Ecological Risks on the Coast of Lake Baikal

Scientific approaches and methods for studying environmental risks are defined. The research used paradigmatic and institutional approaches to the study of the ecological situation in extreme conditions, sociological theories of risk society, the ecological imperatives of Christian and Buddhist cultures. The ecological situation in the Baikal region was studied, and the sources of pollution of the water area and the coast of Lake Baikal were examined, indicating an increase in the anthropogenic load on the ecosystem. On the basis of a sociological survey, an assessment of the environmental situation was given, the respondents' attitudes toward environmental risks were identified, socio-economic and environmental threats were rated, and measures to improve the environmental situation were revealed. The inhabitants of the region, in contrast to the country as a whole, assess the current environmental situation in the area of residence more negatively. The respondents consider the authorities primarily responsible for the problem ecological zones, negatively refer to the risk-producers, advocate tough measures against violators of the environmental laws. Despite the growth of the volunteer movement, public initiatives in the field of ecology, environmental pessimism, some alienation from nature is typical for the inhabitants of the region. The risks of economic activity on the coast of Lake Baikal, environmental practices of the population in everyday life are considered. The main part of the population did not have to participate in environmental events, at the same time they expressed their readiness to take part in them. The author comes to the conclusion that the region lacks effective state control over the rational use of natural resources and the ecological state of Lake Baikal. In society, there is not enough moral responsibility for the state of the environment, elements of the "junk culture" predominate. It is important to increase the responsibility of the state and society for the ecological state of the environment.

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