Nature pollution for children. Types, sources and causes of environmental pollution

Lately, people have been talking more and more about the need to consume and recycle less waste and to preserve nature. Pope Francis even raised this topic in his recent speech. However, no matter how much people heed this advice, the damage to our planet has already been done, and the damage is enormous.

1. Electronics waste from all over the world is brought to Ghana, where the local population disassembles it into valuable parts and burns the rest.

2. Mexico City is one of the most populous cities in the Western Hemisphere

3. In the eastern hemisphere, New Delhi has the same problem, with a population of about 25 million people

4. Los Angeles is famous for having more cars than people.

5. Oil field in California

Two organizations, The Foundation for Deep Ecology and the Population Media Center, have released a series of photographs that illustrate the shocking consequences of human consumption of natural resources, as well as environmental pollution. " This is what worries people in the first place, and at the same time what is not talked about in the top press news" explains Missy Thurston, one of the managers of the Population Media Center.

6. Once an old forest was completely cut down in Oregon

7. UK Coal Power Plant

8. Due to global warming, the environment is changing dramatically and irrevocably

9. The world's largest diamond quarry

10. Burning the Amazon Jungle to Create Grazing Fields for Cattle

In everyday life, it is difficult to predict the consequences of our usual choices - be it a plastic bottle of water in the supermarket or another TV or computer. However, when you consider that the world's population is almost 7.5 billion people, and each of them throws out an average of 2 kg of garbage every day (this data has changed by almost 60% since 1960), then it becomes obvious that the problem is very, very serious indeed. is important, and we all need to solve it together.

11. Tar sands and open pit mines cover so much land that they can be seen from space.

12. Tire dump in Nevada

13. Vancouver Island, once covered with coniferous forests

14. Industrial agriculture in Spain, stretching for many kilometers

15. Tar sands in Canada

In September 2015, world leaders will gather to discuss the challenges of human development that need to be addressed before 2030. A UN meeting is due to take place in Paris in December, at which pollution limits will be set. Much depends on influential people who will solve global problems, but no less depends on the ordinary person, who has every opportunity to help nature by his own example.

Environmental pollution is a global problem of our time, which is regularly discussed in the news and in scientific circles. Many international organizations have been created to combat the deterioration of natural conditions. Scientists have long been sounding the alarm about the inevitability of an environmental disaster in the very near future.

At the moment, a lot is known about environmental pollution - a large number of scientific papers and books have been written, numerous studies have been conducted. But humanity has made very little progress in solving the problem. Pollution of nature still remains an important and pressing issue, the postponement of which can turn tragic.

History of biosphere pollution

Due to the intensive industrialization of society, environmental pollution has become particularly acute in recent decades. However, despite this fact, natural pollution is one of the oldest problems in human history. Even in the primitive era, people began to barbarously destroy forests, exterminate animals and change the landscape of the earth to expand their territory of residence and obtain valuable resources.

Even then, this led to climate change and other environmental problems. The growth of the planet's population and the progress of civilizations was accompanied by increased mining, drainage of water bodies, as well as chemical pollution of the biosphere. The Industrial Revolution marked not only a new era in social order, but also a new wave of pollution.

With the development of science and technology, scientists received tools with which it became possible to accurately and detailed analysis ecological state of the planet. Weather reports, monitoring of the chemical composition of air, water and soil, satellite data, as well as ubiquitous smoking pipes and oil spills on the water indicate that the problem is rapidly worsening with the expansion of the technosphere. It is not for nothing that the emergence of man is called the main environmental disaster.

Classification of nature pollution

There are several classifications of natural pollution based on their source, direction, and other factors.

So, the following types of environmental pollution are distinguished:

• Biological – the source of pollution is living organisms; it can occur due to natural causes or as a result of anthropogenic activities.
• Physical – leads to changes in the corresponding characteristics of the environment. Physical pollution includes thermal, radiation, noise and others.
• Chemical – an increase in the content of substances or their penetration into the environment. Leads to a change in the normal chemical composition of resources.
• Mechanical – pollution of the biosphere with garbage.

In reality, one type of pollution may be accompanied by another or several at once.

The gaseous shell of the planet is an integral participant in natural processes, determines the thermal background and climate of the Earth, protects against harmful cosmic radiation, and influences relief formation.

The composition of the atmosphere has changed throughout the historical development of the planet. The current situation is such that part of the volume of the gas shell is determined by human economic activity. The composition of the air is heterogeneous and differs depending on the geographical location - in industrial areas and large cities there is a high level of harmful impurities.

The main sources of chemical pollution of the atmosphere:

• chemical plants;
• enterprises of the fuel and energy complex;
• transport.

These pollutants cause the presence of heavy metals in the atmosphere, such as lead, mercury, chromium, and copper. They are permanent components of air in industrial areas.

Modern power plants emit hundreds of tons of carbon dioxide, as well as soot, dust and ash, into the atmosphere every day.

The increase in the number of cars in populated areas has led to an increase in the concentration of a number of harmful gases in the air, which are part of car exhaust. Anti-knock additives added to transportation fuels release large quantities of lead. Cars produce dust and ash, which pollute not only the air, but also the soil, settling on the ground.

The atmosphere is also polluted by very toxic gases emitted by the chemical industry. Waste from chemical plants, for example, nitrogen and sulfur oxides, causes acid rain and can react with components of the biosphere to form other dangerous derivatives.

As a result of human activity, forest fires regularly occur, during which colossal amounts of carbon dioxide are released.

Soil is a thin layer of the lithosphere, formed as a result of natural factors, in which most of the exchange processes between living and nonliving systems take place.

Due to the extraction of natural resources, mining operations, the construction of buildings, roads and airfields, large areas of soil are destroyed.

Irrational human economic activity has caused the degradation of the fertile layer of the earth. Its natural chemical composition changes and mechanical contamination occurs. Intensive development Agriculture leads to significant land loss. Frequent plowing makes them vulnerable to flooding, salinity and wind, which causes soil erosion.

The abundant use of fertilizers, insecticides and chemical poisons to destroy pests and clear weeds leads to the release of toxic compounds that are unnatural for it into the soil. As a result of anthropogenic activities, chemical pollution of lands with heavy metals and their derivatives occurs. The main harmful element is lead, as well as its compounds. When processing lead ores, about 30 kilograms of metal are released from every ton. Car exhaust containing large amounts of this metal settles in the soil, poisoning the organisms living in it. Liquid waste discharges from mines contaminate the ground with zinc, copper and other metals.

Power plants, radioactive fallout from nuclear explosions, and research centers for the study of atomic energy cause radioactive isotopes to enter the soil, which then enter the human body with food.

Metal reserves concentrated in the bowels of the earth are dissipated as a consequence of human production activity. Then they concentrate in the top layer of soil. In ancient times, man used 18 elements found in the earth's crust, and today - all of them are known.

Today, the water shell of the earth is much more polluted than one can imagine. Oil slicks and bottles floating on the surface are just what can be seen. A significant part of pollutants is in a dissolved state.

Water spoilage can occur naturally. As a result of mudflows and floods, magnesium is washed out of the continental soil, which enters water bodies and harms fish. As a result of chemical transformations, aluminum penetrates into fresh waters. But natural pollution makes up a negligibly small proportion compared to anthropogenic pollution. Due to human fault, the following gets into the water:

• surfactants;
• pesticides;
• phosphates, nitrates and other salts;
• medicines;
• petroleum products;
• radioactive isotopes.

Sources of these pollutants include farms, fisheries, oil platforms, power plants, chemical plants, and sewage.

Acid rain, which is also the result of human activity, dissolves the soil and washes away heavy metals.

In addition to chemical pollution of water, there is physical, namely thermal. The largest use of water is in the production of electricity. Thermal stations use it to cool turbines, and the heated waste liquid is discharged into reservoirs.

Mechanical deterioration of water quality due to household waste in populated areas leads to a reduction in the habitats of living beings. Some species are dying.

Polluted water is the main cause of most diseases. As a result of liquid poisoning, many living beings die, the ocean ecosystem suffers, and the normal course of natural processes is disrupted. The pollutants ultimately enter the human body.

Anti-pollution

To avoid environmental disaster, combating physical pollution must be a top priority. The problem must be solved at the international level, because nature has no state borders. To prevent pollution, it is necessary to impose sanctions on enterprises that discharge waste into the environment, and impose large fines for placing waste in the wrong place. Incentives to comply with environmental safety standards can also be achieved through financial methods. This approach has proven effective in some countries.

A promising direction to combat pollution is the use of alternative energy sources. The use of solar panels, hydrogen fuel and other energy-saving technologies will reduce the emission of toxic compounds into the atmosphere.

Other methods of combating pollution include:

• construction of treatment facilities;
• creation of national parks and reserves;
• increasing the amount of green space;
• population control in third world countries;
• attracting public attention to the problem.

Environmental pollution is a large-scale global problem, which can only be solved with the active participation of everyone who calls planet Earth home, otherwise an environmental disaster will be inevitable.

Humans are called the main and only cause of environmental pollution. It would seem that nature created an intelligent two-legged creature that could support and protect it. But something went wrong.

Today, conscious people around the world are sounding the alarm bell, because the pollution of the planet is growing at a terrifying pace. If we don’t change anything, then we will leave to our grandchildren not a beautiful “blue planet”, but a lifeless landfill.

And today we will discuss. In this case, we will talk about such a harmless at first glance thing as a plastic bag. Yes, the same bags that we see thousands of people on the streets with every day.

Nature pollution

Plastic bags gained popularity in the United States just a couple of decades ago. Buyers quickly appreciated the convenience of the new material and “plastic” became firmly established daily life. Plastic bags seemed like a revolution - strong, convenient, cheap. Only years later it became clear what enormous harm they cause to the environment.

The fact is that discarded used bags do not decompose for more than 100–150 years. In other words, the very first plastic bags, released in the 50s, are not even half decomposed yet. It is not surprising that many places and bodies of water on the planet have turned into real plastic landfills.

Scientists say that humanity uses about 4 trillion plastic bags every year. All this huge mass enters the ecosystem and destroys it. Plastic bags kill more than 1 million birds, 100,000 marine mammals and countless fish every year.

About 6.5 million tons of garbage enter the world's oceans every year, most of which is plastic waste. The marine research organization Algalita says that about a quarter of the water surface is already covered with floating plastic waste.

Such a frightening circumstance cannot but cause concern, therefore, in many countries they are already seriously limiting and even banning the use of plastic bags in everyday life, offering instead more environmentally friendly analogues: Durable fabric bags or paper bags (that biodegrade in a couple of weeks).

How different countries fight plastic waste

Since October 1, Georgia has limited the use of plastic bags whose thickness is less than 15 microns. Each company was required to put its name and logo on the package produced.

But on April 1, 2019, a law came into effect that completely banned plastic bags. Moreover, you cannot produce, sell, or distribute them for free. All containers that are not biodegradable are now illegal.

For the use of plastic bags in Georgia today there is a fine of 500 lari (about 200 dollars). For a repeated violation, the penalty doubles.

I am glad that the majority of ordinary citizens support such an initiative of the government and deliberately sacrifice their comfort in order to stop environmental pollution.

Perhaps we should stop inventing a second life and stop using

The presentation "Ecological conversations with preschoolers. Pollution in the surrounding nature" is aimed at developing the environmental consciousness of children. I recommend using it at various events with environmental content.

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Slide captions:

Ecological conversations with preschoolers POLLUTION IN THE ENVIRONMENT

Trees, grass and birds do not always know how to defend themselves.

If they are destroyed, we will be left alone on the planet!

Animal holes, bird's nests

We will never ruin! Let the chicks and little animals live well next to us!

Beautiful, beautiful native land. I will never find anything more beautiful!

Green valleys, forests and fields

And blue water in the sea!

People lived on the planet

Moms, dads and their children.

If people throw a piece of paper, the planet will become a mess.

Car exhaust gases cause great harm to the environment.

The more cars, the more exhaust gas in the air

In many cities, people are forced to wear masks to avoid suffocation from smog.

Smoke pollution in enterprises is also harmful to everything around us

Industrial waste litters our planet

Industrial waste pollutes water bodies

You can’t swim in this river, it’s polluted

Garbage and dirt lead to the death of its inhabitants

Fish die in polluted water.

People in these organizations are trying to cleanse the environment using special cleaning devices.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION! PEOPLE! TAKE CARE OF THE NATURE! Pictures using Internet resources, thanks to the authors.

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When you think about the many environmental problems facing the world today, what solutions come to mind? You may be thinking about the latest warnings from scientists about global warming, about endangered animal and plant species, about disappearing forests, or about air and water pollution. Of course, the list of environmental threats is endless, and your children have no doubt already learned about many of them at home or at school.

Many adults may be intimidated by studying scientific data detailing the state of the environment. How to teach your children the importance of caring for the environment and not put into them the idea of ​​the inevitable end of the world and a universal catastrophe? First, draw your children's attention to what your family and friends can do to protect nature. If you help your children care environmental protection From a very young age, they will be able to see that their actions actually make a difference, and that if they act together with other people, they can play an important role in changing and improving the whole world.

This article provides simple, easy-to-do activities with children that you can incorporate into your daily schedule that will help them become responsible stewards of the environment.

Save water

Did you know that one person uses, on average, about 200 liters of water per day? You might guess that people use more water in the bathroom than in any other room in the house, or that a dripping faucet can spill up to 7,500 liters of water per year. But while you're likely aware of these statistics, your kids probably have no idea how much water is wasted every day.

How can we teach children to conserve our water resources? Consider the following suggestions:

1. When brushing your teeth, washing your face or washing your hands, turn off the water rather than running it constantly;
2. make it a rule to reduce the time you spend in the shower (use a timer if necessary);
3. If it is the children's turn to wash the dishes, do not let them constantly pour water while they are soaping or rinsing the dishes;
4. If you ask children to wash garden paths, give them a mop, not a hose;
5. In spring and summer, let your children water the plants early in the morning to avoid evaporation and, accordingly, use less water;
6. Do not throw garbage into the toilet, because you have to flush the water every time.

Recycling

In all likelihood, your bins are now much lighter than they were a few years ago. Today, recycling bins are already available in many cities, and most houses also have trash cans with such waste, which are taken away by special vehicles once a week.

Your children may also have taken part in school recycling programs and World Environment Day (celebrated annually on June 5th around the world), which promote environmental protection. Maybe they even help their family collect and recycle aluminum cans and plastic bottles and get paid for it. Since recycling has become so widespread in recent years, what else can be done to reduce pollution?

Reduce waste

Perhaps the simplest thing your family can do first and foremost is to reduce the amount of waste you produce. Because the handful of trash that each individual produces adds up to huge mountains of global trash, and reducing the amount of your personal trash can have a significant impact on the environment. The following ideas will help you:

1. save paper, write letters and do homework on both sides of the sheet;
2. make a stack of note paper that your kids can use for their rough work - it helps to reuse the paper;
3. when preparing lunch, use reusable dishes;
4. Encourage children to use reusable containers rather than plastic bags, wrapping paper, or aluminum foil;
5. Place grass clippings, leaves and food scraps in a compost bin in your garden rather than throwing them away with your trash, which will also reduce the amount of waste going to city landfills;
6. buy things made from recycled paper and other recycled materials;
7. Show your kids how much packaging is wasted when you buy individually packaged items instead of buying large packages and then portioning what you buy into reusable containers;
8. Buy rechargeable batteries and other devices that are ultimately better for the environment and last much longer than regular batteries;
9. If you are in a store and buy a small item, put it in your pocket, purse or other shopping bag, rather than asking for a separate bag for it;
10. Bring a reusable shopping bag that your family can use for weeks on end, or just a shopping bag.

Reusing old things

Old unwanted clothes, toys or household items can get a second or even a third life if you start using them for other purposes. For example, an old tire can make a great garden bed, or torn clothing can be used as a rag. Parts of broken toys can find new life as materials for crafts. You can also donate a still usable item to a charity.

Recycling outside the home

Many people carefully collect trash at home and completely forget about it outside. For example, what do you do with empty plastic bottles and soda cans? Do you throw them in a recycling bin if there is one nearby? Or do you just throw it in the trash?

Remind your children that all they need to do is make sure the can or bottle is empty, put it in their backpack, and then throw it in the recycling container when they get home. You can also consult with the administration of gardens and parks in your city whether it is possible to place such containers in areas of heavy urban traffic. Some gardens and parks and beaches already have special containers for plastic bottles and metal cans.

Reduce air pollution, slow global warming

If your children are in middle or high school, they may have already been taught about global warming in class. While it may seem like only governments and big businesses can do anything to reduce gas emissions, there are some things you and your family can do, not to mention that will help you at the same time. and save money. For example, you can offer your children the following:

1. If you need to get somewhere, walk, bike, or take the bus instead of driving. Maybe you live close enough to a school that your children can walk to it? Can you agree with your neighbors to take turns driving their children? Can your children walk or bike to a friend's house instead of using the car?
2. Save electricity (turn off the TV, lights, radio and other electrical appliances when not in use).
3. Help conserve energy and raw materials by recycling, reusing, and reducing the amount of food you consume.
4. Plant trees and other plants to help absorb excess carbon dioxide (they also provide shade and windbreaks, which can help keep homes at a more or less constant temperature and therefore reduce the energy costs of heating or cooling them).

Less effort - more results

Our small everyday actions in many different ways can have a significant positive impact on the environment. To get children to think about the environment on a regular basis, let them see everything you do to protect it every day and explain why you do it. For example, children may not understand why using energy saving lamps or a manual lawn mower is better for the environment until you explain it to them. Show your children that you don't litter and explain the impact pollution has on the environment. Don't throw away unnecessary things, but donate them to charities. Stay up to date with environmental projects in your area and you might be able to plant a tree or pick up trash at your local park with your kids.