Introduction

Abstract

The problem under discussion of modern civilization and its perspectives is broad-scale and multicomponent. This is why the objective of this article could be only a fragmentary consideration of the key aspects of this problem, taking into account that the essence of it is the interaction of society and nature. In this connection, it should be emphasized that “sustainable development” is perhaps the most discussed subject, though this subject has not yet acquired a clear enough definition. Nevertheless, the scheduled conference, which will take place in Johannesburg on 2–11 September 2002, is called “World Summit on Sustainable Development” (“Rio+10”), being a continuation of two similar conferences (Stockholm, 1972 and Rio de Janeiro, 1992). The Rio de Janeiro conference has become known as “The Second United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development” and after it in 1995 another global environmental conference “Special Session of the United Nations” (“Rio+5”) took place. The documents adopted at the above-mentioned conferences have been widely discussed, not only in scientific publications, but also in the mass media as well (Kondratyev 1990, 1997, 1998a, b, 1999a-e, 2000b, 2002; Kondratyev et al. 1996b; Moiseyev 1998; Nakicenovic et al. 1998; Moiseyev 1999; Allen et al. 2001; Munasinghe et al. 2001; Krapivin and Kondratyev 2002). However, until now, the problems have not been clearly enough formulated, nor have priorities or the ways of further civilization development been defined.