Currently, humanity is concerned about two major issues: national security and economic development. At the same time environmental threat seems more distant and therefore less dangerous. In solving the problem of economic development a priority role remains with the market economy. The article notes the existence of a fundamental difference in the target objectives of business and environment: development of market economy and business does not meet the requirements of efficient nature management and environment and causes further environmental degradation. In this regard, there is a concern — if the society continues to develop only on the principles of market economy, it itself will speed up the arrival of a global environmental catastrophe.

When calculating the final integral index for the Russian Federation, determined according to the methodology of multifactor “Strategic matrix” model, the authors once again noted the low level of this indicator in 2015. It has not changed in comparison with the previous year. But in the factors context they have identified a tendency of compensating the key social indices lowering due to the growth of the secondary ones. Its presence is confirmed by opinion polls of the Public Opinion Foundation, that is, by how the Russians themselves assess changes in their daily life and the state of affairs in solving the problems they face.

Alexey Yablokov is well-known as an active ecologist, member of the party “Yabloko”, where he heads the “Green Russia” faction. People say that the party was actually named after him, although he joined it much later. Not everyone knows that Alexey Vladimirovich is an outstanding scientist, a biologist with a worldwide reputation, corresponding member and counsellor of the Russian Academy of Sciences, as well as chairman of the Council for marine mammals that, by his own admission, are the love of all his life. We are not kings of the nature, Yablokov is sure, but only one of the numerous species living on the planet. While we are looking for intelligent life somewhere in the vastness of the Universe, other civilizations are existing beside us. Dolphins and whales, in his opinion, undoubtedly are their representatives. However, we are not absolutely ready for the contact with them. That’s probably why we do not manage to reach out to those who live much further.

As follows from the calculation of the integral indices of the RF subjects social potential, determined based on the multifactor model methodology called “Strategic Matrix of the RF region”, worked out by the Institute for Economic Strategies, the development of social conditions cannot be considered even and uniform. Good data is demonstrated in those three of the nine factors that are directly related to reanimation of economic growth in the country — these factors are “Employment”, “Living conditions” and “Crime”.

The article represents an appeal of a famous scientist-ecologist, the first minister for nature conservation of the Soviet Union Fyodor T. Morgun for nature conservancy, which sounded already in 2000 from the pages of edition “Peasant — Soul of the World”. The author believes that for successful solution of environmental problems on the whole planet only 7-8 % of industrialized countries’ budget is required. “That is what the governments of leading world countries need to think hard and to take appropriate steps instead of continuing the race of total mutual destruction weapons production”. These words today, 14 years later, become of particular relevance.

Opening address of editor-in-chief.

Separate elements of the socially responsible development of regions are regularly measured and reported to the public by competent bodies. These elements of socially responsible development include: ecology, social sphere, efficient governance, investment feasibility, infrastructure, security, level of crime and others.

Minimum sustained speed of the car on liquefied gas is 18% lower than on diesel oil. At the same time the fuel efficiency of a car on LPG is much higher.