Unfortunately, the presence of man has led to destructive changes, but we still have a chance to change everything for the better.

The best thing that is happening today is changes in societies for the better, and the desire to change. Today, we see changes in waste management, environmental management, etc.

When we talk about the environment, it should be understood that it is not only the weather, it is animals, birds, and all living creatures on this earth.

The most interesting facts and figures about the environment:

• 27,000 trees are destroyed every day to produce toilet paper.
• Recycling one aluminum can could provide enough electricity to run a TV for at least 3 hours.
• 80 billion aluminum cans are used every day.
• Paper can be recycled only six times. After that, the fibers are too weak to hold shape.
• 40% of all water in the world is sold in bottles.
• A glass bottle made nowadays takes 4000 years to decompose.
• The oldest tree in the world is more than 4600 years old.
• Our planet is increasing by 77 million inhabitants annually.
• 35% of landfills consist of packaging materials.
• Rainforests are shrinking by 100 acres every minute.
• American companies alone use enough paper to wrap the earth three times. And it’s great that the business world is moving in a paperless direction in their work.
• Only one percent of the water on our planet can be used for drinking, 97% is in the ocean and another 2% is frozen water in the Arctic today.
• 30% percent of cold air disappears from your refrigerator when you open it.

These are just some facts and figures to understand how society still needs to do a lot to move towards sustainable development on the planet.

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Household chemistry is harmful to the environment

Chemicals in dishwashing, washing and cleaning products upset the ecosystem. Many detergents contain phosphates. When phosphates enter water bodies, they accelerate the growth of blue-green algae and this leads to the flowering of rivers.

Flowering is dangerous because algae do not get enough sunlight and oxygen. Water quality deteriorates. Also, these algae emit toxic substances that disrupt the development and normal functioning of fish and other river dwellers.

Household chemistry can harm health

Any household chemicals that enter the market are toxicologically certified and should not cause problems if used properly. But it can be harmful if not used as directed and in the wrong doses. The level of toxicity depends on the quantity.

Problems with the use of household chemicals can be different: from skin problems to irritation of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract. They can occur if you inhale these products in high concentrations.

Detergents also contain chemicals that can affect health in large quantities. For example, washing powders contain enzymes: cations or anions that remove stains and dirt. Cationic detergents are the most toxic to the body. Ingestion may cause nausea, vomiting, shock, and convulsions. Anionic detergents are less toxic but can irritate the skin and eyes.

If a person is exposed to a large number of detergents, they can get asthma. These products are also responsible for a large number of household poisonings.

The use of chlorine-containing products indoors can cause a variety of problems: from irritation of the nasopharynx to toxic effects through the respiratory tract.

If a person has an intolerance to any chemical compound, then systemic inhalation of these compounds in high concentrations can cause allergic reactions. This is not only a rash on the skin but also shortness of breath or swelling of the airways.

There are many universal cleaners on the market. Among the substances that are part of them: are phosphate, ammonia, and sodium hypochlorite. Depending on the composition, universal cleansers can irritate the skin, eyes, nose, and throat. When ingested, they can cause poisoning in both humans and animals.

How to avoid the negative effect of detergents

It is important to use household chemicals according to the instructions, to avoid getting inside the body, skin contact, and keep away from children as possible.

• Barrier protection methods should be worn: gloves or respirators.
• Wash your hands and wash your skin with plenty of water after using household chemicals.
• When cleaning, there must be good air circulation in the room, so you should open the windows for ventilation.

How to choose a safe alternative

Don’t buy flavored products, because we do not inhale the smell of chamomile or lemon, but chemical compounds that can affect our health.

Some brands use greenwashing and simply add the words “bio”, and “eco” or put the product in a green package. So you should first look at the composition of the tool.

You should avoid products with:

• phosphates;
• chlorine;
• microplastic;
• fragrances.

Use ecological detergents

It is believed that we live in an environment of dangerous microorganisms, so we buy products, that promise to kill 99% of bacteria. In fact, most bacteria are not that dangerous.

It is not necessary to disinfect surfaces for cleaning at home, there will be enough soap solution, which will perfectly handle dirt. You can use ordinary natural soap, which can be bought online or in eco-shops. It usually does not contain fragrances and is safe for the skin and the environment.

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For the experiment, plots in the Botanical Garden of the University of Bayreuth were provided with underfloor heating to cause additional frost changes. To the three natural changes in frost, the researchers added five artificial ones and then compared different areas.

Frequent changes between frost and dew, which are more likely to occur in winter due to climate change, can increase biomass production. This is the result of a new study by German researchers.

Researchers at the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research (UFZ), the University of Bayreuth, and the Helmholtz Center in Munich provided a surface for their experiment. In the University of Bayreuth Botanical Garden with underfloor heating, which led to five additional periods of dew in the winter. Ten percent more grass and other biomass grew later in the manipulated areas than in the control areas.

The increase in plant productivity can be explained by various factors, such as an increase in nitrogen reserves in the spring, the researchers write in the New Phytologist Journal.

Changing phases of frost and dew

Soils that are subject to freezing and thawing cycles as the seasons change now cover more than 55 million square kilometers. This is more than half of the total landmass of the northern hemisphere.

Forecasts such as The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report predict that global warming will be more likely to fluctuate around the freezing point in the future.

Changing the phases of frost and dew is considering one of the main factors in the release of nitrogen into the soil and, consequently, increases the activity of microbes.

Global warming and increased lack of insulating snow cover will exacerbate these changes.

However, apart from research from the north of Sweden, there are virtually no studies that study the significance of these plant change processes.

Due to global warming and the increasing lack of insulating snow cover, frost changes will intensify. However, there are hardly any studies that would investigate the significance of these plant metabolism processes.

Influence of extreme weather phenomena

Scientists from George Crailing of the University of Bayreuth have set up a test field on the outskirts of the city to study the effects of extreme weather events such as drought, heavy rainfall, and frost. The area lies in the transition zone between oceanic and continental climate. The average temperature here in January is -1 degrees Celsius.

One hundred plants of widespread grasses were planted on thirty out of four square meters of land. When the soil temperature dropping below zero for 48 hours, the soil was heating until the temperature rose above zero for 48 hours.

Artificial frosts

In addition to the three natural changes in frosts, the researchers added a total of five artificial ones and then compared different areas. The following summer, the plants were harvested twice, dried, and then weighed.

It turned out that the controlled areas produce ten percent more aboveground biomass than the control areas, where during the previous winter there were fewer changes between periods of frost and dew.

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In addition to harming the environment, plastic utensils can harm the human body.

Is it safe to use disposable tableware?

We now live in the so-called Plastic Age. This material is used for everything in a row because of its cheapness and lightness. However, there are already a large number of studies proving the dangers of plastic.

Under the influence of temperature or time, it can emit harmful chemicals into beverages or foods. So, any plastic is dangerous in contact with food, especially if it has scratches that will inevitably appear over time.

What to look for when choosing a reusable plastic container?

Choose only PP polypropylene (“5”), be sure to look for the markings in the triangle on the container and its lid.

But we recommend using non-plastic alternatives – ceramics, glass, food steel (marked “18/8” or “18/10”). Such materials will last much longer. Moreover, glass and ceramics can be safely heated.

What foods should not be stored in plastic containers?

• Fatty foods (oil, fish, etc.)

Oils can be bought in glass, or pour into glass bottles at home for long-term storage.

• Alcohol

Especially beer and light drinks.

• Vinegar

The vinegar reacts quite aggressively with plastic. It is dangerous to use it for eating after contact with the bottle.

• Hot foods

Try not to store any foods in plastic. And even freeze food in glass jars or natural bags. Low temperatures, as well as high temperatures, open the way for chemicals to our foods.

Any plastic enters into a chemical reaction, and its microparticles get into food. To date, scientists have discovered that nine types of plastic can accumulate in the human body.

Manufacturers advise to look at the marks and use the dishes according to them. For example, if there is no label that it can be used for hot drinks, it is better not to do so, because Bisphenol A (BPA) may be released. It is harmful to human health. It is best to prefer dishes made of glass, clay, ceramics.

But if you can not do without plastic:

• choose denser plastic for packaging;
• prefer reusable containers and bottles;
• do not use disposable utensils a second time.

If you bought water in a plastic bottle – do not throw it, do not subject it to any deformation. It is also important to avoid direct sunlight, do not leave it on the windowsill or in the car so that the water does not heat up.

FYI: If plastic is intended only for cold foods, it is not necessary to store hot foods in it. For each plastic product, there is regulatory documentation that you can request from the manufacturer. It must indicate the shelf life of this product and its chemical properties. The manufacturer usually gives a warranty period: if it is written that it is a year of operation, the safety of use applies only to this period, no more.

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The ozone layer of the earth is the part of the stratosphere in which ozone atoms are present. The ozone layer creates a thin protective film over the surface of the entire globe and protects all living things from the effects of solar radiation – ultraviolet.

What is the danger?

It is no secret that refrigerants used in old air conditioners pose a danger to the environment. Upon entering the atmosphere, R-22 freon evaporates, rises to the top and, when interacting with ultraviolet light, destroys the ozone layer of the earth. Currently, air conditioners use a new refrigerant – Freon R-410A is completely safe for the environment and much more efficient when used as a “working body” of the air conditioner.

R-410A Freon cannot be used in older air conditioners due to the fact that the operating pressure required for normal operation of the air conditioner with R-410A Freon is one and a half times higher than in old air conditioners with R-22 Freon.

Recommendations in use

Do not forget that you need to use the air conditioner in hot weather properly to avoid unpleasant consequences.

According to experts, after a long break in the use of the air conditioner, you need to wash its filters and wipe the surface of the device under the cover, experts say. This is necessary to avoid the spread of dust and microorganisms that can cause an allergic reaction.

Also, ecologists recommend not to open the windows when the air conditioner is running. This is due to the fact that when you open the window, you can only achieve higher energy consumption – that from the point of view of ecology not be good. The conditioner does not increase the oxygen content in the room, does not replace ventilation. For humans, it is useful only because it affects the body’s heat exchange – ecologists say.

Experts also remind us about the need to service the air conditioner on time.

Currently, there are about 1.2 billion air conditioners in the world, the maximum efficiency of which reaches only 14% of theoretical performance (for comparison, LED lamps to work with an efficiency of up to 89%). The installation of air conditioners in a quantity of 3.3 billion new units is projected by 2050, ie this is a market that is really worth fighting for.

However, not enough is done to increase the efficiency of technology, because manufacturers are interested in reducing the cost of models in retail, but not in reducing the cost of their long-term operation and reducing environmental impact through greater energy efficiency.

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1. Renewability

Speaking about solar energy, first of all, it is necessary to mention that it is a renewable energy source, unlike fossil fuels – coal, oil, gas, which are not being restored. According to NASA, about 6.5 billion years old, the inhabitants of the Earth have nothing to worry about – about as much as the Sun will warm our planet with its rays until it explodes.

2. Abundance

The potential of solar energy is huge – the surface of the Earth is irradiated with 120 thousand terawatts of sunlight, which is 20 thousand times higher than the world demand for it.

3. Persistence

In addition, the solar energy is inexhaustible and constant – it can not be overpaid in the process of meeting the needs of mankind in energy carriers, so that it will be enough in abundance and for the share of future generations.

4. Availability

In addition to other advantages of solar energy, it is available in every point of the world – not only in the equatorial zone of the Earth, but also in the northern latitudes.

5. Ecological cleanliness

In light of the latest trends in the struggle for the ecological purity of the Earth, solar energy is the most promising sector, which partially replaces the energy received from non-renewable fuel resources and, thus, is a fundamental step towards protecting the climate from global warming. The production, transportation, installation and use of solar power plants is practically not accompanied by harmful emissions into the atmosphere. Even if they are present in a small amount, then compared to traditional sources of energy – this is almost zero impact on the environment.

6. Noiselessness

Due to the fact that in systems on the solar resource there are no moving nodes, as, for example, in generators, the generation of electricity is noiseless.

7. Efficiency, low operating costs

Moving to solar panels as an autonomous energy source, owners of frequent houses receive tangible savings. It is also important that maintenance of solar-powered power systems is characterized by low costs – it is only necessary to clean solar cells several times a year, and the manufacturer’s warranty on them is usually 20-25 years.

8. Extensive field of application

Solar energy has a wide range of applications – it is the generation of electricity in regions where there is no connection to a centralized power supply system, and desalination of water in Africa, and even the supply of energy to satellites in near-earth orbit. Not in vain, the solar energy is recently called “folk” – this name reflects the simplicity of its integration into the electricity supply system at home, both in the case of photoelectric and thermal elements.

9. Innovative technologies

Every year, technologies in the production of solar cells are becoming more sophisticated – thin-film modules are introduced directly into building materials at the stage of erection of structures. Japanese concern Sharp – the leader in the production of solar panels, recently introduced an innovative system of transparent storage elements for window glazing. Modern achievements in the field of nanotechnology and quantum physics allow us to talk about a possible increase in the power of solar panels in 3 times.

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We are not very interested in what happens to nature. We do not discuss ecology problems in popular programs. And even less do to solve these problems.

If half the animals died in the zoo, next week it would appear in the news on the front page. But it happens in nature. This damage is not inevitable, but is a consequence of our way of life.

Thanks to nature we have food, clean water and air, necessary for our well-being.

The rate of decline in numbers of animals, fish and birds was calculated by analyzing 10,000 different populations containing 3,000 species. These data were used to calculate the index of the “Living Planet Index” (LPI), reflecting the state of all 45,000 known vertebrate animals.

LPI is a clear and reliable indicator adopted by the UN Convention on Biological Diversity as a key indicator of biodiversity.

Ecological footprint

The second indicator used by scientists is the “ecological footprint” of humanity, i.e. measure of human impact on the environment. About what it is I wrote in more detail in this article. People destroy forests faster than they are able to recover, fish are caught faster than the oceans can replenish it, fresh water is pumped out faster than rainfall can compensate for its loss. Now more carbon dioxide is released than absorbed by oceans and forests.

According to scientists, for the average world consumption rate for 2014 requires 1.5 planet Earth, and for the rate of consumption of the US requires 4 Earth.

Freshwater systems

The fastest rate of decline in animal populations is found in freshwater ecosystems. Since 1970, the number of populations has declined by 75%. “Rivers are the bottom of the system,” said Dave Tickner, WWF’s chief adviser on freshwater resources. “Whatever happens on land, everything ends in rivers.” For example, he said, tens of billions of tons of wastewater are discharged into the Ganges River in India every year.

In addition to pollution, freshwater systems are destroyed by dams and increased water absorption. In the world there are more than 45,000 large dams of 15 m or more. Rivers in this case are divided into many small pieces, which prevents a natural healthy flow of water. In the last century, the number of people increased fourfold, and water consumption increased seven-fold.

Ground animals

Since 1970, the number of animals living on Earth has decreased by 40%. In Central Africa, the level of poaching of forest elephants exceeds the birth rate. Due to habitat destruction, the populations of gibbon hoods in Bangladesh and European snakes such as meadow are shrinking. And there are many such examples. However, there remains a weak hope that some nature conservation actions can help save some species, as happened with tigers in Nepal.

Sea creatures

The number of marine animals also decreased in general by 40%, in particular, sea turtles suffered significantly. Hunting, the destruction of nesting grounds and death in fishing nets resulted in the number of turtles decreasing by 80%. Some species of birds were also severely affected. Because of the intensification of agriculture, the number of gray partridges in the United Kingdom has decreased by 50% since 1970, the red-head in Australia lost 80% of the population in 20 years before 2005.

The largest decline in animal numbers was traced in developing low-income countries, while the situation in the rich countries improved somewhat. But the destruction of wildlife in rich countries has already occurred long before 1970 – the last wolf in Britain was shot in 1680.

So, it does not matter whether you are interested in the survival of animals, it’s a pity they are talking about the environment of a person, and this applies to everyone. We need to take action to maintain nature and its habitat, so that we do not suffer the fate of the dying animals. And measures must be taken quickly. The rate of change in the environment is increasing.

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