Unit 2 ‘Ecological Problems’
THINKING ABOUT THE TOPIC
Read the quotation and discuss the following questions in pairs:
The first law of ecology is that everything is related to everything else.
Barry Commoner (an American biologist, college professor, and eco-socialist)
What do you think Mr.Commoner meant? Illustrate your point with examples drawn from the current ecological situation.
Is this law overlooked more often nowadays than earlier? Give reasons for your point of view.
What parts of the biosphere (e.g. air) are most seriously affected by the advancement of civilization?
W
ork
in pairs and compare your answers to the last two questions to the
opinion given in the following paragraph. How is your point of view
different from the one given in the paragraph?
The ever-increasing pollution of the environment has been one of the greatest concerns for science and the general public in the last fifty years. Until recently, environmental pollution problems have been local and minor because of the Earth's own ability to absorb and purify small quantities of pollutants. The rapid industrialization of agriculture, expansion of the chemical industry, and the need to generate cheap forms of energy, and the explosion of the population have caused the continuous release of man-made organic chemicals into natural ecosystems. Consequently, the atmosphere, bodies of water, and many soil environments have become extremely polluted.
Reading The Environmental Issues of Nowadays
PRE-READING TASK
Look at the cover of the environmental magazine and through the table of its contents and list the ecological issues which are examined on its pages:
SIDEBAR
FOREST WATCH–The future of rain forests is far from clear.
FINALLY FIGHTING EMISSIONS - California’s battle to regulate greenhouse gases from cars goes national. MUDDY WATERS - The push for better clean water protection. BECOMING SUSTAINABILITY NATIVES – American children’s green school. BLUE SKIES - A High-Stakes Fight Over New Pollution Rules Threatens Already Toxic Air
CURRENTS
HERE COME THE FLOODS - As Water Levels Rise, Designers Find Sometimes Counterintuitive Solutions
BLACK GOLD - The Race to Develop Caspian Sea Oil May Steam Right Over the Environment
ENGLAND SWINGS ... AGAINST GENETICALLY ENGINEERED FOODS: LIFE AFTER DEATH - The Rediscovery of "Extinct" Plants and Animals
GREEN LIVING
MONEY MATTERS: SAFETY IN GREEN - Even during the crisis, Green Investing Holds Promise CONSUMER NEWS: A CUT ABOVE - More Hair Salons Are Going Green TOOLS FOR GREEN LIVING - Resources for eco-awareness and action GOING GREEN: CLOSE TO NATURE - Ecuadoran Ecotourism Tries to Protect an Ancient Land JIGSAW READING
1. Student a and Student в: your texts deal with air pollution.
Student C: your text studies the problem of water pollution.
Student D: your text examines the problem of soil pollution.
Read only your text and work on the comprehension check questions before it.
Student A
Read the text and answer the following questions:
How can “air pollution” be defined?
Is air pollution a new phenomenon? Where did it first occur?
What brought about the increase in the pollution level in the 20th century?
What processes is air pollution caused by? What are the main pollutants?
What role do wind patterns play in air pollution?
How seriously does air pollution affect people?
What causes acid rain? What problems does it bring for the environment?
What is the damaging effect of smog?
What are the ways in which smog can be formed? What is the damaging effect of smog?
What measures can be taken to limit pollution locally? And globally? Are all countries equally eager to work on the minimization of pollution?