Раздаточный материал по теме "Защита окружающей среды"

№3 ENVIRONMENT

1. Let's talk about environment. What are the most serious environmental problems today?

We live in the world where there are a lot of ecological problems. Nowadays the global situation in ecology is serious.

Our planet is in serious danger. One of the most important environmental problems in the world today is the shortage of clean water. Industrial pollution has made many sources of water undrinkable. Rivers, lakes and even seas have become poisonous. Thousands of fish die every year as a result of the illegal dumping of waste in rivers by factories all over the world.

Acid rain can damage life in lakes and rivers and destroy forests. The greenhouse effect may also have disastrous consequences for our planet. The world's temperature is going up and the climate is changing.

One of the most alarming environmental problems is depletion of the ozone layer, which protects the Earth from the dangerous ultraviolet rays of the sun.

In my opinion, the most urgent ecological problem today is the environmental safety of nuclear power stations. Nuclear pollution can't be seen, but its effects can be terrible. We all know how tragic the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster are. Nuclear waste also endangers people's lives. People all over the world protest against nuclear tests and nuclear weapons. If we do not take any action, the possibility of a global nuclear disaster is very real.

Of course, we can't help mentioning such burning issues as destruction of tropical forests and wildlife, overpopulation, and shortage of natural resources: The list of serious ecological problems could be continued.

2. Do you agree that air pollution is a cause of people's health problems? Why?

Air pollution is an important problem. In hundreds of cities and towns the concentration of harmful substances in the air is over ten times the admissible level. Every day a huge number of plants and factories emit lots of harmful substances into the atmosphere of big cities. The great increase in the use of motor cars has caused an increase in a new kind of air pollution. Pollution from factories and cars poison the air we breathe, and is the main reason for the greenhouse effect and acid rain.

3. Imagine you are interviewing an animal protection activist. What questions would you ask him/ her?

• What can you do to protect the endangered animals?

• In what way can volunteers participate in this activity?

• How is your work donated?

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

It is very important to keep the world healthy and strong. Every kid can do something to help nature. It is a wise rule – to keep the country tidy, to water flowers and trees, to keep dogs under control. Never break plants and baby trees. We must always put rubbish in a rubbish bin. We should remember the three Rs: reuse, reduce, and recycle. Today the environmental question is very actual. The water and air are polluted, the forests are cut down. We should help the Earth. We should keep the planet healthy. I also can do all my best to save the Earth. I can feed the birds, plant trees. I always put rubbish in a rubbish bin. I help my parents to water flowers and trees, plant in our garden.

I think there are a lot of ways we can help to save the Earth. One way is to remember the three R’s. I save the plastic bags we get at the grocery shop and reuse them. I save the plastic food containers. They make good water toys. Before I buy something, I ask myself the following question: “Can I recycle it? If I have to throw it away, will it damage the environment?” I’ve just joined the RSPB Young Ornithologist Club. I’ve even asked my mum to help me make a protecting area for birds and other wild animals. We have planted trees. We’ve also made a pond to help frogs. I want to be the kid who saves the Earth!

5. If you have a chance to start a campaign to help the environment, what will you campaign for?

There are a lot of environmental groups and international organizations, whose main goal is to strengthen cooperation among environmentalists from different countries. The most famous of them is Greenpeace, which combines the people's efforts for peace with the huge and ever mounting movement for nature conservation. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is the name of another international organization that appeared in 1961. It has created or given support to National Parks on five continents.

As for me, I will campaign for protecting rare animals against extinction.

Many wild animals and birds are disappearing from Earth. Modern life is bad for them. The air isn't fresh. The water isn't clean. They don't often have good food to eat and space to live. You can find their names in the Red Book. People must take special care of them all. We must save wildlife.