The threat of environmental disaster is one of the global problems of mankind. False ideas about the inexhaustibility of resources, a pragmatic attitude towards all living things put the existence of people, animals and plants at risk. Aware of the danger of this situation, UN members in 1992 established a holiday date: April 15 - Day of Environmental Knowledge.
What is ecology?
Ecology (Greek. "Habitat science") is the doctrine of the interaction of people with other creatures, the environment. They also distinguish human ecology, which studies the problems of population, physical and mental health, homo sapiens, and human capabilities.
Environmental knowledge
Ecological knowledge is known about the properties, variety of objects and natural phenomena. These are not ideas about how organisms are arranged, live, and multiply, but the search for optimal ways to maintain favorable living conditions for all the inhabitants of the planet.
Basic knowledge of ecology is necessary for each of us to learn how to protect the environment. That is why April 15, the Day of Environmental Knowledge is a date that is significant for all people on Earth.
The development of ecology as a science
Primitive man considered himself a part of the world, completely dependent on the elements, so he was forced to observe what was happening around him and make elementary generalizations. The first knowledge of the laws occurring in nature was not of a scientific nature, but contributed to the survival of people. Scattered facts gradually evolved into a system.
A purposeful study of living things began in the Ancient World. The first source telling about the lifestyle of fish, animals, birds, was the work of Aristotle's "Animal History". The author paid close attention to the relationship of the lifestyle of our smaller brothers with their environment. Similar questions were also considered in the works of Theophrastus and Pliny the Elder.
Great interest in the study of the environment showed in the Renaissance. Scientists actively analyzed the flora and fauna of their homeland, other lands discovered by great travelers. The first environmental experiment was conducted by Robert Boyle. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of atmospheric pressure on the lifestyle of animals.
Later, the influence of environmental factors on organisms was studied by Karl Linnaeus, J. Buffon, and J. B. Lamarck, scientists of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The term "ecology" was first proposed by Ernst Haeckel. As an independent scientific knowledge, ecology took shape by the beginning of the 20th century. Further development of the doctrine of the interaction of the organism and the environment is associated with the names of K.A. Timiryazev, V.V. Dokuchaev, F. Clemens, V.N. Sukachev.
The new methodology of science was developed by V.I. Vernadsky. The scientist introduced the concept of “noosphere”, by which he meant the state of the biosphere, which is formed under the influence of people 's mental activity. The driving force of the further development of life on Earth is the mind, which is prescribed the restructuring of the "living shell" of the planet in the interests of mankind.
Environmental problems began to be seriously considered in the sixties of the twentieth century. Decades later, they began to celebrate Environmental Knowledge Day. The April 15 scenario (list of celebrations) is developed by organizations themselves.
activity
Since 1996, Russia annually launches the project “Days of Environmental Protection from Ecological Hazard”. Targeted work with the population begins on April 15. The Day of Environmental Knowledge is simultaneously the first day of the action.
For about two months, students are given lectures and practical classes of an environmental orientation. Schoolchildren defend nature conservation projects, organize exhibitions, travel along ecological trails, visit zoos, stations for young naturalists, and wildlife sanctuaries. Adults speak at conferences and seminars, report on the implementation of state environmental programs. So, on April 15 (Day of Environmental Knowledge) in the Smolensk Zoo begins with classes on the theme "Man and nature." Employees of the institution strive to form an understanding among the younger generation that a person is the only creature that can prevent a catastrophe. Teachers and employees of the institution gather at the final conferences.
No less interesting is the Day of Environmental Knowledge (April 15) at the school. Enthusiastic educators gather students for class hours, conduct environmental lessons, organize events, organize workshops on making birdhouses, planting trees, and cleaning the territory, and offer to check the degree of personal interest in saving the planet.
On the Day of Environmental Knowledge (April 15), events are held in order to form an ecocentric type of consciousness in people. In the XIX-XX centuries. the thinking of scientists and ordinary citizens was anthropocentric. The attitude to the environment at that time corresponded to the statement of the hero I.S. Turgenev about nature-workshop and man-worker. In terms of environmental knowledge, human life is not considered from the perspective of “what the environment gives me,” but from the point of view of how to interact with other creatures so that everyone is happy.
Environmental forecasts
Aware of the danger of ecological disaster, scientists create various scenarios for the development of life on Earth. Someone believes that the civilization of the future will become completely technogenic. Someone close to the idea of waste-free production, limiting the consumption of resources, the development of other planets. Despite conflicting views, most experts agree on one thing: correcting the situation is impossible without the greening of technology, areas of activity and human lifestyles.
The biosphere will exist without people, the existence of homo sapiens without the biosphere is impossible. This should be remembered on April 15 (Day of Environmental Knowledge), as well as on all other days of the year.
Global projects
For the first time, international environmental programs were discussed in 1972 at a conference under the auspices of the UN in Stockholm. The first global project was monitoring. Freshwater, forests, mountain systems, desert, etc. are monitored at stations around the world.
Since 1986, the International Geosphere-Biosphere Program has been working, the projects of which include the determination of climate changes, patterns of chemical and biochemical processes, analysis of the results of ecosystem interactions. Close attention is paid to the features of past biocenoses and forecasting. The fruitful cooperation of specialists from different countries leads to positive results.