Environmental management refers to the totality of human actions associated with the use of natural resources. They are soil, subsoil, water bodies , etc. Distinguish between unsustainable and rational nature management . Consider their features.
General information
Rational is called such environmental management, in which conditions are formed for human life and material wealth, the most efficient operation of each natural complex. At the same time, human actions are aimed at preventing or reducing the likely harm to the environment, maintaining and increasing the attractiveness and productivity of natural resources.
Irrational nature management includes actions that result in a decrease in the quality of resources. Such activity leads to waste and depletion of mineral resources, pollution of nature, deterioration of the aesthetic and health-improving properties of the environment.
The development of environmental management
The human impact on the environment has undergone significant changes in the course of historical development. In the initial stages of the formation of society, man was a passive user of resources. With the growth of productive forces, due to changes in socio-economic formations, the impact on nature has increased markedly.
In the slave period and in the era of feudalism, irrigation systems arose . Under the capitalist system, people sought to extract as much profit as possible from resources. Private property relations were accompanied by irrational nature management. This has led to a significant reduction in renewable resources.
The most favorable conditions for the rational use of resources, according to many experts, are formed under a socialist system with a planned economy. In this case, the state is the owner of all the wealth of the country and, accordingly, controls their spending. The use of resources under the socialist system is carried out taking into account the likely consequences of various transformations of nature.
Features of rational environmental management
With the correct expenditure of natural resources, the restoration of renewable resources is ensured, and industrial waste is used repeatedly and in full. Due to this, pollution of nature is significantly reduced.
In the history of mankind there are many examples of rational and irrational nature management . The volumes of beneficial effects on nature, unfortunately, decrease over time. Nevertheless, today there is a rational nature management. Examples of such activities include the creation of landscapes, national parks, reserves, the use of advanced production technologies. To reduce the negative impact on nature, treatment facilities are created, closed water supply systems are used at enterprises, and new, environmentally friendly fuels are being developed.
What activities relate to unsustainable environmental management?
Wrong is the use of resources in large quantities or not in full. This leads to their rapid depletion. Irrational nature management is such an impact on nature, in which a large amount of waste appears that is not reused. As a result, the environment is heavily polluted.
There are quite a few examples of irrational environmental management . As a rule, the misuse of resources is characteristic of an extensive economy. Examples of unsustainable environmental management are :
- The use of slash-and-burn agriculture, overgrazing. This method of management is used mainly in underdeveloped African countries.
- Deforestation of the equatorial forest.
- Uncontrolled discharge of waste into lakes and rivers. Such irrational nature management is a big problem for the states of Western Europe and Russia.
- Thermal pollution of air and water bodies.
- Uncontrolled extermination of animals and plants.
Work to prevent the destruction of natural resources
Today, in many countries, the fight against unsustainable environmental management is being waged. This work is carried out on the basis of special programs, laws. To reduce the negative impact on nature, additional sanctions are introduced. In addition, special supervisory structures are being formed. Their powers include control over the use of resources, the identification of facts of irrational nature management , the identification and prosecution of perpetrators.
International engagement
The cooperation of countries at the international level is extremely important for the effective fight against unsustainable environmental management. This is especially true for those states in which environmental problems are very acute.
Interaction at the international level should be aimed at developing joint projects on the following issues:
- Assessment of the status and productivity of fishing resources in water bodies under national jurisdiction, bringing fishing capacities to a level comparable to long-term productivity. It is necessary to develop programs to restore populations of fish and other aquatic inhabitants to sustainable indicators. At the same time, the measures worked out should extend to the resources available in the open seas.
- Conservation and rational use of biological diversity in the aquatic environment. In particular, we are talking about the cessation of the practice of irrational nature management , leading to irreversible consequences: the destruction of populations, large-scale destruction of the habitat.
It is necessary to develop effective legal mechanisms and instruments, coordinate actions on the use of land and water resources.
Environmental problems
Pollution of nature is called such an undesirable change in the properties of the environment, which entails or can lead to a negative impact on humans or ecosystems. The most famous and widespread species are chemical emissions. However, no less, and sometimes even greater threat, are radioactive, thermal, noise pollution.
As a rule, a person has a negative impact on the state of natural resources in the course of his economic activity. Meanwhile, ecosystem pollution is also possible due to natural phenomena. For example, they negatively affect the nature of volcanic eruptions, mudflows, earthquakes, etc.
Soil pollution
As a rule, the state of the upper layer of the earth worsens when metals, toxic chemicals, and various fertilizers get into it. According to statistics, more than 12 billion tons of garbage are annually taken out of large megacities.
Mining operations over large areas lead to the destruction of the soil cover.
Negative impact on the hydrosphere
With irrational nature management, a person causes significant damage to the environment. Recently, the problem of pollution of water bodies with sewage from industrial (chemical, metallurgical, etc.) enterprises, waste from agricultural land, livestock farms has been particularly acute.
The greatest danger to the aquatic environment is oil products.
Air pollution
A variety of enterprises emitting products of the combustion of mineral fuels and waste from the chemical and metallurgical industries have a negative impact on the state of the air. The main pollutants are carbon dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, sulfur, radioactive compounds.
Pollution Control Measures
As a result of irrational use, many environmental problems arise. First they appear at the local, then at the regional level. Without proper attention from the authorities, environmental problems are becoming global. Examples are the reduction of the ozone layer, depletion of water reserves, global warming.
Ways to solve these problems can be very different. At the local level, industrial enterprises, caring for the well-being of the population and the preservation of nature, are building powerful treatment facilities. Recently, energy-saving technologies have become widespread. Significantly reduce the negative impact on nature allows waste-free production. It involves the recycling of waste raw materials.
Creation of protected areas
This is another way to ensure the preservation of natural complexes. Specially protected areas are objects of national heritage. They represent land plots with water bodies and airspace above them, having recreational, aesthetic, health-improving, cultural and historical, scientific significance.
Such territories are withdrawn from circulation by the state. Within these zones there is a special nature management regime.
According to international environmental organizations, many states have specially protected areas. There are many nature reserves and national parks in Russia. In such territories, conditions are created that are close to natural.
Conclusion
Environmental problems, unfortunately, are very acute today. At the international level, work is constantly being done to reduce the negative impact on nature. Almost all countries of the world are parties to the Climate Agreement.
Programs are being developed within states aimed at conserving non-renewable resources. This work is especially active in Russia. National parks and reserves operate on the territory of the country; some territories are under international protection.