Reading and Speaking Activity

Environmental Problems 😷

This activity is focus on reading and speaking. You are going to be able to understand what the environmental problems are and give your personal opinion after reading.

Global Warming: Scientists say the temperature of the earth could rise by 3ºC over the next 50 years. This may cause drought in some parts of the world, and floods in others, as ice at the North and South poles begins to melt and sea levels rise. Global warming is caused by the greenhouse effect. Normally, heat from the sun warms the earth and then escapes back into space. But carbon dioxide and other gases in the atmosphere trap the sun’s heat, and this is slowly making the earth warmer.

The Ozone Layer: The Ozone layer is a layer of gas high above the surface of the earth that helps to protect it from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation, which can damage our skins and cause cancer. Scientists have recently discovered holes in the Ozone Layer, caused by substances called CFCs (clorofluorocarbons) CFCs are used in refrigerators, aerosol cans and in the manufacture of some plastic products. Some companies now make aerosols that do not contain CFCs, and these are often marked “Ozone Friendly”

Deforestation: Rainforests help to control global warming because the absorb carbon dioxide. In recent years, large area have been destroyed, as the trees are cut down for wood or burned to clear the land for farming. The burning releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Many rainforests grow on poor soils, and when they are cut down or burned, the soil is washed a way in the tropical rains, so that the area may turn to desert. Many plant and animal species that live there could become extinct.

Pollution: Factories, power stations and motor vehicles pump large quantities of carbon dioxide and other gases into the air. This is a major cause of the greenhouse effect. A lot of petrol contains lead, which is very poisonous and can cause brain damage in children. Most cars use unleaded petrol today and hybrid cars use batteries and petrol to use less petrol. Some poisonous gases dissolve in water in the atmosphere and then fall to the earth as acid rain. Acid rain also damages trees and buildings, and can kill fish in lakes and rivers. Rivers can also be polluted by industrial waste from factories and chemical fertilizers and pesticides used by farmers.

Now, follow the next instruction to complete the activity.  💥

Questions

Get in pairs and ask this questions with your partner. Then, discuss about the solutions for every problem.

1. What are CFCs and how do they affect the environment?
2. What is the Ozone Layer? What does it do? What is happening to it?
3. What is the Greenhouse Effect?
4. How are forests good for the environment? What is happening to them?