Nowadays it is vitally important that we understand how much ecology and environmental preservation matter in today’s world. Nature is not only our home, it is our guarantee that the human civilization still has a surrounding in which it will continue to exist and thrive. That is why we should preserve nature by any means. We should develop an ecological consciousness, a kind of personal responsibility to save and care for the environment all of us inhabit.

An important indication of the existence of common ecological consciousness is the idea of the “stable development”. The expression was first used in 1987 in a report by a United Nations committee. The report was named “Our common future”, but it is more popular as “Report by the Bruntland Commission”. In it, stable development is defined as that type of development which uses restorable resources, includes protection of animal species and biological diversity on the planet and engages in sustaining clear atmosphere, soil and water. In general, this formulation considers three spheres: economics, ecology and social relations. However, nowadays stable development concerns all spheres of life. It is such kind of development which endeavors to harmonize all basic life spheres and to accomplish the principles of humanism and social justice.

At present, however, nature, along with all animals, plant species and resources used by humans, is seriously threatened. Ever since the beginning of the Modern Times, human influence on the surrounding environment has endangered the whole biosphere. This fact comes as a result of the great economic development of the world, which has already become at odds with nature’s abilities. Now, in the beginning of the 21st century, many vitally important ecosystems are suffering from deterioration. This leads to a decrease in food manufacturing industries in the blighted regions and makes millions of people live on the brink of starvation.

The greenhouse effect is steadily expanding its scope. If we want the atmosphere to be preserved, carbon emissions should not exceed the limit of 2 billion tons a year. However, the United States, Japan and all other prosperous industrial countries contaminate the atmosphere with carbon emissions, which are from 12 to 27 times greater than the critical limit already mentioned.

There are dozens of other problems we should definitely try to overcome before it has become too late. Poverty, forest destruction, exhaustion of natural resources, desert expansion, species extinction and dangerous wastes are just a few of them.

Despite the frightening statistics, there is still a gleam of hope. Nowadays there are many programs, which aim at supporting the steady development and preserving nature. I can mention here the Green Dot project (belonging to a German organization, which promotes recycling wastes), Green Globe 21 (the International Standard for Ecotourism Products), the Boreas program (a European program which pays particular attention to poisonous gases in the atmosphere) and many more. In addition, here in Europe, the countries-members of the European Union share the responsibility for promoting the stable development. The whole problem concerning nature is very carefully considered. “Program 21” and the Fifth Program for Action in the Sphere of Environmental Preservation are the obvious examples.

In my opinion, steady development is attainable. However, some measures should be taken, so that people are acquainted with the problem’s essence. Collaboration should be carried out at all levels – international (between the countries), national (represented by the work of non-governmental organizations) and local level. What is more, people working in the spheres of business, industry, science and technology should all get actively involved because their knowledge may be used in solving some of the problems. The main steps towards nature preservation are financing the stable development, making people aware of the current problems and passing international legislation regarding the issue discussed.

The most important thing, though, is that we, people, should all realize and accept our responsibility for preserving the environment. Let us be partners in the name of Nature.


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Writers: Viktoria Diakova (viki_diakova@yahoo.com)
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