ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION текст для читання

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

environment [m'vaɪər(ə)nmənt] — навколишнє середовище (оточення)

by-product ['baɪ,prɔdʌkt] — побічний (проміжний) продукт

to pollute [pə'lu:t] — забруднювати

harmful substances ['ha:mful 'sʌbst(ə)nsɪs] — шкідливі речовини

to upset [ʌp'set] — порушувати

species ['spi:ʃɪz] — біол. види

destruction [dɪs'trʌkʃ(ə)n] — руйнація; руйнування

careless ['kɛəlɪs] interaction [,ɪntər'ækʃ(ə)n] — недбала взаємодія

to befall [bi'fɔ:l] (befell, befallen) — траплятися, співатися

to take measures [meʒəz] — вживати заходів

 The protection of environment has become one of the most burning problems of our century.

Large cities with thousands of smoky industrial enterprises appear all over the world today. The by-products of their activity pollute the air we breathe, the water we drink, the soil we grow grain and vegetables. Every year the world industry pollutes the atmosphere with about 1000 million tons of dust and other harmful substances. Many cities suffer from smog. Vast forests are cut. Their disappearance upsets the oxygen balance. As a result some rare species of animals, birds, fish and plants disappear forever, a number of rivers and lakes dry up.

The pollution of air and the world's ocean, destruction of the ozone layer is the result of man's careless interaction with nature, a sign of ecological crisis.

The most horrible ecological disaster befell Ukraine and its people in the result of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power station in April 1986. A great damage has been done to Ukraine's agriculture, forests and people's health.

Environmental protection is a global problem. That is why the most serious measures to create a universal system of ecological security should be taken. The activity of various environmental organizations help to improve the situation. Among them are the Greenpeace and The Green Party.

If we are unable to learn to use the environment carefully and to protect it from destructive man's activities, very soon we'll have no world to live in.

1. What are the consequences of water, air pollution ?

2. Why did some species of animals, birds, fish and plants disappear forever ?

3. What is the result of man's careless interaction with nature?

4. What do you know about the Chernobyl disaster?

5. What should people do if they want to live on the Earth ?