Text в Man and Environment

Human progress has reached the stage of intensive exploration of nuclear and solar energy, the World Ocean and outer space. It is evident now; however, that often man is adversely affecting the environment and his activity is sometimes fraught with fatal consequences.

It is becoming increasingly clear that man cannot and must not use his tremendous power so carefully, infinitely interfere in nature and radically try to change it, without taking into account possible negative effects of his economic activity. The more material wealth people create, the more they realize that they should be concerned about how biosphere is changing as a result of productive activity. Now materials production requires taking into account ne consequences which man's interference in nature may have in the distant future and such a consideration is becoming vitally important.

Hence, man should carefully study the impact of his activity on various components of the surrounding nature. It is not only possible but necessary to transform the uncontrolled natural environment which often has a disastrous effect on man (earthquakes, typhoons, hurricanes, floods, magnetic and solar storms, as well as radioactivity, cosmic radiation, etc.) into a safe environment suitable for man and meeting his needs. I his means that the ecological problem is not simply the problem of the environmental pollution and other adverse effects of man's economic activity, but also the problem of turning man's uncontrolled impact on nature into a purposeful and planned interaction with the latter.

Today, however, many ecologists consider that disbalance in nature, the disappearance of living species constitutes the main ecological and social problem of the day. So, at present there has arisen a pressing necessity3 to change the character of the interaction between man and nature.

All the problems concerning the interaction of man nature are now of international importance and they can and must be solved by the efforts of all countries. Cooperation, long-term coordinated development plans for all countries, and joint solution of pressing global problems are possible only in the conditions of peace.

It is clear that only disarmament can provide the means needed for the long-term programs proposed and for the solution of global problems.

Notes: 1) activity is fraught with fatal consequences – деятельность чревата фатальными последствиями;

2)without taking into account - не принимая во внимание;

3) There has arizen a pressing necessity - возникла настоятельная необходимость.

Text с Greenhouse Effect. Depletion of Ozone (03)

Two global pollution problems are connected with air pollution: the greenhouse warming and the depletion of stratospheric ozone. These two problems together with "acid rain" show in the most dramatic way that air and atmosphere are resources shared by the entire planet. The human impact on Earth's climate1 is one of the major concerns of our days. Human activities release increasing quantities of carbon dioxide and other gases into the atmosphere, that are thought to contribute to global warming. These gases ozone, methane, chlorofluorocarbons and nitrous oxides) showing a steady increase of their concentrations in the troposphere, accelerate the rate of global warming' arising from the greenhouse effect due to C02. The use of fossil fuels and the burning of biomass, as well as deforestation have increased the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere. Atmosphere concentrations of C02 have increased about 25% over the last 100 years. The estimated increase of the global mean temperature in the past 100 years is consistent with the increase in C02 and other greenhouse gases. If present trends continue, the global average temperature is predicted to rise 1,5" - 4,5°C in less than 50 years, producing changes in the climate, regional changes in rainfall, a sea level rise and probably severe consequences for people and wildlife.

Climate change and sea level rises due to greenhouse are closely linked' with acid deposition and threats to the Earth's ozone shield, mostly due to changes in the composition of the atmosphere by human activity^. Reduction of coal and oil use and energy conservation undertaken to reduce acid deposition will also lower concentration of greenhouse gases. Ozone is present in small amounts in the atmosphere. Ozone in the troposphere (0 to less than 15 kms) is a pollutant connected with emissions of cars etc., known to damage plants and to affect human health. The stratospheric ozone, however, in the layer, between 20 and 30 kms, plays a crucial role in shielding the Earth's surface against ultraviolet radiation (UV), by absorbing wavelengths of the Sun's light, harmful to human health and to vital biochemical mechanisms.

The concentrations and specific distribution of ozone at the various atmospheric strata are also critical for the meteorological processes that determine climate: heating rates, air movements, water vapour concentrations etc. The concentrations and vertical distribution of ozone are affected by complex catalytic reactions between various forms of oxygen, nitrogen, chlorine and hydrogen oxides. Small amounts of catalytic oxides and free radicals are able to control the ozone concentrations. Human activities are changing the amounts of these catalysts and this is expected to affect the amount of ozone. Particular concern has been expressed for a group of chemical compounds known as chlorofluorocarbons. These stable compounds have an atmospheric lifetime of approximately 100 years. If their emissions remained at current levels, they would reduce the total amount of ozone by 3% to 5% in the same period. This his small change in the overall ozone column is the result of depletion to 60% of the ozone layer above 40 kms, much smaller region at 30 kms and an offsetting increase at lower altitudes. Greater depletion is expected at high latitudes and different seasons, leading to major changes in air movements and to greater increased in UV-radiation.

Besides chlorofluorocarbons, other gases are also likely to affect ozone concentrations: methane and carbon dioxide emissions increase stratospheric ozone, whereas nitrous oxides decreased ozone.

Notes: 1) the human impact on Earth's climate - влияние человека на климат Земли;

2) To accelerate global warming - ускорять глобальное потепление;

3) Are closely linked - тесно связаны;

4) Human activities-деятельность человека.