Useful Vocabulary

green biodegradable
efficient an oil rig
to conserve a power station
environmentally friendly renewable
to protect a recycling plant
to save to campaign
to deplete traffic jams
to ration motorway tolls
ozone layer radioactive waste
to share park and road schemes
green house effect nuclear energy
floods oil pollution
icebergs melt global warming
polar caps to condemn
sustainable to oppose

solar energy aeolic

LISTENING ACTIVITY 1

Can you listen to the words and write them all down?

The Environment Vocabulary Find the "odd one out".

There may be more than one answer. Give your reasons .

A B C

1. green efficient environmentally friendly

2. to conserve to save to protect

3. to condemn to campaign to oppose

4. traffic jams motorway tolls park and road schemes

5. nuclear energy oil pollution radioactive waste

6. to ration to share to deplete

7. sustainable biodegradable renewable

8. an oil rig a power station a recycling plant

SHORT TEXT

Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth and the Green Party all campaign for
a cleaner , healthier and less polluted environment.

They operate internationally and can embarrass governments and companies through
feats of direct action which attract public sympathy. These may include attempts
to block the disposal of radioactive waste at sea or to prevent the siting of a new oil rig .

They support initiatives such as recycling tins and newspapers, and raise
people's awareness of green issues .

The green movement as a whole has had an influence on the agendas of the major
political parties.

As more of our streets become jammed up with cars and more of our children suffer
from asthma , the need for a greener life-stylebecomes one of self-interest, not to
mention the protection of other species and their habitats.

TOPIC SUGGESTIONS - READING

The greenhouse effect is a global environmental problem as it affects all individuals

in all the countries all over the world. This implies that international cooperation among
countries will be needed to reach an efficient solution to this problem.

The greenhouse effect is the rise in temperature that the Earth experiences because
certain gases in the atmosphere (water vapor, carbon dioxide , nitrous oxide , and
methane , for example) trap energy from the sun.

Without these gases, heat would escape back into space and Earth's average
temperature would be about 60 F colder. Because of how they warm our world, these
gases are referred to as greenhouse gases .

The greenhouse effect is important. Without the greenhouse effect, the Earth would not
be warm enough for humans to live. But if the greenhouse effect becomes stronger, it
could make the Earth warmer than usual. Even a little extra warming may cause
problems for humans,

Average global temperature has increased by almost 1 C over the past century;
scientists expect the average global temperature to increase an additional 2 to 6C
over the next one hundred years. This may not sound like much, but it could change
the Earth's climate as never before. At the peak of the last ice age (18,000 years ago),
the temperature was only 7C colder than it is today, and glaciers covered the better
part of the world!!

Even a small increase in temperature over a

long time can change the climate. When the climate changes, there may be big
changes in the things that people depend on. These things include the level of the
oceans and the places where we plant crops. They also include the air we breathe and
the water we drink.

What Might Happen?

It is important to understand that scientists don't know for sure what global warming will
bring. Some changes brought about by global warming will be good. If you live in a very
cool climate, warmer temperatures might be welcome. Days and nights could be more
comfortable and people in the area may be able to grow different and better crops than
they could before. But it is also true that changes in some places will not be very good
at all.

Human Health
Climate change may affect people's health both directly and indirectly. For example,
heat stress and other heat related health problems are caused directly by very warm
temperatures and high humidity. Untreated, heat stress can be a very serious medical
problem. Scientists suspect that, in many places, global warming will increase the
number of very hot days that occur during the year. More hot days increases the
possibility of heat related health problems.
Indirectly, ecological disturbances , air pollution, changes in food and water supplies,
and coastal flooding are all examples of possible impacts that might affect human
health.
How people and nature adapt to climate change will determine how seriously it impacts
human health. Some people and places are likely to be affected more than others.
Generally, poor people and poor countries are less likely to have the money and
resources they need to cope with preventing and treating health problems. Very young
children and the elderly adults will run the highest risks.

Ecological Systems
Climate change may alter the world's habitats and ecosystems all living things are
included in and rely on these places. Many of these places depend on a delicate
balance of rainfall, temperature, and soil type. A rapid change in climate could upset
this balance and seriously endanger many living things.
Most past climate changes occurred slowly, allowing plants and animals to adapt to the
new environment or move somewhere else. However, if future climate changes occur
as rapidly as some scientists predict, plants and animals may not be able to react
quickly enough to survive. The ocean's ecosystems also could be affected for the same
reasons.

Sea Level Rise

Global warming may make the sea

level become higher. Why? Well, warmer weather makes glaciers melt. A glacier is a
large sheet of ice that moves very, very slowly. Some melting glaciers add more water
to the ocean. Warmer temperatures also make water expand. When water expands in
the ocean, it takes up more space and the level of the sea rises.
Sea level may rise between several inches and as much as 3 feet during the next
century. This will effect both natural systems and manmade structures along coastlines.
Coastal flooding could cause saltwater to flow into areas where salt is harmful,
threatening plants and animals in those areas. For example, an increase in the salt
content of the Delaware and Chesapeake bays is thought to have decreased the
number of oysters able to live in those waters.
Oceanfront property would be affected by flooding, and beach erosion could leave
structures even more vulnerable to storm waves. Whether we move back from the
water or build barricades in the face of a rising sea, it could cost billions of dollars to
adapt to such change. Coastal flooding also may reduce the quality of drinking water in
coastal areas.

Crops and Food Supply

Global warming may make the Earth warmer in cold places. People living in these
places may have a chance to grow crops in new areas. But global warming also might
bring droughts to other places where we grow crops. In some parts of the world, people
may not have enough to eat because they cannot grow the food that they need.

WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Save Electricity

Whenever we use electricity, we help put greenhouse gases into the air. By turning off
lights, the television, and the computer when you are through with them, you can help a
lot.

By conserving energy, we help reduce global warming and make the Earth a better
place. Some products like certain cars and stereos are made specially to save
energy.

Bike, Bus, and Walk or Car?

Cars are an important part of life for most people. But cars also cause pollution and
release a lot of greenhouse gases into the air. Fortunately, there are some cars that are
better for the environment. These cars can travel longer on a smaller amount of
gasoline. They don't pollute as much, either. Using these kinds of cars can help reduce
the amount of greenhouse gases in the air.

You can save energy by sometimes taking the bus, riding a bike, or walking.

Recycle

Recycle cans, bottles, plastic bags, and newspapers. When you recycle, you send less
trash to the landfill and you help save natural resources, like trees, oil, and elements
such as aluminum.

Solar Energy

Solar energy is a fancy way of saying "energy that comes from the sun." Solar energy
can be used to heat homes, buildings, water, and to make electricity. Today, more than
200,000 houses in the United States take advantage of the sun's energy.

QUESTIONS

1. What would be your favourite green measure?

2. Does the environment belong principally to the human race?
3. Do your consumption habits destroy the habitats of other species?
4. Do you think that developers should be permitted to build big hotels and
tourist complexes in the most beautiful places in your country?
5. Should the private motorist be made to pay more heavily through higher road
tax, petrol prices, parking fees and motorway tolls?
6. Should cars be banned from city, town and village centres?
7. Are you for or against nuclear power?
8. Does your country need stricter laws to punish noisy neighbours or discos
which play loud music late at night?
9. Are your country's seas, rivers and / or lakes clean to swim in?
10. What government and private campaigns are there in your country to protect
and improve the environment?
11. Are these campaigns motivated by concern for the lives and habitats of
species other than our own?
12. Are there litter laws where you live? If so, what is the penalty for littering?
13. Do you think people should recycle newspapers? Why or why not?
14. Do you think there are lessons to learn from nature?
15. How has the world changed since you were a child? (technology, values,
environment, health)
16. How often is rubbish collected in your neighbourhood?
17. If humans are really intelligent and not simply manipulated by their genes like
any other animal, why can't they do anything about overpopulation?
18. What are some things that can be recycled?
19. What are some things that your community is doing to help the?
20. What are some things which you recycle?
21. What are some types of pollution?
22. What are some ways that you can reduce pollution in this country?
23. What can you do to help prevent pollution?
24. What can you do to make this world a better place?
25. What do you think of people who smoke cigarettes indoors?
26. Which is more important, increasing people's standard of living, or protecting
the environment?
o Think of a situation in your area involving this issue.
o Which side would you choose?
27. Who do you think is more responsible for pollution, individual people or the
government? Explain.
28. What is the most important issue facing the environment today?
29. Do you know about any anti-pollution programs in your community?
o What about programs in your native country?
30. Do you usually drink bottled water? Why or Why not?
31. If you could choose one alternative energy source to develop which one would
you choose? Why?
32. Are companies more or less environmentally responsible now than they were
in the past? Why do you think that is?
33. Do you think recycling is an important community service?
o Do you recycle?
34. Who should pay for the costs associated with renewable energy?
35. Should we make the development of renewable energy sources an economic
priority?
36. What are some ways energy is wasted?
37. What types of energy are popular in your native country?
38. What is the main problem with renewable energy sources?
39. What can large cities do to improve their air quality?
40. How can we protect the environment and at the same time improve people's
standard of living?
41. Do you think overpopulation is an important environmental issue? Why or why
not?
42. Should petrol for motorists be more expensive?
o What would be the advantages and disadvantages of this?
43. What's happening to forests in the world?
44. What happens when we remove forests? What can we do to protect forests?
45. Why should we recycle?

46. How is pollution effecting the environment of own country ?