What are the current environmental issues? Solving environmental problems: ways and means

The scientific and technological revolution and the use of minerals of the earth has led to the fact that the ecological situation on our planet is deteriorating literally before our eyes. The level of pollution of the subsoil, hydrosphere and air layer of the earth is approaching a critical level. Humanity is on the verge of a global man-made disaster. Fortunately, more and more state and public organizations understand the depth and danger of the problem.

Work to improve the current situation is gaining momentum. Even now, modern technologies offer many ways to solve environmental problems, from the creation of ecological fuels, ecological transport to the search for new environmentally friendly energy sources and the reasonable use of the Earth's resources.

Ways to solve the problem

An integrated approach to environmental issues is needed. It should include long-term and planned activities aimed at all spheres of society.

To radically improve the environmental situation, both on earth as a whole and in a single country, it is necessary to implement measures of the following nature:

Legal. These include the creation of environmental laws. International agreements are also important.
Economic. Elimination of the consequences of technogenic impact on nature requires serious financial investments.
Technological. In this area, there is a place where inventors and innovators disagree. The use of new technologies in the mining, metallurgical and transport industries will minimize environmental pollution. The main task is to create environmentally friendly energy sources.
Organizational. They consist in the uniform distribution of transport along the streams to prevent its long accumulation in one place.
Architectural. It is advisable to plant trees and shrubs in large and small settlements, to divide their territory into zones with the help of plantations. Of no small importance is the planting of plantings around enterprises and along roads.

Special importance should be attached to the protection of flora and fauna. Their representatives simply do not have time to adapt to changes in the environment.

Current conservation measures

Awareness of the dramatic situation in ecology forced mankind to take urgent and effective measures to correct it.

The most popular activities are:

Reducing household and industrial waste. This is especially true for plastic utensils. It is gradually being replaced by paper. Research is underway to eliminate bacteria that feed on plastic.
Cleaning of drains. Billions of cubic meters of water are consumed annually to provide various branches of human activity. Modern treatment facilities allow to clean it to a natural state.
Transition to clean energy sources. This means phasing out nuclear energy, engines and furnaces running on coal and oil products. The use of natural gas, wind, solar and hydroelectric power ensures a clean atmosphere. The use of biofuels can significantly reduce the concentration of harmful substances in exhaust gases.
Protection and restoration of lands and forests. New forests are being planted in the clearing areas. Measures are being taken to drain the land and protect it from erosion.

Constant agitation in favor of ecology changes people's views on this problem, inclining them to respect the environment.

Prospects for solving environmental problems in the future

In the future, the main efforts will be aimed at eliminating the consequences of man-made human activities and reducing harmful emissions.

For this, there are such prospects:

Construction of special plants for the complete disposal of all types of waste. This will allow not to occupy new territories for landfills. The energy obtained from combustion can be used for the needs of cities.
Construction of thermal power plants operating on the "solar wind" (Helium 3). This substance is on the moon. Despite the high cost of its production, the energy obtained from the "solar wind" is thousands of times greater than the heat transfer from nuclear fuel.
Transfer of all transport to power plants running on gas, electricity, batteries and hydrogen. This decision will contribute to the reduction of emissions into the atmosphere.
Cold nuclear fusion. This option for generating energy from water is already under development.

Despite the serious damage caused to nature, humanity has every chance to return it to its original form.

Problems of modern ecology

Environmental problems that have arisen in recent decades before mankind are increasingly global in nature. If a few decades ago, countries and regions within them struggled with local, albeit sometimes large-scale environmental disasters (soil erosion in Kazakhstan or the state of Texas, pollution of Baikal waters, evaporation of the Aral Sea, the Chernobyl disaster, etc.), then today there are practically no sane people left who do not realize that environmental problems have become global in nature, and that their solution requires international efforts.

The global environmental crisis of change is developing along the following lines:

emergence of global and regional natural-technogenic ecosystems;
the emergence of multi-scale environmental disasters;
depletion of natural resources;
suppression of the natural mechanisms of self-regulation of the biosphere.

Figure 1. Oil spill response on Sakhalin. Author24 - online exchange of student papers

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To date, a range of the most serious problems related to environmental protection and requiring a priority solution has been identified:

destruction of the natural habitat;
destruction of the ozone layer;
Greenhouse effect;
soil erosion;
the onset of deserts;
acid rain;
destruction of tropical forests;
inefficient use of natural resources.

Consider ways to overcome them.

Ways to solve the main environmental problems

Destruction of natural habitat can be prevented through the creation of reserves, natural parks. Strict international control of habitat changes (prohibition of hunting wild animals, regulation of deforestation, etc.) should also contribute to the preservation of a comfortable environment for species living on Earth.

Destruction of the ozone layer can only be prevented through a complete and speedy ban on the production of the chlorofluorocarbons involved in this process.

Greenhouse effect; its influence can be reduced by:

use of renewable energy sources;
a ban on deforestation of tropical forests, which through photosynthesis play the role of a filter that absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere;
reducing energy consumption.

Figure 2. Growth in electricity generation from alternative sources. Author24 - online exchange of student papers

soil erosion occurs when the fertile surface layer of the earth is destroyed by rains and winds. Ways to solve this problem are to plant shrubs and trees in problem areas, the roots of which bind the soil. Ecologically thought-out farming will also help: the use of organic fertilizers contributes to better water retention and prevents weathering. One way to solve this problem is the "small fields" method: the smaller the size of farmland, the less erosion the land on it is exposed to.

Rainforest destruction, as already mentioned, leads to unfavorable changes in the composition and dynamics of the atmosphere. The solution may lie in the reform of land ownership in wet tropical areas. It is also necessary to control cattle breeding, logging, and reduce the consumption of meat and timber by rich countries. It is necessary to use forest resources more efficiently, to look for alternatives to them, for example, to produce synthetic rubber instead of natural rubber.

acid rain and other pollution can be overcome:

installation of filters at power plants and transport;
use of renewable energy sources;
the use of modern fertilizers;
reduction of industrial emissions and waste.

Desert offensive occurs where drylands continue to be actively used. To prevent this phenomenon, you need:

reduced production in underdeveloped countries of export crops;
application of modern irrigation methods;
planting forests.

Inefficient use of natural resources can be overcome by:

processing of secondary raw materials;
increasing the period of use of things, their repair instead of disposal;
transition to a more rational and economical way of life.

Remark 1

Much in the matter of overcoming the ecological crisis also depends on ordinary inhabitants of the Earth. Small changes in the lifestyle of everyone (refusal of excess consumption) can lead to positive environmental dynamics.

The Collective Efforts of Mankind to Overcome the Ecological Crisis

International efforts are needed to preserve the environment. There is a need for closer cooperation between rich and poor countries, the rejection of national selfishness.

In recent decades, "green" political organizations have joined the cause of protecting the planet from environmental problems, setting as their primary goal the protection of human rights to a clean environment.

Figure 3. Greenpeace activists prevent ocean oil pollution. Author24 - online exchange of student papers

Public and charitable organizations play an important role in improving the environmental situation. They introduce environmentally friendly mechanisms, alternative energy sources, promote reasonable methods of agriculture and industrial production. For example, in Russia, since 1995, the non-governmental environmental fund named after. IN AND. Vernadsky. It was formed on the initiative of OAO Gazprom and implements projects in the field of environmental protection, environmental education, forms an environmental culture, and advocates for coordinating the efforts of the state, business and society in solving environmental problems.

Human activity in relation to nature is aggressive. Unfortunately, Russia is no exception. It remains one of the most polluted countries in the world and faces many serious environmental problems. The main threats to the country's environment, as well as the necessary steps to address them, are described below.

Deforestation

Large-scale fires in and broadleaved forests lead to increased carbon release and an increase in rates. After cutting down, the nature of the lighting changes. Due to the abundance of sunlight, plants that prefer shade die. Fertility is reduced, the process of erosion occurs. When the root system decomposes in the soil, a lot of nitrogen is released. It prevents the growth of new trees and plants. Swamps often form in place of pine and cedar forests.

Wood loss has been proven to reach 40%. Every second tree is cut down in vain. It will take at least 100 years to fully restore the destroyed forest areas.

Energy production and the environment

Thermal power plants are the largest source of environmental pollution. Their boilers burn fossil fuels. CHP emits solid particles into the air and. Due to the large release of unused energy, thermal pollution occurs. The operation of power plants leads to acid rain, the accumulation of greenhouse gases, which negatively affects nearby settlements.

Nuclear power plants bear a high risk of catastrophes. In normal mode, they throw a lot of heat into the reservoirs. During the operation of the NPP, radiation emissions do not exceed the permissible limits. But radioactive waste requires complex processing and disposal procedures.

Some time ago it was believed that hydroelectric power plants are incapable of causing harm. However, the damage to the environment is still noticeable. For the construction of a power plant, artificially created reservoirs are needed. A large area of such reservoirs is occupied by shallow water. It causes overheating of water, collapse of banks, flooding and death of fish.

Pollution of water and reservoirs

According to scientists, diseases of people living in ecologically disadvantaged areas are associated with poor water quality. Most of the harmful substances flowing into water bodies are completely dissolved in water, which is why they remain invisible. The situation is constantly getting worse. It can turn into an ecological catastrophe at any moment.

A difficult situation has developed in large metropolitan areas, standing on the rivers. Industrial enterprises that are concentrated there poison nearby areas, and even remote areas, with effluents. penetrates deep into the soil and makes underground sources unusable. Environmental damage is caused by agricultural regions. Reservoirs in these places are polluted with nitrates and animal waste.

Every day, water comes from sewage, which contains the remains of detergents, food and feces. They allow pathogens to develop. Once in the human body, it provokes a number of infectious diseases. Most of the treatment facilities are outdated and cannot cope with the increased load. This negatively affects the flora and fauna of water bodies.

Air pollution

Industrial enterprises are the main source of pollution. There are about thirty thousand plants and factories in the country that regularly emit harmful impurities, a large amount of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, formaldehyde and sulfur oxide into the atmosphere.

In second place are exhaust gases. The main source of the problem is used cars, lack of special filters, poor road surface and poor traffic organization. Carbon dioxide, lead, soot, nitrogen oxides are released into the atmosphere. Most of the rest of the exhaust gases suffer large cities with extensive road networks.

The European part of Russia is flat. From the west, polluted air masses from other states freely penetrate here. Due to industrial emissions from neighboring countries, tons of oxidized nitrogen and sulfur regularly enter Russia. Siberia suffers from harmful substances of Kazakhstani industry. Factories in the Chinese provinces are poisoning the Far Eastern regions.

The problem of radioactive contamination

Radioactivity is associated with ore mining, peaceful nuclear explosions, and waste disposal. Quite recently, the natural radiation background was 8 microroentgens per hour. Weapons testing, mining of minerals and nuclear reactions in the energy sector have significantly increased these figures. Leakage of harmful substances can occur during the transportation or storage of sources of radioactive elements. The most dangerous of them are strontium-90, cesium-137, cobalt-60 and iodine-131.

The service life of a nuclear power plant is 30 years. After that, the power units are decommissioned. Until recently, waste was disposed of like ordinary garbage, which caused enormous damage to the ecology of Russia. Today, there are special containers for storage and burial grounds for them.

Household waste

Garbage is conditionally divided into plastic, paper, glass, metal, textiles, wood and food residues. Some materials are not exposed. The country has accumulated billions of tons of waste and the numbers are constantly growing. Unauthorized landfills are a big problem for the environment.

Thousands of hectares of land suitable for agriculture remain under the rubble. Dumping, that is, the disposal of waste in the sea, pollutes the water. Factories constantly emit waste, including radioactive waste. Smoke from garbage burning contains heavy metals.

environmental protection

The State Duma began to actively adopt laws in the field of ecology in 2012. They are aimed at combating illegal logging, provide for tougher penalties for the trade in rare animals and plants, and also strengthen the protection of natural areas. Realization is practically invisible.

The Russian environmental movement is of great importance. The All-Russian Society for the Conservation of Nature regularly conducts raids, inspections of enterprises and various examinations. It is engaged in cleaning recreation areas, planting forests and much more. The Wildlife Conservation Center solves environmental problems.

And are of great importance. They not only protect flora and fauna. Their activities are aimed at creating a culture of responsibility for the environment among ordinary people.

Solving environmental problems

Partially deforestation will be solved by planting new trees. In the field of logging, control over the activities of companies is necessary. State environmental organizations need to monitor the forest fund. Significant forces should be directed to the prevention of spontaneous fires. Businesses should start recycling wood.

Increasingly, plants and factories are trying to improve equipment. On the territory of Russia, the activities of an organization with high levels of pollution emissions have been suspended. Public transport and cars have been converted to EURO-5 fuel standards with low emission standards. Supervision of the activities of hydroelectric power plants is being strengthened.

In the regions, a waste separation program is being actively introduced. Solid residues will subsequently become recyclable. Large hypermarkets offer to abandon plastic bags in favor of eco-bags.

The state needs to take care of the education of the population. People should be aware of the real scale of the problems and the exact numbers. Advocacy for the conservation of nature should be carried out at school. Children should be taught to love and care for the environment.

The ecological situation is rapidly deteriorating. If you do not start to solve problems now, you can completely destroy forests and water bodies, deprive yourself and your children of normal conditions for existence.

Planets are a real scourge of the 21st century. Also, many think about the issue of preserving and restoring the environment. After all, otherwise future generations will get only a lifeless surface.

No man is an island!

It is likely that at least once in a lifetime each of us asked ourselves the question: "What environmental problems of the planet exist at the present time and what can I do to solve them?" It would seem, indeed, that only one person can? Nevertheless, each of us is capable of much. First, begin to "look after" the environment on your own. For example, throwing garbage into strictly designated containers, and it will not be superfluous to also pay attention to the separation of waste into specific materials (glass in one tank, and plastic in another). In addition, you can regulate and gradually reduce the consumption of both electricity and other resources (water, gas) necessary for your comfortable living. In the event that you are a driver and are faced with the choice of a suitable vehicle, then you should pay attention to cars that have a low content of harmful compounds in exhaust gases. It will also be right - both for you and for the whole planet - a small engine size installed in the selected car model. And, as a result, reduced fuel consumption. With such simple and accessible activities for everyone, we can solve the environmental problems of the planet.

Let's help the whole world

Despite everything described earlier, you will not be left alone in this struggle. As a rule, the policy of many modern states is aimed at the well-known environmental problems of the planet and, of course, ways to solve them. In addition, there is an active propaganda program, the purpose of which is to limit and exterminate rare representatives of flora and fauna. Nevertheless, such a policy of world powers is quite purposeful and allows you to create conditions for the normal life of the population, which at the same time do not violate natural ecosystems.

Environmental problems of the planet: list

Modern scientists identify about a few dozen basic issues that require special attention. Such planets arise as a result of significant changes in the natural environment. And those, in turn, are the result of devastating natural disasters, as well as the ever-increasing environmental problems of the planet, it is quite easy to list. One of the first places is air pollution. Each of us knows from an early age that, due to the content of a certain percentage of oxygen in the air space of the planet, we are able to exist normally. However, every day we not only consume oxygen, but also exhale carbon dioxide. But there are still plants and factories, cars and planes are traveling all over the world and knocking on the rails of the train. All of the above objects in the process of their work emit substances of a certain composition, which only aggravates the situation and increases the environmental problems of the planet Earth. Unfortunately, even despite the fact that modern production facilities are equipped with the latest developments in cleaning systems, the state of the airspace is gradually deteriorating.

Deforestation

Ever since the school biology course, we know that representatives of the plant world contribute to maintaining the balance of substances in the atmosphere. Thanks to natural processes, such as photosynthesis, the green spaces of the Earth not only purify the air of harmful impurities, but also gradually enrich it with oxygen. Thus, it is easy to conclude that the extermination of flora, in particular forests, only exacerbates the global environmental problems of the planet. Unfortunately, the economic activity of mankind leads to the fact that felling is carried out on an especially large scale, but the replenishment of green spaces is often not carried out.

Reducing fertile land

Similar ecological problems of the planet arise as a result of the previously mentioned deforestation. In addition, the misuse of various agricultural techniques and improper farming also leads to the depletion of the fertile layer. And pesticides and other chemical fertilizers for many years poison not only the soil, but also all living organisms that are interconnected with it. But, as you know, the layers of fertile land are restored much more slowly than forests. It will take more than one century to fully replace the lost land cover.

Reducing fresh water supplies

If you are asked: "What ecological problems of the planet are known?", you have the right to immediately recall the life-giving moisture. Indeed, in some regions there is already an acute shortage of this resource. And as time goes on, this situation will only get worse. Therefore, the above topic can be considered one of the most important in the list of "Ecological problems of the planet". Examples of misuse of water can be found everywhere. Starting from the pollution of lakes and rivers by all kinds of industrial enterprises and ending with the irrational consumption of resources at the household level. In this regard, already at the present time, many natural reservoirs are closed areas for swimming. However, the environmental problems of the planet do not end there. The list can be continued with the next paragraph.

Extermination of flora and fauna

Scientists have calculated that in the modern world, one representative of the animal or plant world of the planet dies every hour. At the same time, it is important to remember that not only poachers are involved in such actions, but also ordinary people who consider themselves respectable citizens of their country. Every day, mankind conquers more and more new territories both for the construction of their own housing and for agricultural and industrial needs. And animals have to move to new lands or die, remaining to live in an ecosystem destroyed by anthropogenic factors. Among other things, it must be remembered that all of the above factors also adversely affect the state of flora and fauna, both present and future. For example, pollution of water bodies, destruction of forests, etc., entails the disappearance of the diversity of flora and fauna that our ancestors used to see. Even over the last hundred years, the species diversity has significantly decreased under the direct or indirect impact of the anthropogenic factor.

Earth's protective shell

If the question arises: "What environmental problems of the planet are currently known?", then holes in the ozone layer are easily remembered. Modern human economic activity involves the release of special substances that cause thinning of the Earth's protective shell. Consequently, the formation of new so-called "holes", as well as an increase in the area of existing ones. Many people know this problem, but not everyone understands how all this can turn out. And it leads to the fact that dangerous solar radiation reaches the Earth's surface, which negatively affects all living organisms.

desertification

The global environmental problems presented earlier are causing the development of a severe catastrophe. It's about desertification. As a result of improper agriculture, as well as pollution of water resources and deforestation, there is a gradual weathering of the fertile layer, drainage of soils and other negative consequences, under the influence of which the land cover becomes unsuitable not only for further use for economic purposes, but also for living. of people.

Reduction of mineral reserves

A similar topic is also present in the list "Ecological problems of the planet." It is quite easy to list the currently used resources. These are oil, coal of various varieties, peat, gas and other organic components of the Earth's solid shell. According to scientists, in the next hundred years, mineral reserves will come to an end. In this regard, humanity has begun to actively introduce technologies that work on renewable resources, such as wind, solar, and others. However, the use of alternative sources is still quite small compared to more familiar and traditional ones. In connection with this state of affairs, modern governments of countries are conducting various incentive programs that contribute to a deeper introduction of alternative energy sources both in industry and in the everyday life of ordinary citizens.

overpopulation

Over the past century, a significant increase in the number of people has been observed on the globe. In particular, over a period of just 40 years, the world's population has doubled - from three to six billion people. According to scientists, by 2040 this number will reach nine billion, which, in turn, will lead to a particularly acute shortage of food, water and energy resources. The number of people living in poverty will increase significantly. There will be an increase in deadly diseases.

Municipal solid waste

In the modern world, a person produces several kilograms of garbage every day - these are tin cans from canned food and drinks, and polyethylene, and glass, and other waste. Unfortunately, at present, their secondary use is carried out only in countries with a highly developed standard of living. In all others, such household waste is taken to landfills, the territory of which often occupies vast areas. In countries with a low standard of living, heaps of garbage can lie right on the streets. This not only contributes to soil and water pollution, but also increases the growth of disease-causing bacteria, which in turn leads to widespread acute and sometimes fatal diseases. It should be noted that even the Earth's atmosphere is filled with tons of debris left after the launch of research probes, satellites and spacecraft into the vastness of the Universe. And since it is quite difficult to get rid of all these traces of human activity in a natural way, it is necessary to develop effective methods for processing solid waste. Many modern states are implementing national programs that promote the spread of easily recyclable materials.

Forests enrich the atmosphere with oxygen, which is so necessary for life, absorb carbon dioxide released by animals and humans in the process of breathing, as well as by industrial enterprises in the process of work. They play a major role in the water cycle. Trees take water from the soil, filter it, purifying it from impurities, and release it into the atmosphere, increasing the humidity of the climate. Forests influence the water cycle. Trees raise groundwater, enriching soils and keeping them from desertification and erosion - it is not for nothing that rivers instantly become shallow during deforestation.

According to reports from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, deforestation continues around the world at a rapid pace. Every year, 13 million hectares of forest are lost, while only 6 hectares grow.

It means that every second a forest the size of a football field disappears from the face of the planet.

A significant problem is that the organization receives these data directly from the governments of countries, and governments prefer not to indicate in their reports the losses associated, for example, with illegal logging.

Destruction of the ozone layer

About twenty kilometers above the planet extends the ozone layer - the Earth's ultraviolet shield.

Fluorinated and chlorinated hydrocarbons and halogen compounds emitted into the atmosphere destroy the layer structure. It is depleted and this leads to the formation of ozone holes. The destructive ultraviolet rays penetrating through them are dangerous for all life on Earth. They have a particularly negative effect on human health, their immune and gene systems, causing skin cancer and cataracts. Ultraviolet rays are dangerous for plankton - the basis of the food chain, higher vegetation, animals.

Today, under the influence of the Montreal Protocol, alternatives have been found for almost all technologies that use ozone-depleting substances, and the production, trade and use of these substances is rapidly decreasing.

As you know, everything in nature is interconnected. The destruction of the ozone layer and, as a result, the deviation of some seemingly insignificant environmental parameter can lead to unpredictable and irreversible consequences for all living things.

Decline in biodiversity

According to experts, 10-15 thousand species of organisms disappear annually. This means that over the next 50 years, the planet will lose, according to various estimates, from a quarter to a half of its biological diversity. The depletion of the species composition of flora and fauna significantly reduces the stability of ecosystems and the biosphere as a whole, which also poses a serious danger to humanity. The process of biodiversity reduction is characterized by an avalanche-like acceleration. The less biodiversity of the planet, the worse the conditions for survival in it.

As of 2000, 415 species of animals are listed in the Red Book of Russia. This list of animals in recent years has increased by one and a half times and does not stop growing.

Mankind, as a species with a huge population and habitat, does not leave a suitable habitat for other species. It is necessary to intensively expand the area of specially protected natural areas for the conservation of endangered species, as well as strict regulation of the extermination of commercially valuable species.

Water pollution

Pollution of the aquatic environment has occurred throughout the history of mankind: from time immemorial, people have used any river as a sewer. The greatest danger to the hydrosphere arose in the 20th century with the emergence of large multi-million cities and the development of industry. Over the past decades, most of the world's rivers and lakes have been turned into sewers and sewage pits. Despite hundreds of billions of investments in treatment facilities that are able to prevent the transformation of a river or lake into a fetid slurry, but are not able to return the water to its former natural purity: the growing volumes of industrial effluents and solid waste that dissolve in water are stronger than the most powerful treatment units.

The danger of water pollution is that a person largely consists of water and, in order to remain a person, he must consume exactly water, which in most cities of the planet can hardly be called drinkable. About half of the population of developing countries does not have access to sources of clean water, is forced to drink contaminated with pathogenic microbes and is therefore doomed to premature death from epidemic diseases.

overpopulation

Humanity today perceives its huge numbers as the norm, believing that people, with all their numbers and all their life activities, do not harm the planet's ecosystem, and that people can continue to increase their numbers, and that this supposedly does not affect the ecology, animals and plants. world, as well as the life of mankind itself. But in fact, already today, already now, humanity has crossed all the boundaries and lines that the planet could tolerate. The earth cannot support such a huge number of people. According to scientists, 500 thousand is the maximum allowable number of people for our planet. Today, this limit figure has been exceeded 12 times, and according to scientists' forecasts, by 2100 it may almost double. At the same time, the modern human population of the Earth, for the most part, does not even think about the global harm that further growth in the number of people brings.

But the growth in the number of people is also an increase in the use of natural resources, an increase in areas for agricultural and industrial needs, an increase in the amount of harmful emissions, an increase in the amount of household waste and areas for their storage, an increase in the intensity of human expansion into nature and an increase in the intensity of the destruction of natural biodiversity.

Mankind today is simply obliged to restrain its growth rates, rethink its role in the ecological system of the Planet, and take up the construction of human civilization on the basis of a harmless and meaningful existence, and not on the basis of animal instincts of reproduction and absorption.

Oil pollution

Oil is a natural oily combustible liquid, common in the sedimentary shell of the Earth; the most important mineral. A complex mixture of alkanes, some cycloalkanes and arenes, as well as oxygen, sulfur and nitrogen compounds. Today, oil, as an energy resource, is one of the main factors in the development of the economy. But oil production, its transportation and processing are invariably accompanied by its losses, emissions and discharges of harmful substances, the consequence of which is environmental pollution. In terms of scale and degree of toxicity, oil pollution is a planetary danger. Oil and oil products cause poisoning, death of organisms and soil degradation. Natural self-purification of natural objects from oil pollution is a long process, especially at low temperatures. The enterprises of the fuel and energy complex are the largest source of environmental pollutants in the industry. They account for about 48% of emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere, 27% of polluted wastewater discharges, over 30% of solid waste and up to 70% of total greenhouse gases.

land degradation

The soil is the custodian of fertility and life on Earth. It takes 100 years to form its layer 1 cm thick. But it can be lost in just one season of man's thoughtless exploitation of the earth. According to geologists, before man began to engage in agricultural activities, rivers annually carried 9 billion tons of soil into the ocean. With the assistance of man, this figure has increased to 25 billion tons per year. The phenomenon of soil erosion is becoming increasingly dangerous, because. There are fewer and fewer fertile soils on the planet, and it is vital to preserve at least what is available at the moment, to prevent the disappearance of this only layer of the earth's lithosphere on which plants can grow.

Under natural conditions, there are several reasons for soil erosion (weathering and washing out of the upper fertile layer), which are further exacerbated by humans. Millions of hectares of soil are being lost

More than 50 billion tons of waste from energy, industrial, agricultural production and the domestic sector are released into nature annually, including more than 150 million tons from industrial enterprises. About 100 thousand artificial chemicals are emitted into the environment, of which 15 thousand require special attention.

All these wastes are a source of environmental pollution instead of being a source for the production of secondary products.