ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS AND THEIR ASSESSMENT IN THE FIELD OF NATURE USE

Abstract

The article discusses environmental risk as a key problem of modern environmental management, which arises due to the increasing anthropogenic impact on the biosphere. It is shown that the extraction of natural resources and the accumulation of waste disrupt global natural cycles, leading to the degradation of air, water, and soil, as well as a decrease in biodiversity. The article explores the essence of environmental risk, its relationship with assessment and management, and the stages of risk analysis: hazard identification, exposure assessment, dose-response relationship, and risk characterization. The article emphasizes the need for an interdisciplinary approach, taking into account not only quantitative but also social, cultural, and ethical factors, which are not always reflected in traditional economic risk models. Special attention is given to the transition from reactive environmental control to a preventive risk-oriented model based on preventing threats and reducing the likelihood of damage. It is concluded that the systematic assessment and management of environmental risks are the most important conditions for sustainable development, environmental safety, and harmonious interaction between humans and the natural environment.