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ECOLOGY

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It is not an easy thing to choose a profession out of more than 2000 existing in the world. As for me I made my choice long ago. During all school years biology and chemistry were my favourite subjects. That is why last year I entered the Bratsk State University to become a student of the Natural Sciences Faculty. Now I am a second-year student.

At the University we are taught different subjects, but the future ecologist should clearly know and understand ecological problems of our planet.

Since ancient times Nature has served Man, being the source of his life. For thousand of years people lived in harmony with environment and it seemed to them that natural riches were unlimited. But with the development of civilization man’s interference in nature began to increase.

Large cities with thousands of smoky industrial enterprises appear all over the world today. The by-products of their activity pollute the air we breathe, the water we drink, the land we grow grain and vegetables. Every year world industry pollutes the atmosphere with about 1000 million tons of dust and other harmful substances. Many cities suffer from smog. Vast forests are cut and burnt in fire. Their disappearance upset the oxygen balance. As a result some rare species of animals, birds, fish and plants disappear forever, a number of rivers and lakes dry up.

The pollution of air and the world’s ocean, destruction of the ozone layer is the result of man’s careless interaction with nature, a sign of ecological crisis.

As a result of Chernobyl tragedy in April 1986 the most horrible ecological disaster befell Belarus and it’s people. About 18 per cent of the territory of Belarus were polluted with radioactive substances. A great damage has been done to the republic’s agriculture, forests and people’s health. The consequences of this explosion at the atomic power station are tragic for the Belarusian nation.

Environment protection is a universal concern. That is why serious measures to create a system of ecological security should be taken.

Some progress has already been made in this direction. In many countries environmental protection agencies and research centres are set up. The international environmental research centre has been set up on lake Baikal. Such organizations as “Green Peace” and “Friend of the Earth” are also doing much to preserve the environment.

These are only the initial steps and they must be carried forward to protect nature, to save life on the planet not only for the sake of the present but also for the future generation. And I think that having received the Diploma in Higher Education in the sphere of Ecology I shall be able to do my best in this struggle for clean environment.

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