The article deals with the multifaceted nature of the problems arising in the process of interaction between nature and society, their interrelation with the problems of the public sphere, which determine the difference in approaches and their classification, as well as the global aspects of the development of civilization that are closely related to the growing influence of mankind on the natural environment.  The very concept of "environmental problem" is defined, a general idea is given of the causes and consequences of environmental problems of different levels, and possible ways of overcoming them are shown.