5 Minutes For English

Environment (Q&A)

1. People say that our planet is in danger. Do you share this opinion?

The Earth is the only planet in our solar 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 rivers, lakes, seas and oceans. You will see high snowy mountains, green forests and fields.

There is more water on the Earth than land. Everything what is alive on the Earth needs water, air and the Sun. The nature around us is called environment.

Since ancient times, man has tried to make his life easier. He invented machines and instruments, chemicals and atomic power. Today these inventions pollute the world we live in.

In this world around us, there are two things that do not belong to any one country: air and ocean water. In both the air and the water, there is much pollution. People are concerned about the air and the water that are used by everyone, and they are also concerned about the future of the Earth.

One of the most important pollution problems is the oceans. Many ships sail in the ocean water - fishing ships, some ships carrying people, some carrying oil. If a ship loses some of the oil in the water, or waste from the ships is put into the ocean, the water becomes dirty. Many sea birds die because of the polluted water. Many kinds of fish die in the sea, others get contaminated. Fishermen catch contaminated fish which may be sold in markets, and people may get sick if they eat it. Lakes and rivers are becoming polluted, too. Some beaches are dangerous for swimming.

The second important problem is air pollution. Cars and factories pollute the air we use. Their fume also destroys the ozone layer which protects the Earth from the dangerous light of the Sun. Aerosols create large “holes” in the ozone layer round the Earth. Burning coal and oil leads to global warming which may bring about a change in the world’s climate.

Another problem is that our forests are dying from acid rain. Deforestation, especially destruction of tropical forests, affects the balance of nature in many ways. It kills animals, changes the climate and ecosystem in the world. A person can do some damage to the environment but the greater part of pollution certainly comes from industry. Modern industry production is the main threat to nature. Today people are worried about the threat of nuclear power. Chernobyl disaster of 1986 in the result of the explosion of a nuclear reactor has badly affected Belarus. About 18 per cent of the soil in the country is unfit for farming, and many districts are dangerous to live in.

At present there are different organizations and parties in Europe and America that actively work to protect the nature from the harm. They want to stop the damage that is done by man to the nature in the result of nuclear tests and throwing poisonous waste into the seas and rivers. It’s time we asked ourselves a question: What can I do to protect nature? If we want our children to live in the same world we live in, or in a better and healthier world, we must learn to protect the water, the air and the land from pollution.

2.  What do you think people should do to protect the environment?

Most people today know about global warming. They know that our planet is in trouble. And there are lots of things we can do that will help:

1. We must stop using aerosols such as hair sprays and spray deodorants. It is very important because the ozone layer filters the light from the sun. if we didn’t have the ozone layer, the sun's light would be too dangerous for us.

2. We must use public transport instead of cars. Cars produce carbon monoxide and this gas pollutes the air.

3. We must stop cutting down the trees. If we cut down trees, we destroy the homes of birds and animals.

Clearly, it's going to take a long time for any changes to make a difference, so the sooner we start the better. If everyone tries to help, we could make our world a better place for ourselves and for the children of the future.

3.  What would you like to ask your British friend about measures that are taken to protect the environment in Britain?

1. What are the most urgent ecological problems in your country?

2. What does your Government do to protect nature in your country?

3. Are there any non-governmental organizations in Britain? What are they?

4. What has your country already done to protect nature?

5.  Does your country have any positive results of their activity?

4.  A friend of yours wants to develop a programme to protect the city where he lives. Give him a piece of advice.

I think it’s a good idea to explain people that water consumption is usually too high. To prove this fact he can make a questionnaire and then compare the results. And of course, it’s necessary to give these people some information about how much water they usually spend on these activities. The questions can be like these:

- Do you usually take a bath or a shower?

- Do you keep your tap running when you clean your teeth?

- Do you use your washing machine or dishwasher for just a few items?

- Do you wash vegetables and salads under a running tap?

5.  What can you tell about your own experience in protecting the environment?

Nature protection certainly is everyone’s concern because we all live in this world and in our own way we are all slowly destroying the nature around us. We must take care of nature because we can’t live without it and we don’t have any rights to destroy it. We love our country. We all love its green fields and forests, hills, rivers and lakes. Nature is what makes our planet a beautiful place to live in and if we continue to pollute it, we’ll ruin the beauty of our planet and resources which nature gives us.

Our planet is our home. We have to take care of it for ourselves and for future generations. Of course, people are working to make the Earth cleaner but we have to do more. «Greenpeace» is an international organization which makes real steps in the decision of nature problems. As for me, I want to be a member of this organization. I share its ideas and aims.

References:

• Your English Exam Support: Подготовка к экзамену по английскому языку: пособие для учащихся учреждений общего среднего образования / [сост. Н.А. Сергиенко]. – Мозырь: Белый Ветер, 2015. – 97, [3] с.

• What do you think people should do to protect the environment? 

• Environmental Problems