Nature was created by God. Protecting it is our sacred duty.

Heydar Aliyev, national leader of the Azerbaijani people

It is impossible to imagine a human being isolated even for a single moment from the mother nature, which is the eternal and last cradle of the human. The great Zarathustra named the four elements (fire, earth, air, water) that are most necessary for human life long ago. Indeed, without one of these four elements, life would cease. Nature itself is a living painting. We should look for the solution to the problems related to its protection in human love for nature and human sensitivity. In the words of Academician Hasan Aliyev, “A person should be his own guard.” Otherwise, no other living being will reach his help. That is why it is necessary to sound the alarm without panic, and it is not necessary to hang this alarm anywhere. It is the heart of modern man.”

The most global ecological problems of recent centuries have not escaped Azerbaijan either. As a result, attention to these problems has increased significantly in our republic, dozens of laws and decisions dedicated to this topic have been adopted, and hundreds of conferences, seminars and meetings have been held. Today, solving these problems requires the involvement of all of humanity, from child to adult.

As we know, there is a Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On Environmental Education and Enlightenment of the Population”. The state also considers it necessary to strengthen control over the use of nature, and to focus on environmental education of the population. 2010 was declared “Year of Ecology” for this purpose. The announcement of 2024 as the “Year of Solidarity for the Green World” shows that it will be a very important year for our country.

Many scientists consider environmental education to be a systemic pedagogical activity aimed at developing ecological culture in children. From an early age, a person must realize that soil, air and water pollution can lead to a catastrophe that threatens human life, and in this regard, the elimination of environmental pollution depends on his culture, upbringing and education. It is necessary to explain to children from an early age that they love trees, how important trees are for human life, and how important is the cleanliness of schools and classrooms, that if every child on earth destroys five or six flowers, one or two butterflies, they can become extinct. Therefore, every schoolchild should be an ecologist. It is necessary to teach a schoolchild from an early age the idea that” nothing can be broken in nature, just as nothing can be broken at home.” Only in this way can we make the environment in which we live healthy, safe for life.

The role of artistic expression in ecological education is irreplaceable.

For example: let’s pay attention to the texts given in the 7th grade Azerbaijani language textbook: In the poem “Faryad” by the poet Anvar Rza, it is said about the forest destroyed by people:

Quşların səsini istədi ürək,

Cüyür mələşməsi düşdü könlümə.

Bir ana, bir bacı məhəbbəti tək

Bir meşə həsrəti köçdü könlümə.

Heyrətmi nitqimi bağladı belə?

Bəs niyə ağaclar kölgə salmayıb?

Ay aman! Cüyürü demirəm hələ,

Meşənin özündən əsər qalmayıb!

Another text of the same textbook talks about human care for the Mashuk forests located in the foothills of the North Caucasus:

Ağaclar dırmaşıb dəcəl uşaqtək
Dağın zirvəsinə yamacla, yolla.
Tamaşa etməyə bir cüt göz gərək
Meşə bəhsə girib göylə, maşallah!

Burdakı quşlara heç kim deməz “kiş!”
Bu gün yaman qar var, yaman boran var.
Evdə balasını yedizdirməmiş
Meşədə quşlara dən aparan var.

With the help of these texts, students in schools are instilled with a sense of love for nature,  the protection of Natural Resources.

They learn that the forest is a part of our wealth, wealth and life. Where there is a forest, the harvest will not be saved by harvesting, there will be no disease. If we do not imagine this green belt of the Earth at once, it means that there is no human being either. A medium-sized tree synthesizes free oxygen in the amount necessary for the respiration of three people during the day. Trees and shrubs purify the air from waste gases, and also regulate harmful sounds, having sound and noise absorption properties.

In the text of the same textbook “nature “Engineering” s ” it is indicated that insects called termites, whose height is only 2-3 cm, build a magnificent nest with a height of 7 m. Nests with a very complex structure even have a ventilation system, labyrinths, water ducts that maintain temperature and humidity equally. The most amazing thing is that the termites who built these magnificent nests are completely blind. They cannot see the tunnels they have built or the rooms they have erected. Sometimes even the mind endowed with Man, the smartest of living beings, cannot explain the instinct given to small insects. Through this text, students realize the importance of an in-depth study of natural phenomena for the development of Science, feel the importance of the flora and fauna.

March 21 – World Forest Day, which is celebrated by state bodies and international organizations, is associated with the importance of increasing the number of green spaces. There are 10 National Parks, 11 State Nature Reserves and 24 State Nature Reserves in Azerbaijan. The first reserve established in 1925 is Goygol State Nature Reserve. It is always useful to take schoolchildren on excursions to these places.

It is also commendable to hold a brain-ring called “ECOERUDIT”, which is a competition of environmental knowledge, and the activity of associations called “lovers of nature” in some schools.

Schoolchildren should also know famous people who are trying to protect the Earth from possible troubles, be able to follow their example. One of them is Elon Mask. He works in areas that he considers crucial for our future, especially in the field of the internet and the transition to renewable energy sources.

The tiles produced by a company called “SolariCity”, which he built against global climate change, convert the sun’s rays into electricity. Cars produced in the company “Tesla”, the creator of which is Nature-Friendly, have new and superior technologies. All patents received for” Tesla ” are open to the public. Anyone can use these patents, including their competitors. Musk, who also likes to share his other projects with all of humanity, explains to those who ask why: “we are in a ship full of holes, water is collected in this ship. We have created a can that can drain it.  If it were you, wouldn’t you share the design of a can?

There are two pictures on the walls of Musk’s office: in one the planet Mars is the same as it looks now, and in the second it is surrounded by greenery and seas. ” I want to die thinking that humanity has a healthy future, ” says Musk’s goal is the creation of a green world.

The famous American ecologist A.Let me remind you of leord’s words. He likened the earth to a river that has no beginning or end, showing that people should treat this flow with great caution. The ecologist, having studied these problems, made his final prediction: – people, remember and be aware, ”Round river”, where you live, is currently in danger, and the last victim of this threat will be the whole world, including you! Even if it’s late, change your attitude to nature, to its riches! Otherwise, humanity may face great disasters and their heavy contrasts.

The creation of individual ecological corners and stands to create a sensitive attitude towards nature in schoolchildren also gives good results. In this regard, we visited a number of secondary schools in our city. The classroom of elementary school teacher Sunbul Abdullayeva in full secondary school number 1 is attractive with wall paintings. The teacher also arranged beautiful flower pots in the corridor of the school. School Number 13 also has such a beautiful view. In school number 3, Sevinj teacher participates together with his students in a number of projects related to ecology. The teacher buries certain fruit peels and natural foods in the soil in the pot. The other is plastic items. After a certain period of time, he shows the students that natural foods turn into fertilizer in the soil, while plastic items remain as they are.

One of his close ashabas asked our prophet what should we do so that our good deed can be seen a little more? The Prophet Alayhissalam answers that even if you know you have one day left to live, plant a tree again, that is the greatest deed. In our republic, there are many people who perform this meritorious work under the motto “Let’s plant a tree for everyone”.

Since 1882, Arbor Day has been celebrated by the Nebraska government as an official state holiday. Since 1970, this holiday has been called “Earth Day”. Earth Day has been celebrated in many countries of the world for 30 years.

It is useful for students to know the history of ecological days. The purpose of celebrating such important days is to draw public attention to environmental problems on our planet. One such day is Environment Protection and International Earth Day, which is held on April 22.

The celebration of Earth Day, founded by J. Sterling Morton, begins in the 1940s. In 1872, J. Morton made a proposal to dedicate one day of the year to the greening of the surrounding area in the state of Nebraska, and on the first tree planting day, about a million trees were planted.

January 26 is the International Day of Clean Energy and Environmental Education. This day is mainly celebrated to draw attention to the importance of environmental education, the formation of environmental awareness and the importance of interstate exchange of experience.

I want to end my speech with the verses written by Rza Bagi for the ecological anthem:

Take a look at the green forests.

On the top of the mountain, the fog moves, the mist moves,

Let the blue Caspian wave without a wave,

Let’s protect a mysterious paradise!

People, let’s protect nature!

Let’s preserve the love for nature.

Konul Aydin

Teacher of the Department of the Humanities Courses of MSU, “honored teacher”