Modern human society is experiencing a deep ecological crisis, which is based on the consumer attitude to nature. This concept presupposes the perception of the environment exclusively as a source of resources intended to meet the growing needs of humans. This attitude was formed as a result of the historical development of civilization, scientific and technological progress and the spread of the market economy, where nature is considered not as an equal partner, but as an object of exploitation.

The idea of human domination over nature has ancient roots. Even in ancient philosophy, especially in the writings of Aristotle, nature was considered as something created for the sake of man. In the Christian tradition, the idea of man as the crown of creation, which is allowed to subjugate all living things, is fixed.

With the beginning of the industrial revolution in the XVIII–XIX centuries, there was a sharp jump in the exploitation of natural resources. Machine production, mass mining, deforestation, and the development of transportation accelerated the process of human alienation from nature. The traditional economy was replaced by industrialization, accompanied by the ideology of endless growth and consumption.

Consumer attitude to nature can be characterized by the following features:

- utilitarianism. Nature is perceived as a set of resources intended for exploitation. Forests, rivers, minerals, animals, and plants are evaluated solely in terms of their benefits to humans. Natural objects lose their independent value and become only a raw material base for the economy.

- economization of thinking. Decisions about interacting with nature are increasingly based on economic feasibility. For example, deforestation or the construction of a factory is evaluated on the basis of profit, not on the basis of damage to the ecosystem. Economic benefits become the criterion of «correctness», and environmental and social consequences are relegated to the background;

- ignoring environmental consequences. The consumer model rarely takes into account long-term consequences: air and water pollution, soil degradation, and loss of biodiversity. The main goal is to use resources as quickly and cheaply as possible. This leads to the creation of «environmental debts» that future generations will have to pay for;

- short-term benefits. The interests of the current generation dominate the interests of the future. Examples include oil production without investing in alternative energy, overfishing without considering population recovery, and mass production of plastic without recycling. This behavior is based on the idea of infinite growth and increasing consumption.

- alienation from nature, when modern people interact less and less directly with the natural environment, which contributes to a decrease in the sense of responsibility. Modern technologies, urbanization and lifestyle are taking people further away from direct contact with nature. People lose their understanding of natural processes, do not notice environmental problems, and do not feel connected to the world around them. This reduces the sense of personal responsibility for environmental impacts.

This model of interaction with nature has already led to a number of serious and largely irreversible consequences:

- depletion of natural resources. The planet's resources are limited. The rate of extraction of oil, gas, coal, rare earth metals and fresh water in some regions significantly exceeds the rate of their natural recovery. This poses a threat to the energy and raw material security of future generations;

- global climate change. One of the most striking results of the consumer approach is the increase in greenhouse gas concentrations due to the burning of fossil fuels and the destruction of forests. This causes an increase in average temperatures, melting glaciers, rising sea levels, and an increase in natural disasters;

- loss of biodiversity. Deforestation, plowing of land, water pollution, the spread of invasive species and poaching lead to the extinction of dozens of species every year. This destroys entire ecosystems and reduces the biosphere's resilience to change;

- environmental pollution. Chemical emissions, plastics, heavy metals, industrial and household waste all pollute the air, water and soil. Many toxic substances accumulate in living organisms, including humans, leading to serious health consequences;

- environmental inequality. Developed countries have historically been responsible for most of their emissions and resource consumption, but poor countries and marginalized groups are most likely to suffer the consequences. This is reflected in the lack of clean water, lack of land, and forced migration due to environmental disasters.

Awareness of the destructiveness of the consumer approach stimulated the search for new models and philosophies based on respect for nature and the principles of sustainability. The most important alternatives are listed below.

Environmental ethics.

This philosophical trend calls into question the idea of human exclusivity. According to environmental ethics, nature has an intrinsic value, regardless of its usefulness to humans. All living things and ecosystems have the right to exist and be protected. This idea brings man closer to nature as an equal participant in the planetary system.

Sustainable development.

The concept of sustainable development, proposed in the 1987 Brundtland Commission report, means development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the future. It involves a balance between three components: economic growth, social justice, and environmental sustainability.

Ecological economics and green technologies.

Economic models arise that take into account environmental costs and resource constraints. Technologies that minimize harm to nature are being developed: renewable energy (solar, wind), «green» construction, environmentally friendly transport, and a cyclical economy where waste becomes resources.

Eco-education and upbringing.

The formation of ecological culture begins with education. It is important to introduce environmental knowledge into the school and university curriculum, develop practices of caring for nature through volunteering, ecotourism, and community projects. This creates a sense of ownership and responsibility in people.

International cooperation.

Global environmental problems require joint efforts of States. International agreements (the Kyoto Protocol, the Paris Climate Agreement), environmental organizations and forums are being created to reduce harm to nature and coordinate actions on a global scale.

Thus, the consumer attitude to nature is not only an ecological, but also an ideological problem. It reflects the values and priorities of modern society, where comfort and profit are often placed above caring for the planet. To break the ecological impasse, it is necessary to change the very paradigm of thinking-to move from consumption to assistance, from exploitation to cooperation with nature. Only an awareness of our dependence on nature and respect for it as an equal partner will ensure a sustainable future for humanity.

 

Control questions

 

1. Define an environmental policy and explain its main purpose.
2. Explain the content of the concept of sustainable development in the context of environmental policy.
3. Name and describe the strategic documents that legally define the environmental policy of Kazakhstan.
4. List the state bodies responsible for implementing environmental policy in the Republic of Kazakhstan and describe their functions.
5. Identify current priorities and objectives of environmental policy in Kazakhstan.
6. Describe the main provisions of Kazakhstan's environmental policy.
7. Explain the content and significance of the Environmental Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the system of environmental legislation.
8. Explain the purpose and principles of the environmental monitoring system and the procedures for assessing environmental impact.
9. Reveal the essence of the consumer attitude of man to nature and the consequences of this for the environment
10. Describe alternative models of interaction with nature aimed at sustainable development and environmental ethics.

 

Questions for discussion

 

1. Analyze the participation of the Republic of Kazakhstan in international environmental agreements (for example, the Kyoto Protocol, the Paris Agreement, the Aarhus Convention, etc.). Discuss how these agreements affect national environmental legislation and practice.
2. Assess the importance of the transition to a «green economy» for the sustainable development of Kazakhstan. Please describe the key directions laid down in the Concept of transition to a «green economy» and possible difficulties in its implementation.
3. Explore the forms of participation of the population and civil society organizations in the development and implementation of environmental policies in Kazakhstan. Evaluate the mechanisms of interaction between the state and society (public hearings, environmental NGOs, initiative groups).

 

Case studies

 

Case 1. Environmental policy: concept, directions and concepts.

The international environmental organization «Green Planet» conducts a comparative analysis of environmental policies of different countries. The focus is on defining the goals, objectives, directions and conceptual foundations of environmental policy. Your team is task ed with preparing a dossier on Central Asian countries, including the main directions of their environmental policies and the theoretical approaches that underpin them.

Tasks:

- define the concept of environmental policy and its key areas;

- compare the two main concepts: ecological modernization and deep ecology. What is the difference between them?

- highlight which of the concepts are applicable in Central Asian countries (using the example of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan);

- make a conclusion: what theoretical approaches can be most effective in the context of sustainable development?

 

Case 2. The concept of consumer attitude to nature: challenges of our time.

As a result of a sociological survey conducted in two regions of the state N, it turned out that the majority of respondents consider nature exclusively as a resource: «Forest is firewood», «River is a source of water», «Land is a source of income». Only 10% of respondents indicated that nature has an independent value. This reflects a deeply ingrained consumer mindset. Local environmentalists are concerned: without changing the ecological consciousness, it is impossible to achieve sustainable development. They ask experts to offer a conceptual and practical answer to this problem.

Tasks:

1) Explain what the expression «consumer attitude to nature» means? Why was it formed in modern society?

2) Analyze the consequences of consumer attitudes.

3) Check out alternative concepts.

4) Suggest an approach to changing attitudes to nature:

- what changes are needed in the education system?

- how can you use art, culture, and media?

- what role can NGOs and youth organizations play?

 

Case 3. Formation of environmental policy in Kazakhstan.

In connection with the preparation for the international exhibition on sustainable development, Kazakhstan needs to provide a brief historical and analytical overview of the formation and development of its environmental policy. To this end, the Government instructs a team of specialists to conduct a study on the evolution of environmental policies, programs and mechanisms from 1991 to the present.

Tasks:

1) Divide the history of environmental policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan into 3 stages:

- 1991–2000: formation of the foundations;

- 2000–2013: institutionalization and first concepts of sustainable development;

- 2013 – present: Green Economy, Paris Agreement, etc.

2) Analyze the key documents:

- The Concept of Environmental safety (2006);

- The concept of transition to a green economy (2013);

- Environmental Code (2021)

3) Identify the problems and barriers faced by the environmental policy: weak implementation on the ground, lack of funding, lack of environmental education, etc.

4) Make a table with conclusions for each stage: goals, key measures, achievements, problems.