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Environmental protection is the main problem facing humanity nowadays. The image of a sick planet has become firmly established in the public mind lately.
Some time ago the word 'ecology' hardly meant anything for the majority of people, but today we can't help bearing it in our minds. It has happened because of the growing effect of the rapid industrial development of the natural world which has negative features of its own. As a matter of fact the state of environment has greatly worsened of late.
There is no doubt that soil, water and air are contaminated with toxic wastes. Over the past few years we have been constantly speaking about ozone holes, droughts, high level of radiation, about food contaminated with chemicals. Scientists in many countries are very much concerned about drastic changes in weather patterns. The worst drought, the mildest winter and the most devastating hurricanes have become typical in those parts of the world where they used to be of rare occurrence.
Weather patterns have been changing recently due to the global warming-up process and its major reason — the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect is created by carbon dioxide emissions, released by industrial facilities and a constantly increasing number of cars. Thus it is of vital importance that the world should start cutting down the release of gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect. What is the reason for people getting so much worried about the state of environment? The answer to this question is fairly simple. The thing is the deterioration of the environment is telling heavily on people. They are paying for this with their health. And it is obvious what all people need is a healthy environment.
To solve this burning problem it is necessary for people to combine efforts, to raise safety standards at all industrial facilities, to adequately process by-products of industry, to set up an international space laboratory to monitor the state of environment and set up an international centre for emergency environmental assistance. All these measures will help us in solving these important problems and prevent us from dangerous illnesses and diseases.
Exercise 1
Find in the text English equivalents of the following words and word combinations:
охрана (зашита) окружающей среды; укорениться; почва; токсичные отходы; заражать, инфицировать (в том числе отравляющими и радиоактивными веществами); беспокоиться; опустошительный, разрушительный; происходить редко; парниковый эффект; углекислый газ, двуокись углерода; промышленные предприятия; быть необычайно важным; выброс газов; поднимать требования к технике безопасности; хорошо перерабатывать
промышленные отходы.
Exercise 2
Complete the sentences:
1. Environmental protection is the main ….
2. There is no doubt that soil, water and air are …
3. Over the past few years we have been constantly speaking about …
4. Weather patterns have been changing recently due to …
5. The greenhouse effect is created by …
6. To solve this burning problem it is necessary for people to …
Exercise 3
Answer the questions:
1. Why is the word “ecology” so important for the majority of people nowadays?
2. What are the scientists in many countries concerned about?
3. What is the greenhouse effect?
4. What is the reason for people getting so much worried about the state of environment?
5. What should be done to solve the most important environmental problems?
Nature Protection
Computers project that between now and the year of 2030 we are going to have increase of the average temperature between 1,5—4,5 Degrees C. Sea levels would rise by several metres, flooding coastal areas and ruining vast tracts of farmland. Huge areas would be infertile and become uninhabitable. Water contamination could lead to shortages of safe drinking water. It looks like the end of civilization on the Earth.
The range of environmental problems is wide. But the matters of people's great concern nowadays are atmosphere and climate changes, depletion of the ozone layer, freshwater resources, oceans and coastal areas, deforestation and desertification, biological diversity, biotechnology, health and chemical safety.
Acid Rains. One of the most alarming forms of air pollution is acid rain. Scientific studies have shown that the process that results in the formation of acid rain generally begins with the discharge of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere. These waste gases are released by the combustion of fossil fuels by automobiles, electric power plants, and smelting and refining facilities. They also are emitted by some biological processes. The gases combine with atmospheric water vapor to form sulfuric and nitric acids. When rain or some other form of precipitation falls to the surface, it is highly acidic. The consequent acidification of surface and subsurface waters is widely believed to have a detrimental effect on the ecology of the affected areas. As highly acidic water is toxic to many aquatic organisms, many lakes in these regions are biologically damaged. It also has been found that acid precipitation is harmful to trees and other forms of vegetation, causing foliar injury and reduction in growth.
Depletion of the Ozone Layer. The protective layer of the Earth, the ozone layer, which protects the Earth from the sun's destructive UV (ultraviolet) rays, is being damaged by CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons). They are released by the daily use of industrial and household products: refrigerators, air conditioners, foam insulation, cleaning chemicals, food packaging. In the ozone layer they attack the ozone molecules making a «hole». This «hole» allows more UV rays to penetrate to the Earth. It increases the risk of skin cancer, weakens the immune system of people.
Besides, UV rays influence the oceans, the growth of plankton, an essential part of the marine-life food chain in the negative way, reduce economically important-crops (rice, cotton, soy beans). The life cycle is going to be undermined by the ozone.
Destruction of the Tropical Forest. It's generally agreed that the destruction of the tropical forest has a major impact on the world climate. The tropical rain forest is a natural recycler, provider and protector for our planet. It recycles carbon, nitrogen and oxygen, helps determine temperature, rainfall and other climatic conditions and supports the most diverse ecosystem in the world. Deforestation could cause one forth of all species on earth to vanish in the next 25 years.
Animal extinction. It is the dying out or termination of a race or species. Extinction occurs when a species can no longer reproduce at replacement levels. Most extinctions are thought to have resulted from environmental changes that affected the species in either of two ways. The doomed species might not have been able to adapt to the changed environment and thus perished without descendants; or it may have adapted but, in the process, may have evolved into a distinctly new species. The effect of humans on the environment, through hunting, collecting, and habitat destruction, has become a significant factor in plant and animal extinctions.
Recycling. It is recovery and reprocessing of waste materials for use in new products. The basic phases in recycling are the collection of waste materials, their processing or manufacture into new products, and the purchase of those products, which may then themselves be recycled. Typical materials that are recycled include iron and steel scrap, aluminum cans, glass bottles, paper, wood, and plastics. The materials reused in recycling serve as substitutes for raw materials obtained from such increasingly scarce natural resources as petroleum, natural gas, coal, mineral ores, and trees. Recycling can help reduce the quantities of solid waste deposited in landfills, which have become increasingly expensive. Recycling also reduces the pollution of air, water, and land resulting from waste disposal.
Exercise 1
Find in the text English equivalents of the following words and word combinations:
затапливать прибрежные зоны, становиться непригодным для жилья, загрязнение воды, нехватка питьевой воды, кислотный дождь, выделять диоксид серы, разрушение озонового слоя, сжигание топлива, образовывать серную и азотную кислоты, ультрафиолетовое излучение, уничтожение тропического леса, вымирание животных, переработка отходов, удаление отходов.
Exercise 2
Complete the following sentences:
1. Water contamination could lead to…
2. One of the most alarming forms of air pollution is …
3. The waste gases are released by the combustion of …, …, …. .
4. The gases combine with atmospheric water vapor to form …
5. Extinction occurs when a species can no longer …
6. The materials reused in recycling serve as ….
Exercise 3
Answer the questions:
1. What will the increase of the average temperature result in?
2. What are the main environmental problems?
3. What is acid rain? In what way is it dangerous for people and environment?
4. What are the main reasons for the depletion of the ozone layer?
5. What is the role of the tropical forests on our planet?
6. What are the basic phases in recycling?
Water Pollution
Water pollution occurs mostly, when people overload the water environment such as streams, lakes, underground water, bays or seas with wastes or substances harmful to living beings.
Water is necessary for life. All organisms contain it, some drink it and some live in it. Plants and animals require water that is moderately pure, and they cannot survive, if water contains toxic chemicals or harmful microorganisms. Water pollution kills large quantity of fish, birds, and other animals, in some cases killing everything in an affected area.
Pollution makes streams, lakes, and coastal waters unpleasant to swim in or to have a rest. Fish and shellfish harvested from polluted waters may be unsafe to eat. People who polluted water can become ill, if they drink polluted water for a long time, it may develop cancer or hurt their future children.
The major water pollutants are chemical, biological, and physical materials that lessen the water quality. Pollutants can be separated into several different classes:
The first class is petroleum products: oil, fuel, lubrication, plastics. The petroleum products get into water by accidental spills from ships, tanker trucks and when there are leaks from underground storage tanks. Many petroleum products are poisonous for animals. Spilled oil damages the feathers of birds and the fur of animals, often it causes death.
The second class is pesticides and herbicides. They are chemicals used to kill harmful animals and plants. If they penetrate into streams, rivers, lakes, these chemicals can be very dangerous. The chemicals can remain dangerous for a long time. When an animal eats a plant that's been treated with it, the poisons are absorbed into the tissues and organs of the animals.
When other animals feed on a contaminated animal, the chemicals are passed up to them. As it goes up through the food chain, the chemical becomes more harmful, so animals at the top of the food chains may suffer cancers, reproductive problems, and death. Nitrates can cause a lethal form of anemia in infants.
The third class is heavy metals, such as, mercury, selenium, uranium, radium, cesium, etc. They get into the water from industries, automobile exhausts, mines, and natural soil. Heavy metals also become more harmful as they follow the food chain. They accumulate in living being's cells and when they reach high levels of concentration in the organism, they can be extremely poisonous, or can result in long-term health problems. They can sometimes cause liver and kidney damage.
The fourth class is fertilizers and other nutrients used to promote plant growth on farms and in gardens.
The fifth class is infectious organisms and pathogens. They enter water through sewage, storm drains, runoff from farms, etc.
The last one is thermal pollution. Water is often taken from rivers, lakes or seas to be used in factories and power plants. The water is usually returned to the source warmer than when it was taken. Even a small temperature change in a body of water can drive away the fish and other species that were originally there, and attract other species in place of them. It breaks a balance and can cause serious circumstances in future.
Exercise 1
Find in the text English equivalents of the following words and word combinations:
содержать ядовитые химикаты; подземные воды; ухудшать качество воды; нефтепродукты; дренажи; живые существа; проводить массовые охоты; грузовой танкер;
подземные хранилища (резервуары); зараженный, загрязненный; летальный исход; причинять ущерб, вред; сточные воды, нечистоты; достигнуть высокого уровня концентрации.
Exercise 2
Complete the sentences :
1. People overload the water environment such as …
2. The major water pollutants are …., …, … .
3. The petroleum products get into water by …
4. Nitrates can cause …
5. Water is often taken from rivers, lakes or seas to be used in ….
Exercise 3
Answer the questions:
1. When does water pollution occur?
2. What are the major water pollutants?
3. In what groups can pollutants be separated?
4. How do petroleum products affect the animals?
5. Why can pesticides and herbicides be dangerous if they penetrate into streams, rivers and lakes?
6. What do heavy metals result in?
7. How do fertilizers penetrate to water?
8. What damage can thermal pollution cause?
Discussion
Do yon agree or not? Comment on the following statements.
1. One man is no man.
2. Delays are dangerous.
3. As you sow so shall you reap.
Unit 3
Дата: 2019-02-24, просмотров: 385.