Save the Earth!

e are slowly destroying the earth. The seas and rivers are –––––––––– dirty to swim in. There is –––––––––– smoke in the air, it is unhealthy to live in many of the world’s cities. In one well-known city, for example, poisonous gases from cars pollute the air –––––––––– that traffic policemen have to wear oxygen masks.

We have cut down –––––––––– trees that there are now vast areas of wasteland all over the world. As a result, farmers in parts of Africa cannot grow –––––––––– to eat. In certain countries in Asia there is –––––––––– little rice.

Moreover, we do not take –––––––––– care of the countryside. Wild animals are quickly disappearing. For instance, tigers are rare in India now because we have killed –––––––––– for them to survive. However, it isn’t –––––––––– simply to talk about the problem. We must act now before it is –––––––––– late to do anything about it. Join us now. Save the Earth. This is –––––––––– important to ignore.

Task 3.1. Read the following paragraph carefully.

The world’s oceans are so vast that they can cope with the present level of pollution. However, little is known about the long-term effects of such slow poisoning. The most serious problem of modern times is that man is destroying the earth’s natural resources, and transforming huge areas into wasteland. As a result, it is becoming extremely difficult to grow enough to feed the world’s rapidly increasing population. A way of protecting all the wildlife on the earth must also be found as many species are in danger of disappearing completely from the face of the earth. The dangers, however, are not confined solely to the land and the sea. The smoke in the atmosphere, for example, is increasing so much that the amount of sunlight has been reduced in many cities. Man’s whole environment is being changed in a serious way.

For each of the following dictionary definitions write down the correct word from the passage:

1. Birds, animals, fish which are not tame ………………….

2. Keeping something safe from harm ……………………...

5. The process of making something dirty or impure ............

4. Barren area, desert ………………………………………..

5. The air, water and land in which we live ………………...

6. Completely changing in form or nature .....................……

7. Wealth, goods or products people can use ……………….

8. The air surrounding the earth ............................………….

9. The number of people living in a place ...................……...

10. Difficulty which needs attention and thought ..........……

11. Results, consequences....................................…………...

Task 4. Study the following text and do the given tasks.

Tropical Rainforest Destruction

"Tell me, where the flowers're gone."

From a German song

"Rainforests preservation would be an investment in the future of the planet"

N. Brown, UNO

A. 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.

B. Deforestation has been going on for centuries. By 1988 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.

C. 1,5 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂), 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 (O₂) into the air. Today, there are fewer and fewer trees. That means more and more CO₂.

D. 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 2010. Deforestation will also mean the wasting of natural resources and the elimination of tribal people.

Task 4.1. Decide where these sentences go in the text.

1. Firewod collection for cooking and warmth eliminates vast areas of trees around the cities in Asia and Africa.

2. In Japan they make chop-sticks which they use once and then throw away.

3. The Amazon forest may be completely hamburgerized by the beginning of the new century.

4. Rainforest destruction is one of the main reasons of mass extinction.

5. Tropical forest is the pearl of the natural wonders.

Task 4.2. Say whether the following statements are true or false, give your reasons.

1. We can compensate for the loss of rainforests very quickly if we plant more forests in other places.

2. If we don’t stop the destruction of rainforests, the Endangered Spices List will grow much longer.

3. Animals and birds from the rainforests can find other places to live in.

4. The degradation and the death of the forests of the Earth worsens the greenhouse effect.

Task 5. Read the paragraphs below and the summary which follows. Complete the summary by writing the correct word in each blank.

ir pollution is a cause of ill health in human beings. In a lot of countries there are laws limiting the amount of smoke which factories can produce. Although there isn’t enough information on the effects of smoke in the atmosphere doctors have proved that air pollution causes lung diseases.

The gases from the exhausts of cars have also increased air pollution in most cities. The lead in petrol produces a poisonous gas which often collects in busy streets surrounded by high buildings. Children who live in areas where there is a lot of lead in the atmosphere cannot think as quickly as other children and are clumsy when they use their hands.

There are other long-term effects of pollution. If the gases in the atmosphere continue to increase, the earth’s climate may become warmer. A lot of the ice near the Poles may melt and may cause serious floods.

Air –––––––––– can make people ––––––––––. Consequently, some countries pass –––––––––– to control the quantity of –––––––––– in the air. –––––––––– causes particular damage to the body by harming the ––––––––––. –––––––––– should not be used in petrol because it is bad for children’s –––––––––– and makes them clumsy in using their hands. Poisonous gas from –––––––––– collects in those parts of cities where there are tall buildings. Pollution can also have an influence on the earth’s ––––––––––. The ice may melt near the North and South Poles, resulting in very bad ––––––––––.

Task 6. Study the following text and do the given tasks.