Let’s talk about environment. What are the most urgent ecological problems?

Card 3. 1.Let’s talk about environment. What are the most urgent ecological problems? Over the last 50 years the human population has more than doubled. We can state that overpopulation is a top problem in our world as it is the main factor of a huge number of ecological problems we are facing today. More and more people need food, shelter, clothing and vehicles. And this is the result of all kinds of pollution, climate change, natural resource depletion [истощение] and many other ecological problems. They include air/ water/ soil/ nuclear and noise pollution, global warming, acid rain, deforestation, hazardous |ˈhæzədəs|   опасный waste disposal |dɪˈspəʊz(ə)l|  устранение, loss of biodiversity and water shortage [нехватка, дефицит].

Human activities have resulted in climate change and global warming. Global warming is the increase in the average temperatures of the Earth’s atmosphere and oceans. Climate change leads to rise of sea levels, rainfall, severe |sɪˈvɪə| сильный, суровый droughts |ˈdraʊts| засуха and floods  |flʌdz|.

Industry and vehicle exhaust gases cause |kɔːz| вызывать air pollution which results in health problems (bronchitis |brɒŋˈkaɪtɪs|, asthma |ˈæsmə|, headaches |ˈhedeɪks|). Air pollution is the main reason for acid rain and the depletion of the ozone layer that protects living beings on the Earth from ultraviolet |ʌltrəˈvaɪələt| rays of the sun. The right solution to the problem is keeping a check on the emissions |ɪˈmɪʃənz| выделение of harmful gases. Soil pollution is caused mainly by hazardous industrial waste and chemicals. Soil pollution leads to soil degradation and threatens |ˈθretənz|  угрожать food security. The main solution to waste disposal устранение is proper надлежащий, правильный treatment of all wastes before their disposal. Clean drinking water is one of the most significant resources of every country. Water covers more than 70% of the planet’s surface, but freshwater supplies |səˈplaɪz|  запас are limited. Forests cover 30% of the planet’s land, but forests, especially rain forests тропический лес, disappear because they are cut down or burnt.

We still aren’t able to find solutions to all ecological problems, though |ðəʊ|  хотя governments make a lot of effort to encourage  |ɪnˈkʌrɪdʒ| поддерживать, ободрять both industries and individuals to be “green”. I’m sure that nature protection starts at an individual level. We should do everything possible to keep our planet safe for ourselves and future generations.

2. Is your town polluted?

I live in Novopolotsk, Vitebsk region. Novolopotsk is one of the most polluted towns in the Republic of Belarus because of the oil refining  |rɪˈfaɪnɪŋ| plant\ factory [a refinery |rɪˈfaɪn(ə)rɪ| ] Naftan. Its industry pollutes the air, the water and the land around us. The most common factory air pollutants are greenhouse gases from the burning of fossil fuels [ископаемые виды топлива]. Water and land pollution is caused by acid rain, chemical spills [то, что пролито] and disposal устранение of toxic waste.

3. What questions will you ask a meteorologist? Do you prefer radio or TV weather forecasts? Do you know any TV meteorologists? You follow weather forecasts every day, don’t you? What app on your mobile phone do you use to learn the weather forecast? Who can visit your weather station?

4. Give advice on what people can do to protect the environment.

From my point of view, everybody should take care of nature. People should use energy efficient gadgets. Turn off the lights, computer and TV when you leave the house. Use public transport. I also recommend saving water by taking showers and not running sink water when brushing your teeth. We should reuse and recycle materials instead of throwing them away, resell or donate those things. Stop using paper towels and use washable cloths instead. When you go shopping, look at the labels to make sure you buy eco products with biodegradable packaging or even without any packaging. Avoid buying genetically modified food and eating unhealthy oversized portions. It’s also necessary to broaden ecological education and take part in environmental projects.

5. Comment on the saying “think globally, act locally”. What do you think about it?

We all live on this planet and we should do everything possible to keep it clean and safe for ourselves and future generations. I’m sure that nature protection is everybody’s concern and it starts at an individual level. Any person can plant trees, collect garbage in the streets, save energy at home. My family and I are not an exception. We have energy saving light bulbs, eco-friendly devices. When we leave the flat we turn off all the gadgets and lights. When we do the shopping, we look for organic food. We also save water by taking shorter showers and if we are not in a hurry, we walk instead of driving our car. To conclude, everyone should take small and big steps to be “greener”.