The Environmentalists’ Organizations

Nature protection is everyone’s concern, because by protection the Earth we can protect ourselves against the destruction of our environment. So if we want to breathe fresh air, swim in clear water and eat eco-clean products, we should act now. As the biological balance has already been upset by human activity and the range of environmental problems is really wide nowadays.

Even a single person can do a lot. For example we may save energy resources by insulating houses and traveling by public transport, instead of cars. We may save electricity by switching off the light when it is not needed. We may refuse to use nonbiodegradable packaging material and goods, as a lot of energy is used to produce them. We may use special bottle banks for plastic bottles, so that can be recycled afterwards. Besides we may join the green movement. Lots of people all over the world have formed pressure groups to fight environmental problems. Such groups try to call public attention to these problems and put pressure on decision-makers and politicians, they also try to change the laws and public opinion.

The groups are usually organized as a charity, so they get money from donations and fund-raising events (like charity concerts for example).

International pressure groups, such as Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) are at the forefront of today's growing green movement. Greenpeace was founded in Canada in 1971. It first focused on anti-nuclear protests, and then it also turned to other environmental problems, such as whaling, bottom trawling and global warming.

“Friends of the Earth” was established in Britain in 1971. It fights against GM crops, overpacked goods, acid rains, and the destruction of wildlife and import of American nuclear waste into the UK. The world Wide Fund for Nature was formed in 1961 in Switzerland. The initial focus of its activities was the protection of endangered species. Usually these groups use non-violent methods, for example, “Friends of the Earth” dumped throw away bottles on the doorstep of Schweppes, the soft drink company. Greenpeace members in boats positioned themselves between whales and whaling ships to protest against whaling.

But perhaps those who are in a position to do more about nature protection are politicians and businessmen. Unfortunately, politicians^’ readiness is still very slow and limited. But some progress has been already made in this direction. 159 countries-members of the UNO have set up environmental protection agencies. They hold conferences, environmental research centers and take practical measures to avoid ecological catastrophe.

In June 1992, the first United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (called the Earth Summit) was held. There most of the world' nations signed treaties and made joint declarations, where they agreed to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases, protect endangered species and nonrenewable resources, to search for means that would minimize damage to ecosystems. Also industrialized countries agreed to increase their aid to developing countries.

No 6. Give the description of the British scenery. Characterize the landscape of different parts of Great Britain. Prove that each part has its own unique beauty.