Comprehension task

1. Find in the articles the sentences which show that:

а) Acid rain and the warming of the atmosphere are the effects of human activity.

б) Pollutant gases produce the effect of a greenhouse for the Earth’s climate.

в) The soil is being degraded very quickly because of acid rain.

г) The wildlife in the Earth’s water reserves is endangered with extinction because of acid pollution.

д) The warming of the atmosphere may threaten the world with hunger.

е) The health of people is also in danger.

2. Ask and answer.

1. – Why is the warming of the Earth’s climate called … ?

Because the pollutant gases … .

2. – How does acid rain effect … ?

It damages the roots and …

3. – Why is … … an international hazard?

The wind … .

4. – What will happen to the ice … ?

It will … .

5. - Can we stop … ?

No, we can’t but … .

6. – What is … ?

It’s a mixture … .

7. – How much and how soon may the global … rise?

By the year 2030 … .

3. Complete the sentences.

1. Seven million hectares of European forests are dead or dying because of … .

2. Carbon dioxide, chloro-fluoro-carbons, methane and nitrous oxide are the main … gases that produce … effect.

3. Each molecule of chloro-fluoro-carbons can … 10 times more heat than a molecule of carbon dioxide.

4. Chemical fertilizers are … not only for soil, they also add to the … of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

5. The growing … of the … of the Green Peace Movement.

6. A rise in sea … will mean a lot of other human- … losses for environment.

7. Acid rain … the health of people.

4. Find in the text equivalents to the following phrases.

При температуре; природные бедствия, вызванные деятельностью человека; в результате; живая природа; убийственная смесь; газовая оболочка; не пропускают; понимание важности окружающей среды.

5. Study the causes for acid rain and greenhouse effect and suggest what action should be done to lessen their effects.

Causes:

Power stations using coal and oil;

Automobile traffic;

Burning trees;

Aerosols;

Refrigerators;

Plastic boxes;

Chemical fertilizers;

These facts may help you.

Greenhouse gases are:

CO₂– from burning fossil fuels;

CFCs – in aerosols, refrigerators, plastic boxes;

Methane and nitrous oxide-from fertilizers, rubbish;

Use the following verbs:

Conserve – сохранять;

Ban – запрещать;

Reclaim – утилизировать;

Unit 3

Read the text and say what is the main idea of the text.

Tropical rainforest destruction

Tropical rainforests are the richest habitats on earth, forming a green belt around the Equator, 20 degrees north and south, from South and Central America to West Africa and South -East Asia. While they cover only 8% of the Earth’s land area, they contain more than 50% of all species.They also secure the Earth’s most important cycles like the soil, water, air- upon which man is totally dependent.

Deforestation has been going on for centuries. By 2000 half of the world’s tropical rainforests were gone. Vast areas have been cut down for timber to go to Europe and Japan and also to make way for plantations and mining. Forests are being burned to the ground to make way for cattle ranches to produce cheap beef for US hamburgers.

1,5 million tons of carbon dioxide, which is the most important greenhouse gas, comes from the burning of rainforests trees every year. So, it adds to the warming of the Earth. Normally, trees absorb CO2 and release oxigen into the air. Today, there are fewer trees. That means more and more CO2.

When forests are destroyed or degraded, natural habitats perish. This leads to 150 species extinctions globally every day. At present rates, 20% of all species will be gone by 2000.

Deforestation will also mean the wasting of natural resources and the elimination of tribal people.