Эссе на тему Ecological problem in Kazakhstan

Ecological education in English language
When I look around I realized that not all people understand the importance of nature protection. One fine summer days a lot of people go out of town. They have picnics on the shores of lakes and the banks of rivers or on beautiful forest glades and they often leave behind a lot of rubbish- plastic bags and bottles, tins and paper. It makes me feel sad when I see people returning to town with huge bunches of forest or meadow flowers. Many of these plants are included into the Red Book which contains the names of rare plants and animals. Some of them have become extinct and others are on the verge of disappearing. If we don't realize that we are all responsible for what's happening around us we will never feel secure about the future of the world we live in. According to expert conclusions, environmental situation in several regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan nowadays is not only unfavorable, but even catastrophic. The most dangerous demonstrations of today’s environmental crisis are oil pollution of the Caspian Sea, reduction of water in Aral Sea, a harmful effect of the former Semipalatinsk nuclear test site. For example, only in Almaty appeared a number of various public organizations more or less engaged in solving environmental issues, they are: “Kazakh Society for Nature Protection” NGO, Socio-Ecological Fund “NGO ECO forum”, “Guldenu” NGO, Institute of Ecology and Sustainable Development, “Tau” Ecological Center” NGO, “Ecology of biosphere” laboratory, “NGO Ecological Forum’s Resource Center” NGO, Ecological Union for associations and enterprises of Kazakhstan “Tabigat”, “Atom” NGO, “Center for sustainable production and consumption” Corporate Fund, “Ecological center” Fund and many others. In addition to state regulations, globalization of ecological problems requires an active participation of non-governmental ecological organizations and ecological movements on the global, national and regional levels. Thus, Kazakhstani NGOs gained some experience in the protection of the environment. Several nongovernmental organizations are involved in the creation of environment protection legislation and monitor its implementation. For several years “Kaspyi Tabigaty” Atyrau NGO sharply criticized the activities of OKIOC and Tengizshevroil companies in the Caspian Sea, forcing them to solve problems of a negative impact of their activities on the ecological situation in the region. During 2002, the Ecological Union “Tabigat”, Karaganda Ecocenter and other “green” NGOs set on a large anti-nuclear campaign, organized public hearings concerning the problem of import and disposal of radioactive waste on the territory of different towns of Kazakhstan. By contrast, the water level of the Caspian Sea has been rising steadily since 1978 for reasons that scientists have not been able to explain fully. At the northern end of the sea, more than a million hectares of land in Atyrau Province have been flooded. Experts estimate that if current rates of increase persist, the coastal city of Atyrau, eighty-eight other population centers, and many of Kazakstan's Caspian oil fields could be submerged by 2020.Wind erosion has also had an impact in the northern and central parts of the republic because of the introduction of wide-scale dryland wheat farming. By the mid-1990s, Kazakhstan faces several important environmental issues. As the site of the former Soviet Union's nuclear testing programs, areas of the nation have been exposed to high levels of nuclear radiation, and there is significant radioactive pollution. The nation also has 30 uranium mines, which add to the problem of uncontrolled release of radioactivity.Kazakhstan has sought international support to convince China to stop testing atomic bombs near its territory, because of the dangerous fall out Mismanagement of irrigation projects has caused the level of the Aral Sea to drop by 13 m, decreasing its size by 50%. The change in size has changed the climate in the area and revealed 3 million hectares of land that are now subject to erosion. Air pollution in Kazakhstan is another significant environmental problem. Acid rain damages the environment within the country and also affects neighboring countries. In 1992 Kazakhstan had the world's 14th highest level of industrial carbon dioxide emissions, which totaled 297.9 million metric tons, a per capita level of 17.48 metric tons. In 1996, the total had dropped to 173.8 million metric tons. Pollution from industrial and agricultural sources has also damaged the nation's water supply. UN sources report that, in some cases, contamination of rivers by industrial metals is 160 to 800 times beyond acceptable levels. Pollution of the Caspian Sea is also a problem. Kazakhstan's wildlife is in danger of extinction due to the overall level of pollution. According to current estimates, some areas of the nation will not be able to sustain any form of wildlife by the year 2015. In the areas where pollution is the most severe, 11 species of mammals and 19 species of birds and insects are already extinct. As of 2001, 15 mammal species, 15 bird species, 5 types of freshwater fish, and 36 species of plant are listed as threatened. One of the most important pollution problems is the oceans and seas. Many ships sail in the ocean water- fishing ships, some ships carrying people, some carrying oil. If a ship loses some of the oil in the water, or waste from the ships in put into the ocean or seas, the water becomes dirty. Such in our Caspian sea. Many sea birds die because,we polluted water. Many fish are dying in the sea, others are getting contaminated. Fishermen catch contaminated fish which may be sold in markets, and people may get sick from eating them. Lakes and rivers are becoming polluted, too. Some beaches are dangerous for swimming. Another important problem is air pollution. Cars and factories pollute the air we use. Their fume also destroys the ozone layer which protects the Earth from the dangerous light of the Sun. Burning coal and oil leads to global warming which may bring about a change in the world's climate. The other problem is that our forests are dying from acid rains. Deforestation, especially destruction of tropical forests, affects the balance of nature in many ways. It kills animals, changes the climate and ecosystem in the world.
We talk about this problem in 9th and 8th form. We talk about nature with people. What can be done to protect nature? And we believe that environment disasters can be avoided if people broaden ecological education and every person understands that the beauty of nature is extremely fragile and people must obey the unwritten laws of nature. Governments must be prepared to take action against pollution. Air pollution could be reduced if plants and factories were made to fit effective filters on chimneys and car exhausts. Green zones around big cities must be protected and extended. Natural resources should be used economically because their stocks are not unlimited