Many years ago man lived in harmony with nature. Today the situation in Ukraine is quite different. The intensive development of industry results air pollution, land pollution, water pollution.

Many parts of our country are overcrowded. People of many cities suffer from factories, plants and electric stations. Much of dangerous waste goes into the air and carried by winds for great distances. We pollute air with smoke and gases, water - with industrial waste, soil - with chemicals. Now we don't know the virgin nature. A lot of people suffer from many dangerous diseases.

Fish dies in the lakes, rivers and seas. Forests are disappearing and this upsets the oxygen balance. The pollution of air, rivers, seas and lakes could lead our planet to a global catastrophe.

The occident at the Chernobyl nuclear power station in April 1986 influenced greatly on the environment in Ukraine and other countries. Soil, water and plants were polluted with radionuclides. The explosion at the nuclear power station was a real tragedy for the Ukrainian nation.

Environmental protection is a great concern of the Ukrainian Government. The Ministry of Environment was founded in Ukraine. Its task is to control the state of environment and sources of pollution, to protect the water resources of seas, rivers and lakes.

Public organizations and individuals support campaigner for environmental protection. The Ukrainian Green Party is very active today. " Zeleny Svit " is the Ukrainian ecological newspaper. It calls on protection of the natural wealth of Ukraine. Many decisions and laws on the protection of environment were adopted in Ukraine. We must protect animals and plants. Earth is our home. We must care of it, for ourselves and for the next generations.