Global problems of mankind and ways to solve them. The problem of using the oceans
The global problems of mankind affect our planet as a whole. Therefore, all peoples and states are engaged in their solution. This term appeared in the late 60s of the XX century. Currently, there is a special scientific branch that deals with the study and solution of global problems of mankind. It is called globalization.
Scientific specialists from various fields work in this area: biologists, soil scientists, chemists, physicists, geologists. And this is no coincidence, because the global problems of mankind are complex in nature and their appearance does not depend on any one factor. On the contrary, it is very important to take into account the economic, political and social changes taking place in the world. Life on the planet in the future depends on how correctly the modern global problems of mankind will be solved.
You need to know: some of them have existed for a long time, others, quite “young”, are connected with the fact that people began to negatively affect the world around them. Because of this, for example, the environmental problems of mankind have appeared. They can be called the main difficulties of modern society. Although the problem of environmental pollution itself appeared a long time ago. All varieties interact with each other. Often one problem leads to another.
Sometimes it happens that the global problems of mankind can be solved and completely get rid of them. First of all, this concerns epidemics that threatened the lives of people on the entire planet and led to their mass death, but then they were stopped, for example, with the help of the invented vaccine. At the same time, completely new problems are emerging that were previously unknown to society, or already existing ones are growing to a world level, for example, the depletion of the ozone layer. The cause of their occurrence is human activity. The problem of environmental pollution allows you to see this very clearly. But in other cases, too, there is a clear tendency for people to influence the misfortunes that befall them and threaten their existence. So, what are the problems of humanity that have planetary significance?
environmental disaster
It is caused by daily environmental pollution, depletion of terrestrial and water resources. All these factors together can accelerate the onset of an environmental catastrophe. Man considers himself the king of nature, but at the same time does not seek to preserve it in its original form. This is hindered by industrialization, which is proceeding at a rapid pace. By negatively influencing its habitat, mankind destroys it and does not think about it. No wonder pollution standards have been developed that are regularly exceeded. As a result, the environmental problems of mankind may become irreversible. To avoid this, we must pay attention to the preservation of flora and fauna, try to save the biosphere of our planet. And for this it is necessary to make production and other human activities more environmentally friendly so that the impact on the environment is less aggressive.
demographic problem
The world's population is growing at a rapid pace. And although the “population explosion” has already subsided, the problem still remains. The situation with food and natural resources is deteriorating. Their stocks are shrinking. At the same time, the negative impact on the environment is increasing, it is impossible to cope with unemployment and poverty. There are difficulties with education and health care. The solution of the global problems of humanity of this nature was undertaken by the UN. The organization created a special plan. One of his items is the family planning program.
Disarmament
After the creation of a nuclear bomb, the population tries to avoid the consequences of its use. For this, treaties between countries on non-aggression and disarmament are signed. Laws are being adopted to ban nuclear arsenals and stop the arms trade. The presidents of the leading states hope in this way to avoid the outbreak of the Third World War, as a result of which, as they suspect, all life on Earth can be destroyed.
Food problem
In some countries, the population is experiencing food shortages. The people of Africa and other third countries of the world are especially affected by hunger. To solve this problem, two options have been created. The first is aimed at ensuring that pastures, fields, fishing zones gradually increase their area. If you follow the second option, it is necessary not to increase the territory, but to increase the productivity of existing ones. For this, the latest biotechnologies, methods of land reclamation, and mechanization are being developed. High-yielding varieties of plants are being developed.
Health
Despite the active development of medicine, the emergence of new vaccines and drugs, humanity continues to get sick. Moreover, many ailments threaten the lives of the population. Therefore, in our time, the development of methods of treatment is actively conducted. Substances of modern design are created in laboratories for effective immunization of the population. Unfortunately, the most dangerous diseases of the 21st century - oncology and AIDS - remain incurable.
The ocean problem
Recently, this resource is not only actively explored, but also used for the needs of mankind. As experience shows, it can provide food, natural resources, energy. The ocean is a trade route that helps restore communication between countries. At the same time, its reserves are used unevenly, military operations are conducted on its surface. In addition, it serves as a base for the disposal of waste, including radioactive waste. Mankind is obliged to protect the wealth of the World Ocean, avoid pollution, and rationally use its gifts.
Space exploration
This space belongs to all mankind, which means that all nations should use their scientific and technical potential to explore it. For the deep study of space, special programs are being created that use all modern achievements in this area.
People know that if these problems do not disappear, the planet may die. But why do many do not want to do anything, hoping that everything will disappear, “dissolve” by itself? Although, in truth, such inaction is better than the active destruction of nature, the pollution of forests, water bodies, the destruction of animals and plants, especially rare species.
It is impossible to understand the behavior of such people. It would not hurt them to think about what to live, if, of course, it is still possible, on a dying planet their children and grandchildren will have to. You should not count on the fact that someone will be able to rid the world of difficulties in a short time. The global problems of humanity can only be solved jointly if all of humanity makes an effort. The threat of destruction in the near future should not frighten. Best of all, if she can stimulate the potential inherent in each of us.
Do not think that it is difficult to cope with the world's problems alone. From this it seems that it is useless to act, thoughts appear about powerlessness in the face of difficulties. The point is to join forces and help the prosperity of at least your city. Solve the little problems of your habitat. And when every person on Earth begins to have such responsibility to himself and his country, large-scale, global problems will also be solved.
1. Why did the share of oil and gas increase sharply in the structure of consumed fuel (Fig. 23)?
Fuel is a combustible substance, the combustion of which produces thermal energy. The main component of these substances is carbon.
By origin, fuel is divided into natural (oil, coal, natural gas, oil shale, peat, wood) and artificial (coke, motor fuel, generator gases, etc.); according to the state of aggregation - into solid, liquid and gaseous.
The main characteristic of fuel is the heat of combustion. For comparison of different types of fuel and the total accounting of its reserves, a unit of account is adopted - conventional fuel. Its net calorific value is 29.3 MJ/kg (7000 kcal/kg). For the convenience of transferring dust, thermal coefficients are introduced.
Table 11
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As can be seen from Table 11, oil and gas are the most efficient sources of energy, so when large deposits of these fuels were discovered, they easily took a leading position in the fuel and energy balance.
2. What are the features of the location of the coal mining industry (Fig. 25)?
The raw material factor is the leading factor in the location of the coal-mining industry; therefore, its enterprises are located directly in the regions of the coal basins. Coal production in the Russian Federation in 2003 amounted to 277 million tons, 71% of which was hard coal (Table 12). Most of the coal (68%) is mined open-pit.
3. Why is the Kansk-Achinsk coal basin developing in Siberia, and not the Tunguska one (Fig. 25)?
The Tunguska basin is located in a poorly developed, sparsely populated area at a considerable distance from the main consumers. Difficulties in transporting and extracting coal from the Tunguska basin leave this richest resource practically untouched.
The Kansk-Achinsk basin is located in a densely populated and economically developed part of Eastern Siberia, where its main consumers are also located. In addition, coal from this basin, thanks to open-pit mining, is the cheapest in Russia in terms of cost.
4. Name and show on the map the largest oil fields (Fig. 26).
Most (90%) of all Russian oil is produced in three oil and gas provinces:
— West Siberian (70%) — Samotyurskoye, Ust-Balykskoye, Nizhnevartovskoye, Surgutskoye, Shaimskoye, Megionskoye and other deposits;
Volga-Ural - Romashkinskoye, Almetyevskoye, Buguruslanskoye (Tatarstan), Shkapovskoye, Tuimazinskoye, Ishimbayevsky, Arslanskoye (Bashkiria), Mukhanovskoye (Samara region), Yarinskoye (Perm region) deposits;
- Timan-Pechora - Ukhtinskoye, Usinskoye, Tekubskoye, Yargenskoye, Pashinsky, Vozeyskoye deposits.
The oldest oil-producing region in Russia is the North Caucasus (fields in Chechnya, Dagestan, Stavropol and Krasnodar Territories). Here is the highest quality of oil, but also the highest degree of depletion of deposits (up to 80%). For comparison: the degree of depletion of the Volga-Ural oil and gas province is 50%, and the West Siberian - 33%.
Now intensive work is underway to prepare for the exploitation of fields on the shelf (on the islands of Kolguev and Sakhalin) and to search for new ones. Exploration work is 78% related to the search for new oil and gas fields. Several new promising fields have been discovered in the Leno-Vilyui depression, Kamchatka, Chukotka, the Khabarovsk Territory and the Sea of Okhotsk.
5. What are the features of the placement of enterprises in the oil and oil refining industry? Match the figure with the population density map. Draw conclusions (Fig. 26).
The oil industry is associated with the location of oil and gas fields, that is, with sources of raw materials.
The oil refining industry, due to convenient transportation through oil pipelines, is more gravitated towards the consumer and therefore its geography coincides with densely populated regions.
Russia is one of the largest exporters of coal to the world market. Traditional buyers are European countries (Great Britain, Finland, Slovakia, Romania, etc.) and Asia (Japan, Turkey). And l of the CIS countries - Ukraine.
The largest coal basin in Russia in terms of production is Kuzbass. It accounts for more than 40% of all production. A variety of types of coal are mined here, including coking and anthracite.
Kuzbass coal is supplied to various regions of the country. Despite its remoteness from world markets, this basin is the largest exporter of Russian coal.
The Kansk-Achinsk basin produces the cheapest but low-calorie coal, which, combined with its remoteness from world markets, makes its transportation inefficient, and it can also ignite spontaneously. Therefore, KATEK's coal is mainly used locally for the production of electricity at powerful state district power plants.
Pechora coal is uncompetitive on the world market due to its high price; it is used at the Cherepovets Metallurgical Plant.
The South Yakutsk basin, where anthracite high-calorific coals are mined open-cast (the largest section is Neryungrinsky), exports coal to Japan.
7. What problems do you think exist in our country due to the concentration of fuel resources in the east, and consumers in the west of Russia?
The remoteness of consumers from the places of extraction of fuel resources requires significant costs for the delivery of the latter - the development of railway lines, the construction of specialized pipelines. Transportation of fuel over long distances significantly increases its cost for the consumer.
Another problem is the organization of the extraction of these resources in areas with severe climatic conditions and underdeveloped infrastructure. This requires the adoption of special measures to attract the population: various benefits, higher salaries, etc.
8. Why do some types of fuel give way to their leading positions over time to other types? For a more complete answer, use Figure 3 (Kondratieff cycles).
In the table of Kondratiev cycles there is no special column - types of fuel. However, by the key factor and the core of the technological cycle, you can recreate the picture of the change in fuels.
In the first cycle, the use of fuel as an energy source is minimal. In the second - the main type of fuel is coal. In the third - any type of fuel can be used, in the fourth - oil. In the fifth cycle, with the development of high technologies and huge energy needs, nuclear energy is becoming increasingly important.
9. Compare, using the maps of the textbook, the geography of the three branches of the fuel industry: oil, gas, coal. Which of these industries is the most concentrated and which is the most dispersed? Select the types of economic regions with different combinations of fuel resources: a) all three types are present; b) one species; c) none.
The geography of fuel (as well as any other types) resources is determined by the peculiarities of the tectonic structure of the territory.
The coal industry is more dispersed than the oil or gas industry. The bulk of coal deposits are located at a considerable distance from world markets, and only the high quality of coal and low production costs (in some coal basins) allow Russian raw materials to compete. Coal deposits have long been the basis for the formation of large industrial regions with developed energy, metallurgy and chemical industries.
Compared to the coal industry, the oil industry is the most concentrated. Oil fields are closer to the consumer. About 65% of oil is produced in Western Siberia, approximately 25% of production is in the Volga-Ural region. Transportation of oil is much cheaper than coal, so its processing is carried out in areas of consumption.
The geography of the gas industry basically coincides with the location of the oil industry. 90% of Russian gas is produced in the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug (Western Siberia).
To highlight the types of economic regions, continue to fill in the table
Table 13
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With the development of mankind and under the influence of the latest technologies, new problems appear that people did not even think about before.
They accumulate and over time begin to destroy modern society spiritually and physically. Everyone has heard about the global problems of modern society, such as the depletion of minerals, the greenhouse effect, overpopulation and the deterioration of the ecological state of our planet. In addition to global difficulties, any citizen can be affected, or are already being affected, by social, moral, economic and political problems. One of them can be attributed to various kinds of dependencies. Deteriorating living standards, job loss and lack of money for many lead to stress and depression. People want to forget and try to relieve nervous tension with alcohol or drugs. However, it is not only about bad habits, alcohol abuse or drug use. Modern society, like a virus, was struck by dependence on loans, computers and the Internet, as well as drugs imposed by advertising. At the same time, it is better to get rid of some modern problems or not have them at all, it remains only to adapt to others. After all, some of them are ordinary difficulties that can be overcome and gain invaluable life experience.
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The most common problems in society
Social inequality. Rich and poor citizens have always been and are. However, now there is a huge gap between these segments of the population: some people have bank accounts with fabulous sums, others do not have enough money even for meat. According to the level of income society can be divided into three groups:
- Rich people (presidents, kings, politicians, cultural and art figures, big businessmen)
- Middle class (employees, doctors, teachers, lawyers)
- The poor (unskilled workers, beggars, unemployed)
Market instability in the modern world has led to the fact that a significant part of citizens live below the poverty line. As a result, the society is criminalized: robberies, robberies, fraud. However, in the absence of strongly pronounced social inequality, the number of crimes is much less.
Credit cabal. Intrusive advertising slogans, calling to take now and pay later, are firmly planted in the minds of the people. Some people sign a loan agreement without looking, so they don’t know how dangerous quick loans are. Financial illiteracy does not allow you to assess your own solvency. Such citizens have several loans that they cannot repay in a timely manner. Penalties are added to the interest rate, which can become even more than the debt.
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Alcoholism and drug addiction. These diseases are a dangerous social problem. The main reasons why people drink are general insecurity, unemployment and poverty. Drugs are usually taken out of curiosity or in company with friends. The intake of these substances leads to the moral degradation of the individual, destroys the body and causes fatal diseases. Alcoholics and drug addicts often have sick children. Antisocial behavior for such citizens becomes the norm. Under the influence of alcohol and drugs, they commit various crimes, which negatively affects the life of society.
Breaking away from traditional family values. The family provides the necessary psychological support to each person. However, in modern society there is a departure from the traditional family, which is associated with the promotion of homosexual relationships, which are so popular in Western countries. And the legalization of same-sex marriages in some states destroys historically established gender roles. Indeed, even in the Stone Age, a man was the main earner, and a woman was the keeper of the hearth.
Imposed diseases and medicines. Drug manufacturers need unhealthy people, because the more sick people, the better the product is sold. In order for the pharmaceutical business to bring a stable income, diseases are imposed on citizens and a stir is created. For example, the recent mass hysteria surrounding bird and swine flu was accompanied by daily media reports of new victims of the disease. Panic broke out in the world. People began to buy all kinds of medicines, vitamins, gauze bandages, which increased in price by five or six times. Thus, the pharmaceutical industry constantly receives huge profits. At the same time, some medications do not cure, but only eliminate the symptoms, while others are addictive and help only with constant use. If a person stops taking them, the symptoms return. Therefore, citizens are unlikely to ever be offered truly effective drugs.
Virtual world. Most children have free access to a computer from an early age. They spend a lot of time in the virtual world and move away from reality: they do not want to go out, communicate with their peers, and do their homework with difficulty. Even during the holidays, schoolchildren are rarely seen on the streets. Sitting at computers, children can no longer do without a world of illusions in which they feel safe and comfortable. Computer addiction is an emerging problem in the modern world.
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Attacks. Terrorist acts in different parts of the world are a serious social problem. Hostage-taking, shootings, explosions in the metro and airports, undermining planes and trains claim millions of human lives. Terrorism can be global, like ISIS and Al-Qaeda, for example. These groups want to get their hands on weapons of mass destruction, so they use global means to achieve their goal. Acting all over the world, they arrange terrorist attacks in different states with numerous victims. Terrorists can also be loners who are dissatisfied with the policies of their state, such as the Norwegian nationalist Breivik. Both varieties are heinous crimes that result in the death of innocent people. It is impossible to predict a terrorist attack, and absolutely anyone can become its accidental victim.
Military conflicts and interference in the affairs of other states. In Ukraine, Western countries staged a coup d'etat, which they paid in advance, provided informational and political support. After that, the US and the EU ordered to go to war against the inhabitants of Donbass, who did not want to obey the Ukrainian authorities. At the same time, Western countries, which are so fond of shouting about human rights, remained silent in this situation. And the United States financially helped Kyiv and supplied military equipment. When Russia provided assistance to the Donbass with weapons and food, it was instantly criticized by the West and accused of interfering in the affairs of Ukraine. At the same time, it was possible to agree on a truce, but Kyiv, at the suggestion of the US and the EU, chose war. The victims of political games were the inhabitants of Donbass. Thousands of people lived safely and suddenly lost everything, left without a roof over their heads. This is not an isolated case, the United States has repeatedly interfered in the affairs of the countries of the Middle East and other states.
Problems that do not concern any particular continent or state, but the entire planet, are called global. As civilization develops, it accumulates more and more of them. Today there are eight main problems. Consider the global problems of mankind and ways to solve them.
Ecological problem
Today it is considered the main one. For a long time, people used the resources given to them by nature irrationally, polluted the environment around them, poisoned the Earth with a variety of waste - from solid to radioactive. The result was not long in coming - according to most competent researchers, environmental problems in the next hundred years will lead to irreversible consequences for the planet, and therefore for humanity.
Already now there are countries where this issue has reached a very high level, giving rise to the concept of a crisis ecological region. But the threat looms over the whole world: the ozone layer that protects the planet from radiation is being destroyed, the earth's climate is changing - and man is unable to control these changes.
Even the most developed country cannot solve the problem alone, so the states unite to solve important environmental problems together. The main solution is considered to be the rational use of natural resources and the reorganization of everyday life and industrial production so that the ecosystem develops naturally.
Rice. 1. Threatening scale of the environmental problem.
demographic problem
In the 20th century, when the world's population passed the six billion mark, everyone heard about it. However, in the 21st century, the vector has shifted. In short, now the essence of the problem is this: there are fewer and fewer people. A competent family planning policy and improvement of the living conditions of each individual will help to solve this issue.
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food problem
This problem is closely related to demographic and consists in the fact that more than half of humanity is experiencing acute food shortages. To solve it, it is necessary to use the available resources for food production more rationally. Experts see two ways of development - intensive, when the biological productivity of existing fields and other lands increases, and extensive - when their number increases.
All global problems of mankind must be solved together, and this one is no exception. The issue of food arose due to the fact that most of the people live in areas unsuitable for this. Combining the efforts of scientists from different countries will significantly speed up the solution process.
Energy and raw materials problem
The uncontrolled use of raw materials has led to the depletion of mineral reserves that have accumulated for hundreds of millions of years. Very soon, fuel and other resources may disappear altogether, so scientific and technical progress is being introduced at all stages of production.
The issue of peace and disarmament
Some scientists believe that in the very near future it may happen that it will not be necessary to look for possible ways to solve the global problems of mankind: people produce such an amount of offensive weapons (including nuclear) that at some point they can destroy themselves. To prevent this from happening, world treaties on the reduction of armaments and the demilitarization of economies are being developed.
The problem of people's health
Humanity continues to suffer from deadly diseases. The advances of science are great, but untreatable diseases still exist. The only solution is to continue scientific research in search of drugs.
The problem of using the oceans
The depletion of land resources has led to an increase in interest in the World Ocean - all countries that have access to it use it not only as a biological resource. Both the mining and chemical sectors are actively developing. This gives rise to two problems at once: pollution and uneven development. But how are these issues resolved? At the moment, scientists from all over the world are engaged in them, who are developing the principles of rational oceanic nature management.
Rice. 2. Industrial station in the ocean.
The problem of space exploration
To master outer space, it is important to unite efforts on a global scale. Recent studies are the result of the consolidation of the work of many countries. This is the basis for solving the problem.
Scientists have already developed a mock-up of the first station for settlers on the moon, and Elon Musk says that the day is not far off when people will go to explore Mars.
Rice. 3. Model of the lunar base.
What have we learned?
Humanity has many global problems that can ultimately lead to its death. These problems can be solved only if efforts are consolidated, otherwise the efforts of one or several countries will be reduced to zero. Thus, civilizational development and the solution of problems of a universal scale are possible only if the survival of man as a species becomes higher than economic and state interests.
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