We all know that humanity has already caused irreparable harm to the environment. The post-industrial era has led to pollution, a decline in animal and plant biodiversity, industrialization of forests and climate change. Of course, plants, factories, manufacturing and even agriculture are largely responsible for what is happening to the environment today. However, people hardly think about the fact that the familiar things that surround us every day can also become destructive for our planet. These are everyday items that can become deadly weapons against the environment.
Every person has batteries in their home, because today it is simply impossible to imagine your life without a huge number of gadgets and electronic devices. However, sooner or later the day comes when the battery runs out. According to statistics, only about 15% percent of the billions of alkaline batteries are recycled after use. According to scientists from the US Environmental Protection Agency, batteries account for more than 50% of toxic emissions from all household waste. Batteries account for 0.25% of all emissions. Used batteries contain mercury, cadmium, magnesium, lead, tin, nickel, and zinc. Once thrown away, batteries will corrode (they metal coating collapses), and heavy metals enter the soil and groundwater. From groundwater these metals can end up in rivers and lakes. Just one AA battery pollutes 400 liters of water and 20 square meters of soil with harmful components. Harmful substances accumulate in the body of humans and animals, affecting the functioning of almost all organs, blocking the work of enzymes and causing malignant tumors. 
Discarded plastic bags do not biodegrade, meaning they can, in fact, remain in nature for an average of 500 years! Around the world, people use about 4 trillion bags every year, a quantity that kills millions of birds and countless schools of fish. Every year, more than a hundred thousand whales, seals, and turtles die from plastic bags in Newfoundland alone. For these reasons, in some countries the use plastic bags as household packaging is limited or prohibited, and on August 23, the ECA Movement holds an annual event - “Day without Plastic Bags”. 
Since the 1950s, global plastic production has doubled every eleven years, to about 300 thousand tons annually. plastic waste ends up in the seas and oceans. There, large fragments gradually disintegrate into small bright pieces, which are often eaten by marine life and birds, mistaking the plastic for food. But if in 1960 only 5% of birds examined had plastic fragments found in their stomachs, then in 2010 this figure reached 80%. Birds often mistake floating bottles, lighters and other objects for fish, and not only swallow them themselves, but also bring them as food to their chicks. But plastic consists of toxic components and absorbs harmful substances from the environment. In addition, such fragments do not always pass through the gastrointestinal tract and accumulate in the body, causing intestinal blockage. Often so much plastic accumulates in the stomach that there is no room left for food, and the bird dies of starvation. 
Gases used to sedate patients before surgery, accumulate in the Earth's atmosphere, where they contribute to climate change. results latest analyzes air samples showed the presence of anesthetics even in Antarctica. Behind last decades concentrations of desflurane, isoflurane and sevoflurane are increasing worldwide. Like carbon dioxide, anesthetic gases allow the atmosphere to retain more solar energy. However, unlike carbon dioxide, medical gases in this case turned out to be much more powerful than greenhouse gases: one kilogram of desflurane, for example, is equivalent to 2500 kilograms of carbon dioxide. 
According to estimates, of the 6 trillion cigarettes smoked in the world every year, more than 4.5 trillion are thrown onto the ground by smokers. This is how nicotine, toxins, carcinogens and pesticides, which pose a huge danger to animals and people, get into the soil and then into the water. American scientists note that the toxicity of tobacco smoke is four times higher than harmful effects exhaust gases car. In their opinion, cigarettes cause no less harm to the planet than cement and asphalt factories. 
Paper
Paper is biodegradable, but as you know, every sheet means felled trees and destroyed forests, as well as energy costs and emissions. environment during its production. Of course, wood is a renewable resource, but not all countries and companies monitor its renewal, trying to use what they have to the maximum. Many manufacturers now offer paper made from recycled materials, but this is also not a completely harmless solution. When the paper recycling process takes place, all of it is mixed into pulp. This pulp is washed, cleaned and then pressed into sheets of paper. During this process, all waste, such as paper fiber, ink, cleaning chemicals and paints, is filtered out and sent into one huge pile - paper sludge. This sludge is then either incinerated or sent to a landfill, where it releases dozens of toxic chemicals and heavy metals which subsequently end up in groundwater.
It is impossible to imagine a healthy humanity without a clean and prosperous living environment.
The psychology of health and long life is, first of all, education in early childhood in the child there is a feeling of respect and love for nature.
Nature is not only forests and lakes, it is ALL living things, the entire Cosmos. This is what surrounds a person, this is the primary environment, without which his full-fledged, unburdened existence, physical and spiritual health simply unthinkable. The idea of separating man from Nature, declaring him “the crown of creation and transferring into his jurisdiction and undivided use the world of Living Nature and all its riches is a violation of the “Primordial balance”. Man is a part of nature. When he ceases to feel himself as this part, harmony is disturbed, which leads to disaster.
The destruction of nature always entails consequences, one of which is irreversible spiritual loss modern man, divorced from folk roots.
It is very difficult to educate, instill love and respect for Nature, creating a huge environmental problem. The senseless mass destruction of animals, trees, and bodies of water is a threat to earthly prosperity, a harbinger of the death of the living world.
Man needs to come to his senses and understand that without nature, not only healthy offspring, but the very life of humanity is impossible! Changes in Nature will lead man to mutations. Each of us must feel responsible for everything that happens around us, for the land that belongs to everyone - who came before us and who will come after us.
The psychology of health and longevity begins with the feeling of being part of this unique beauty of Nature, with love for insects, dogs and cats... And this love should be based on such concepts as duty, memory, conscience.
How to do it?
Original taken from oleg_bubnov in Love for Nature for children and adults
How much people consider themselves nature lovers and try to spend a significant part of their free time away from the bustle of the city! After a vacation or weekend, after inhaling fresh air Having bathed well and gained strength, we return home with new impressions. Love for nature ennobles a person, makes him kinder and purer, if only it is true love.
What is our love? Is it mutual? How do we feel about what we love?
Child's love for nature
The little man, developing, learns about the world. Initially, children have the potential to love all living things. And if a child, growing up, begins to destroy nature and animals, then adults are primarily to blame for this, because fostering a love for nature begins from infancy, and it is very important to instill in time a sense of responsibility for all life on earth.
We teach to love small things
It is important that the child understands: even the smallest creature is worthy of life. Let cultivating a love for nature begin with insects. One year old babies They actively explore the world, and their attention is attracted by bright butterflies, bugs, and ants. The child wants to touch everything and test its strength. He does not yet understand the fragility of the creatures around him, so he needs to be taught to treat even a bug with care.
Explain to your child that when he squeezes a beetle in his hand, he hurts the insect, tell your child more about the world of insects, look at pictures in books. And your efforts will gradually begin to bear fruitful fruit. Rescue ladybugs and bugs with your child. Let the child remove the insect from the road where it could be crushed, or get the bug out of the puddle. Praise the little rescuer. After all, he did a good, good deed.
Cats and dogs are best friends
Very often, pets become children's favorites. They are great at raising young researchers big world. Playing with cats or dogs teaches a child to treat animals with care and to empathize. It is not uncommon to see young children talking to " little brothers" After all, for them such communication is more useful and better than any toys. And you can’t replace it with anything.
Don't feel afraid that something is wrong with your child when he tries to pick up a kitten by the tail or pokes a dog in the eye with his finger. This is not because the baby is cruel. It’s just how children learn about the world, they need to touch everything, conduct a little experiment. The child does not yet understand that animals experience pain just like people. And your job is to explain it. Tell them that animals are fragile and can be hurt or harmed. Do not leave your child alone with the animal; always monitor the communication process so that you can always correct the child’s actions. Your time together is another contribution to nurturing a love of nature.
Tell your child more about the habits and habits of animals, so that the child knows the characteristics of small pets and learns to love and understand them. Involve your baby in caring for your cat or dog. Of course, the child will not immediately acquire the habit of caring for or feeding a pet. But gradually your goodwill and warmth will bring results. The child will begin to develop responsibility and love.
Green friends
Along with animals, instill a love for plants. Let your baby help care for indoor flowers. This is also a part of nature, which teaches love and spiritual beauty. Let the baby water “his” flower. Let him plant a sprout or seed and watch how “his” plant gradually grows. After all, cultivating a love for nature lies in the little things that a little later will give you a kind, caring person who loves the world around him.
Adult love for nature
For example, consider a couple of situations that almost each of us has repeatedly observed. Here a group of young people with large backpacks and packages gathered, as they often say now, to “have fun” in nature. They took with them a powerful music system and enough strong drinks to feed a company of soldiers. How they will “rest” and what they will bring to their surroundings is not difficult to guess. Somewhere on the banks of a river or lake they pitched tents and made a fire. “So what's wrong with that?” - you ask. So far it seems like nothing, although... For some reason the fire was not built in a clearing, but right in the middle of the bushes and trees. It’s not even worth talking about the fact that the smoke and heat from the fire will be harmful to plants - and, what good, they will make people laugh.
What about the music? Why not listen to the splashing of water, the rustling of trees, the chirping of birds? Isn't that why we leave the city in the end? No, blaring music filled everything around, and not only the eardrums of young people (who think they are relaxing) are suffering - nature is suffering. Most of us say that nature is alive just for the sake of saying that nature is alive. But this is really so! All nature is inhabited by living, conscious entities, which we, having moved away from it over many millennia, have forgotten how to see and hear. Why, we don’t even know about their existence. For us they are only “literature”, images that come from myths and tales, and this is in best case scenario. For such entities, such a roar is real torment, they suffer, and this affects flowers and trees, animals and birds.
And nature suffers not only from noise. It's no secret that most people smoke. Smoke poisons the human body, and for the “essentials” who live in the forests, where, thanks to the relative distance from civilization, everything is much cleaner than in the city, this disgusting thing is especially painful. Is this love?! And what kind of “gratitude” the faithful servants of the Creator and Lord, who care for nature, send us for our obvious shamelessness, is visible to the naked eye. Dry rivers and lakes, ruined trees, endangered animal species and much more over the past decades have changed even the visible world of the planet almost beyond recognition; there is nothing to say about the subtle world. What kind of “reciprocity” is there! We don't deserve it!
...And two days flew by in such a frenzy, it’s time to go back. All around were broken bushes and mountains of rubbish, withered by smoke. You should take the garbage with you and throw it in a special container, but this never occurs to anyone. For what? After all, they are not going to come back here anymore, there are plenty of other places, Russia is big. Let others take care of themselves. It's sad, if not tragic...
Another example. The men go fishing. But not with fishing rods and spinning rods, but with nets and slings. They catch fish in bags, throw away small change, without thinking about anything - neither about the fact that they are polluting the subtle world with their aspirations and actions, nor about the fact that they are seriously disturbing the ecology of the visible gross material world. What if they engage in such “fishing” during spawning, when the reproduction process is underway? Moreover, for the sake of one caviar (!), gutting and throwing away the most valuable fish, which was never able to fulfill one of its most important natural tasks - to bear offspring! What kind of love for nature is there, it rather smacks of hatred.
And almost none of us think about the fact that we will have to answer to the fullest extent for our actions - we managed, they say, to bypass the earthly law, and okay. There is no need to talk about responsibility before God, in whom many do not believe. But we ignore even our responsibility to our children, in whom each of us “oh, how we believe!”, leaving behind chaos, dirt and destruction. It's an ugly picture, but that's how it really is. True love for nature, without a doubt, would help every person change for the better.
Nowadays, the problems of protecting the natural environment and ensuring environmental safety purchased very important. People have seen from their own experience that, unfortunately, no human intervention in nature goes unnoticed; very often the rash actions of people have extremely unpleasant consequences. The widespread opinion in the twentieth century that man is the conqueror of nature turned out to be erroneous.
Man is simply one of Mother Nature’s children, and, as it turned out, he is far from being her most intelligent child, because no other creatures destroy the world in which they live. In order to somehow make up for past mistakes and prevent such mistakes from being made in the future, today humanity pays a lot of attention to such issues as protecting nature, economical consumption of natural resources, caring for animals and plants...
Once upon a time, people thoughtlessly thought that such seemingly insignificant phenomena as the extermination of some type of insect, deforestation somewhere far away in the taiga, or pollution of a small river were unlikely to have any serious consequences. However, as practice has shown, even these “little things” can become fatal, because everything in the world is interconnected, so that even the disappearance of the tiniest link in the chain inevitably leads to a disruption of the general balance. As a result, we have what we have - global warming, ozone holes, hundreds of species of animals and plants that are on the verge of extinction...
The people themselves are also suffering, who today are faced with many problems unknown to them before - an increase in the number of various diseases among the population, the birth of a large number of babies with certain pathologies, and much more. Today, healthcare has become one of the main priorities of human society, since the deterioration of the environmental situation has dealt a serious blow to people's health. Excessive human activity and irresponsible attitude towards nature have turned against us, therefore, if we want to preserve natural resources for our descendants, who will live many hundreds of years after us, we must take active measures to protect the environment now.
What to do?
You need to start small - with the struggle for the purity of your settlement, because ecology is the key to our common prosperous future. When you go to nature to relax, you should take large garbage bags with you and clean up before and after yourself the area where you are resting or going to rest (and preferably not only after yourself). It is worth setting an example for people, conducting active campaigning everywhere (leaflets, posters, newspapers, explanations), holding mass cleanup days, teaching people to take care of the natural environment, fighting those who stubbornly do not want to change their boorish and consumerist attitude towards Nature (attracting to liability).
Everything returns to normal, everything that we have prepared for ourselves, according to the great Law of Interaction, which is sometimes called the “Law of Sowing and Harvest.” It doesn’t matter that we don’t know about the existence of universal and most perfect Laws of the Universe, our ignorance does not exempt us from responsibility. So isn’t it better for each of us, before it’s too late, to try to look at ourselves from the outside and start doing something?
Let us still love, appreciate and respect Mother Nature, because this is ours, in which we live! Let's not thoughtlessly throw trash anywhere (even travel tickets or ice cream paper)! Think! Do it! Teach yourself and others order and cleanliness! It’s clean not where they clean, but where they don’t litter...
Nature is like a simple miracle,
It is impossible to understand and unravel. Then he puts on a fur coat in the cold,
It melts the asphalt to dust.
Rain in the heat is uncontrollably desired,
Fast streams tremble.
Soul impulses pacify
And cleanses thoughts from filth.
People are in a hurry to learn all the facets
Dear mother nature.
But they understand that something controls us -
Ignorance does not let you through and stands like a wall.
Dreams go on forever.
The tracks are tangled in the shadows.
Nature reveals eternity,
For those who are pure in their thoughts.
, http://puzkarapuz.ru/content/289.
Do not forget that harm to nature is caused not only by harmful emissions from production, mountains of garbage, pollution of rivers and seas, deforestation, destruction of animals and plants, but also by our weekend trips to barbecue or pick mushrooms. Naturally, the harm to the environment caused by a fire we make is not comparable to what a chemical plant or a landfill for household waste “gives” to nature, but it is still noticeable.
Have you ever noticed how a mother, walking with her child in the park, suddenly exclaims “ugh, what disgusting!” Is he diligently pressing something with his foot? The child is receptive and will quickly learn that a butterfly fluttering in a clearing is cute and beautiful, but something crawling underfoot is disgusting and not worthy of life. A lesson learned in childhood will remain for life: “I myself determine what and who is worthy to live and grow on this earth.”
IN Lately nature is increasingly letting us know that it is offended by our stupid activities: either snow will fall where it has never been seen before - in Africa or southern Asia, then rains will flood Europe, or drought will leave vast regions without crops.
Lately everything more people begins to understand that we must learn to live in harmony with nature, to obey the laws of ecology - the science of our common house.
The term “ecology” was proposed in 1866 by the German scientist Ernst Haeckel, who defined it as the science of the relationship of all living things to the environment. In Greek, “oikos” means dwelling, house, place of residence, and “logos” means word, teaching.
Let’s not delve into the scientific jungle; the essence of ecology can be formulated in one short phrase: “Man, do no harm.” But, unfortunately, we do much and sophisticated harm, causing irreparable harm to nature. We are already accustomed to the fact that every summer television shows a lot of fires that destroy thousands of hectares of forests. And most fires are the work of man.
An unextinguished cigarette butt or coal, a bottle of clear glass thrown onto dry grass (the effect of a magnifying glass) in dry, windy weather, can in a few minutes turn a calm green forest into a fiery hell in which a lot of living things will die.
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 released by the breathing of 200 people.
Convincing numbers, aren't they? AND similar examples many can be cited.
Do not forget that in city parks and squares there are perhaps not much fewer living creatures than in the wild forest, but they are much more vulnerable and are entirely dependent on human whim. Our ancestors long ago formulated the basic principles of human behavior in relation to nature. Let's follow them too.
Try not to keep wild animals at home. In most cases, turning them into pets will not work. Most often, 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.
Under no circumstances should you bring grown chicks or young animals from the forest. In the vast 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 they contain young animals, which usually give themselves away by squeaking.
If your dog is poorly trained, in the spring and early summer do not let it off the leash in the park, forest, or vacant lots where there may be bird nests or young wild animals. Try not to create unnecessary noise during this period, which scares away birds and animals. Cubs that do not have time to run away after the adults may get lost and die.
Treat the smallest inhabitants of the forest with care. Don't cut the webs, just walk around them. Do not destroy anthills or step on ant paths.
Unnecessarily, do not turn over stones, snags, old logs, or break mossy stumps. Lives under them and in them a large number of Living creatures. If you want to make sure of this, sit aside for a while. The anxiety caused by your steps will subside, and lizards will crawl out onto the stumps, centipedes will rush about their business, beetles will appear, birds will fuss, a mouse will crawl out of its hole - the forest will begin to live its normal life.
For nature, all living beings are important and necessary; they all have their own niche and complex relationships with others. There are no “vile and nasty” people among them, so there is no need to put pressure on anyone or step on anyone. Tomorrow, a scary-looking hairy caterpillar will turn into a beautiful butterfly and pollinate flowers.
Try not to unnecessarily disturb the forest soil. Do not forget that a passing car compacts it with its wheels, leading to the death of many living beings. Exhaust gases also do not benefit the forest. It is advisable to walk through the forest along existing paths, without unnecessarily creating new ones. If you go off-road, try not to break or trample plants.
There is no need to pick plants just to admire them. To do this, just bend over to a flower, which in its natural environment will always look better than in your hands. If there is a need to pick plants - for example, when collecting medicinal herbs, do not do a “total weeding”, pick them little by little in different places, trying not to harm other plants.
When collecting mushrooms, berries, and nuts, try not to cause unnecessary harm to nature. Don't destroy everything around to get to the coveted mushroom or berry cluster. Don’t pick every single berry and nut - there are many other people who have their sights on them besides you. Do not forget that in nature all plants are needed, this applies to fly agarics, and toadstools, and to various tinder fungi.
By the way, collecting our beloved birch sap is by no means harmless to trees. It’s difficult to give up this delicacy, but don’t overdo it, and be sure to cover up the wounds on birch trees, preferably with garden varnish, or with regular 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 we should try to minimize it to the limit. Nature generously shares its gifts with us, but also waits for itself careful attitude and worries. Don't forget the words of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry:
“We’re all...on the same planet—we’re all the crew of the same ship.”
Pollution is the introduction of pollutants into the natural environment that cause adverse changes. Pollution can take the form chemical substances or energy such as noise, heat or light. Components of pollution can be either foreign substances/energy or natural pollutants.
Main types and causes of environmental pollution:
Air pollution
Coniferous forest after acid rain
Smoke from chimneys, factories, vehicles, or from burning wood and coal makes the air toxic. The effects of air pollution are also clear. The release of sulfur dioxide and hazardous gases into the atmosphere causes global warming and acid rain, which in turn increases temperatures, causing excessive rainfall or droughts around the world and making life more difficult. We also breathe every contaminated particle in the air and as a result, the risk of asthma and lung cancer increases.
Water pollution
Caused the loss of many species of flora and fauna of the Earth. This happened because industrial waste discharged into rivers and other water bodies causes an imbalance in the aquatic environment, leading to severe pollution and death of aquatic animals and plants.
In addition, spraying insecticides, pesticides (such as DDT) on plants, contaminates the groundwater system. Oil spills in the oceans have caused significant damage to water bodies.
Eutrophication in the Potomac River, USA
Eutrophication is another important cause of water pollution. Occurs due to untreated Wastewater and the leaching of fertilizers from the soil into lakes, ponds or rivers, causing chemicals to leach into the water and block sunlight, thereby reducing the amount of oxygen and making the water uninhabitable.
Pollution of water resources harms not only individual aquatic organisms, but also the entire water supply, and seriously affects the people who depend on it. In some countries of the world, due to water pollution, outbreaks of cholera and diarrhea are observed.
Soil pollution
Soil erosion
This type of pollution occurs when harmful substances enter the soil. chemical elements, usually caused by human activity. Insecticides and pesticides suck nitrogen compounds from the soil, making it unsuitable for plant growth. Industrial waste also has a negative impact on the soil. Since plants cannot grow as required, they are unable to hold the soil, resulting in erosion.
Noise pollution
This pollution occurs when unpleasant (loud) sounds from the environment affect a person's hearing organs and lead to psychological problems, including voltage, high blood pressure, hearing impairment, etc. It can be caused by industrial equipment, airplanes, cars, etc.
Nuclear pollution
This is very dangerous look contamination, it occurs due to malfunctions nuclear power plants, improper storage of nuclear waste, accidents, etc. Radioactive contamination can cause cancer, infertility, loss of vision, birth defects; it can make the soil infertile, and also negatively affects air and water.
Light pollution
Light pollution on planet Earth
Occurs due to noticeable excess illumination of an area. It is common, as a rule, in large cities, especially from billboards, gyms or entertainment venues at night. In residential areas, light pollution greatly affects people's lives. It also prevents astronomical observations, making the stars almost invisible.
Thermal/heat pollution
Thermal pollution is the deterioration of water quality by any process that changes the temperature of the surrounding water. The main reason Thermal pollution is the use of water as a refrigerant by power plants and industrial plants. When water used as a refrigerant is returned to the natural environment at more high temperature, temperature changes reduce the oxygen supply and affect the composition. Fish and other organisms adapted to a particular temperature range can be killed by a sudden change in water temperature (or a rapid increase or decrease).
Thermal pollution is caused by excess heat in the environment creating undesirable changes over long periods of time. This is due to the huge number industrial enterprises, deforestation and air pollution. Thermal pollution increases the Earth's temperature, causing dramatic climate change and the loss of wildlife species.
Visual pollution
Visual pollution, Philippines
Visual pollution is an aesthetic problem and refers to the effects of pollution that impair the ability to enjoy the natural world. It includes: billboards, open garbage storage, antennas, electric wires, buildings, cars, etc.
Overcrowding of the territory with a large number of objects causes visual pollution. Such pollution contributes to absent-mindedness, eye fatigue, loss of identity, etc.
Plastic pollution
Plastic pollution, India
Includes the accumulation of plastic products in the environment that have adverse effect to wildlife, animal or human habitats. Plastic products are inexpensive and durable, which has made them very popular among people. However, this material decomposes very slowly. Plastic pollution can adversely affect soil, lakes, rivers, seas and oceans. Living organisms, especially marine animals, become entangled in plastic waste or suffer from chemicals in plastic that cause disruptions in biological functions. People are also affected by plastic pollution by causing hormonal imbalance.
Objects of pollution
The main objects of environmental pollution are air (atmosphere), water resources(streams, rivers, lakes, seas, oceans), soil, etc.
Pollutants (sources or subjects of pollution) of the environment
Pollutants are chemical, biological, physical or mechanical elements (or processes) that harm the environment.
They can cause harm in both the short and long term. Pollutants come from natural resources or are produced by humans.
Many pollutants have toxic effects on living organisms. Carbon monoxide ( carbon monoxide) is an example of a substance that causes harm to humans. This compound is absorbed by the body instead of oxygen, causing shortness of breath, headache, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, and in severe cases can lead to serious poisoning, and even death.
Some pollutants become dangerous when they react with other naturally occurring compounds. Oxides of nitrogen and sulfur are released from impurities in fossil fuels during combustion. They react with water vapor in the atmosphere, turning into acid rain. Acid rain negatively affects aquatic ecosystems and leads to the death of aquatic animals, plants, and other living organisms. Terrestrial ecosystems are also affected by acid rain.
Classification of pollution sources
According to the type of occurrence, environmental pollution is divided into:
Anthropogenic (artificial) pollution
Deforestation
Anthropogenic pollution is the impact on the environment caused by human activities. The main sources of artificial pollution are:
- industrialization;
- invention of automobiles;
- global population growth;
- deforestation: destruction of natural habitats;
- nuclear explosions;
- overexploitation of natural resources;
- construction of buildings, roads, dams;
- creation of explosive substances that are used during military operations;
- use of fertilizers and pesticides;
- mining.
Natural (natural) pollution
Eruption
Natural pollution is caused and occurs naturally, without human intervention. It can affect the environment for a certain period of time, but is capable of regeneration. To sources natural pollution relate:
- volcanic eruptions, releasing gases, ash and magma;
- forest fires emit smoke and gaseous impurities;
- sandstorms raise dust and sand;
- decomposition of organic matter, during which gases are released.
Consequences of pollution:
Environmental degradation
Photo on the left: Beijing after the rain. Photo on the right: smog in Beijing
The environment is the first victim of air pollution. An increase in the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere leads to smog, which can prevent sunlight from reaching the earth's surface. In this regard, it becomes much more difficult. Gases such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide can cause acid rain. Water pollution in terms of oil spills can lead to the death of several species of wild animals and plants.
Human health
Lung cancer
Decreased air quality leads to several respiratory problems, including asthma or lung cancer. Chest pain, sore throat, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory diseases can be caused by air pollution. Water pollution can cause skin problems, including irritation and rashes. Similarly, noise pollution leads to hearing loss, stress and sleep disturbance.
Global warming
Male, the capital of the Maldives, is one of the cities facing the prospect of being flooded by the ocean in the 21st century
The release of greenhouse gases, especially CO2, leads to global warming. Every day new industries are created, new cars appear on the roads, and trees are cut down to make way for new homes. All these factors, directly or indirectly, lead to an increase in CO2 in the atmosphere. Rising CO2 is causing the polar ice caps to melt, raising sea levels and creating dangers for people living near coastal areas.
Ozone depletion
The ozone layer is thin shield high in the sky that prevents penetration ultraviolet rays to the ground. Human activities release chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons into the atmosphere, which contributes to the depletion of the ozone layer.
Badlands
Due to the constant use of insecticides and pesticides, the soil can become infertile. Various types of chemicals generated from industrial waste end up in water, which also affects soil quality.
Protection (protection) of the environment from pollution:
International protection
Many are particularly vulnerable because they are exposed to human influence in many countries. As a result, some states are banding together and developing agreements aimed at preventing damage or managing human impacts on natural resources. These include agreements that affect the protection of the climate, oceans, rivers and air from pollution. These international environmental treaties are sometimes binding instruments that have legal consequences in the event of non-compliance, and in other situations they are used as codes of conduct. The most famous include:
- The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), approved in June 1972, provides for the protection of nature for the present generation of people and their descendants.
- The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was signed in May 1992. The main goal of this agreement is “to stabilize the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere at a level that will prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system.”
- The Kyoto Protocol provides for the reduction or stabilization of the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere. It was signed in Japan at the end of 1997.
State protection
Discussions of environmental issues often focus on the government, legislative and law enforcement levels. However, in the broadest sense, environmental protection can be seen as the responsibility of the entire people, not just the government. Decisions that impact the environment will ideally involve a wide range of stakeholders, including industry, indigenous groups, environmental groups and communities. Environmental decision-making processes are constantly evolving and becoming more active in different countries.
Many constitutions recognize the fundamental right to protect the environment. Besides, in various countries There are organizations and institutions involved in environmental protection issues.
Although protecting the environment is not just a responsibility government agencies, most people consider these organizations to be paramount in creating and maintaining basic standards that protect the environment and the people who interact with it.
How to protect the environment yourself?
Population and technological advances based on fossil fuels have severely impacted our natural environment. Therefore, we now need to do our part to eliminate the consequences of degradation so that humanity continues to live in an environmentally friendly environment.
There are 3 main principles that are still relevant and more important than ever:
- use less;
- reuse;
- convert.
- Create compost heap in your garden. This helps to dispose of food waste and other biodegradable materials.
- When shopping, use your eco-bags and try to avoid plastic bags as much as possible.
- Plant as many trees as you can.
- Think about ways to reduce the number of trips you make using your car.
- Reduce vehicle emissions by walking or cycling. It is not simple great alternatives driving, but also health benefits.
- Use public transportation whenever you can for daily transportation.
- Bottles, paper, used oil, old batteries and used tires must be disposed of properly; all this causes serious pollution.
- Do not pour chemicals and waste oil onto the ground or into drains leading to waterways.
- If possible, recycle selected biodegradable waste, and work to reduce the amount of non-recyclable waste used.
- Reduce the amount of meat you consume or consider a vegetarian diet.
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The relationship between people and nature has always been quite complex - man sought to subjugate it, use it for his needs and change it in every possible way. Today everyone is talking about negative consequences global warming, but this is far from the only example of how human civilization and nature influence each other.
1. A warming climate contributes to violence.
Many Scientific research It has been consistently assumed for several decades that rates of violent crime always increase as one approaches the equator, that is, as the climate becomes hotter. But none of these studies have been able to determine why this is so. There are two main theories. First, hot weather makes people uncomfortable and irritable, and therefore more violent.
Second, in warm weather people are outdoors more often and interact more actively, meaning there are more opportunities for violent conflict. But researchers from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam believe that it is not so much the heat that is to blame for this behavior, but rather a slight change in temperature in these regions.
Without having to plan for upcoming seasons, people can focus on the present without worrying so much about the future. This “living one day at a time” strategy can lead to decreased self-control and thus an increase in acts of violence.
2. Light pollution causes early spring in cities
Light pollution caused by excess artificial lighting, can actually be destructive to natural ecosystems. Over time, bright lights in cities gradually “deceive” the surrounding trees and plants, which begin to “believe” that spring has come earlier.
In a 12-year study of four various types trees, British scientists discovered that in major cities, in which there is a lot of night lighting, the trees threw out buds a week earlier than similar species in rural areas. This has a natural multiplier effect on the surrounding ecosystem, causing disruptions in pollination cycles and bird and bee populations.
3. Cigarette butts are a threat to marine life
Of the billions of cigarette butts produced each year, only a fraction are disposed of correctly. An insane amount of them end up in the ocean. In fact, cigarette butts are the most common type of litter in the world's oceans. They are made up of thousands of tiny plastic particles woven into a fiber that breaks down in the ocean environment.
One study found that the hazardous materials contained in one cigarette butt could sufficiently contaminate 1 liter of water to kill any fish in that water.
4. People and evolution
Hunting, human encroachment on animals' natural habitats, and other environmental changes have contributed to the extinction of thousands of species over the centuries. But some human behavior patterns can ultimately lead to the emergence of new species that would not have appeared otherwise. For example, in London there are underground mosquitoes whose DNA and breeding habits are different from ordinary mosquitoes.
They came from insects that escaped into artificial underground tunnels during the bombing of World War II. Since they are no longer able to reproduce with other mosquitoes, these mosquitoes are separate species, which was actually created by people.
5. Nature improves mental health
A 2013 study by the University of Essex found that clinical rates of depression dropped significantly (by 71 percent) in people who took at least a short walk in nature every day. These results stand in stark contrast to the control group, whose participants walked once a day during mall. Their depression levels dropped by 45 percent, while 22 percent actually felt more depressed.
In addition, adolescents living within 1 km of green spaces experienced a decrease in aggressive behavior. Either way, the study's authors came to a rather specific conclusion: increasing green space in urban areas could lead to a 12 percent reduction in violent and aggressive behavior among adolescents.
6. Increased vegetation growth
Melting glaciers and the gradual disappearance of long-standing ice shelves caused by global climate change have produced an unexpected secondary effect. In many places where the ice has retreated, greenery has appeared in its place.
This decades-long trend was noted by NASA using satellite imagery. In addition to retreating ice and rising temperatures, another factor is believed to be an increase in the amount of nitrogen in the atmosphere, which plants love.
7. Poor people in green areas get sick less often
Scientists from the University of Glasgow conducted a study that substantiated the theory that exposure to nature is beneficial for people. After excluding diseases such as lung cancer, circulatory diseases, and deliberate self-harm, the scientists decided to survey the entire working population of England to determine whether there was a pattern of health status among people who could not afford health care living near green spaces.
It turned out that people who live near greenery are actually healthier, even if they don’t visit doctors at all.
8. Mothers who live close to nature give birth to large children.
Ben Gurion University researchers noted in 2014 that mothers in greener areas tend to give birth to children with a much higher average body weight. The study also found that a much lower birth weight puts the baby at risk for a host of lifelong health problems.
It has been found that low birth weight is commonly found in economically underdeveloped areas with minimal green space.
9. Roads can have a positive impact on nature
Despite the fact that roads are vital to the infrastructure of any society, environmentalists actively protest against their construction. In fact, in 2013, Cambridge University professor Andrew Balmford suggested that building roads or improving existing roads in some areas could benefit surrounding areas.
Particularly in underdeveloped areas suitable for Agriculture, roads clearly help conserve vulnerable plant and animal species because people simply “stay away from them.”
10. Animals adapt to human presence
During the Industrial Revolution and as a result of the human population explosion, there was a clear effect on the diversity of animal species. Hunting and fishing, despite changes in habitat and migration patterns, have had an impact bad influence for many types, but not all. Some have adapted to thrive in the presence of humans, and studying how they managed to do this may be key to mitigating the effect of future population growth.
Chipmunks and crows, for example, have completely changed their diet to adapt to city life. Many birds that were in danger of extinction began to settle on flat roofs shopping centers.