Environment

22. Environment

1. Now let’s talk about environment. People say that our planet is in danger. Do you share this opinion?

I’d say that “our planet is in danger” is not the opinion, it’s a fact. Among the most urgent problems are the ozone layer, acid rains, global warming, toxic pollution of atmosphere, disappearance of forests, contamination of underground waters by chemical elements, destruction of soil in some areas, threat to some flora and fauna representatives and many others.

One of the most important pollution problems is the oceans. Many ships sail in the ocean water- fishing ships, some ships carrying people, some carrying oil. If a ship loses some of the oil in the water, or waste the water becomes dirty. Many sea birds die because of the polluted water. Many fish are dying in the sea, others are getting contaminated. Fishermen catch contaminated fish which may be sold in markets, and people may get sick from eating them. Lakes and rivers are becoming polluted, too. Some beaches are dangerous for swimming.

Another important problem is air pollution. Cars and factories pollute the air we use. Their car exhaust fumes also destroy the ozone layer which protects the Earth from the dangerous light of the Sun. Aerosols create large “holes” in the ozone layer round the Earth.

A sore subject is that our forests are dying from acid rains. Deforestation, especially destruction of tropical forests, affects the balance of nature in many ways. It kills animals, changes the climate and ecosystem in the world. People’s activity is crowding animals out of their natural habitat.

There are a lot of places on our planet that need immediate help. Our country is not an exception. The nuclear accident at Chernobyl, which took place on April 26, 1986., has seriously aggravated the ecological situation in Belarus. That catastrophe can be considered as the largest disaster of the 20th century. As the result of that accident 18% of territories of our republic were contaminated by radioactive elements. The agriculture of our country suffered great losses. More than 20% of the population has also suffered. A death rate among children has increased considerably. The wide researches are carried out, but health state of the people living in polluted areas, is worsened. The level of thyroid gland cancer has increased, the immunity of children and women is weakened, many diseases appear out only a few years later. Everyone understands that this catastrophe is a threat to health of our nation, and though years have already passed, the results will be shown on the future generations.

I’d like to say a few words about animals in danger of extinction. The blue whale is the largest animal which has ever lived. Once there were over 200000 of these creatures living in the Atlanticand Pacific oceans. Since the seventeenth century they have been hunted for their oil and meat. In fact, so many of them were killed that by 1963 their population had been reduced to just 1000. Today it is even less than that. The African elephant is the world’s largest land animal. Today there are fewer than one million of these animals left. Even though they are now protected, they are still being hunted because of their tusks, which are used to make ornaments and jewellery.

2. What do you think people should do to protect the environment?

I believe that environment disasters can be avoided if people broaden ecological education and every person understands that the beauty of nature is extremely fragile and people must obey the unwritten laws of nature. Governments must be prepared to take action against pollution. Air pollution could be reduced if plants and factories were made to fit effective filters on chimneys and car exhausts. Green zones around big cities must be protected and extended. Natural resources should be used economically because their stocks are not unlimited.

The problem of “holes” in the ozone layer round the Earth could be solved by individual action: stop using ozone-depleting chemicals. However, global action was taken to control the problem. The international convention to stop the production of many ozone-depleting chemicals is one of the best examples.

One more problem, greenhouse warming, can also be solved by individual action – reducing energy use. We could do this by turning off lights, turning down heaters and air conditioners, building more energy efficient buildings, shutting doors. These are all simple actions which everyone must do if we are concerned about our planet, yet not many do so. New technology may help, but lifestyle change can have much more immediate effect.

There is only one way to save wild animals and wild habitats – conservation. That means protecting endangered animals by law, opening more national parks, building fewer new roads, planting more new forests, cutting pollution. If this doesn’t happen, many wild animals will soon have just one habitat- the Zoo.

 - Everyone should become an ecologically conscious person.

 -We should broaden the system of ecological education

-We should be economical with natural recourses (water, gas, oil)

-We should buy and use only ecologically safe products (never use sprays)

- It is advisable to take part in the activities of different ecological organization sand volunteer work: planting trees, picketing …)

-New purifying systems should be fit

-  We should be ecologically responsible people: stop littering to prevent air, land and water from being polluted

- We should never do harm to wildlife: stop hunting and killing wild animals

3. What would you like to ask your British friend about measures that are taken to protect the environment in Britain?

-  Are there any environmental organizations in Britain?

-  Does your school take part in any programmes to protect the environment?

-   What measures are taken by your local authority to protect the environment?

4. A friend of yours wants to develop a programme to protect the city where he lives. Give him a piece of advice.

First of all I would recommend him to consult ecologists about the types of local problems. Then it would be easy to plan some activities. Sometimes financial support is necessary. That’s why looking for some sponsors may also be necessary. But the most important thing is great wish of people who take part in such programmes.

5. Green school of the year content is held in the country and you want your school to enter it. Give ideas for some “green events”.

There are a lot of things we can do to help make our school a little greener.

I think a clean-up day once a month will be useful.

Reducing is also very important: we can encourage the pupils to make printing on both sides of the page to save the trees.We can also encourage our cafeteria to stop using plastic cups. And, of course, planting more trees and flowers.