The of nature is a subject that concerns everybody
The of nature is a subject that concerns everybody
The Protection of Nature
Nature is the source of Man’s life since ancient times. People lived in harmony with environment for thousands of years and thought that natural riches were unlimited. The development of civilisation increased man’s harmful interference in nature.
Large cities with thousands of smoky industrial enterprises pollute the air we breathe and the water we drink. Every year world industry pollutes the atmosphere with about 1,000 million tons of dust and other harmful substances. Many cities suffer from smog. Beautiful old forests disappear forever. Their disappearance upsets the oxygen balance. As a result some rare species of animals, birds, fish and plants disappear forever, a number of lakes and rivers dry up.
The pollution of air and destruction of the ozone layer are the results of man’s attitude towards Nature.
The protection of the environment is a universal concern. We must be very active to create a serious system of ecological security.
Слова к тексту:
destruction (n) – разрушение
dry up (v) – высыхать
harmful interference – вредное воздействие
industrial enterprises – промышленные предприятия
natural riches – природные богатства
ozone 1ауer [´əuzəun ´leıə] – озоновый слой
rare (adj) – редкий
source (n) [´sכ:s] – источник
substances (n) – вещества
suffer (v) – страдать
universal concern – всеобщая забота
upset (v) – зд. нарушать
Ответьте на вопросы:
1. What is the main reason of ecological problems?
2. What are the main ecological problems?
3. Why should the ecological problems be a universal concern?
4. What steps are taken to fight ecological problems?
Ex.7. Расскажите, что вы знаете о Альберте Эйнштейне.
Text C
ANDREI SAKHAROV
Andrei Dmitrievich Sakharov, an outstanding scientist and public figure, was born on the 21st of May, 1921, into a family of teachers. He graduated from Moscow University in 1942. In 1947 he defended his thesis for the degree of Candidate of Science. In 1953 he defended his Doctorate thesis and was elected member of the Academy of Sciences.
Sakharov played a decisive role in developing the Soviet hydrogen bomb. While working on the bomb he came to the conclusion that any atomic and nuclear weapons should be banned.
In 1966 he took part in his first human rights demonstration, a one-minute silent protest in Pushkin Square. A year later, he wrote a letter to Communist Party leader Leonid Brezhnev defending imprisoned dissidents.
He fought courageously for human rights in the former USSR and in 1975 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
His international repute as a scientist kept him out of jail, but in 1980 he was deprived of all his titles and orders and exiled to the city of Gorky. In Gorky he continued to work for peace, justice and human rights.
It was Michail Gorbachev who helped A. Sakharov to return to Moscow. He was given back all his titles and 3 years later he was elected deputy of the Supreme Soviet.
Sakharov died in 1989. He is remembered by everybody as an outstanding humanist, one of the best representatives of humankind who could teach and inspire and who foresaw the changes that are taking place now.
Names
Vocabulary
Ex.1. Ответьте на вопросы:
1. When was Andrei Sakharov born?
2.What were his parents?
3.What university did he graduate from? When?
4.What is Sakharov famous for as a scientist?
5.When did he defend his Doctorate thesis?
6 What conclusion did he come to while working on the bomb?
7. When did he take part in his first human rights demonstration?
8. What kind of prize did he receive?
9. Why was he exiled to Gorky?
10 Who helped him to come back to Moscow?
11. Was he given back all his titles?
12. Why is Sakharov known all over the world?
Ex.2. Переведите на русский язык слова и словосочетания:
An outstanding scientist; public figure; graduate from; defend member; a decisive role; hydrogen bomb; come to the conclusion; atomic weapon; nuclear reactor; to ban; to defend; imprisoned dissidents; to fight for human rights; to fight courageously; to deprive of all titles; to exile to; justice.
Ex.3. Подберите соответствующие значения:
1. graduate from a. защищать
2. thesis b. предвидеть
3. defend c. закончить
4. decisive role d. диссертация
5. hydrogen bomb e. решающая роль
6. ban f. заключенный в тюрьму
7. imprisoned g. водородная бомба
8. award h. запрещать
9. jail l. лишать
10. deprive m. тюрьма
11. humankind n. награждать
12. inspire o. вдохновлять
13.foresee p. человечество
Ex.4. Переведите слова в скобках:
1. A.D. Sakharov (выдающийся учёный и общественный деятель) was born on the 21 of May, 1921.
2. He (закончил) Moscow University in 1942.
3. Sakharov played a (решающую роль) in developing the Soviet (водородную бомбу).
4. He fought (мужественно) for human rights in the former USSR
5. In Gorky he continued to work (за мир, справедливость и права человека).
Ex.5. Поставьте предложения в вопросительную и отрицательную форму:
1. A. D. Sakharov was born on the 21 of May, 1921.
2. He played a decisive role in developing the Soviet hydrogen bomb.
3. In 1975 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
4. In Gorky he continued to work for peace, justice and human rights.
Ex. 6. Расскажите, что вы знаете о А.Д.Сахарове.
UNIT 6
Text A
ECOLOGICAL PROBLEMS
Since ancient times Nature has served Man, being the source of his life. For thousands of years people lived in harmony with environment and it seemed to them that natural riches were unlimited. But with the development of civilization man’s interference in nature began to increase.
Large cities with thousands of smoky industrial enterprises appear all over the world today. The by-products of their activity pollute the air we breathe, the water we drink, the land we grow grain and vegetables. Every year world industry pollutes the atmosphere with about 1000 million tons of dust and other harmful substances. Many cities suffer from smog. Vast forests are cut and burn in fire. Their disappearance upsets the oxygen balance. As a result some rare species of animals, birds, fish and plants disappear forever, a number of rivers and lakes dry up.
The pollution of air and the world’s ocean, destruction of the ozone layer is the result of man’s careless interaction with nature, a sign of ecological crises.
The most horrible ecological disaster befell Belarus and Ukraine, their people in the result of the Chernobyl tragedy in April 1986. About 18 per cent of the territory of Belarus was polluted with radioactive substances. A great damage has been done to the republics’ agriculture, forests and people’s health. The consequences of this explosion at the atomic power-station are tragic for the Belarusian and Ukrainian nations.
Environmental protection is a universal concern. That is why serious measures to create a system of ecological security should be taken.
Some progress has been already made in this direction. As many as 159 countries — members of the UNO — have set up environmental protection agencies. Numerous conferences have been held by these agencies to discuss questions of ecologically poor regions including the Aral Sea, the South Urals, Kuzbass, Donbass, Semipalatinsk and Chernobyl. The international environmental research centre has been set up on Lake Baikal. The international organization Greenpeaceis also doing much to preserve the environment. But these are only the initial steps and they must be carried forward to protect nature, to save life on the planet not only for the sake of the present but also for the future generations.
Топик ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION
На этой странице находится топик по английскому по теме ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION
The Earth is the only planet in the soiar system where there is life. If you look down at the Earth from a plane you will see how wonderful our planet is. You will see blue seas and oceans, rivers and lakes, high snow-capped mountains, green forests and fields. For centuries man had lived in harmony with nature until industrialization brought human society into conflict with the natural environment. Today, the contradictions between man and nature have acquired a dramatic character. With the development of civilization man’s interference in nature has increased. Every year the world’s industry pollutes the atmosphere with millions of tons of dust and other harmful substances. The seas and rivers are poisoned with industrial waste, chemical and sewage discharge. People who live in big cities are badly affected by harmful discharge from plants and city transport and by the increasing noise level which is as bad for human health as lack of fresh air and clean water.
Another serious ecological problem is the disappearance of forests. Some of them die from acid rains, others are cut down. Rain forests disappear at an alarming rate. If man continues to cut down rain forests, more than one million species of plants and animals will become extinct by the year of 2030.
Water is often looked upon as a dumping place where sewage and industrial waste can be washed away and hopefully disappear. As a result some rivers and lakes are so badly polluted that the water is unfit for bathing.
There are a lot of places on our planet that need immediate help. Our country is no exception. The nuclear accident at Chernobyl has seriously aggravated the ecological situation in Belarus. About 18 per cent of the country’s soil are unfit for farming and some districts in the south-east of the country are dangerous to live in.
Today people are aware that our life depends on the state of the environment. Pollution kills everything that is alive. It ruins nature creating serious dangers to the flora, fauna and man himself. So nature protection should become everybody’s concern.
I believe that environmental 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 more economically because their stocks are not unlimited.
Today more and more people are aware of the necessity to stop the damage done by man to nature. Different nongovernmental organizations work actively to protect nature. The international organization «Greenpeace» is one of them. It has brought the plight of the natural world to the attention of other people. The «Greenpeace» sent its boats to protect whales, and today commercial whaling is banned. In the North Sea Greenpeace swimmers turned back dump ships carrying chemical waste, and new laws to protect the North Sea have been considered.
It’s time we asked ourselves a question, «What can I do to protect nature?» When I look around I realize that not all people understand the importance of nature protection. On fine summer days a lot of people go out of town. They have picnics on the shores of lakes and the banks of rivers or on beautiful forest glades and they often leave behind a lot of rubbish — plastic bags and bottles, tins and paper. It makes me feel sad when I see people returning to town with huge bunches of forest or meadow flowers. Many of these plants are included into the Red Book which contains the names of rare plants and animals. Some of them have become extinct and others are on the verge of disappearing. If we don’t realize that we are all responsible for what’s happening around us we will never feel secure about the future of the world we live in.
Environmental Protection — Nationwide Concern
As a highly industrialized state Britain cannot ignore the problem of environmental protection. The practical results of the state policy in environmental protection include the development of technology to control atmospheric (air) and water pollution, agricultural pollution control, the study of man’s influence on the climate, the forecasting of earthquakes and tsunamis, the biological and genetic consequences of pollution, protection of rare and vanishing plants and animals as well as a whole lot more.
The Control of Pollution Act 1974, which applies to England, Scotland and Wales, sets out a. wide range of powers and duties for local and water authorities, including control over wastes, air and water pollution and noise, and contains important provisions on the release of information to the public on environmental conditions.
The main risks of land pollution lie in the indiscriminate dumping of materials on land, careless disposal of pesticides and chemicals, fall-out of materials from the atmosphere and the deposition of materials from flood-water. The use of sewage sludge on farms, too, involves risks as well as benefits to the land.
The Government encourages the reclamation and recycling of waste materials wherever this is practicable and economic in order to reduce imports and to help to conserve natural resources. Industry already makes considerable use of reclaimed waste materials such as metals, paper and textiles. In an increasing number of areas there are «bottlebanks» where the public can deposit used glass containers.
There has been a steady and significant improvement in water quality: the level of pollution in the tidal Thames has been reduced to a quarter of the 1950s level and 100 different kinds of fish have been identified there. Discharges of polluting matter into rivers, lakes, estuaries and some coastal waters are already controlled by law.
Control of marine pollution from ships is based largely on international conventions drawn up under the auspices of the Intema- tional Maritime Organization, a United Nations agency with headquarters in London. In dealing with spillages of oil or chemicals at sea the main treatment method is to spray dispersant from aircraft or surface vessels, and emergency cargo transfer equipment is available to remove oil from a damaged tanker.
Considerable progress has been made towards the achievement of cleaner air and a better environment, especially in the last 20 years or so. Total emissions and average concentration of smoke in the air have fallen by 80 per cent. London no longer has the dense smoke-laden «smogs» of the 1950s and in central London winter sunshine has been increasing since the 1940s when average hours a day were about 40 per cent less than at Kew in outer London; the levels are now virtually the same.
Transport is one of the main offenders in noise pollution, and control measures are aimed at reducing noise at source, through requirements limiting the noise that aircraft and motor vehicles may make, and by protecting people from its effects.
In Britain radiation resulting from industrial and other processes represents only a small fraction of that to which the population is exposed from the natural environment. Nevertheless, that fraction is subject to stringent control because of possible effects on health or longer-term genetic effects.
Various methods are used to store radioactive wastes, depending primarily upon their physical form and radioactivity. Wastes of sufficiently low radioactivity are dispersed safely direct to the environment. For those of higher radioactivity a comprehensive, international research programme is being carried out with government assistance and with the participation of the nuclear industry into methods of treatment, storage, transport and disposal.
2. Answer the following questions:
1. What are the major environmental problems confronting Britain today? 2. What powers and duties for control authorities are set out by the Control of Pollution Act 1974? 3. What measures are taken to fight land pollution? 4. What are the main treatment methods applied to reduce water pollution? 5. What facts prove that a certain progress has been made towards cleaner air? 6. What operational measures have been introduced to reduce noise disturbance? 7. What operational measures have been introduced to store radioactive wastes? 8. What do you think are the responsibilities of nature conservation authorities and voluntary organizations in Britain? 9. Why do you think people should be concerned about protecting environment from pollution and from destruction of natural resources?
3. Summarize the text in three paragraphs specifying the necessity of fighting environmental pollution on a wide scale.
4. Use the Topical Vocabulary in answering the following questions:
1. What are the major environmental issues confronting humanity today? 2. What is the global imperative for environment as you see it? 3. Why are many people concerned about ecology today? Why do we say that every man should be environment-conscious and environment-educated? 4. On what basis should the «man-na- ture» relationship function? 5. What are the steps undertaken by the governments (authorities) of many countries to protect environment? 6. What do you know about the practical results of the international cooperation in environmental protection? 7. How does the state control nature conservation and environmental protection in our country? 8. What role should mass media play in environmental protection?
5. Give a short newspaper review on one of the major issues of environmental protection. Refer to the Topical Vocabulary. Remember that your review should appeal to the interests and attitudes of the intended reader. It can be neutral, descriptive, emotional. Choose the facts to prove your viewpoint. Reproduce your story in class.
Wild Flowers and the Law
All the protection that the law can effectively give to our wild flowers is likely to be provided by the Wild Plants Protection Bill, which is due for its second reading in the Lords shortly. If the Bill reaches the Statute Book, as is probable, it will become an offence to sell, offer or expose for sale any wild plant that has been picked or uprooted, and for anyone other than an authorized person wilfully to uproot any wild plant. Picking of wild flowers will not be prohibited unless they are sold, or are included in the Bill’s schedule of rare species. The Bill has rightly been widely welcomed because so many of Britain’ wild plants are already in danger of disappearing, and it is high time that the law recognized the need for their conservation. It would, however, be self-deception to suppose that the Bill by itself can provide the protection that is needed. Measures of this kind, which are concerned with the actions of individuals, either greedy or ignorant, in remote and lonely places, are extremely difficult to enforce. If our rare plants are to be saved, only the greatest vigilance, in and outside the nature reserves, will save them.
You are asked to tell a group of foreign students (schoolchildren) about the nature conservation and environment protection in your country. You should cover the subject in about fifty words. Use the Topical Vocabulary.
7. Work in pairs. Discuss any of the environmental problems of today. You may speak about nature conservation in regard to nature destruction, environmental protection in regard to pollution. One of the students is supposed to introduce a subject of mutual interest, the other student disagrees with his partner’s viewpoint on the subject under discussion. Use the Topical Vocabulary.
B: I don’t share your fears. You paint the situation black. I can hardly see any unfavourable connection between urbanization, on the one hand, and pollution, on the other. Could you possibly explain what you mean by «the nature-man» relationship?
8. Speak about the after-effects of environmental pollution and nature destruction. Consider the following:
1. Destruction of wildlife. 2. Land pollution. 3. Water pollution. 4. Air pollution. 5. Noise disturbance. 6. Radioactivity. 7. Unrestricted industrialization.
9. During the last 20 years environmental protection has become a vital necessity for people. What do you think has stimulated man’s interest in the problems of environment? Consider the following and expand on the points which you think especially significant:
1. The problems of environment include a wide range of burning issues: nature destruction and pollution, extermination of wildlife on global scale, endangering human health with industrial wastes, etc.
2. There are the by-products of massive industrialization confronting all great industrial countries with the most serious problem of environment mankind ever faced, that of pollution.
3. The «green belts» not only provide restful relaxation, they are regarded as important allies in the battle against air pollution.
4. Among the simple but far disappearing blessings is the smell of clean fresh air and the good taste of pure water.
5. How the problem of pollution has been and is being tackled has a great deal to do with politics and social initiative.
6. One of the great problems grappled with in the plans for economic and social development is how to harmonize industry and community, plants and people.
7. Pollution has to do with the giant enterprises which advance industries and abuse natural resources.
10. Read the following dialogue. The expressions in bold type show the WAYS OF CHECKING UNDERSTANDING. Note them down. Be ready to act out the dialogue in class:
— If only what? You sound as if you’ve made it a point to tease me!
— You are so carried away with the idea. Well, your personal likes and dislikes are making you anything but practical.
11. Discussing things often involves giving instructions to people. If you give instructions to someone you will probably need to check as you go along that your listener understands, like this:
Use clichés of checking understanding in making conversations of your own.
12. Work in pairs. Read the statements and expand on them. You may be of the similar or different opinion on the subject. Your comment should be followed by some appropriate speculation on the suggested point:
1. Everybody’s talking about pollution. Pollution is what happens when things we eat, the place we live in and the air around us are made dirty and unhealthy by machines and factories.
2. Men do not realize that a forest is more than a collection of trees. It is a complex community of plant and animal life. In a living forest two opposing forces are constantly at work: growth and decay. The growth of new trees balances destruction by insects, plant diseases, and occasional storms. But man’s unrestricted cutting of timber disturbs this natural balance.
3. National forests and national grasslands are managed for many uses, including recreation and the continuing yield of such resources as wood, water, wildlife, honey, nuts and Christmas trees.
4. Factories pay for the water they rise, but in our homes we only pay to have water. After that we can use as much as we want. Apparently we lose every day enough water for the whole town. Finally what we have left in our rivers we make so dirty that we can’t use it.
5. Some scientists believe that, if airlines operate a large number of supersonic airplanes, their engines may inject so much water vapour into the upper atmosphere that there will be many more clouds, more of the sun’s heat will be prevented from reaching the earth, and the earth’s temperature will drop— this might change the climate of the whole world, with very serious results.
6. Europe is such an industrialized area that it sends about 20 million tonnes of sulphur into the air every year. There is an old saying in English: «What goes up, must come down.» This 20 million tonnes is picked up by the wind. Most of it is carried some distance, often to another country. Each nation in Europe produces hundreds of thousands of tonnes of poison each year, and then sends it abroad.
13. Read the following text. Find in it arguments for protecting natural resources of your country. Think of the arguments that can be put forward in favour of the opposite viewpoint than that reflected in the text. Copy the arguments out into two columns (I — «for», II — «against»):
The True Story of Lake Baikal
It should be pointed out that the outcry about the threat of pollution faced by Baikal came from every section of society^ How to protect Baikal was the subject for widespread debate. There was some difference of opinion between those who one-sidedly emphasized industrial production and those who insisted that the basic balanced approach had to be adhered to.
Baikal first faced such problems almost 200 years ago when its shores were settled and crop farming and cattle breeding developed, and timber was felled. The floating of loose timber, particularly, polluted its waters. The pollution problem grew, especially after the war because of the accelerated development of industry and the rise of cities in Siberia.
Did the answer be in shutting down all existing enterprises and all production in Baikal’s vicinity? Was it necessary that Baikal’s vast treasures of forest, its power resources, mineral deposits and fertile soil lie untapped to protect its purity? Scientists reject the approach of the conservationist purists who contend that only by leaving nature untouched can environment be protected and pollution controlled. After considerable scientific study and debate the conclusion was Baikal’s beauty and purity could be maintained at the same time that its rich resources were tapped. Baikal can provide both material wealth and beauty to the country.
The answer lies in the rational use of Baikal resources, in guaranteeing its protection from pollution and despoliation.
14. Answer the following questions:
1. Why do you think the subject of Lake Baikal was very much in the news? 2. What posed a danger to the lake and its riches? 3. Do you agree with the conservationist purists that nature should be left untouched «in its virgin loveliness»? 4. What is meant by the rational use of natural resources in general and in reference to Lake Baikal in particular?
15. Discuss the text and the problem under study in pairs. One of the students takes a basically balanced viewpoint that Lake Baikal should be used rationally for industrial and recreational needs, the other student defends a purists’ idea that to preserve natural wealth we should leave it untapped. Be sure to provide sound arguments for whatever you say. Work out arguments «for» and «against».
Role-Playing.
What Must We Care About to Prevent Disaster?
Situation: A group of tourists is on a river voyage down the Volga. They enjoy excursions to numerous natural attractions and places of interest. Now they are on their way to a new automobile plant that comprises the manufacture of commercial vehicles, and parts and components. Once a beautiful countryside, now it’s a developed industrial area. The conversation centres around the future of the district. Then it takes a more general turn. The subject under discussion is environmental protection. There is some difference of opinion between those who one-sidedly emphasize industrial production and those who insist that a rational balanced approach should be adhered to.
1. Professor Pyotr Pavlov, aged 53, a specialist on afforestation, believes that by A.D. 2000 we will have destroyed natural environment because of the sprawl of large cities, reduction of open spaces, extermination of wildlife. Thinks that unrestricted urbanization will let the man down posing a danger to his health, choking him with pollutants. The very existence of human race as a biological species is threatened. Urgent steps should be taken by mankind to rescue the Earth and its inhabitants from a foreseeable disaster.
2. Doctor Oleg Firsov, aged 44, a professional naturalist and a science-fiction writer. Tries to warn people against the threat presented to natural environment by the by-products of industrial development. Says that science and technology progress has reached such a level of development that it endangers all living matter: plants, animals, people. A comprehensive survival programme should be worked out by specialists engaged in various spheres of science and economy.
3. Helen Strogova, aged 32, a science-popular films producer. Likes animals, keeps pets at home. She blames people for ruining animal habitats, inflicting pain and suffering on animals in scientific and medical experiments. In her TV series on animal life raises the problems confronting animals resulting from the nature destruction. Reminds people that lots of species are known to us only by hearsay, others are gradually vanishing. Believes that by the application of a rational conservation programme many problems can be solved.
4. Anton Kravtsov, aged 45, a leading specialist in the field of aircraft engineering industry, thinks that people benefit from the advanced technology: new materials have been invented, new industrial technologies have been introduced, and these are helping to improve our daily lives. Seldom goes to the country for a breath of fresh air, doesn’t see beauty in a landscape. Believes that the 21st century belongs to absolute reason. People should take all the ill-effects of industrialization for granted.
5. Olga Smirnova, aged 28, a postgraduate, a devoted student of medicine. Though a lover of nature doesn’t see any harm in medical experiments in which there’s a great amount of animal lives waste. She is convinced that animal experiments serve a direct scientific purpose and are justified in terms of the gain to human life. She says that people campaigning against vivisection do not seem to realize that the good state of health and freedom of disease is largely due to animal experiments.
6. Igor Timoshin, aged 37, a promising specialist in the field of oil refinery processes, an enthusiastic director of a giant industrial enterprise. Believes that oil exploration should be encouraged with the objective of maximizing economic production for the future. Says that though the natural mineral resources are not likely to enlarge a man should do his best to take the lion’s share of what the land possesses. His primary goal is oil production, and environmental protection comes secondary.
7. Marina Larionova, aged 60, a famous seascape painter, participates in the campaign against the unrestricted sea exploration. Reminds of the very beginning of life on the Earth. Says that man owes much to the Ocean and should preserve its reserves. She doesn’t think that man-made substitutes benefit humanity very much. Besides economic gains there should be moral obligations that any environment-conscious person should observe. It’s very important to make people environment-educated at an early age to reduce the damage inflicted to the environment.
Note: The group of students is divided into two teams, each of which performs the same role-playing game. While discussing the problems pertaining to environmental protection they show different approaches to the issues under discussion, speak about things of mutual interest, disagree with some of the participants or share the others’ point of view. Comments from the class on each team’s performance and the estimate of the different arguments are invited. •
Environmental Protection — Nationwide Concern
As a highly industrialized state Britain cannot ignore the problem of environmental protection. The practical results of the state policy in environmental protection include the development of technology to control atmospheric (air) and water pollution, agricultural pollution control, the study of man’s influence on the climate, the forecasting of earthquakes and tsunamis, the biological and genetic consequences of pollution, protection of rare and vanishing plants and animals as well as a whole lot more.
The Control of Pollution Act 1974, which applies to England, Scotland and Wales, sets out a. wide range of powers and duties for local and water authorities, including control over wastes, air and water pollution and noise, and contains important provisions on the release of information to the public on environmental conditions.
The main risks of land pollution lie in the indiscriminate dumping of materials on land, careless disposal of pesticides and chemicals, fall-out of materials from the atmosphere and the deposition of materials from flood-water. The use of sewage sludge on farms, too, involves risks as well as benefits to the land.
The Government encourages the reclamation and recycling of waste materials wherever this is practicable and economic in order to reduce imports and to help to conserve natural resources. Industry already makes considerable use of reclaimed waste materials such as metals, paper and textiles. In an increasing number of areas there are «bottlebanks» where the public can deposit used glass containers.
There has been a steady and significant improvement in water quality: the level of pollution in the tidal Thames has been reduced to a quarter of the 1950s level and 100 different kinds of fish have been identified there. Discharges of polluting matter into rivers, lakes, estuaries and some coastal waters are already controlled by law.
Control of marine pollution from ships is based largely on international conventions drawn up under the auspices of the Intema- tional Maritime Organization, a United Nations agency with headquarters in London. In dealing with spillages of oil or chemicals at sea the main treatment method is to spray dispersant from aircraft or surface vessels, and emergency cargo transfer equipment is available to remove oil from a damaged tanker.
Considerable progress has been made towards the achievement of cleaner air and a better environment, especially in the last 20 years or so. Total emissions and average concentration of smoke in the air have fallen by 80 per cent. London no longer has the dense smoke-laden «smogs» of the 1950s and in central London winter sunshine has been increasing since the 1940s when average hours a day were about 40 per cent less than at Kew in outer London; the levels are now virtually the same.
Transport is one of the main offenders in noise pollution, and control measures are aimed at reducing noise at source, through requirements limiting the noise that aircraft and motor vehicles may make, and by protecting people from its effects.
In Britain radiation resulting from industrial and other processes represents only a small fraction of that to which the population is exposed from the natural environment. Nevertheless, that fraction is subject to stringent control because of possible effects on health or longer-term genetic effects.
Various methods are used to store radioactive wastes, depending primarily upon their physical form and radioactivity. Wastes of sufficiently low radioactivity are dispersed safely direct to the environment. For those of higher radioactivity a comprehensive, international research programme is being carried out with government assistance and with the participation of the nuclear industry into methods of treatment, storage, transport and disposal.
2. Answer the following questions:
1. What are the major environmental problems confronting Britain today? 2. What powers and duties for control authorities are set out by the Control of Pollution Act 1974? 3. What measures are taken to fight land pollution? 4. What are the main treatment methods applied to reduce water pollution? 5. What facts prove that a certain progress has been made towards cleaner air? 6. What operational measures have been introduced to reduce noise disturbance? 7. What operational measures have been introduced to store radioactive wastes? 8. What do you think are the responsibilities of nature conservation authorities and voluntary organizations in Britain? 9. Why do you think people should be concerned about protecting environment from pollution and from destruction of natural resources?
3. Summarize the text in three paragraphs specifying the necessity of fighting environmental pollution on a wide scale.
4. Use the Topical Vocabulary in answering the following questions:
1. What are the major environmental issues confronting humanity today? 2. What is the global imperative for environment as you see it? 3. Why are many people concerned about ecology today? Why do we say that every man should be environment-conscious and environment-educated? 4. On what basis should the «man-na- ture» relationship function? 5. What are the steps undertaken by the governments (authorities) of many countries to protect environment? 6. What do you know about the practical results of the international cooperation in environmental protection? 7. How does the state control nature conservation and environmental protection in our country? 8. What role should mass media play in environmental protection?
5. Give a short newspaper review on one of the major issues of environmental protection. Refer to the Topical Vocabulary. Remember that your review should appeal to the interests and attitudes of the intended reader. It can be neutral, descriptive, emotional. Choose the facts to prove your viewpoint. Reproduce your story in class.
Wild Flowers and the Law
All the protection that the law can effectively give to our wild flowers is likely to be provided by the Wild Plants Protection Bill, which is due for its second reading in the Lords shortly. If the Bill reaches the Statute Book, as is probable, it will become an offence to sell, offer or expose for sale any wild plant that has been picked or uprooted, and for anyone other than an authorized person wilfully to uproot any wild plant. Picking of wild flowers will not be prohibited unless they are sold, or are included in the Bill’s schedule of rare species. The Bill has rightly been widely welcomed because so many of Britain’ wild plants are already in danger of disappearing, and it is high time that the law recognized the need for their conservation. It would, however, be self-deception to suppose that the Bill by itself can provide the protection that is needed. Measures of this kind, which are concerned with the actions of individuals, either greedy or ignorant, in remote and lonely places, are extremely difficult to enforce. If our rare plants are to be saved, only the greatest vigilance, in and outside the nature reserves, will save them.
You are asked to tell a group of foreign students (schoolchildren) about the nature conservation and environment protection in your country. You should cover the subject in about fifty words. Use the Topical Vocabulary.
7. Work in pairs. Discuss any of the environmental problems of today. You may speak about nature conservation in regard to nature destruction, environmental protection in regard to pollution. One of the students is supposed to introduce a subject of mutual interest, the other student disagrees with his partner’s viewpoint on the subject under discussion. Use the Topical Vocabulary.
B: I don’t share your fears. You paint the situation black. I can hardly see any unfavourable connection between urbanization, on the one hand, and pollution, on the other. Could you possibly explain what you mean by «the nature-man» relationship?
8. Speak about the after-effects of environmental pollution and nature destruction. Consider the following:
1. Destruction of wildlife. 2. Land pollution. 3. Water pollution. 4. Air pollution. 5. Noise disturbance. 6. Radioactivity. 7. Unrestricted industrialization.
9. During the last 20 years environmental protection has become a vital necessity for people. What do you think has stimulated man’s interest in the problems of environment? Consider the following and expand on the points which you think especially significant:
1. The problems of environment include a wide range of burning issues: nature destruction and pollution, extermination of wildlife on global scale, endangering human health with industrial wastes, etc.
2. There are the by-products of massive industrialization confronting all great industrial countries with the most serious problem of environment mankind ever faced, that of pollution.
3. The «green belts» not only provide restful relaxation, they are regarded as important allies in the battle against air pollution.
4. Among the simple but far disappearing blessings is the smell of clean fresh air and the good taste of pure water.
5. How the problem of pollution has been and is being tackled has a great deal to do with politics and social initiative.
6. One of the great problems grappled with in the plans for economic and social development is how to harmonize industry and community, plants and people.
7. Pollution has to do with the giant enterprises which advance industries and abuse natural resources.
10. Read the following dialogue. The expressions in bold type show the WAYS OF CHECKING UNDERSTANDING. Note them down. Be ready to act out the dialogue in class:
— If only what? You sound as if you’ve made it a point to tease me!
— You are so carried away with the idea. Well, your personal likes and dislikes are making you anything but practical.
11. Discussing things often involves giving instructions to people. If you give instructions to someone you will probably need to check as you go along that your listener understands, like this:
Use clichés of checking understanding in making conversations of your own.
12. Work in pairs. Read the statements and expand on them. You may be of the similar or different opinion on the subject. Your comment should be followed by some appropriate speculation on the suggested point:
1. Everybody’s talking about pollution. Pollution is what happens when things we eat, the place we live in and the air around us are made dirty and unhealthy by machines and factories.
2. Men do not realize that a forest is more than a collection of trees. It is a complex community of plant and animal life. In a living forest two opposing forces are constantly at work: growth and decay. The growth of new trees balances destruction by insects, plant diseases, and occasional storms. But man’s unrestricted cutting of timber disturbs this natural balance.
3. National forests and national grasslands are managed for many uses, including recreation and the continuing yield of such resources as wood, water, wildlife, honey, nuts and Christmas trees.
4. Factories pay for the water they rise, but in our homes we only pay to have water. After that we can use as much as we want. Apparently we lose every day enough water for the whole town. Finally what we have left in our rivers we make so dirty that we can’t use it.
5. Some scientists believe that, if airlines operate a large number of supersonic airplanes, their engines may inject so much water vapour into the upper atmosphere that there will be many more clouds, more of the sun’s heat will be prevented from reaching the earth, and the earth’s temperature will drop— this might change the climate of the whole world, with very serious results.
6. Europe is such an industrialized area that it sends about 20 million tonnes of sulphur into the air every year. There is an old saying in English: «What goes up, must come down.» This 20 million tonnes is picked up by the wind. Most of it is carried some distance, often to another country. Each nation in Europe produces hundreds of thousands of tonnes of poison each year, and then sends it abroad.
13. Read the following text. Find in it arguments for protecting natural resources of your country. Think of the arguments that can be put forward in favour of the opposite viewpoint than that reflected in the text. Copy the arguments out into two columns (I — «for», II — «against»):
The True Story of Lake Baikal
It should be pointed out that the outcry about the threat of pollution faced by Baikal came from every section of society^ How to protect Baikal was the subject for widespread debate. There was some difference of opinion between those who one-sidedly emphasized industrial production and those who insisted that the basic balanced approach had to be adhered to.
Baikal first faced such problems almost 200 years ago when its shores were settled and crop farming and cattle breeding developed, and timber was felled. The floating of loose timber, particularly, polluted its waters. The pollution problem grew, especially after the war because of the accelerated development of industry and the rise of cities in Siberia.
Did the answer be in shutting down all existing enterprises and all production in Baikal’s vicinity? Was it necessary that Baikal’s vast treasures of forest, its power resources, mineral deposits and fertile soil lie untapped to protect its purity? Scientists reject the approach of the conservationist purists who contend that only by leaving nature untouched can environment be protected and pollution controlled. After considerable scientific study and debate the conclusion was Baikal’s beauty and purity could be maintained at the same time that its rich resources were tapped. Baikal can provide both material wealth and beauty to the country.
The answer lies in the rational use of Baikal resources, in guaranteeing its protection from pollution and despoliation.
14. Answer the following questions:
1. Why do you think the subject of Lake Baikal was very much in the news? 2. What posed a danger to the lake and its riches? 3. Do you agree with the conservationist purists that nature should be left untouched «in its virgin loveliness»? 4. What is meant by the rational use of natural resources in general and in reference to Lake Baikal in particular?
15. Discuss the text and the problem under study in pairs. One of the students takes a basically balanced viewpoint that Lake Baikal should be used rationally for industrial and recreational needs, the other student defends a purists’ idea that to preserve natural wealth we should leave it untapped. Be sure to provide sound arguments for whatever you say. Work out arguments «for» and «against».
Role-Playing.
What Must We Care About to Prevent Disaster?
Situation: A group of tourists is on a river voyage down the Volga. They enjoy excursions to numerous natural attractions and places of interest. Now they are on their way to a new automobile plant that comprises the manufacture of commercial vehicles, and parts and components. Once a beautiful countryside, now it’s a developed industrial area. The conversation centres around the future of the district. Then it takes a more general turn. The subject under discussion is environmental protection. There is some difference of opinion between those who one-sidedly emphasize industrial production and those who insist that a rational balanced approach should be adhered to.
1. Professor Pyotr Pavlov, aged 53, a specialist on afforestation, believes that by A.D. 2000 we will have destroyed natural environment because of the sprawl of large cities, reduction of open spaces, extermination of wildlife. Thinks that unrestricted urbanization will let the man down posing a danger to his health, choking him with pollutants. The very existence of human race as a biological species is threatened. Urgent steps should be taken by mankind to rescue the Earth and its inhabitants from a foreseeable disaster.
2. Doctor Oleg Firsov, aged 44, a professional naturalist and a science-fiction writer. Tries to warn people against the threat presented to natural environment by the by-products of industrial development. Says that science and technology progress has reached such a level of development that it endangers all living matter: plants, animals, people. A comprehensive survival programme should be worked out by specialists engaged in various spheres of science and economy.
3. Helen Strogova, aged 32, a science-popular films producer. Likes animals, keeps pets at home. She blames people for ruining animal habitats, inflicting pain and suffering on animals in scientific and medical experiments. In her TV series on animal life raises the problems confronting animals resulting from the nature destruction. Reminds people that lots of species are known to us only by hearsay, others are gradually vanishing. Believes that by the application of a rational conservation programme many problems can be solved.
4. Anton Kravtsov, aged 45, a leading specialist in the field of aircraft engineering industry, thinks that people benefit from the advanced technology: new materials have been invented, new industrial technologies have been introduced, and these are helping to improve our daily lives. Seldom goes to the country for a breath of fresh air, doesn’t see beauty in a landscape. Believes that the 21st century belongs to absolute reason. People should take all the ill-effects of industrialization for granted.
5. Olga Smirnova, aged 28, a postgraduate, a devoted student of medicine. Though a lover of nature doesn’t see any harm in medical experiments in which there’s a great amount of animal lives waste. She is convinced that animal experiments serve a direct scientific purpose and are justified in terms of the gain to human life. She says that people campaigning against vivisection do not seem to realize that the good state of health and freedom of disease is largely due to animal experiments.
6. Igor Timoshin, aged 37, a promising specialist in the field of oil refinery processes, an enthusiastic director of a giant industrial enterprise. Believes that oil exploration should be encouraged with the objective of maximizing economic production for the future. Says that though the natural mineral resources are not likely to enlarge a man should do his best to take the lion’s share of what the land possesses. His primary goal is oil production, and environmental protection comes secondary.
7. Marina Larionova, aged 60, a famous seascape painter, participates in the campaign against the unrestricted sea exploration. Reminds of the very beginning of life on the Earth. Says that man owes much to the Ocean and should preserve its reserves. She doesn’t think that man-made substitutes benefit humanity very much. Besides economic gains there should be moral obligations that any environment-conscious person should observe. It’s very important to make people environment-educated at an early age to reduce the damage inflicted to the environment.
Note: The group of students is divided into two teams, each of which performs the same role-playing game. While discussing the problems pertaining to environmental protection they show different approaches to the issues under discussion, speak about things of mutual interest, disagree with some of the participants or share the others’ point of view. Comments from the class on each team’s performance and the estimate of the different arguments are invited. •