Earth is dearer than gold

Since ancient times Nature has served Man, being the source of life. For thousands of years people lived in harmony with environment. But with the development of civilization man’s interference in nature began to increase. Large cities with thousands of smoky industrial enterprises appear all over the world today. They pollute the air we breathe, the water we drink, the land we live in. Overpopulation, pollution and energy consumption have created such planet-wide problems as massive deforestation, ozone depletion, acid rains and the global warming. Industrial enterprises emit tons of harmful substances. These emissions are the main reason for the greenhouse effect and acid rains. A greater environmental threat is nuclear power station.

Many cities suffer from smog. At the moment, more than 90 % of Europe’s energy needs are met by burning fossil fuels or generated in nuclear power stations. Unfortunately, these are not renewable sources of energy, and once they run out. Moreover these methods of electricity generation are harmful to the environment. They produce harmful gases, which contribute to global warming and climate change. But how can we produce enough energy without damaging the environment? The answer is around us! Wind power. It is an alternative energy source which is used in countries like Holland and Denmark. Today it is the world’s fastest-growing source of energy. All we need to do now – is set up some wind farms.

More importantly, though, those vast forests which are cut and burn in fire. As a result some rare species of animals, birds, fish and plants disappear forever, a number of rivers and lakes dry up. The overwhelming majority of economically developed states face serious problems with water supply (global water crisis) – not the lack of water but a shortage of pure fresh water. The world ocean covering 71% of the Earth’s surface is extremely polluted; oil products are dumped in its water each year. Untreated and reused water carries a multitude of germs, causing diseases. Typhus, cholera and dysentery are associated with contaminated water.

Not less important the problem of soil degradation. Land degradation is due to desertification and drought. This degradation is evident in almost every continent. Soil erosion in North America, soil acidification in Europe, deforestation and desertification in Africa and Latin America and water pollution in numerous locations. Land erosion reduces the soil’s ability to retain water. It depletes all nutrients and reduces the soil depth. The eroded topsoil is carried off to rivers and lakes, causing the floods.

Environmental protection is a universal concern. That is why serious measures to create a system of ecological security should be taken. Some progress has been already made in this direction. Countries – members of the UNO – have set up environmental protection agencies. Numerous conferences have been held by these agencies to discuss questions of ecologically poor regions. An international environmental research centre has been set up on Lake Baikal. The international organization Greenpeace is also doing much to preserve the environment. There are special youth organizations which are called “ Woodcraft Folk ”. They wear green shirts and special emblems. These people take care about cleanness in the streets, parks, gardens and forests.

But these are only the initial steps to protect nature, to save life on the planet. Each of us must do everything possible to keep land, air and water clean, not only for the sake of the present but also for the future generations.