IV. The rise of the greens

4.1. What do you understand by the “Green Movement”? What are their aims and objectives? Put each of the following words or phrases in its correct place below.

sewage organic disposal enlightened acid rain herbicides pesticides ecological extinction sustainable deforestation animal rights

When industrialization began, little thought was given to its (a) _____ effects. Raw, untreated (b) _____ was allowed to pollute our seas and rivers. Animals were killed for profit to the point of (c) _____. The loss of trees through uncontrolled (d) ______ caused erosion and unstable climate. (e) ______ was caused by the poisonous gases man sent into the atmosphere. Chemicals in (f) ______ killed animal life. (g) ______ destroyed plants. The balance of nature was disturbed.

It is only now that we are waking up to the problem. More natural, (h) ______ farming is advocated. Legislation controls the (i) ______ of waste products into our air and water. Wildlife organizations are becoming more militant in their fight for (j) ______. Replanting policies in some parts of the world mean that our forests should in future be (k) ______.

We can only hope that growing public awareness and (l) ______ legislation will produce a world which is safe for us and will provide a good quality of life for future generations.

4.2.  Listen to the recording and fill the gaps in this summary.

1. According to Sam Fuller, Europeans are becoming dissatisfied with the existing political parties and the Greens represent a ____________.

2. Helen Summerfield makes a distinction between the Green ___________ and the Green ___________.

3. The three main non-political environmental pressure groups in the UK are: __________, ___________ and ___________.

4. These organizations have been working to raise __________ and raise __________ of environmental issues.

5. One of their campaigns encourages people to use ___________ and persuades local governments to provide ___________.

6. According to Sam Fuller, the Greens don’t only raise objections, they try to propose alternative __________, __________ or ___________. These alternatives are less ___________ and often less ____________.

7. As it becomes more ___________ for people to care about the environment, the public will choose to buy ___________ products.

8. Governments will be expected to implement «green» policies because, in the eyes of the voters, actions _____________.

4.2.1. Work in groups. Discuss these questions with your partners.

• What are the equivalent pressure groups in Belarus / Russia / etc.?

• What are their views on the Green Party and the Green Movement?

• Would you vote for the Green Party? Why / why not?

4.3.  You will hear an interview with Jonathon Porritt, the Director of «Friends of the Earth» in the United Kingdom. «Friends of the Earth» is an environmental pressure group.

• Find out the meaning of the following words and word combinations.

to make assumptions Green politics fatalism abuse of the world’s resources (non-)renewable resources arms build-up daunting to dawn on smb the unsustainable system

awareness an array crude pursuit of material affluence to carve out sheer irrationality uplifting short-sightedness unstinting to overwhelm

• Listen to the interview in four parts, and answer the questions at the end of each part.

Part one

1. How did Jonathon Porrit become interested in the environment?

2. Why do you think he says that «you can’t really talk about ecology as a science, you have to consider ecology within a social and political context»?

3. He says economics is «the key to it all…» Do you agree?

Part two

1. Why does he call himself a constructive pessimist?

2. He refers to four crucial problems that the planet faces. Write in the chart what the problems are, and add some notes on each.

Problems	Notes

3. He says that these problems have the same roots, that is, the belief that «the only way we can increase human wealth is by producing more and consuming more, even if we destroy the planet in the process». Do you agree?

Part three: He gives three reasons for optimism. Write in the chart what the reasons are, and add some notes on each.

Reasons	Notes

Part four: He refers to the «dark bits» and the «points of light» in his job. What examples does he give of each?

• Summarize each part of the interview in two or three sentences.