Science is searching for ways to overcome global problems. Modern global problems of humanity and their causes

Every person has problems. Relationships with loved ones are not going well, there is not enough money to fulfill any desires, failures in school and work, etc. But on a global scale, these are trifles. At this level, there are completely different issues - these are global problems of society. Is it possible to solve them?

History and origin

Global problems have been troubling humanity in one way or another throughout its development. But those that are not resolved today became extremely relevant relatively recently, in the last third of the 20th century.

According to most researchers, all global problems modern world are closely interrelated, and their solution should be comprehensive, not isolated. Perhaps it’s all about the concept of humanity’s relationship to its home - planet Earth. For a very, very long time it was purely consumer. People did not think about the future, about what kind of world their children and more distant descendants would have to live in.

As a result, we have come to an extreme degree of dependence on the contents of the earth's bowels, unwilling to fully use renewable energy sources. At the same time, these global problems acquired a truly catastrophic scale simultaneously with the demographic explosion, which aggravated them. It can also be said to be the reason why there is a shortage of resources, forcing us to dig deeper into the earth’s crust, closing this vicious circle. All this is accompanied by an extreme degree of social tension, which gives rise to misunderstanding between different states, and ignoring this problem inexorably leads to an increase in the likelihood of a global armed conflict.

Levels of human problems

Without a doubt, the scale of pressing issues varies. There are problems:

individual, i.e. affecting the life of one person and, possibly, his loved ones;
local, regional, which are related to the development of the district, region, etc.;
state, those that are important for the entire country or most of it;
international, affecting a macroregion, which may include many territories;
global, planetary scale, affecting almost everyone.

Of course, this does not mean that one person's problems are unimportant and not worth paying attention to. But on a planetary scale they are truly insignificant. What is a conflict with superiors in comparison with the hunger and poverty of a billion people or the threat nuclear war? Of course, we can say that everyone's happiness individual person leads to general well-being, but without solving the global problems of humanity, this cannot be achieved. And what are these questions?

Environmental

Global problems primarily involve human impact on nature. Yes, this is indeed one of the most important questions, because people are literally destroying their home. Air, water and soil pollution, extinction of animals and plants, destruction of the ozone layer, deforestation and desertification. Of course, some of this is natural processes, but human contributions are also visible.

People continue to ravage the bowels of the earth, pumping oil and gas, extracting coal and metals necessary for their lives. But the irrational use of these resources and the reluctance to switch to renewable energy sources may in the foreseeable future become the cause of a real collapse.

Megacities are places of terrible noise and light pollution. Here people almost never see the starry sky or hear birds singing. Air polluted by cars and factories causes premature aging and health problems. Progress has made people's lives easier and faster, but at the same time, consumer society has made waste disposal more important than ever before. It is worth considering that every day is the most a common person generates just an insane amount of garbage. But there is also radioactive waste... In these conditions, it is simply vital to stop solving problems alone and start thinking more globally.

Economic problems

The global division of labor has allowed the world community to produce goods and services more efficiently and has developed trade to its current level. But at the same time, the problem of poverty in some regions has become acute. Lack of necessary resources, low development, social problems- all this one way or another slows down progress in regions such as Africa and Central and South America. The most developed countries are prospering and getting richer, while the rest lag behind, living only by selling some valuable resources. This gap in the income of the world's population is simply enormous. And charity in in this case not always a solution.

Economic global problems may also include potential overpopulation of the planet. The point is not that people may not have enough space - there are areas in the world where almost no one lives. But the number of people is growing exponentially, and the growth of food production is only arithmetic. This leads to the problem of poverty and its possible further spread, especially taking into account the environmental situation.

The question is also what foreign policy some countries simply do not allow them to unite and think globally. Economic problems meanwhile they accumulate and influence ordinary people.

Social

The planet is torn apart by constant conflicts. The constant threat of war, social tension, racial and religious intolerance - society seems to be constantly on the brink. Unrest breaks out here and there. Revolutions last decade showed how terrible wars within a country can be. Egypt, Syria, Libya, Ukraine - there are enough examples, and everyone knows about them. As a result, there are no winners; everyone loses in one way or another, and first of all, the common population.

In the Middle East, women are fighting for their rights: they want to study in schools and universities without fear for their health and lives. They want to stop being second-class citizens - it’s scary to think, but in some countries this still happens. In some countries, a woman has more chances being raped than learning to count. Can we really assume that these are not global social problems? And if so, then we need to deal with them together.

Solution

Of course, we cannot say with a high degree of confidence that the above-mentioned global social problems, economic and environmental issues will soon lead to the self-destruction of humanity. But it’s hardly worth denying the fact that such a possibility exists.

Solving global problems is a very difficult matter. You cannot simply limit the birth rate or find an unlimited source of energy - a complete spiritual rebirth of humanity is necessary, which would change our attitude towards nature, the planet and each other.

Some global problems of countries and the whole world have already been solved to some extent. Racial segregation has disappeared, so that now all people in civilized countries, regardless of skin color, have equal rights. Everyone else strives for the same position, trying not to evaluate people based on their religion, orientation, gender, etc.

Organizations and figures

There are several supranational bodies in the world that deal with various issues. One of these organizations was the UN, created in 1945. It includes several special commissions, whose work in one way or another deals with global problems of humanity. The UN is involved in peacekeeping missions, protecting people's rights, developing international legislation, social and economic issues.

In addition, individuals are also involved in activities aimed at solving global problems. Martin Luther King, Mother Teresa, Indira Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Eisaku Sato and others fought for the future they wanted for their descendants. Among our contemporaries, many public people are engaged in similar activities. Shakira, Angelina Jolie, Natalia Vodianova, Chulpan Khamatova and many others founded charities, become UN Goodwill Ambassadors and do other things that make the world a better place.

Awards

For contributions or even courageous attempts to change the world for the better public figures various awards are presented. The most prestigious of them is the Nobel Prize. In 2014, its winner was Malala Yousafzai, a 16-year-old girl from Pakistan who, despite the fact that her life was in constant danger, attended school every day and wrote a blog in which she talked about life under the Taliban regime, which had its own views on the need for education for women. After surviving the assassination attempt, she ended up in the UK, but decided to return to her homeland. She was awarded the prize for fighting for her interests and defending her own rights. After the award, Malala released her autobiography, the Taliban’s reaction to which was a promise to kill the girl.

Why should it matter?

Of course, we can say that global problems are not our business, because the consequences of ignoring them will not hit us. Overpopulation, poverty, war, ecological catastrophy- even if all this is inevitable, it will not happen here and now. But you should think not only about yourself, but also about your children, loved ones and friends. Even if global problems of society cannot be solved alone, you can start small: try to use less packaging, recycle garbage, do not waste water, save electricity. It's not hard, but if everyone did it, maybe the world would be a little better.

On modern stage development of civilization, questions have arisen more acutely than ever, without solutions of which further forward movement humanity along the path of economic progress. Despite the fact that it is only part of the total human activity, from its development in the 21st century. V to a greater extent depend on the problems of security and preservation of peace, the natural environment and, as well as moral, religious and philosophical values.

The importance of global problems especially increased in the second half of the twentieth century. It is they who significantly influence the structure of the national and. Historically world economy formed as a single whole by the beginning of the twentieth century. as a result of drawing most of the countries of the world into world economic relations. By this time it was finished territorial division peace, in the world economy has formed two poles. At one pole were industrialized countries, and on the other - their colonies - agricultural raw materials appendages. The latter were involved long before the emergence of national markets there. Involving these countries in global economic relations actually happened not in connection with their needs own development, but was a product of the expansion of industrialized countries. The world economy thus formed, even after independence former colonies, on long years preserved the relationship between center and periphery. This is where the current global problems and contradictions originate.

As a rule, solving global problems requires enormous material and financial resources. The main criteria for classifying a particular problem as global is considered to be its scale and need for joint efforts to eliminate it.

Global problems— discrepancies between the most significant planetary needs and the possibility of satisfying them through the joint efforts of humanity in a certain period of time.

Examples of global problems of the world

Global problems of humanity - these are the issues that affect vital interests of the entire population of the planet and require the joint efforts of all states of the world for their solution.

In modern conditions, global problems include:

Classification of global problems

The exceptional difficulties and high costs of solving global problems require their justified classification.

According to their origin, nature and methods of solution, global problems, according to the classification adopted by international organizations, are divided into three groups. First group constitute problems determined by basic socio-economic and political objectives humanity. These include maintaining peace, ending the arms race and disarmament, non-militarization of space, creating favorable conditions for the world social progress, overcoming the development gap of countries with low per capita incomes.

Second group covers a complex of problems revealed in the triad “man - society - technology”. These problems should take into account the effectiveness of using scientific and technical progress in the interests of harmonious social development and the elimination of the negative impact of technology on people, population growth, the establishment of human rights in the state, its liberation from under excessively increased control state institutions, especially on personal freedom as the most important component of human rights.

Third group presented by problems related to socio-economic processes and environment, i.e., problems of relations along the line society - nature. This includes solving raw materials, energy and food problems, overcoming the environmental crisis, which is spreading to more and more new areas and can destroy human life.

The end of the 20th and the beginning of the 21st centuries. led to the development of a number of local, specific issues of development of countries and regions into the category of global ones. However, it should be recognized that decisive role Internationalization played a role in this process.

The number of global problems is growing; in some publications in recent years, more than twenty problems of our time are named, but most authors identify four main global problems: environmental, peacekeeping and disarmament, demographic, fuel and raw materials.

The scale, location and role of individual global problems are changing. The environmental problem has now come to the fore, although recently its place was occupied by the struggle to maintain peace and disarmament. Changes are also taking place within global problems: some of their components lose their former significance and new ones appear. Thus, in the problem of the struggle for peace and disarmament, the main emphasis began to be placed on reducing funds mass destruction, nonproliferation mass weapons, development and implementation of measures for the conversion of military production; appeared in the fuel and raw materials problem real opportunity exhaustion of a number of non-renewable natural resources, and in the demographic one, new tasks have arisen related to a significant expansion of international migration of the population, labor resources, etc.

It's obvious that global problems are closely interconnected. For example, the severity of the food problem is aggravated by faster population growth than the growth of agricultural production in many developing countries. To solve the food problem, it is necessary to use the resource potential of industrialized countries or international organizations that develop and implement special assistance programs. Consideration of the impact of global problems on the formation of the world economy requires their detailed analysis and assessment from the positions of both individual countries and the world community as a whole. Features of world development of the second half
XX century are that it has become a constant factor influencing all areas of economic activity. Economic activity has spread to territories and areas that were previously not accessible to humans (the World Ocean, polar zones, space, etc.).

The accelerated development of productive forces, the planned nature and global scale of technical progress, if not supported by a perfect management mechanism, can lead to irreversible negative consequences. In particular, unevenness in economic development between countries, the gap between the levels of material and spiritual culture of mankind will increase, the balance of the biosphere will be disrupted, and environmental deterioration may lead to the impossibility of life on Earth.

To overcome this food crisis, it is necessary to develop a joint international strategy on issues of food production, redistribution and consumption. Even with current land cultivation methods, according to calculations English experts, it is possible to provide food for over 10 billion people. All this indicates extremely unproductive use of cultivated land.

Solving the problem of developing countries requires overcoming their economic, scientific and technological backwardness, and this is associated with the evolution of the economic space, which will lead to radical socio-economic transformations, the elimination of backward forms of land use and the rise Agriculture based on the introduction of scientific methods of its management.

In this situation, Russia and countries must pay attention, first of all, to preserving and increasing the potential of fertile agricultural lands, increasing the productivity of agricultural production, as well as storage and distribution systems.

The problem of military spending

After graduation Second World War The world community is making gigantic efforts to preserve peace and disarmament. However, humanity still spends huge amounts of money on weapons. Military spending slows down economic and technological development, increase, contribute to the growth of inflation, distract people from solving pressing social problems, increase external debt, provide negative impact on international relationships and their stability.

The negative impact of military spending on a country's economic development can be long-lasting. Excessive military expenditures of past years place a heavy burden on countries with a low level of economic development, which at the present stage of the world economy includes many developing countries.

At the same time, zones of regional and local conflicts have arisen and are expanding, provoking external intervention, all in to a greater extent using military force. Participants in such confrontations already possess or may in the near future become possessors of weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons. This forces many countries to support high level military expenditures in their budgets.

At the same time, the reduction of military capabilities, especially in the largest states, such as Russia, faces many complex issues, after all military-industrial complex represents thousands of businesses and the millions of people employed in them. In addition, the global arms trade is still one of the most profitable types of business, which annually brings $3-4 billion in income to our country.

In conditions of economic instability, limitations and lack of necessary funds The reduction of armed forces and disarmament in Russia gives rise to additional economic and social problems. Disarmament and reduction of military production in some cases does not lead to the release of funds, but requires significant material and financial resources.

Thus, ensuring security and maintaining peace on the planet is possible with close cooperation between countries and the reasonable use of available resources aimed at eliminating the general military threat and nuclear war.

The development of the productive forces of the world economy requires not only a constant influx of material and fuel and energy resources, but also the use of significant monetary and financial resources.

The transformation of the world economy into a single market for goods, services, labor, capital and knowledge leads to a higher stage of internationalization (globalization). The single world market creates a volume of economic space and plays exclusively important role in structural adjustment services national economies. At the same time, it can contribute to deepening imbalances in the world economy.

Global goals of humanity

The priority global goals of humanity are as follows:

V political sphere- reduction in probability in the future complete exclusion military conflicts, prevention of violence in international relations;
in the economic and environmental spheres - the development and implementation of resource- and energy-saving technologies, the transition to non-traditional energy sources, the development and widespread use of environmental technologies;
in the social sphere - improving living standards, global efforts to preserve people's health, creating a global food supply system;
in the cultural and spiritual sphere - the restructuring of mass moral consciousness in accordance with today's realities.

Taking action towards realizing these goals constitutes humanity's survival strategy.

Emerging Global Issues

As the world economy develops, new global problems arise and will continue to arise.

In modern conditions, a new, already formed global problem is development outer space . The entry of man into space was an important impetus for the development of both fundamental science, and applied research. Modern communication systems, forecasting many of them natural disasters, remote exploration of mineral resources is only a small part of what has become a reality thanks to space flights. At the same time, the scale of financial costs necessary for further exploration of outer space today already exceeds the capabilities of not only individual states, but also groups of countries. The extremely expensive components of research are the creation and launch of spacecraft and the maintenance of space stations. Thus, the cost of manufacturing and launching the Progress cargo spacecraft is $22 million, the Soyuz manned spacecraft is $26 million, the Proton spacecraft is $80 million, and space shuttle Shuttle - $500 million. Annual operation of the International Space Station (ISS) costs approximately $6 billion.

Enormous investments are required to implement projects related to the exploration and future development of other planets in the solar system. As a consequence, the interests of space exploration objectively imply broad interstate interaction in this area, the development of large-scale international cooperation in the preparation and conduct of space research.

Emerging global problems currently include study of the structure of the Earth and control of weather and climate. Like space exploration, the solution to these two problems is only possible on the basis of broad international cooperation. Moreover, weather and climate management requires, among other things, global harmonization of behavioral norms of business entities in order to minimize harmful impacts everywhere economic activity on the environment.

Throughout their existence, people face problems on a global scale. The growth of scientific and technological progress has influenced the fact that there are more negative processes affecting the planet as a whole. Modern philosophy requires their in-depth understanding in order to predict the consequences of such influence. Global problems of our time and ways to solve them concern all countries on earth. Therefore, not so long ago a new concept appeared - global studies, which is based on a scientific and philosophical strategy for eliminating unpleasant phenomena on an international scale.

There are many specialists working in the field of global studies, and this is no coincidence. The reasons that prevent humanity from developing harmoniously and moving forward are complex in nature and do not depend on one factor. That is why it is necessary to analyze the slightest changes in the political, social, economic condition states and peoples. From whether he can global community decide in time, the life of all humanity depends.

How problems are classified

The problems of humanity, which are global in nature, affect the lives of all people and lead to serious social and economic losses. When they escalate, they can threaten the existence of the world's population. To solve them, governments of all countries must unite and act together.

There is a scientific and philosophical classification of problems, formed on the basis of long-term research. It consists of three large groups.

The first includes problems that affect political and economic interests different countries. They can be roughly divided into confrontation between “East and West”, between backward and developed countries, and into the prevention of terrorism and war. It also includes maintaining peace and establishing a fair economic order on the planet.
The second group contains problems arising from the interaction of humanity with nature. This is a shortage of raw materials, fuel and energy, a problem of preserving the World Ocean, flora and fauna of the earth.
The third group includes problems that may be associated with the individual and society. The main ones are overpopulation of the earth, education and health care.

Global studies carefully examines the problems of our time, based on philosophy and scientific and technical basis. Philosophy explains that their occurrence is not an accident, but a pattern associated with progress in society and influencing the development of mankind.

do everything to preserve peace;
reduce rapid population growth;
reduce the use of natural resources;
stop and reduce planetary pollution;
reduce the social gap between people;
eradicate poverty and hunger everywhere.

Scientific and philosophical theory requires not only to state problems, but also to give a clear answer on how to solve them.

Causes and solutions to problems

Understanding global problems is very important for humanity. This is the first step towards eliminating them.

The main condition for preserving life is peace on earth, therefore it is necessary to eliminate the threat of a third world war. The scientific and technological revolution gave people thermonuclear weapon, the use of which can destroy entire cities and countries. Ways to solve this problem could be:

stopping the arms race, a complete ban on the creation and use of weapons of mass destruction;
strict control over chemical and nuclear warheads;
reduction in military spending and a ban on arms sales.

To solve global environmental problems, humanity needs to try hard. There is a threat hanging over people. This is due to the expected warming that is caused by emissions. If it happens, it will be catastrophic for the earth. The geosystem of the planet will begin to change. As a result of melting glaciers, the level of the World Ocean will rise, thousands of kilometers will be flooded coastal zone. The planet will be subject to a barrage of hurricanes, earthquakes and other extreme events. This will lead to death and destruction.

High concentration harmful substances in the atmosphere leads to another global problem - the destruction of the ozone layer and the appearance of ozone holes. They are the cause and have a detrimental effect on all living things. The concept “has not been fully studied, but scientists have some information.

These problems can be solved by reducing environmental pollution.
It is necessary to reduce industrial emissions into the atmosphere, using the latest scientific and technological progress, and make every effort to preserve forests.

The demographic problem has long been relevant for humanity. Today, most developing countries are experiencing a baby boom and the population is growing rapidly. In developed countries, on the contrary, this indicator is falling and the nation is aging. Social philosophy suggests looking for a solution in a competent demographic policy, which should be carried out by governments of all countries.

The fuel and raw materials problem threatens the world community with a shortage of various resources necessary to ensure the lives of people in the modern world. Already, many countries suffer from insufficient fuel and energy.

To eliminate this disaster, natural resources must be distributed economically.
Use non-traditional types of energy sources, for example, wind, solar power plants.
Develop nuclear energy and wisely use the power of the World Ocean.

Food shortages are severely affecting many countries. According to official data, about 1.2 million people are undernourished in the modern world. There are two ways to solve this global problem for humanity.

The essence of the first method is that it is necessary to increase the area for pastures and sowing grain crops in order to produce more food for consumption.
The second method recommends not increasing territories, but modernizing existing ones. Productivity can be improved by using scientific and technical innovations. For example, biotechnology, with the help of which frost-resistant and high-yielding plant varieties are created.

The global problem of backwardness of underdeveloped countries is carefully studied social philosophy. Many experts believe that the reason for the slow development of states is rapid population growth amid the lack of a developed economy. This leads to total poverty of people. To support these states, the international community must implement financial assistance, build hospitals, schools, various industrial enterprises and promote the development of the economy of backward peoples.

Problems of the World Ocean and human health

IN Lately The threat to the world's oceans is acutely felt. Environmental pollution and irrational use of its resources have led to the fact that it is on the verge of destruction. Today, the goal of humanity is to preserve the ecosystem, because without it the planet cannot survive. This requires a certain strategy:

prohibit the burial of nuclear and other hazardous substances;
improve the structure of the world economy by creating there separate places for oil production and fishing;
protect recreational resources from destruction;
improve industrial complexes located on the ocean shore.

The health of the world's inhabitants is an important global problem of our time. Scientific and technological progress stimulates the emergence of new drugs for serious diseases. The latest equipment for diagnosis and treatment has been invented. But despite this, epidemics often occur that claim thousands of lives, so scientists continue to actively develop advanced methods of control.

However, medicine is not a panacea. By and large, everyone's health specific person in his own hands. And above all, it's about lifestyle. After all, the causes of terrible diseases, as a rule, are:

poor nutrition and overeating,
immobility,
smoking,
alcoholism,
stress,
bad ecology.

Without waiting for solutions to global world problems, everyone can take care of their own health and the well-being of loved ones - and the world's population will become much healthier and happier. Why not a massive success?

The action plan is simple and clear, and the main thing here is to move from theory to practice. Reconsider your diet in favor of natural products, fresh vegetables and fruits; if you smoke - as soon as possible, do the same with your addiction to alcohol; if your life is full of stress, identify their sources and deal with negative factors, eliminating them if possible. Be sure to start moving more. As for ecology, it matters on the most local scale - in your apartment, workplace. Try to create a healthy environment around you and seriously consider moving to another area if your air quality is poor. Remember: what we breathe every day (including tobacco smoke) and what we eat every day has a key impact on our health.

Each problem has its own specifics and methods of elimination, but they all affect the common interests of humanity. Therefore, their resolution will require the efforts of all people. Modern philosophy warns that any problems can become global, and our task is to promptly notice and prevent their development.

Global problems are problems of particular importance, on the overcoming of which depends the possibility of the continuation of life on Earth. The solution to global problems is possible as a result of not only uniting the economic efforts of countries, but also taking political steps, changes in public consciousness, in the field of international law etc. However, the economic prerequisites and global economic significance of the decision mentioned problems seems to be the most important.

Signs of global problems:
without their solution, the survival of humanity is impossible;
they are of a universal nature, i.e. affect all countries;
solutions require the combined efforts of all humanity;
they are essential, i.e. their decision cannot be postponed or transferred to the shoulders of future generations;
their appearance and development are interconnected. The listed signs require some explanation.

Without solving global problems, the survival of humanity is impossible. This means not only that their development gradually or simultaneously destroys or is capable of destroying humanity. For example, the proliferation of nuclear weapons across conflicting countries and regions of the world potentially threatens nuclear disaster and its consequences for all inhabitants of the Earth. Some problems in themselves are not a problem in the negative sense of the word. Simply, in the absence or insufficiency of universal efforts in certain directions (for example, in the exploration of space or the World Ocean), it will not be possible to create the material basis for universal survival.

The universal nature of global problems means that manifestations of global problems can be seen in any country. At the same time, not every problem common to all countries is global. For example, unemployment exists in any country, but we do not call this problem global because it is internal to countries. In addition, the problem of unemployment does not meet other characteristics characteristic of global problems. Global problems affect all countries, but they affect them differently. Let's say the demographic problem associated with the exponential growth of humanity has different character V different groups countries

The need to unite the efforts of all mankind in the context of the current imbalance in the economic development of the countries of the developed North and the backward South predetermines the different contributions of individual nations to the process of solving global problems. In addition, the severity of individual global problems varies for different countries and, therefore, the degree of interest and participation of countries in resolving individual global problems varies. Thus, resolving the problem of poverty in the underdeveloped countries of the African region is key to the survival of the majority of the local population. The participation of the countries of the “golden billion” in resolving this problem is determined only by moral motives and is often expressed in the form of humanitarian aid or other forms of charity.

The emergence and development of global problems is associated with human activity, and not necessarily negative, aimed at self-destruction. Moreover, almost all global problems arose as a result of the creative activity of people. They are a consequence of progress, which, as we see, has too deep negative consequences.

There are no uniform formulations or lists of global problems in scientific publications or international organizations. Often, individual problems are grouped into more general ones. For example, they often talk about the natural resource problem, which includes raw materials, energy and food. The most common point of view is as follows.

Global problems include:
environmental;
the problem of peace and disarmament, prevention of nuclear war;
overcoming poverty;
demographic;
raw materials;
energy;
food;
international terrorism;
exploration of space and the world's oceans.

The list and hierarchy of global problems is not constant. Despite the fact that the development of individual global problems is approaching the edge beyond which they have irreversible nature(for example, environmental or raw materials), the significance of individual problems in last years has decreased significantly or their nature has changed significantly (the problem of peace and disarmament). International terrorism has been added to the list of such problems in recent years.

The most pressing problem today seems to be the global environmental problem. Behind the brief but capacious concept of “environmental problem” lies a long series of changes in the quality of the environment that are unfavorable for human life and health. natural environment. It is no coincidence that many scientists talk about the development of several global environmental problems. They are interconnected and flow from one another. Thus, as a result of atmospheric pollution by industrial emissions, the Earth’s ozone layer decreases and the climate warms, although scientists name not only anthropogenic (as a result of human activity), but also natural (natural) causes for the development of global environmental problems. TO anthropogenic factors include irrational environmental management and an increase in the amount of waste polluting the environment.

Negative changes are observed in each of the three components of the environment today: in the atmosphere, on land and in the aquatic environment. The changes that occur affect physical (glacial shifts, changes in air composition, etc.) and biological objects (fauna and flora) in each of the named elements and, ultimately, have a detrimental effect on human health and life (Fig. 3.2). Recently, scientists have started talking about potential threats human life from outer space (asteroids, " space debris", etc.).

In the atmosphere, the main negative manifestations of global environmental problems should be considered deterioration in air quality, acid rain, depletion of the ozone layer of the stratosphere, as well as temperature and other climate changes. As an example, we note that air pollution alone is the cause of 5% of all diseases in the world's population, and it complicates the consequences of many diseases. In rural areas of developing countries, about 2 million people die every year due to high concentrations of harmful particles in the air.

The limited and largely non-renewable resources of the land are no less susceptible to rapid and widespread deterioration than the atmosphere. The main problems here are soil degradation, desertification, deforestation, reduction biological diversity(diversity of species), etc. Only the problem of desertification, i.e. The increase in the scale of desert lands in the world affects the vital interests of every third inhabitant of the Earth, since this process involves from a third to half of the land surface.

Environmental problems also affect the aquatic environment, which is reflected in an acute shortage
fresh water (40% of the world's population experiences water shortages), its purity and potability (1.1 billion people rely on unsafe drinking water), marine pollution, overexploitation of living marine resources, loss of coastal habitats.

For the first time, the global problem of protecting the environment from the harmful effects of humans came to the international level in 1972 at the first UN Conference on the Environment, which received the name Stockholm after its convening. Even then, it was recognized that natural resources must be protected, the Earth's ability to regenerate renewable resources must be maintained, and pollution must not exceed the environment's ability to clean itself. In the same year it was created international organization United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). In the 1970s and 1980s, the international community adopted a number of international conventions in the field of ecology. Among them: the World Heritage Convention, 1972; "ABOUT international trade species wild fauna and endangered flora (CITES)", 1973; “On the conservation of migratory species of wild animals”, 1979; Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, 1987; Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, 1989, etc.

The next major milestones in international cooperation in this area were the creation in 1983 of the World Commission on Environment and Development and the holding of the UN Conference of the same name in 1992 in Rio de Janeiro. The Rio de Janeiro summit revealed unequal opportunities for countries of the North and South to transition to sustainable development and approved the document “Agenda 21”. According to calculations made during the summit, it is necessary to allocate $625 billion annually to implement the provisions of the document in developing countries. The main idea contained in this document is to find a balance between three directions of human development on the path to sustainable development: social, economic and environmental. The Framework Convention on Climate Change was also signed in Rio de Janeiro and the principle of shared and differentiated responsibility was introduced, reflecting the fact that industrialized countries make the largest contribution to atmospheric carbon dioxide pollution.

In 1997, at an international conference in Kyoto (Japan), a legal instrument of the Framework Convention appeared - Kyoto Protocol. According to the Protocol, signatories and ratifiers must reduce their total greenhouse gas emissions by at least 5% relative to 1990 levels. The Protocol contains a new, hitherto unused market mechanism for achieving this goal, including:
the possibility of jointly fulfilling obligations to reduce emissions;
trading of greenhouse gas emissions quotas. A selling country that exceeds its emissions reduction commitments may sell certain units of already reduced emissions to another party;
the possibility of participation of legal entity-enterprises in actions to receive, transfer or purchase emission reduction units.

By December 2001, 84 countries had signed the Kyoto Protocol and a further 46 had ratified or acceded to it. The Protocol will enter into force only 90 days after it has been ratified by at least 55 signatory countries.

Solving global problems is a task of extreme importance and complexity, and so far it cannot be said with confidence that ways to overcome them have been found. According to many social scientists, no matter what individual problem we take from the global system, it cannot be solved without first overcoming the spontaneity in the development of earthly civilization, without moving to coordinated and planned actions on a global scale. Only such actions can save society, as well as its natural environment.

In the current situation beginning of XXI century conditions, humanity can no longer function spontaneously without the risk of catastrophe for each country. The only way out is in the transition from self-regulating to controlled evolution of the world community and its natural environment. It is necessary that universal human interests - preventing nuclear war, mitigating ecological crisis, replenishment of resources - prevailed over the private economic and political benefits of individual countries, corporations and parties. In the 1970s last century were put into effect various kinds programs, local, national and transnational organizations began to work. Currently, to achieve this goal, humanity has the necessary economic and financial resources, scientific and technical capabilities and intellectual potential. But realizing this opportunity requires new political thinking, good will and international cooperation based on the priority of universal human interests and values.

Globalist scientists offer various options for solving global problems of our time (Fig. 4):

changing the nature of production activities - the creation of waste-free production, heat-energy-resource-saving technologies, the use of alternative energy sources (sun, wind, etc.);

creation of a new world order, development of a new formula for global governance of the world community on the principles of understanding the modern world as an integral and interconnected community of people;

confession universal human values, attitude towards life, man and the world as the highest values of humanity;

renunciation of war as a means of solution controversial issues, searching for ways to peacefully resolve international problems and conflicts.

Figure 4 - Ways to solve global problems of humanity

Only together can humanity solve the problem of overcoming the environmental crisis.

First of all, we must move from the consumer-technocratic approach to nature to the search for harmony with it. For this, in particular, a number of targeted measures are needed to green production: nature-saving technologies, mandatory environmental assessment of new projects, and the creation of waste-free closed-cycle technologies. Another measure aimed at improving the relationship between man and nature is reasonable self-restraint in the consumption of natural resources, especially energy sources (oil, coal), which are essential for the life of mankind. vital importance. Calculations by international experts show that, based on modern level consumption (end of the 20th century), then coal reserves will last for another 430 years, oil - for 35 years, natural gas - for 50 years. The period, especially for oil reserves, is not that long. In this regard, reasonable structural changes are needed in the global energy balance towards expanding the use of atomic energy, as well as the search for new, efficient, safe and most environmentally friendly sources of energy, including space energy.

The Planetary Society today is taking specific measures to solve environmental problems and reduce their danger: they are developing extremely acceptable standards emissions into the environment, create waste-free or low-waste technologies, use energy, land and water resources, save minerals, etc. However, all of the above and other measures can produce a tangible effect only if all countries unite the efforts to save nature. Back in 1982, the UN adopted a special document - the World Conservation Charter, and then created a special commission on environment and development. In addition to the UN, a non-governmental organization such as the Club of Rome plays a major role in developing and ensuring the environmental safety of humanity. As for the governments of the world's leading powers, they are trying to combat environmental pollution by adopting special environmental legislation.

Global problems require adherence to certain moral standards that make it possible to correlate the ever-increasing human needs with the planet’s ability to satisfy them. A number of scientists rightly believe that a transition of the entire earthly community from a dead-end technogenic-consumer one to a new spiritual-ecological, or noospheric, type of civilizational existence is necessary. Its essence is that " scientific and technical progress", the production of material goods and services, political and financial-economic interests should not be a goal, but only a means of harmonizing relations between society and nature, an aid for the establishment of the highest ideals of human existence: endless knowledge, comprehensive creative development and moral improvement."

One of the most popular points of view for solving this problem is to instill in people new moral and ethical values. Thus, in one of the reports to the Club of Rome, it is written that new ethical education should be aimed at:

1) the development of global consciousness, thanks to which a person realizes himself as a member of the world community;

2) formation of more lean attitude to the use of natural resources;

3) development of such an attitude towards nature, which would be based on harmony, and not on subordination;

4) fostering a sense of belonging to future generations and a willingness to give up part of one’s own benefits in their favor.

It is possible and necessary to successfully fight for the solution of global problems now on the basis of constructive and mutually acceptable cooperation of all countries and peoples, regardless of the differences in the social systems to which they belong.

Solving global problems is possible only through the joint efforts of all countries coordinating their actions on international level. Self-isolation and development features will not allow individual countries to remain aloof from the economic crisis, nuclear war, the threat of terrorism or the AIDS epidemic. To solve global problems and overcome the danger that threatens all of humanity, it is necessary to further strengthen the interconnection of the diverse modern world, change the interaction with the environment, abandon the cult of consumption, and develop new values.

Conclusion: Without relevant human qualities, without the global responsibility of each person, it is impossible to solve any of the global problems. All the problems are too large and complex for one country to cope with; the leadership of one power cannot ensure a stable world order and solutions to global problems. Complex interaction of the entire world community is necessary.

Let's hope that the main wealth of all countries in the 21st century will be the preserved resources of nature and the cultural and educational level of people living in harmony with this nature. It is likely that the formation of a new - information - world community, with humane goals, will become the highway of human development that will lead it to the solution and elimination of major global problems.