Man and woman 

Global problems, the name is the essence of the solution. Global problems of our time and methods for solving them

The global problems of our time should be understood as a set of problems on the solution of which the further existence of civilization depends.

Global problems are generated by uneven development of different areas of life modern humanity and contradictions generated in socio-economic, political-ideological, socio-natural and other relations of people. These problems affect the life of humanity as a whole.

Global problems of humanity- these are problems that affect the vital interests of the entire population of the planet and require the joint efforts of all states of the world to be solved.

The global problems of our time include:

This set is not constant and as human civilization develops, the understanding of existing global problems changes, their priority is adjusted, and new global problems arise (space exploration, weather and climate control, etc.).

North-South problem is a problem economic relations developed countries with developing ones. Its essence is that in order to bridge the gap in the levels of socio-economic development between developed and developing countries, the latter require various concessions from developed countries, in particular, expanding access for their goods to the markets of developed countries, increasing the influx of knowledge and capital (especially in the form assistance), debt write-off and other measures in relation to them.

One of the main global problems is poverty problem. Poverty refers to the inability to provide the simplest and most affordable living conditions for most people in a given country. High levels of poverty, especially in developing countries, pose a serious danger not only to national, but also to global sustainable development.

World food problem lies in the inability of humanity to date to fully provide itself with vital food products. This problem appears in practice as a problem absolute food shortage(malnutrition and hunger) in the least developed countries, as well as nutritional imbalances in developed countries. Its decision will largely depend on effective use, scientific and technological progress in agriculture and the level of government support.

Global energy problem is the problem of providing humanity with fuel and energy now and in the foreseeable future. The main reason for the global energy problem should be considered the rapid increase in the consumption of mineral fuels in the 20th century. If developed countries are now solving this problem primarily by slowing down the growth of their demand by reducing energy intensity, then in other countries there is a relatively rapid increase in energy consumption. Added to this may be growing competition in the global energy market between developed countries and newly large industrialized countries (China, India, Brazil). All these circumstances, combined with military-political instability in some regions, can cause significant fluctuations in the level of energy resources and seriously affect the dynamics of supply and demand, as well as the production and consumption of energy goods, sometimes creating crisis situations.

The ecological potential of the world economy is increasingly undermined by human economic activity. The answer to this was environmentally sustainable development concept. It involves the development of all countries of the world, taking into account current needs, but not undermining the interests of future generations.

Protection environment is an important part of development. In the 70s 20th century economists realized important environmental problems for economic development. Processes of environmental degradation can be self-replicating, which threatens society with irreversible destruction and resource depletion.

Global demographic problem falls into two aspects: in a number of countries and regions of the developing world and the demographic aging of the population of developed and transition countries. For the former, the solution is to increase economic growth and reduce population growth. For the second - emigration and reform of the pension system.

Relationship between population growth and economic growth long time is the subject of research by economists. As a result of research, two approaches to assessing the impact of population growth on economic development have been developed. The first approach is to one degree or another connected with the theory of Malthus, who believed that population growth is faster than growth and therefore the world population is inevitable. The modern approach to assessing the role of population on the economy is comprehensive and reveals both positive and negative factors the impact of population growth on .

Many experts believe that the real problem is not population growth per se, but the following problems:

  • underdevelopment - retardation in development;
  • depletion of the world's resources and environmental destruction.

The problem of human development is a compliance problem quality characteristics the nature of the modern economy. In the conditions of post-industrialization, the requirements for the physical qualities and especially for the education of the worker increase, including his ability to constantly improve his skills. However, the development of the qualitative characteristics of the labor force in the world economy is extremely uneven. The worst indicators in this regard are demonstrated by developing countries, which, however, are the main source of replenishment of global labor resources. This is what determines global character problems of human development.

Increasing interdependence and reduction of time and space barriers create a situation of collective insecurity from various threats, from which a person cannot always be saved by his state. This requires the creation of conditions that enhance a person’s ability to independently withstand risks and threats.

Ocean problem is the problem of preserving and rationally using its spaces and resources. Currently, the World Ocean is a closed ecological system can hardly withstand the man-made load that has increased many times over, and there is a real threat of its death. Therefore, the global problem of the World Ocean is, first of all, the problem of its survival and, consequently, the survival of modern man.

Ways to solve global problems of our time

Solving these problems is an urgent task for all of humanity today. The survival of people depends on when and how they begin to be resolved. The following ways to solve global problems of our time are identified.

Preventing World War with the use of thermonuclear weapons and other means of mass destruction that threaten the destruction of civilization. This involves curbing the arms race, prohibiting the creation and use of weapons systems of mass destruction, human and material resources, the elimination of nuclear weapons, etc.;

Overcoming economic and cultural inequalities between the peoples inhabiting the industrialized countries of the West and East and the developing countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America;

Overcoming a crisis interaction between humanity and nature, which is characterized by catastrophic consequences in the form of unprecedented environmental pollution and depletion of natural resources. This makes it necessary to develop measures aimed at the economical use of natural resources and the reduction of pollution of soil, water and air by waste from material production;

Declining population growth rate in developing countries and overcoming the demographic crisis in developed capitalist countries;

Prevention negative consequences modern scientific and technological revolution;

Overcoming the downward trend in social health, which involves combating alcoholism, drug addiction, cancer, AIDS, tuberculosis and other diseases.

Global problems of humanity. essence and solutions

Global are problems that cover the whole world, all of humanity, pose a threat to its present and future and require united efforts and joint actions of all states and peoples to be solved.

In the scientific literature you can find various lists of global problems, where their number varies from 8-10 to 40-45. This is explained by the fact that, along with global problems, there are many more private problems.

There are also various classifications global problems. Usually among them are:

1) problems of the most “universal” nature;

2) problems of a natural and economic nature;

3) problems of a social nature;

4) problems mixed character.

The main global problems include the following.

I. Environmental problem. Depletion of the environment as a result of irrational use of natural resources, pollution by solid, liquid and gaseous waste, and poisoning by radioactive waste have led to significant degradation of the global environmental problem. In some countries, the tension of the environmental problem has reached an ecological crisis. The concept of an ecological crisis area and an area with a catastrophic environmental situation has emerged. A global environmental threat has emerged in the form of uncontrolled climate change on Earth and destruction of the ozone layer in the stratosphere.

Currently, an increasing number of countries are beginning to join forces to solve the environmental problem. World community proceeds from the fact that the main way to solve the environmental problem is to organize the production and non-production activities of people in such a way that would ensure normal eco-development, conservation and transformation of the environment in the interests of humanity and every person.

II. Demographic problem. The population explosion around the world has already begun to wane. In order to solve the demographic problem, the UN adopted the “World Population Plan of Action”, in the implementation of which both geographers and demographers participate. At the same time, progressive forces proceed from the fact that family planning programs can help improve population reproduction. For this, demographic policy alone is not enough. It must be accompanied by an improvement in the economic and social living conditions of people.

III. The problem of peace and disarmament, preventing nuclear war. An agreement on the reduction and limitation of offensive weapons between countries is currently being developed. Civilization is faced with the task of creating a comprehensive security system, phased elimination nuclear arsenals, reducing arms trade, demilitarizing the economy.


IV. Food problem. Currently, according to the UN, almost 2/3 of humanity lives in countries where there is a constant shortage of food. To solve this problem, humanity must make fuller use of the resources of crop production, livestock farming and fisheries. However, it can go in two ways. The first is the extensive path, which consists of further expansion of arable, pasture and fishing grounds. The second is an intensive way, which consists of increasing the biological productivity of existing land. Biotechnology, the use of new high-yielding varieties, and the further development of mechanization, chemicalization and land reclamation will be of decisive importance here.

V. Energy and raw materials problem- First of all, the problem of providing humanity with fuel and raw materials. Fuel and energy resources are constantly being depleted, and in a few hundred years they may disappear altogether. Enormous opportunities for solving this problem are opened up by the achievements of scientific and technical progress, and at all stages of the technological chain.

VI. The problem of human health. Recently, when assessing the quality of life of people, the state of their health comes first. Despite the fact that great strides have been made in the fight against many diseases in the 20th century, a large number of diseases still continue to threaten people's lives.

VII. The problem of using the World Ocean, which plays an important role in communication between countries and peoples. Recently, the aggravation of the raw materials and energy problems has led to the emergence of offshore mining and chemical industry, marine energy. The worsening food problem has increased interest in the biological resources of the Ocean. Deepening international division labor and the development of trade are accompanied by an increase in maritime transport.

As a result of all industrial and scientific activities within the World Ocean and the “ocean-land” contact zone, a special component world economy - maritime economy. It includes the mining and manufacturing industries, fisheries, energy, transport, trade, recreation and tourism. Such activities gave rise to another problem - the extremely uneven development of the resources of the World Ocean, pollution of the marine environment, and its use as an arena for military activity. The main way to solve the problem of using the World Ocean is rational oceanic environmental management, a balanced, integrated approach to its wealth, based on the combined efforts of the entire world community.

VIII. The problem of space exploration. Space is the common heritage of humanity. Space programs have recently become more complex and require the concentration of technical, economic, and intellectual efforts of many countries and peoples. World space exploration is based on the use the latest achievements science and technology, production and management.

Each of the global problems has its own specific content. But they are all closely interconnected. Recently, the center of gravity of global problems has been moving to the countries of the developing world. The food problem in these countries has become most catastrophic. The plight of most developing countries has become a major global and global problem. Main path its solution lies in carrying out fundamental socio-economic transformations in all spheres of life and activity of these countries, in the development of scientific and technological progress, international cooperation.

2) Global studies is a field of knowledge that studies global problems of humanity.

Global problems:

They concern all of humanity, affecting the interests of all countries, peoples, and layers of society;

Lead to significant economic and social losses and may threaten the existence of humanity;

They can only be resolved through cooperation on a planetary scale.

The main reason for the emergence (or rather, close study) of global problems is the globalization of economic and political relations! è awareness that the world is interdependent and that there are common problems whose solutions are vital.

Dr. reasons: rapid growth of humanity.

Great pace of technological progress

Scientific and technological revolution is the transformation of productive forces (the introduction of new technologies) and production relations (including the relationship between man and nature).

The need for a large amount of natural resources and the awareness that many of them will sooner or later run out.

“Cold War” people really felt the threat of the destruction of humanity.

The main global problems: the problem of peace and disarmament, demographic, environmental, food, energy, raw materials, the problem of the development of the world's oceans, space exploration, the problem of overcoming the backwardness of developing countries, nationalism, deficit of democracy, terrorism, drug addiction, etc.

Classification of global problems according to Yu. Gladkov:

1. The most universal problems of watering. and social economics. character (prevention nuclear war, ensuring sustainable development of the world community)

2. Problems of a natural and economic nature (food, environmental)

3. Problems of a social nature (demographic, democratic deficit)

4. Problems of a mixed nature leading to loss of life (regional conflicts, technological accidents, natural disasters)

5. Problems of a purely scientific nature (space exploration)

6. Small problems of a synthetic nature (bureaucratization, etc.)

The problem and its essence Causes of occurrence (or exacerbation) Solutions Achieved results and creatures. difficulties
1. Prevention of war; the problem of peace and disarmament - the world is under threat of destruction by nuclear war or something like that 1. Two world wars of the 20th century 2. Technological progress. Creation and proliferation of new types of weapons (in particular nuclear weapons) 1. Establishment of stricter control over nuclear and chemical weapons 2. Reduction of conventional weapons and arms trade 3. General reduction in military spending 1) Signing of international treaties: on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons (1968 - 180th state), on the ban on nuclear tests, the convention on the prohibition of the development, production, chemicals. weapons (1997), etc. 2) The arms trade decreased by 2 rubles. (from 1987 to 1994) 3) Reduction of military spending by 1/3 (for the 1990s) 4) Strengthened control over the non-proliferation of nuclear and other weapons by the international community (Example: activities of the IAEA, etc. international organizations) but not all countries have joined the treaties on the non-proliferation of various types of weapons, or some countries are withdrawing from such treaties (Example: the United States unilaterally withdrew from the ABM Treaty in 2002); The activities of some countries give reason to believe that they are developing nuclear weapons (North Korea, Iran). Armed conflicts do not stop (Lebanon - Israel, the war in Iraq, etc.) - In a word, everything is still far from perfect...
2. Environmental problem - Expressed in environmental degradation and increasing environmental crisis - Manifests itself in various natural disasters, climate change, deterioration in the quality of water, land, resources 1. Irrational use of natural resources (deforestation, waste of resources, drainage of swamps, etc.) 2. Pollution of the environment with human waste. activities (metallization, radioactive contamination...etc.) 3. Economy. development without taking into account the capabilities of the natural environment (dirty industries, giant factories, And all these negative factors accumulated and finally - environmental awareness. Problems! Carrying out environmental policy at the state, regional and global levels: 1. Optimization of the use of natural resources in the process of social production (Ex: introduction of resource-saving technologies) 2. Nature conservation (Ex: creation of specially protected natural zones; regulation of harmful emissions) 3. Ensuring environmental safety population. Success depends on the level of socio-economic development individual countries(it is clear that developing countries cannot afford to produce environmentally friendly garbage bags) + international cooperation! 1) The existence of the problem was realized and measures were taken 2) Carrying out international conferences and forums (UN World Conference on the Environment) 3) Signing of international. conventions, agreements, etc. (World Conservation Charter (1980), Declaration on Environment and Development (during the conference in Rio de J. in 1992), Helsinki Protocol (set the goal of reducing CO2 emissions), Kyoto Protocol (1997 - limited greenhouse gas emissions gases), Earth Charter (2002), etc. 4) Creation and activities of international governmental and non-governmental organizations, programs (Greenpeace, UNEP) 5) Strict environmental legislation in a number of countries + introduction of environmental technologies, etc. VIS spend 1-1.5% of GDP on “ecology” VIS spend 0.3% of GDP on “ecology” in poor countries (owing 0.7%) but this problem receives little attention and money. Relocation of dirty production facilities is practiced, but general condition The earth is not improving because of this. Many developing countries are still on an extensive development path and cannot afford to spend money on greening.
3. Demographic problem - The world's population is growing too quickly (population explosion since the 1960s) food shortages, poverty, epidemics, unemployment, migration, etc. Most developing countries have entered the second phase of reproduction (ç wider use of the achievements of world medicine, minor advances in the economy) Mortality decreased, and the birth rate remained very high for 2-3 generations Implementation of demographic policy: - Economic measures (Ex: benefits, allowances) - Administrative and legal (Ex: regulation of the age of marriage, permission of abortions) · Educational Because for conducting demogr. politics requires a lot of money, then international cooperation is needed In some countries (China, Thailand, Argentina), where demogr. The policy managed to reduce the population growth rate to 1% per year. In some - a demographer. the explosion subsided (Brazil, Iran, Morocco, Chile). Basically, this problem is solved only by “advanced” developing countries. In the poorest (Afghanistan, Uganda, Togo, Benin) the situation has not yet changed for the better. World conferences and forums are held on population issues. Organizations (UNFPA - United Nations Population Fund)
4. Food problem Human nutritional intake per day = 2400-2500 kcal (world average per person is 2700 kcal) 25% of people do not get enough. protein, 40% - adequate. vitamins This mainly concerns developing countries (the number of undernourished people can reach 40-45%) 1) Population growth is outpacing the increase in grain production and other food products (population explosion, erosion, desertification, lack of fresh water, climate factor) 2) Low social economy. level of development of many developing countries (there is no money to produce or buy food) A. Extensively: Expansion of arable and pasture lands (1.5 billion of land is in reserve) B. Intensively: Using the achievements of the green revolution (see the question about the green revolution). 1) International cooperation in this area (1974 World Food Conference; World Food Council established) 2) Food aid (Ex: 40% of all food imports into Africa)

(according to UN report 2006)
5. Energy and raw materials - the problem of reliable provision of humanity with fuel, energy, raw materials This problem has always existed, it became especially aggravated (manifested on a global scale) in the 70s (energy crisis). The main reasons: too much growth in the consumption of mineral fuels and other resources (in the 20th century, more was produced than in the entire history of mankind). va) => depletion of many deposits, deterioration of conditions for resource extraction and development of deposits Additional. reasons for energy problems: the need to abandon some types of “too dirty” fuel, global competition for fuel A. Traditional Increasing resource extraction · New deposits · Increasing "extractability" B. Policy of energy and resource conservation (many measures, including a focus on the use of renewable and non-traditional fuels, the use of secondary raw materials) C. Radically new solutions - using the achievements of scientific and technological revolution (Example: nuclear energy, the use of hydrogen engines, etc.) Many new fields have been found (Ex: number of proven oil reserves - 10 rubles since 1950 + the world's resources are being actively developed) + new technologies are being introduced into production Energy saving policies are being actively pursued (mainly in VIS) Ex: Energy intensity of GDP VIS by 1/3 (compared to 1970). Activities of the IAEA and other int. organizations (including coordination of international programs for the development of new types of fuel) BUT: The economies of most countries remain energy-intensive Most countries are trying to solve this problem “by force” Natural resources are still used inefficiently (Ex: World average beneficial use primary resources does not exceed 1\3)

Modernity is a series social problems development of civilization, which, however, are not limited exclusively to the social aspect, and affect almost all areas of society: economic, political, environmental, psychological. These problems have been formed over many years, which are characterized by the rapid development of various spheres of human life, and therefore the methods for solving them do not have clear options.

Philosophy and global problems of our time

Awareness of any problems is the first stage in solving them, because only understanding can lead to effective actions. For the first time, the global problems of our time were comprehended by philosophers. Indeed, who else but philosophers will be engaged in understanding the dynamics of the development of civilization? After all, global problems require full analysis and consideration different points vision.

The main global problems of our time

So, he studies global processes. They arise as an objective factor of human existence, i.e. arise due to human activities. Global problems of our time are not numerous:

  1. The so-called “neglectable aging”. This problem was first raised in 1990 by Caleb Finch. Here we're talking about about expanding the boundaries of life expectancy. A lot has been devoted to this topic. scientific research, which were aimed at studying the causes of aging and methods that can slow it down or even reverse it. However, as practice shows, the solution to this issue is quite a long way off.
  2. The North-South problem. It includes understanding the large development gap between northern and southern countries. Thus, in most countries of the South, the concepts of “hunger” and “poverty” are still a pressing problem for large parts of the population.
  3. The problem of preventing thermonuclear war. It implies the damage that could be caused to all of humanity in the event of the use of nuclear or thermonuclear weapons. The problem of peace between peoples and political forces, the struggle for common prosperity, is also acute here.
  4. Preventing pollution and maintaining ecological balance.
  5. Global warming.
  6. The problem of diseases: AIDS, cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
  7. Demographic imbalance.
  8. Terrorism.

Global problems of our time: what are the solutions?

  1. Negligible aging. Modern science is taking steps towards studying aging, but the question of the feasibility of this still remains relevant. In the mythological legends of different peoples one can find the idea of ​​eternal life, however, the elements that make up the concept of evolution today conflict with the idea of ​​eternal life and prolongation of youth.
  2. The problem of the North and South, which is illiteracy and poverty of the population of southern countries, is solved with the help of charitable actions, but it cannot be solved until the countries lagging behind in development become developed in political and economic aspects.
  3. The problem of preventing the use of nuclear and thermonuclear weapons, in fact, cannot be exhausted as long as the capitalist understanding of relations dominates in society. Only with a transition to another level of assessment of human life and peaceful coexistence can the problem be solved. Acts and agreements concluded between countries on non-use are not a 100% guarantee that war will not break out one day.
  4. The problem of maintaining the ecological balance of the planet today is being solved with the help of political forces that are concerned about this, as well as with the help of organizations that are trying to preserve endangered species of animals, planting plants and organizing events and campaigns that are aimed at attracting public attention to this problem . However, a technological society is unlikely to be able to preserve the environment 100%.
  5. Questions about global warming have long worried scientists, but the reasons that cause warming are not clear. at the moment cannot be eliminated.
  6. The problems of incurable diseases at the present stage find a partial solution offered by medicine. Fortunately, today this issue is relevant for scientific knowledge and the state is allocating funds to ensure that these problems are studied and effective medicines are invented by doctors.
  7. The demographic imbalance between the countries of the south and north finds a solution in the form of legislative acts: for example, Russian legislation encourages high birth rates in the form of additional payments large families, and, for example, Japanese legislation, on the contrary, limits the ability of families to have many children.
  8. Currently, the problem of terrorism is very acute after a number of high-profile tragic incidents. The internal security services of states are doing everything possible to counter terrorism on the territory of their country and prevent the unification of terrorist organizations on an international scale.

Lately, you are increasingly hearing about globalization (from the English global, world, worldwide), which means a sharp expansion and deepening of relationships and interdependencies between countries, peoples and individuals. Globalization covers areas politicians, economics, culture. And at its core are the activities of political economic unions, TNCs, creation of a global information space, global financial capital. However, so far only the “golden billion,” as residents of highly developed post-industrial Western countries, whose total population is approaching 1 billion, can benefit most from the benefits of globalization.

It was precisely this inequality that gave rise to the massive anti-globalization movement. The process of globalization is closely related to the emergence of global problems of humanity, which have become the focus of attention of scientists, politicians and the general public, and are studied by many sciences, including geography. This is because each of them has its own geographical aspects and manifests itself differently in different regions of the world. Let us remember that N.N. Baransky called on geographers to “think in continents.” However, nowadays this approach is no longer enough. Global problems cannot be solved only “globally” or even “regionally”. Their solution must begin with countries and regions.

That is why scientists put forward the slogan: “Think globally, act locally!” When considering global issues, you will need to summarize the knowledge gained from studying all the topics in the textbook.

Therefore, it is a more complex, synthesizing material. However, it should not be treated as purely theoretical. After all, in essence, global problems directly affect each of you as a small “particle” of the whole united and multifaceted humanity.

The concept of global problems.

The last decades of the twentieth century. have posed many acute and complex problems to the peoples of the world, which are called global.

Global are problems that cover the whole world, all of humanity, pose a threat to its present and future and require united efforts and joint actions of all states and peoples for their solution.

In the scientific literature you can find various lists of global problems, where their number varies from 8-10 to 40-45. This is explained by the fact that, along with the main, priority global problems (which will be discussed further in the textbook), there are a number of more specific, but also very important problems: for example, crime. Harmfulness, separatism, democratic deficit, man-made disasters, natural disasters. As already noted, the problem of international terrorism has recently acquired particular relevance, and in fact has also become one of the highest priorities.

There are also different classifications of global problems. But usually among them there are: 1) problems of the most “universal” nature, 2) problems of a natural-economic nature, 3) problems of a social nature, 4) problems of a mixed nature.

There are also “older” and “newer” global problems. Their priority may also change over time. So, at the end of the twentieth century. Environmental and demographic problems came to the fore, while the problem of preventing a third world war became less pressing.

Environmental problem

“There is only one Earth!” Back in the 40s. Academician V.I. Vernadsky (1863 1945), the founder of the doctrine of the noosphere (sphere of reason), wrote that the economic activities of people began to have an impact on the geographical environment no less powerful than geological processes occurring in nature itself. Since then, the “metabolism” between society and nature has increased many times and acquired a global scale. However, by “conquering” nature, people have largely undermined the natural foundations of their own life.

The intensive way consists primarily of increasing the biological productivity of existing land. Biotechnology, the use of new, high-yielding varieties and new methods of soil cultivation, the further development of mechanization, chemicalization, as well as land reclamation, the history of which goes back several thousand years, starting with Mesopotamia, will be of decisive importance for it. Ancient Egypt and India.

Example. Only during the twentieth century. The area of ​​irrigated land increased from 40 to 270 million hectares. Nowadays these lands occupy approximately 20% of cultivated land, but provide up to 40% of agricultural products. Irrigated agriculture is used in 135 countries, with 3/5 of irrigated land located in Asia.

A new unconventional method of food production is also being developed, which consists of “designing” artificial food products based on protein from natural raw materials. Scientists have calculated that in order to provide the world's population with food, it was necessary in the last quarter of the twentieth century. increase the volume of agricultural production by 2 times, and by the middle of the 21st century by 5 times. Calculations show that if the level of agriculture achieved to date in many developed countries were extended to all countries of the world, it would be possible to fully satisfy the food needs of 10 billion people and even more. . Hence , the intensive path is the main way to solve humanity's food problem. Already now it provides 9/10 of the total increase in agricultural production. (Creative task 4.)

Energy and raw materials problems: causes and solutions

These are, first of all, the problems of reliable provision of humanity with fuel and raw materials. And it happened before that the problem of resource availability acquired a certain urgency. But usually this applied to certain areas and countries with an “Incomplete” composition of natural resources. On a global scale, it first appeared, perhaps, in the 70s, which is explained by several reasons.

Among them are a very rapid increase in production with a relative limitation of proven reserves of oil, natural gas and some other types of fuel and raw materials, deterioration of mining and geological conditions of production, an increase in the territorial gap between areas of production and consumption, promotion of production to areas of new development with extreme natural conditions, the negative impact of the industry for the extraction and processing of mineral raw materials on the environmental situation, etc. Consequently, in our era, more than ever before, there is a need for rational use of mineral resources, which, as you know, are classified as exhaustible and non-renewable.

The achievements of scientific and technological revolution open up enormous opportunities for this, and at all stages of the technological chain. Thus, more complete extraction of minerals from the bowels of the Earth is important.

Example. With existing methods of oil production, its recovery factor ranges from 0.25-0.45, which is clearly insufficient and means that most of its geological reserves remain in the bowels of the earth. Increasing the oil recovery factor by even 1% gives a large economic effect.


Large reserves exist in increasing the efficiency of already extracted fuel and raw materials. Indeed, with existing equipment and technology, this coefficient is usually approximately 0.3. Therefore, in the literature you can find a statement by one English physicist that the efficiency of modern energy installations is approximately at the same level as if you had to burn the whole house to fry a pork carcass... It is not surprising that recently great attention The focus is not so much on further increasing production, but on energy and material conservation. GDP growth in many countries of the North has been occurring for a long time without actually increasing the consumption of fuel and raw materials. Due to rising oil prices, many countries are increasingly using non-traditional renewable energy sources (NRES) - wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass energy. Non-renewable energy sources are inexhaustible and environmentally friendly. Work continues to increase efficiency and reliability nuclear energy. The use of MHD generators, hydrogen energy and fuel cells has already begun. . And ahead is the mastery of controlled thermonuclear fusion, which is comparable to the invention of a steam engine or a computer. (Creative task 8.)

The problem of human health: a global aspect

Recently, in world practice, when assessing the quality of life of people, the state of their health comes first. And this is no coincidence: after all, it is precisely this that serves as the basis full life and the activities of each person, and society as a whole.

In the second half of the twentieth century. Great successes have been achieved in the fight against many diseases: plague, cholera, smallpox, yellow fever, polio, etc.

Example. In the 60-70s. The World Health Organization (WHO) carried out a wide range of medical activities to combat smallpox, which covered more than 50 countries with a population of over 2 billion people. As a result, this disease was virtually eliminated from our planet. .

However, many diseases still continue to threaten people’s lives, often becoming truly global in scope . Among them are cardiovascular diseases, from which 15 million people die every year in the world, malignant tumors, sexually transmitted diseases, drug addiction, malaria. .

Smoking continues to cause great harm to the health of hundreds of millions of people. . But AIDS poses a very special threat to all humanity.

Example. This disease, the appearance of which was noted only in the early 80s, is now called the plague of the twentieth century. According to WHO, at the end of 2005, the total number of people infected with AIDS had already exceeded 45 million people, and millions of people had already died from this disease. World AIDS Day is celebrated annually at the initiative of the UN.

When considering this topic, you should keep in mind that when assessing a person's health, one cannot limit oneself to just one's physiological health. This concept also includes moral (spiritual) and mental health, with which the situation is also unfavorable, including in Russia. This is why human health continues to be a priority global issue(Creative task 6.)

The problem of using the World Ocean: a new stage

The oceans, which occupy 71% of the Earth's surface, have always played an important role in the communication of countries and peoples. However, until the middle of the twentieth century. All types of human activity in the ocean provided only 1-2% of global income. But as scientific and technological progress developed, comprehensive research and exploration of the World Ocean took on completely different proportions.

Firstly, the aggravation of global energy and raw material problems has led to the emergence of the offshore mining and chemical industries, and offshore energy. The achievements of scientific and technological revolution open up prospects for a further increase in the production of oil and gas, ferromanganese nodules, for the extraction of the hydrogen isotope deuterium from sea water, for the construction of giant tidal power plants, and for the desalination of sea water.

Secondly, the aggravation of the global food problem has increased interest in the biological resources of the ocean, which so far provide only 2% of humanity’s food rations (but 12-15% of animal protein). Of course, fish and seafood production can and should be increased. The potential for their removal without the threat of upsetting the existing balance is being assessed by scientists different countries from 100 to 150 million tons. An additional reserve is the development mariculture. . It is not without reason that they say that fish containing little fat and cholesterol can be the “chicken of the 21st century.”

Thirdly, the deepening of the international geographical division of labor and the rapid growth of world trade are accompanied by an increase in maritime transport. This, in turn, caused a shift in production and population towards the sea and the rapid development of a number of coastal areas. Thus, many large seaports have turned into industrial port complexes, which are most characterized by such industries as shipbuilding, oil refining, petrochemicals, metallurgy, and recently some of the newest industries have begun to develop. Coastal urbanization has assumed enormous proportions.

The “population” of the Ocean itself has also increased (ship crews, personnel of drilling platforms, passengers and tourists), which now reaches 2-3 million people. It is possible that in the future it will increase even more in connection with projects to create stationary or floating islands, as in Jules Verne’s novel “The Floating Island”. . We must not forget that the Ocean serves as an important means of telegraph and telephone communication; Numerous cable lines are laid along its bottom. .

As a result of all industrial and scientific activities within the ocean and the ocean-land contact zone, a special component of the world economy arose maritime industry. It includes the mining and manufacturing industries, energy, fisheries, transport, trade, recreation and tourism. Overall, the maritime sector employs at least 100 million people.

But such activity simultaneously gave rise to a global problem of the World Ocean. Its essence lies in the extremely uneven development of the Ocean's resources, in the increasing pollution of the marine environment, and in its use as an arena for military activity. As a result, over the past decades, the intensity of life in the ocean has decreased by 1/3. That is why the UN Convention on maritime law, which is called the “Charter of the Seas”. She installed economic zones 200 nautical miles from the coast, within which the coastal state may also carry out sovereign rights on the use of biological and mineral pecyps. The main way to solve the problem of using the World Ocean is rational oceanic environmental management, a balanced, integrated approach to its wealth, based on the combined efforts of the entire world community. (Creative task 5.)

Peaceful space exploration: new horizons

Space is a global environment, the common heritage of humanity. Now that space programs have become significantly more complex, their implementation requires the concentration of technical, economic, and intellectual efforts of many countries and peoples. Therefore, space exploration has become one of the most important international and global problems.

In the second half of the twentieth century. Two main directions in the study and use of outer space have emerged: space geoscience and space production. From the very beginning, both of them became arenas for both bilateral and, especially, multilateral cooperation.

Example 1. The international organization Intersputnia, headquartered in Moscow, was created in the early 70s. Today, space communications through the Intersputnia system are used by more than 100 public and private companies in many countries around the world.

Example 2. Work has been completed to create an international space station(ISS) “Alte”, carried out by the USA, Russia, the European Space Agency, Japan, Canada. . In its final form, the ISS consists of 36 block modules. International crews work at the station. And communication with the Earth is carried out with the help of the American Space Shuttle and Russian Soyuz.

The peaceful exploration of space, which involves the abandonment of military programs, is based on the use of the latest achievements of science and technology, production and management. It already provides enormous space-based information about the Earth and its resources. The features of the future space industry, space technology, and the use of space energy resources with the help of giant solar power plants, which will be placed in a heleocentric orbit at an altitude of 36 km.

Interrelation of global problems. Overcoming the backwardness of developing countries is the largest global problem

As you have seen, each of humanity’s global problems has its own specific content. But they are all closely interconnected: energy and raw materials with environmental, environmental with demographic, demographic with food, etc. The problem of peace and disarmament directly affects all other problems. However, now that the transition from the economy of armament to the economy of disarmament has begun, the center of gravity of most global problems is increasingly moving to the countries of the developing world . The scale of their backwardness is truly enormous (see table 10).

The main manifestation and at the same time the cause of this backwardness is poverty. In Asia, Africa and Latin America, more than 1.2 billion people, or 22% of the total population of these regions, live in conditions of extreme poverty. Half of the poor people live on $1 a day, the other half on $2. Poverty and destitution are especially typical for the countries of Tropical Africa, where almost half of the total population lives on $1-2 a day. Residents of urban slums and rural hinterlands are forced to settle for a standard of living that is 5-10% of the standard of living in the richest countries.

Perhaps the food problem has acquired the most dramatic, even catastrophic, character in developing countries. Of course, hunger and malnutrition have existed in the world since the very beginnings of human development. Already in the XIX - XX centuries. famines in China, India, Ireland, many African countries and the Soviet Union claimed many millions of lives. But the existence of famine in the era of scientific and technological revolution and overproduction of food in economically developed Western countries is truly one of the paradoxes of our time. It is also generated by the general backwardness and poverty of developing countries, which have led to a huge gap between agricultural production and the needs for its products.

Nowadays, the “geography of hunger” in the world is determined primarily by the most backward countries in Africa and Asia, not affected by the “green revolution,” where a significant part of the population lives literally on the verge of starvation. More than 70 developing countries are forced to import food.

Due to diseases associated with malnutrition and hunger, lack of clean water, 40 million people die annually in developing countries (which is comparable to the human losses during the entire Second World War). world war), including 13 million children. It is no coincidence that the African girl depicted on the UN Children's Fund poster answered the question: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” answers with only one word: “Alive!”

The demographic problem of developing countries is closely related to food . The population explosion has a contradictory effect on them. On the one hand, it provides a constant influx of fresh forces, growth of labor resources, and on the other hand, it creates additional difficulties in the struggle to overcome economic backwardness, complicates the solution of many social issues, “eats” a significant part of their achievements, and increases the “Load” on the territory. In most countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, the rate of population growth is faster than the rate of food production.

You already know that recently the population explosion in developing countries has taken the form of an “urban explosion”. But, despite this, the size of the rural population in most of them is not only not decreasing, but increasing. Accordingly, the already huge agricultural overpopulation is increasing, which continues to support a wave of migration both to the “poverty belts” of large cities and abroad to richer countries. It is not surprising that the bulk of refugees come from developing countries. Recently, more and more environmental refugees have been joining the flow of economic refugees.

The already known specific age composition of the population of developing countries, where for every able-bodied person there are two dependents, is directly related to the demographic explosion. [go]. The high proportion of young people also aggravates many social problems to the extreme. The environmental problem also has a direct connection with food and demographic problems. Back in 1972, Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi called poverty the worst environmental pollution. Indeed, many of the developing countries are so poor, and the terms of international trade are so unfavorable for them, that they often have no choice but to continue to cut down rare forests, allow livestock to trample pastures, allow the relocation of “dirty” industries, etc., without caring about the future. This is precisely the root cause of processes such as desertification, deforestation, soil degradation, reduction in the species composition of fauna and flora, water and air pollution. The special vulnerability of the nature of the tropics only aggravates their consequences.

The plight of most developing countries has become a major human, global problem. Back in 1974, the UN adopted a program stipulating that by 1984 not a single person in the world would go to bed hungry.

That is why overcoming the backwardness of developing countries still remains an extremely urgent task. The main ways to solve it are to carry out fundamental socio-economic transformations in all spheres of life and activity of these countries, in the development of scientific and technological progress, international cooperation, and in demilitarization . (Creative task 8.)

Global problems of humanity in the 21st century and probable ways to solve them

Problems on a planetary scale are related to the global problems of humanity, and the fate of all humanity depends on their balanced solution. These problems are not isolated, they are interconnected and affect all aspects of the lives of people on our planet, regardless of their economic, social and cultural levels.

In modern society, it is necessary to clearly separate well-known problems from global ones in order to understand their cause and the whole world to begin to eliminate it.

After all, if we consider the problem of overpopulation, then humanity needs to understand that it can be easily dealt with if we do not spend huge amounts of money on wars and advertising, but provide access to necessary resources, and put all efforts into creating material and cultural wealth.

This raises the question, what are the true global problems that concern humanity in the twenty-first century?

World society has stepped into the 21st century with the same problems and threats to life on earth as before. Let's take a closer look at some of the problems of our time. Threats to humanity in the 21st century include:

Environmental issues

Much has already been said about such a negative phenomenon for life on Earth as global warming. Scientists to this day find it difficult to give an exact answer about the future of the climate, and what may follow from an increase in temperature on the planet. After all, the consequences may be such that the temperature will rise until winter disappears altogether, but it may also be the other way around, and global cooling will occur.

And since the point of no return in this matter has already been passed, and it is impossible to stop it, we need to look for ways to control and adapt to this problem.

Such catastrophic consequences were caused by the thoughtless activities of people who, for profit, plundered natural resources, lived one day at a time and did not think about what this could lead to.

Of course, the international community is trying to begin to solve this problem, but so far it is somehow not as active as we would like. And in the future, the climate will definitely continue to change, but in which direction it is still difficult to predict.

Threat of war

Also, one of the main global problems remains the threat of various types of military conflicts. And, unfortunately, the tendency towards its disappearance is not yet foreseen; on the contrary, it is only becoming more acute.

At all times, there have been confrontations between central and peripheral countries, where the former tried to make the latter dependent and, naturally, the latter tried to escape from it, also through wars.

The main ways and means of solving global problems

Unfortunately, ways to overcome all global problems of humanity have not yet been found. But in order for a positive shift to occur in their solution, it is necessary for humanity to direct its activities towards preserving the natural environment, peaceful existence and creating favorable living conditions for future generations.

Therefore, the main methods of solving global problems remain, first of all, the formation of consciousness and a sense of responsibility of all citizens of the planet without exception for their actions.

It is necessary to continue a comprehensive study of the causes of various internal and international conflicts and search for ways to resolve them.

It would not be superfluous to constantly inform citizens about global problems, involving the public in their control and further forecasting.

Ultimately, every person has a responsibility to take responsibility for the future of our planet and take care of it. To do this, it is necessary to look for ways to interact with the outside world, develop new technologies, conserve resources, look for alternative energy sources, etc.

Maksakovsky V.P., Geography. Economic and social geography of the world 10th grade. : textbook for general education institutions

Typology of “images of world order” by R. Robertson

Roland Robertson relatively recently he proposed an interesting typology of “images of world order.” He identified four such types.

First type – "Global Gemeinschaft I", in which the world is represented as mosaics of either closed, limited communities, or equal and unique in their institutional and cultural ordering, or hierarchical, with separate leading communities.

Second type- "Global Gemeinschaft II", which reflects the unity of the human race and personifies the global community, or the “global village”, assuming a planetary consensus on issues related to values ​​and ideas (the idea of ​​the Kingdom of God on Earth, the Christianization of various nations by the Roman Catholic Church, the peace movement, the environmental movement, the movement for international security, etc.).

Third type- "Global Gesellschaft I" giving an idea of ​​the world like a mosaic of mutually open sovereign nation-states engaged in a process of intensive economic, political and cultural exchange.

Fourth type - "Global Gesellschaft II", suggesting unification (reduction to uniformity) of national states under the auspices of a certain world government(the idea of ​​creating a world communist republic, deepening integration within the European Union, etc.).

In the global space stand out post-industrial North, controlling trade and financial channels, highly industrialized West– a set of national economies of leading industrialized powers, intensively developing new East, building life within the framework of the neo-industrial model, raw materials South, living primarily from the exploitation of natural resources, as well as states in transition in the post-communist world.

Global problems- a set of problems on the solution of which the preservation of civilization and the survival of humanity depends.

Their global nature is determined by the fact that, firstly, in their scale they affect the interests of people all over the planet, secondly, they are the result of the activities of humanity as a whole, and thirdly, their solution requires the combined efforts of all peoples and states.

The global problems of our time arose, first of all, in the process of growing contradictions in the relationship between man and nature. In other words, the emergence of global problems was the result and consequence of the manifestation of the negative aspects of the scientific and technological revolution (scientific and technological progress).

The very concept of “scientific and technological revolution” entered scientific circulation in the mid-twentieth century, after the creation of the atomic bomb. The use of new weapons of mass destruction made a huge impression on the entire population of the planet. It became clear that there had truly been a revolution in the means of human influence on other people and on the natural environment around him. Never before has it been possible for a person to be able to destroy himself and almost all life on Earth, i.e. on a global scale. Gradually, the realization came that global problems represent an inevitable side of scientific and technological revolution and as it develops, they will worsen.



Today, scientists and philosophers have identified several of the most significant and pressing global problems, the solution of which directly determines the future of human civilization. These include:

1) the problem of preventing thermonuclear war and local wars;

2) environmental problem;

3) demographic problem;

4) energy problem (problem of scarcity of natural resources);

5) the problem of overcoming the economic backwardness of developing countries;

6) the problem of terrorism.

Let us reveal the essence of each of the listed problems.

The possibility of an “all-burning flame” and the subsequent “nuclear winter” (“nuclear night”) is by no means abstract, although active actions to prevent an arms race taken around the world in recent decades have led to a relative reduction in the danger of nuclear war. Another 38th session of the UN General Assembly declared the preparation and unleashing of a nuclear war to be the greatest crime against humanity. The 1981 UN Declaration on the Prevention of Nuclear Catastrophe stated that any actions that push the world towards a nuclear catastrophe are incompatible with the laws of human morality and the high ideals of the UN Charter. Nevertheless, nuclear weapons didn't stop. The moratorium on underground nuclear tests is violated every now and then, either by China, then by France, or by other members of the “nuclear club.” In accordance with the signed agreements on the reduction of strategic nuclear arsenals, only a few percent of nuclear stockpiles have actually been destroyed. In addition, nuclear technology is spreading. India and Pakistan are already producing nuclear weapons, and Israel, South Africa, Iran, North Korea and a number of other states are ready to produce them. At the same time, the threat of a blind technological accident of the “Chernobyl variant” has not disappeared, but even increased, since there are more than 430 nuclear power plants operating on the planet. The danger of nuclear weapons falling into the hands of irresponsible political adventurers, terrorist organizations or international criminal groups is growing. Of course, one cannot help but note the fact that nuclear weapons have been a serious factor of deterrence over the last half century and, in conditions of achieved parity (equilibrium), prevented a direct clash between the two main military-strategic blocs - NATO and Warsaw Pact. And yet, it did not prevent us from preventing the numerous hotbeds of local armed conflicts that are still unextinguished, each of which could become a “fuse” for a world war in which there will no longer be winners.

The second threat hanging over humanity and a global problem is the looming proximity of environmental disaster. History has decreed that earthly nature, our ecological niche comes into a state of increasing instability. The importance of the relationship between man and nature begins to overshadow our economic concerns and political concerns.

What is the essence of the environmental threat? Its essence is that the growing pressure of anthropogenic factors on the biosphere can lead to a collapse of the natural cycles of reproduction of biological resources, self-purification of soil, and atmospheric waters. All this gives rise to the possibility of “collapse” - a sharp and rapid deterioration of the environmental situation, which can lead to the rapid death of the planet’s population.

They have been talking about the coming destructive processes for quite a long time. A considerable number of ominous facts, assessments, and figures have been and are being given. They don’t talk, but are already shouting about a decrease in the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere, an increase in “ greenhouse effect", widening ozone holes, non-stop pollution natural waters. It is estimated that at least 1 billion 200 million people live with an acute shortage of drinking water. Biologists gloomily record that the world is losing 150 species of animals and plants every day as a result of human activity. Intensive agriculture depletes soils 20-40 times faster than they can naturally regenerate. There was a sharp shortage of agricultural land. There is an acute problem of pollution of the living environment with xenobiotics, i.e. substances hostile to life. Chemical and radiation pollution is increasing. Spheres of our common human heritage have fallen into the danger zone: the World Ocean, outer space, Antarctica.

The power of man has clearly globally turned against himself, and this is the main grain of the environmental problem. There is only one conclusion: we must speak to Nature in a language it understands. The time has passed when in our country the motto of the breeder I.V. Michurin was famously proclaimed everywhere: “We cannot expect favors from nature; taking them from her is our task.” Now it is paraphrased with bitter wit: “We cannot expect favors from nature after what we have done to it.”

One of the important indicators of the imbalance in the “man-nature” relationship is population growth, which today amounts to 85 million people per year. Moreover, there is an intensive increase not in “working hands”, but first in “mouths” requiring feeding, care and maintenance. Uncontrolled population growth, occurring mainly in “developing” countries, undermines the resource base and is rapidly bringing us closer to the maximum permissible load on the natural environment. The process of uncontrollable population growth on Earth is uneven. In our country against the backdrop of social cataclysms last decades The mortality rate still exceeds the birth rate. In developed countries, the increase is minimal or non-existent. But the “third world,” despite restrictions on population growth introduced by the governments of a number of countries (India, China, etc.), continues to grow rapidly.

Therefore, philosophers and scientists have a question: will the globe become crowded? This is by no means an abstract or idle question. Demographers believe that the maximum population of the Earth can be no more than 10 billion people. And this figure will be reached by the 30s. XXI century Many claim that the figure is overestimated. So there is no escape from thinking through global, coordinated measures to optimize the demographic surge.

The demographic problem is directly related to the no less acute global problem of our time - energy.

All energy sources are divided into renewable (wind, sea, solar, thermonuclear fusion, geothermal, etc.) and non-renewable (coal, gas, oil, forest, etc.). The essence of the problem is that non-renewable sources do not last forever, sooner or later they will exhaust themselves. There are several development scenarios in this regard: pessimistic - traditional sources will disappear in 50-60 years and optimistic - 75 years and above. Nevertheless, humanity is obliged to short term solve this problem. Already, many regions of the planet are experiencing serious “resource hunger,” which leads to numerous local conflicts, including armed ones. A way out of the situation should be found by scientists: it is necessary to create and master technologies for the use of alternative renewable energy sources (wind, sun, tides, etc.), as well as produce synthetic substitutes for natural resources.

Problem economic backwardness and poverty is manifested in the fact that a significant number of countries (where, according to some estimates, up to half the world's population lives) are increasingly lagging behind prosperous states. The gap between them in terms of the degree of development of productive forces, the level and quality of life of people is measured dozens of times and continues to grow. This exacerbates the division of the world into rich and poor countries, increases international tension, and threatens global security (terrorism, international drug trafficking, illegal arms trade, etc.).

Thus, according to the UN, 1.5 billion people live below the poverty line in the world, and the number of poorest countries has almost doubled over the past 30 years, increasing from 25 to 49. The real “poverty hotbed” is concentrated in about two dozen countries in southern Africa from the Sahara.

Main factors plight These countries can be generally reduced to four interrelated positions:

1) backwardness of the production base (agrarian nature of their economy and weakness of industry);

2) ineffective use of labor resources (high unemployment, insufficient level education and qualifications of workers, low labor productivity);

3) ineffectiveness of state regulation of the economy (bureaucracy and corruption of officials, state monopoly, etc.);

4) unfavorable conditions for development (lack of natural resources, unfavorable climate, huge external debts, overpopulation, poverty, illiteracy, civil wars, etc.).

In the current situation, it is necessary to search for ways out of the “vicious circle of poverty” in backward countries, which can lie in two planes: progressive transformations in the countries themselves and assistance from the world community in solving the mentioned problems.

Problem terrorism today is one of the most relevant and difficult to solve due to the fact that its cause is an interweaving of deep socio-economic, political, legal, cultural, religious and foreign policy aspects. Terrorism has crossed borders national problems and acquired the features of a well-functioning mechanism operating on an international scale. Main goal terrorist activity - creating a situation of fear, suspicion, political instability in society in order to exert serious pressure on the leadership of a particular country and resolve the interests of certain groups that run counter to public interests. It should be noted that one of the reasons for the development of international terrorism is the processes of globalization, the result of which was a sharp increase in the gap in the socio-economic development of the “rich North” (primarily industrialized countries Western Europe and the USA) and the “poor South” (backward countries of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America). Bridging this gap is intended to help solve this problem, and this requires the combined efforts of all states interested in sustainable development international community and the elimination of the policy of “double standards” on the part of a number of Western countries.

Thus, never before throughout its history has humanity faced so many and serious threats to its existence as at the turn of the 20th-21st centuries. Their solution is vital in the near future, which presupposes a coordinated global strategy. And if humanity manages to unite its efforts, this, in fact, will be the first beneficial global revolution.