of your region. Here's what to do:
  - Fix water leaks promptly.
  - Install water-saving nozzles on faucets.
  - Turn off the water when washing dishes.
  - Replace your old toilet with a new one that uses less water.
  - Don't water your lawn too much.
Involving other people in the fight for a clean environment
1. Find out which businesses in your area pollute the environment the most. Search the Internet for the necessary information or talk to people who will tell you about it. Gather as much data as possible to get a better idea of the current situation.
  - While individuals can fight pollution to the best of their ability, the main source of it is businesses. Therefore, be sure to find out who or what causes the main harm to the environment.