Аннотация:The article is devoted to the coverage of issues related to the environmental component of sustainable development in the course «Modern Issues of Biology». The main international and Russian documents in this area are compared. It is stated that the qualitative description of the planned results used in many Russian documents is more effective than attempts to outline medium-term and, especially, long-term quantitative gross indicators. The importance of further scientific elaboration of the concept of sustainable development, including the sustainability of ecosystems, is noted. The main scientific concepts that should become the basis for practical progress in the field of sustainable development are listed. As an example of concretizing the provisions of the Concept of the Russian Federation's transition to sustainable development, the mapping of the Great Eurasian Natural Tract and the assessment of its ecosystem services is given. In conclusion, it is stated a real opportunity for a productive discussion of sustainable development issues within the framework of the mentioned educational course.
