Message about the protection of nature. Basic measures of nature protection. The birth of conservation organizations

Nature protection is a set of measures covering the protection, rational use and restoration of objects of living and inanimate nature.

Here are just a few disturbing facts. Every year, 100 billion tons of minerals (25 tons per person) are withdrawn from the bowels of the Earth. Of these, more than 90% goes to waste. The amount of oxygen consumed by individual countries already exceeds the production of its plants in these countries. Rain a tropical forest(the main "lungs" of the Earth) destroyed by more than 40%. Its felling continues at a speed of more than 20 hectares per minute! Nearly 1,000 animal species and 25,000 plant species are now threatened with extinction. The main reasons for this are destruction, over-harvesting, suppression of native species by animals relocated by humans from other geographic areas, and environmental poisoning. natural environment chemicals. Mankind, having accumulated unheard-of technical power, does not cease to strive for the benefit of today. This entails the impoverishment of earthly riches and undermines the foundation.

The conflict between man and nature did not arise suddenly. It grew gradually. Even our ancestors noticed that with an excessive increase in the number of livestock in a limited area, fat pastures turn into deserts. Thoughtless hunting, burning forests, extermination of fish in reservoirs often left people without the necessary funds. Therefore, even in ancient times, people cared about the reasonable use of natural resources, their conservation and enhancement. There were bans on catching animals, grass pastures, deforestation. They began to allocate reserved lands, protect and breed valuable animals and birds. These were the first feeble attempts to balance the use of natural resources with their protection and restoration. However, the balance was not reached. And nature, and with it humanity, as an integral part of it, suffered more and more damage.

By the beginning of the XX century. it became clear that special and effective measures were needed. The first International Congress for the Protection of Nature took place in 1913. But the problem of the impoverishment of the Earth continued to worsen. In the second half of our century, it has become one with other, closely interrelated global problems: saving the world from a nuclear catastrophe, protecting environment, increasing the number of people on Earth (population explosion), fighting hunger, overcoming the energy crisis. The cause of nature protection, as well as the cause of peace, concerns every person on Earth, depends on his mind, activity and good will. It requires the efforts of all states and peoples.

Only a deep knowledge of the laws of nature, their correct application in practice, general natural science education and upbringing will give mankind the opportunity to overcome the disaster that is now called the ecological crisis, i.e., the consistent impoverishment of nature, threatening the death of many species of plants and animals, and ultimately undermining the basis of human existence. The experience of a number of countries, primarily socialist countries, and international cooperation have already shown that with a scientifically substantiated organization of the protection of natural resources and their rational use, many environmental difficulties can be overcome.

Grafting a cedar onto a pine makes it possible to achieve the promotion of this valuable plant to new areas. Voronezh state reserve.

Bustard. Red Book.

Gray cranes and Siberian Crane (right). The Siberian Crane is the rarest bird listed in the Red Book. Oksky State Reserve.

Plot of virgin feather grass steppe. Central Chernozem Reserve named after VV Alekhin.

Avdotka. Red Book.

Pink seagull. Red Book.

Black stork. Red Book.

In many reservoirs of our country, the white water lily has become rare plant. She needs to be protected at all costs.

These bustards are bred in an incubator. The grown birds will be released into the wild.

NATURE NEEDS PROTECTION Nature protection is carried out by state and local authorities, industrial enterprises, public organizations, and individual citizens. In 2001, the law "On Environmental Protection" was adopted. It says that every citizen has the right to a favorable environment, to its protection from negative impact both as a result of natural disasters and human activities.

What is subject to protection - safety rules for handling poisonous and microorganisms; - veterinary rules and rules established for the control of plant diseases and pests; - rules for the protection and use of subsoil; - rules for the protection of fish stocks For violation of these rules, the state punishes the perpetrators with a fine or may even imprison for a period of 2.5 to 8 years.

What is to be protected In 2002, forest fires engulfed vast areas in many regions of our country, destroying not only vegetation, but also houses and cottages located close to forests. For several months, firefighters fought the fire at the risk of their lives. And the cause of the fire was often: a cigarette butt thrown by someone into the dry grass, a fire not extinguished by tourists, and even deliberate arson. The law provides for punishment for careless handling of fire, which caused a forest fire, in the form of a fine or imprisonment for up to 2 years, and for deliberate arson up to 8 years.

Reserves in Russia Currently, there are 101 state natural reserves in Russia with total area about sq. km. in all natural areas from polar deserts to subtropics in 70 subjects of the Russian Federation.

The activities of the reserves Each of the state reserves builds its activities in accordance with the individual "Regulations on the Reserve", reflecting the features of the functioning and protection regime of the territory of a particular reserve (for example, the regulation of tourism in the territory, the allocation of zones of limited nature management to ensure the functioning of cordons, etc.).

Greenpeace in Russia Directions of work in Greenpeace are called campaigns. There are 8 campaigns in the Russian branch: Forest Anti-Nuclear (against radiation contamination of the environment) Toxic (against chemical pollution) Baikal (for maintaining the purity of Lake Baikal) Marine project (against poaching and violations of fishing rules in the seas of Russia) Oil project (against environmental pollution oil) Climate Project (prevention of catastrophic climate change) World Heritage (preparation of nominations of especially valuable natural areas in the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List)

Let's draw conclusions 1. Nature protection is the most important task that faces not only Russian state but also to each of its citizens. 2. Land and other natural resources are used and protected as the basis of life and activity of the peoples of Russia. 3. Nature protection is the responsibility of the state, which issues laws establishing mandatory rules for the use and conservation of nature, and punishes those who damage it by their actions. 4. Voluntary public organizations and citizens who care about their country and their future participate in nature protection. Protecting nature, they protect the Motherland. 5. Every citizen is obliged to preserve nature and the environment, to treat natural resources with care. 6. Environmental protection requires the combined efforts of all countries. Russia participates in international cooperation on nature protection.

Currently, there are more than several hundred different international organizations in the world - intergovernmental and non-governmental, dealing with environmental issues. The most authoritative of them is the United Nations (UN). One of the most important areas of its activity is cooperation in the field of nature protection. The UN has developed and adopted special principles for environmental protection, which are reflected, in particular, in the Declaration of the UN Stockholm Conference (1972) and in the World Charter for Nature

The following specialized agencies operate under the UN - international intergovernmental organizations for environmental protection.

UNEP(UNEP - United Nations Environment Program) - UN Environment Program. It has been operating since 1972 and is the main subsidiary body of the UN. The main activities of UNEP: human health, environmental sanitation; protection of lands, waters, prevention of desertification; protection of nature, wild animals, genetic resources; education, training; trade, economics, technology.

UNESCO(UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) – United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization . It exists since 1946. It was created to promote peace and international security, cooperation of states in the field of education, science and education. It organizes the study of the environment and its resources, manages environmental programs in which more than 100 states are involved. The most famous is the long-term intergovernmental program "Man and the Biosphere". The scope of UNESCO's activities also includes accounting and organizing the protection of natural objects classified as world heritage, assisting in the development of environmental education and the training of environmental specialists.

WHO- World Health Organization. Established in 1946. Deals with environmental health, pollution control atmospheric air. Directions of WHO activities: sanitary and epidemiological monitoring of the environment, analysis of statistical data on the incidence of people in connection with the state of the environment, sanitary and hygienic examination of the environment, analysis of its quality.

FAO(FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) - World Food Organization. Founded in 1945. Deals with food security issues in individual countries and around the world. FAO activities: rational use of natural resources, protection and use of land, wildlife, forests, biological resources of the oceans.

WMO - World Meteorological Organization. It has been operating since 1951. It is engaged in the analysis of climate changes associated with environmental pollution, the study of the process of transport of pollutants in the biosphere. WMO operates within the framework of the global environmental monitoring system (GEMS). In turn, within the framework of the GEMS, programs are being implemented to monitor the state of the atmosphere, transboundary air pollution, human health, the state of the World Ocean, and the conservation of renewable land resources.

IAEA– International Atomic Energy Agency. At established in 1957 . Operates under the auspices of the UN, but is not its specialized agency. Implements the program "Nuclear Safety and Environmental Protection". The main activities of the IAEA: the development of rules for the construction and operation of nuclear power plants, the examination of designed and operating nuclear power plants, the assessment of the impact of radioactive materials on the environment, the establishment of radiation safety standards.

Among the most famous non-governmental international organizations include the following.

International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources(IUCN). Established in 1948. Promotes cooperation between governments, national and international organizations, and individuals on issues of nature protection and conservation of natural resources. IUCN prepared International Red Book(10 volumes). Objectives of the IUCN: implementation of regional programs for the protection of the natural environment; preservation of natural ecosystems, flora and fauna; preservation of rare and endangered species of plants and animals, natural monuments; organization of nature reserves, reserves, national natural parks; environmental education.

WWF - the largest private international environmental organization. Established in 1961, the Fund's activities are mainly to provide financial support for environmental protection activities. More than $12 million has already been invested in Russia's environmental projects.

Roman club– international non-governmental organization. It was founded in 1968. The main form of its activity is the organization of large-scale research on a wide range of problems, mainly in the socio-economic field, including such issues as the depletion of natural resources, environmental pollution, population, and economic growth.

Greenpeace - an independent public organization that aims to prevent environmental degradation. Created in Canada in 1971. It has the status of a full member or an official observer in a number of international conventions on environmental protection; has branches in 32 countries of the world, including Russia, where its official representative office has been operating since 1992.

Over the past century, mankind has made an unprecedented technological breakthrough. There are technologies that can significantly change the world. If earlier human impact on nature could not upset the fragile ecological balance, then new ingenious inventions allowed him to achieve this unfortunate result. As a result, many species of animals were destroyed, many living beings are on the verge of extinction, large-scale climate changes begin on Earth.

The results of human activity cause such monstrous damage to the environment that everything more people begin to worry about the future of our planet. Numerous public organizations for the protection of nature have become the result of growing anxiety. Today they conduct their activities everywhere, monitor the preservation of the unique natural heritage, uniting millions of enthusiasts around the world. the globe. But this was not always the case, the pioneers of the eco-movement have gone a long way to achieve the current state of affairs.

The birth of conservation organizations

The beginning of the creation of the international ecological community can be considered 1913, when the first international conference dedicated to the protection of nature was held in Switzerland. 18 countries took part in it, but the meeting was purely scientific in nature, not assuming any action in 10 years later, the first International Congress for the Protection of Nature is being held in Paris. Then the International Bureau for the Protection of Nature opened in Belgium. However, it did not try to somehow influence the ecological situation in the world, but simply collected statistical data on nature reserves and environmental legislation.

Then, in 1945, it was created which took environmental cooperation between states to a whole new level. In 1948, a special branch was created at the UN - the International Council for the Protection of Nature. It was he who was responsible for the international partnership in environmental protection. Scientists suddenly began to understand that it is impossible to solve environmental problems at the level of one country, because an ecosystem is a delicate mechanism full of non-obvious, intricate relationships. A change in the natural balance in one place on the planet can have a catastrophic effect on other, seemingly very distant places. The need for a joint solution of environmental problems has become obvious.

Further development

In the future, international has become one of the most important topics for discussion at major scientific and cultural events. In 1972, Sweden hosted the UN Conference on the Environment, which was attended by 113 countries. It was at this event that the foundations of the modern conservation movement were laid. This day has become an international holiday - World Environment Day.

Then came years of stagnation in the environmental movement, when public conservation organizations began to receive less and less funding, and the popularity of their ideas began to wane. But in the early 1980s, the situation began to change for the better, resulting in the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development in Brazil. This event was held in Rio de Janeiro and continued the work started in Sweden. The conference adopted the basic concepts affecting the theme of the further harmonious development of mankind. The sustainable development model considered in Rio offers a completely new perspective on further development human civilization. It assumes controlled development within certain limits, so as not to harm the environment. The conference in Brazil outlined the activities of nature conservation organizations up to the present day.

Our days

Today, society is greatly alarmed by changes in the environment caused by human activities. Many countries have adopted a series of laws to control and organizations such as Greenpeace or the World Wildlife Fund have gained millions of supporters around the world. In almost any more or less major country There are representative offices of international organizations for the protection of nature. Internet communities and thematic sites allow you to get quick and convenient access to information related to the environment. The Internet also allows coordinating the efforts of people all over the planet - here everyone can make a contribution to protecting the environment.

Science also does not stand still, new inventions are constantly appearing, bringing the era of clean energy closer. Many countries have begun to actively use natural energy: wind energy, water, geothermal sources, the sun, etc. Of course, man-made emissions have not decreased, and corporations are still mercilessly exploiting nature for profit. But the general interest in the problem of ecology allows us to hope for a brighter future. Let's look at the largest public organizations for the protection of nature.

"Greenpeace"

Greenpeace is by far the most popular environmental company in the world. It appeared thanks to enthusiasts who oppose the uncontrolled testing of nuclear weapons. The first members of Greenpeace, who are also its founders, managed to achieve an end to nuclear testing by the Americans in the area of ​​the island of Amchitka. Further protests led to the fact that France also stopped testing nuclear weapons, and other countries later joined it.

Despite the fact that Greenpeace was created to protest against nuclear tests, its activities are not limited to this. Members of the organization hold protests all over the world, called upon our planet from suicidal and stupid human activities. In this way, Greenpeace activists were able to stop the brutal whaling that had been carried out on an industrial scale in the last century.

Modern protest actions of this unusual organization are aimed at combating air pollution. Despite the fact that the harm that emissions from factories and factories cause to the atmosphere has been proven, corporations and their unscrupulous owners do not care deeply about all life on this planet, they only care about profit. Therefore, Greenpeace activists carry out their actions to stop the barbaric attitude towards the environment. Sadly, it is likely that their protests will never be heard.

World Wildlife Fund

There are a wide variety of conservation organizations. The list of non-governmental associations would be incomplete without mentioning the World Wildlife Fund. This organization operates in more than 40 countries around the world. In terms of the number of supporters, the Wildlife Fund overtakes even Greenpeace. Millions of people support their ideas, many of them are fighting for the preservation of all forms of life on earth, not only in word but also in deed, more than 1000 environmental projects around the world are an excellent confirmation of this.

Like many other public organizations for the protection of nature, the World Wildlife Fund sets its main task on Earth. Members of this environmental organization are trying to protect animals from the harmful effects of humans.

United Nations Environment Program

Undoubtedly, he heads public and state organizations Conservation Organization of the United Nations. It is she who is the most ambitious. Almost every UN meeting touches upon issues of the environment and international cooperation in improving the environmental situation on the planet. The department dealing with environmental issues is called UNEP. Its tasks include control over pollution of the atmosphere and the oceans, conservation of species diversity.

This system of nature conservation does its job not only in words, many important international laws designed to protect the environment were adopted precisely thanks to the UN. UNEP has been able to get closer monitoring of the movement of hazardous substances, and a commission has been set up to oversee efforts to stop this scourge.

Russian organizations for nature protection

Some of the international environmental movements have been described above. Now let's look at what organizations are engaged in nature protection in Russia. Despite the fact that the popularity of domestic environmental organizations is significantly lower than that of their international counterparts, these societies still fulfill their function and attract new enthusiasts.

The All-Russian Society for the Conservation of Nature is a large and influential organization dealing with environmental problems in the Russian Federation. It performs many different tasks, one of the main ones is promoting knowledge about ecology to the masses, educating people, drawing attention to environmental problems. VOOP is also engaged in scientific activities and monitors compliance with environmental legislation.

The All-Russian Society for the Protection of Nature was founded in 1924. The fact that this organization was able to survive to this day, while increasing its number to three million people, shows the genuine interest of people in environmental problem. There are other Russian associations of environmentalists, but VOOP is by far the largest all-Russian organization for nature conservation.

Nature Conservation Brigade

The nature protection squad was created in 1960 and continues its work to this day. Moreover, some of the major Russian universities have joined this organization and created their own squads. Today, DOP is engaged in the same activities as other nature protection organizations in Russia. They carry out explanatory work, trying to improve the education of citizens in the environmental sphere. In addition, the nature protection team is engaged in protest actions against the destruction of the wild corners of Russia, helps in the fight against forest fires and makes its contribution to science.

The Future of Conservation Organizations

There are a wide variety of organizations for the protection of nature, the list of some of their non-governmental representatives is as follows:

1. World Wildlife Fund.
2. "Greenpeace".
3. United Nations Program (UNEP).
4. World Society for the Protection of Animals.
5. Global Nest.

The number of such associations is growing every year, they are gaining more and more popularity. This is not surprising, since the consequences of the barbaric expansion carried out by man are becoming more and more visible. Scientists and public figures, like most people on Earth, have long understood that something needs to be changed before we turn our planet into a lifeless dump. Of course, today the opinions of the people are not significant in any of the existing states, which allows industrial magnates to continue their dirty work, taking advantage of impunity and their own shortsightedness.

However, there is still hope for a brighter future. With the advent of the Internet, non-governmental conservation organizations have been able to conduct their educational activities with millions of people. Now everyone who cares about the environment can communicate with like-minded people and get any necessary information about the environment, it has become much easier to unite supporters and coordinate protests. Of course, most people still remain victims of years of propaganda that puts the "green" movement in an unsightly light. However, the situation can change at any second, because environmental organizations have become a force to be reckoned with.

What can be done to protect nature?

Loud speeches about protecting the environment and preserving species diversity can excite the minds of young enthusiasts. But, unfortunately, this is all that words are capable of, the real benefit to nature can only be brought by actions. Of course, you can find out which organizations are engaged in nature protection in your city, and plunge headlong into their useful activities. This path is by no means suitable for everyone, so it is best to start saving nature by stopping destroying and polluting it with your own hands.

Everyone has ever seen beautiful forest glades, littered with piles of garbage after someone's stormy rest. So, before you start nature, you first need to stop harming it. How can you encourage others to take care of the environment if you yourself are polluting the environment? The garbage collected after the rest, the fire extinguished in time, the trees that you did not kill for the sake of firewood - all this is very simple, but brings a wonderful result.

If everyone remembers that the Earth is our home, and the fate of all mankind depends on its condition, then the world will be transformed. For those who want to be more actively involved in protecting the environment, numerous Russian environmental organizations are ready to provide such an opportunity. The era of change has come, today it is decided what we will leave to our descendants - a radioactive dump or a beautiful green garden. The choice is ours!