Yury L. Mazurov
Department of Geography, Moscow State University
Moscow 119899 Vorobyovy Gory
RUSSIA
TEL: (095)939-37-89
FAX: (095)932-88-36
In dealing with environmental issues humanity is oriented towards a conscious formation of a "Biosphere-2". This is confirmed not only by an expensive experiment by the same title undertaken in the American desert but mainly by a state of environment-formation in the developed countries.The majority of these have chosen a strategy of constructing a new habitat with fixed environmental parameters rather than reconstructing the original one.
Nature or nature heritage is what's inherited from one generation to another. Reproductive function is the most important characteristics of all ecological systems - from elementary to biosphere. However, in many Western countries this function is practically lost which is reflected in the loss of bio- and geo-diversity. Neat and well-treated "park" landscape of these countries seems appealing. But such an appeal is cosmetic and deceptive. Quasi-nature is based on biological sterility, on inability for self-regulation and evolution. Dramatics of the situation is that a number of world regions that live at the account of natural heritage of other countries is growing fast.
Many data testify to the fact that a threshold after which the loss of nature heritage will be irreversible is close. That's why environmental policy - from global to local - should take sustenance of reproductive functions of ecosystems as one of its priorities. Such a fundamental problem could not be solved only by scholars and politicians. Participation of various social groups, especially women's organizations, is imperative.
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