International agreements

Countries are reluctant to act independently because they think it puts them at an economic disadvantage compared with other countries. Scientists have estimated that a cut of 80-90% is required to prevent further damage to the Swedish environment. Countries are now working on agreements that will reduce the amount of nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere, mainly through controlling pollution from vehicle exhausts.

Technological solutions

There are ways to reduce the amount of sulphur dioxide getting into the atmosphere:

• sources of coal and oil naturally low in sulphur can be used

• sulphur can be removed before the fuel is burnt

• smoke can be washed with a slurry of lime

More efficient use of energy reduces the amount of fuel used and hence the amount of pollution produced. If energy conservation measures were expanded, developed countries which account for 80% of the use of fossil fuels could use much less fuel without suffering a drop in their standard of living. Energy can be produced from less polluting sources such as hydro-electric power, wave power, tidal barrages built across rivers, solar panels, wind power and nuclear power, although all of these have other implications for the environment.

Pollution from car vehicle exhausts can be reduced if catalytic converters are fitted. These devices are fitted into the exhaust system of the car and change the harmful nitrogen oxides and other pollutants into less polluting carbon dioxide, nitrogen and water. However they will only work with lead-free petrol.

Personal action

Everyone can do something to reduce pollution. We can save energy by not wasting hot water, turning off lights when they are not needed, using cars only when it is really necessary, taking cans, paper and bottles for recycling, making sure washing machines are used only when there is a full load etc.

Public transport

Buses and trains make more efficient use of fuel than private cars. One litre of fuel will carry a person:

• 6 km in a large car (driver only)

• 9 km in a small car (driver only)

• 50 km in a bus with 40 passengers

• 55 km in a train with 300 passengers

Walking and cycling require no fossil fuels and make you healthier as well!

Exercises

1. Practise reading the following words from the text. Learn their Russian equivalents:

to acidify (acidified, acidic, acidification), alkaline (alkalinity), barrage, carbon dioxide, carbonic acid, conifer (coniferous), to deposit, deciduous, to envelop, exhaust, extremity, fungi, granite, limestone, moisture, minute (adj), nitrogen, nitrogen oxide, nitric, nutrient, photosynthesis, plankton, to plough, pollen, precipitation, sulphur, sulphur dioxide, sulphuric, vehicle, volcanic, yield

2. Explain what is meant by:

1) pH; 2) sea spray; 3) plankton; 4) the built environment; 5) to leach, leaching; 6) food web; 7) the buffering capacity; 8) to lime, liming; 9) to support a rich variety of wildlife; 10) less polluting sources of energy: hydro-electric power, wave power, tidal barrages (built across rivers), solar panels, wind power.