ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

Water pollution Deforestation Destruction of rainforest Water shortage Endangered species Destruction of biodiversity Pollutants disrupt the natural food chain Endangered species Pollution of natural parks Loss of biodiversity Animal conservation Nuclear or other hazardous waste disposal in seas and oceans, sewage /`su:IdZ/, dangerous chemicals dumped by industries into dams and rivers Oil slicks from oil spilled by oil tankers in the seas and oceans. Flotsam and other debris in seas or oceans Possible solutions: Recycling Passing laws controlling waste disposal Enforcing already existing laws banning dumping chemicals or sewage into rivers Implementing measures. Banning the use of aerosols containing CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) Closing nuclear power plants Banning the use of some chemical products which are damaging for the environment Acid rain Rising of the level of seas and oceans Flooding of dry lands Famine in countries whose survival depends on agriculture Depletion of the ozone Increase in the layer. number of skin cancer Possible solutions: encouraging the use of public transport, Banning the use of aerosols containing CFCs Fining factories if they do not comply with laws imposing environmentally safe conditions Closing nuclear power plants Using and developing alternative sources of energy: solar energy Passing laws imposing severe punishment on arsonists Buying environmentally friendly products Sustainable development Using renewable energy Caused by: deforestation Drought in wide areas of the world Climatic changes Famine in countries depending on Destruction of rainforest agriculture for their survival Exhaustive logging Turning of fertile lands into deserts Possible solutions: Helping poor countries so that they do not use forest areas for agriculture (Brazil) Limiting the amount of water used by individuals/factories Discouraging farmers from planting crops that require irrigation Building desalination plants Implementing plans to optimize the use of water Using cost efficient devices (light bulbs, air conditioners) Caused by exhaust fumes , Aerosols containing CFCs, (Greenhouse gases) Fumes from factories, Natural disasters: volcanoes, fires Nuclear leaks Gas leaks from factories Global warming Greenhouse effect Rising of temperatures Climatic changes

Air Pollution

Water shortage

http://www.forskning.se/theplanet/ Website where you can find interactive activities related to environmental problems.
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Environmental damage

cause/contribute to climate change/global warming produce pollution/CO2/greenhouse (gas) emissions damage/destroy the environment/a marine ecosystem/the ozone layer/coral reefs degrade ecosystems/habitats/the environment harm the environment/wildlife/marine life threaten natural habitats/coastal ecosystems/a species with extinction deplete natural resources/the ozone layerpollute rivers and lakes/waterways/the air/the atmosphere/the environment/oceans contaminate groundwater/the soil/food/cropsl og forests/rainforests/trees

Protecting the environment

address/combat/tackle the threat/effects/impact of climate change fight/take action on/reduce/stop global warming limit/curb/control air/water/atmospheric/environmental pollution cut/reduce pollution/greenhouse gas emissions offset carbon/CO2 emissions reduce (the size of) your carbon footprint achieve/promote sustainable development preserve/conserve biodiversity/natural resources protect endangered species/a coastal ecosystem prevent/stop soil erosion/overfishing/massive deforestation/damage to ecosystems raise awareness of environmental issues save the planet/the rainforests/an endangered species

Energy and resources

conserve/save/consume/waste energy manage/exploit/be rich in natural resources dump/dispose of hazardous/toxic/nuclear waste dispose of/throw away litter/(especially British English) rubbish/(especially North American English) garbage/ (North American English) trash/sewage use/be made from recycled/recyclable/biodegradable material recycle bottles/packaging/paper/plastic/waste promote/encourage recycling/sustainable development/the use of renewable energy develop/invest in/promote renewable energy reduce your dependence/reliance on fossil fuels get/obtain/generate/produce electricity from wind, solar and wave power/renewable sources build/develop a (50-megawatt/offshore) wind farm install/be fitted with/be powered by solar panels

Rubbish is the usual word in British English for the things that you throw away because you no longer want or need them. Garbage and trash are both used in North American English. Inside the home, garbage tends to mean waste food and other wet material, while trash is paper, cardboard and dry material. In British English, you put your rubbish in a dustbin in the street to be collected by the dustmen and thrown away in rubbish dumps. In North American English, your garbage and trash goes in a garbage/trashcan in the street and is collected by garbage men/collectors. Refuse is a formal word and is used in both British English and North American English. Refuse collector is the formal word for a dustman or garbage collector (trash heap / garbage dump). Waste is useless material or substances left after you use something Sewage is liquid and solid waste carried off in sewers or drains. Junk is used to refer to discarded material, such as glass, rags, paper, or metal, some of which may be reused in some form, useless or worn out things you can dispose of, or as an adjective worthless, cheap Litter refers to refuse discarded of carelessly in the streets

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Look at the pictures above. Which environmental problems are they related to? What are the causes and possible solutions for these problems? Work in pairs. Read the following opinions and discuss whether or not you agree with them. 1 2 3 4 5 Increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere do not cause climate change. Reducing carbon emissions may have a negative effect on developing countries. Global warming is not caused by the greenhouse effect. Nature is responsible for a lot more carbon emissions than human activity. High levels of industrial activity do not cause atmospheric temperatures to rise.

Read an article from a scientific website. Which of the opinions above are mentioned? No one disagrees that the Earth's Climate is changing, and always has been, nor that it is getting warmer at the moment. But while some believe that human activity is responsible for global warming, others take the view that it is a natural phenomenon. The main claim of environmental sceptics is that carbon dioxide released as a result of human activity is not responsible for global warming, and that higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are not the cause of climate change. Others worry that focusing on the need to reduce carbon emissions may prevent development in 'Third World' countries, which in turn will hinder efforts to overcome poverty and disease. One Kenyan development expert says, 'I don't see how a solar panel is going to power a steel industry or a railway network. We are being told "don't touch your oil, don't touch your coal". That is suicide'. The generally accepted model of the greenhouse effect suggests that the sun's rays generate heat, which is trapped by 'greenhouse gases' in the atmosphere making the Earth warm enough for life to flourish. According to this theory, if human activity leads to higher concentrations of greenhouse gases, then the atmosphere will heat up more quickly than the planet's surface, causing global warming. However, scientific data collected from satellites does not support this theory. The sceptics argue further that carbon dioxide is produced naturally - in quantities which are far higher than those resulting from human activity - via volcanic eruptions, decaying vegetation and bacteria. Some even go so far as to accuse humanity of arrogance in believing itself to be more destructively powerful than nature. They point out that climate data shows that in the last 10,000 years, the warmest periods occurred long before humans began to produce carbon dioxide on an industrial scale. And when
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industrial carbon dioxide emissions increased sharply in the postwar industrial boom, atmospheric temperatures actually fell. Global warming clearly requires some kind of explanation, though, and if human activity is not held responsible then one possibility is that it is the result of solar activity. At different points in the Earth's history, solar activity has led to reductions in cloud formation. Since clouds protect the Earth from the sun's rays, the result has been higher atmospheric temperatures. Whether this in itself full explains global warming is debateable, but it does suggest that humanity's guilt has yet to be proved beyond all reasonable doubt. Listen to a radio review on An Inconvenient Truth and answer the following questions. Are these statements true (T) or false (F) according to the reviewer? If false, explain why. I 2 3 4 5 6 The film is a little hysterical at times. The information in the film is very convincing. Al Gore is a scientific expert on climate change. The film spends too long talking about Gore's involvement in the project. The message of the film is not entirely pessimistic. It is not clear if the film will have a long-term effect on environmental policies.

VOLUNTOURISM Vocabulary & Speaking Look at the photos of people on holiday and match them to the types of holiday in the box.

Off-the-beaten-track holiday backpacking sightseeing holiday package tour Discuss the questions in pairs.

camping holiday cruise inter-rail holiday skiing holiday family holiday

1 Which of these types of holiday have you been on? 2 Which ones would you like to try? Why? 3 Which would you prefer to avoid? Why? Complete the following text with the words below. There are 3 words you dont need.
account available both either fit hit just make much-needed provide staff sightseeing suited whom whose Forget package tours or luxury cruises. No more 1___ trips to the local castle or hours spent wandering round souvenir shops. These are holidays of the past. Or at least they might be, if the latest trend to 2.___the travel industry takes off. Combining a holiday abroad with volunteering on local projects is one way for travellers and holiday-makers alike to immerse themselves in local cultures and really 3.___a difference. Many returning travellers say it's a life experience. But is volunteer travel - or voluntourism - for you? Here are our tips to help you decide.
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1 Look for something you feel passionate about. There are numerous ways to help the environment, from helping to protect endangered animals to providing 4.___assistance to victims of natural disasters. 2 Be honest with yourself about the kind of person you are. Living and working in unfamiliar cultures, with people 5.___ views may differ greatly from yours, can be alienating and stressful, even for the most open-minded of people. 3 Remember that this is your holiday and there will be times when you want to be a tourist, not a volunteer. It's a good idea to choose a company which includes 6.___volunteering and sightseeing. 4 When you've identified some interesting projects, it is advisable to find out exactly what your volunteering duties might involve in each case. You may not be 7.___to construction work, for example, or you may lack the confidence to teach a class of schoolchildren. Make sure you take your skills and physical fitness into 8.___. 5 Contact the organiser of the trip you choose and ask for more information about the region and the project. It may be in a large city with modern comforts 9.___, or it may be in an isolated village with no plumbing facilities. 6 It is strongly recommended that you check what the cost of the trip covers. It may 10.___ pay for you to participate in the project, but not for your accommodation or food. You may also have to pay extra for the assistance of local 11.___ in the country you are going to. 7 The company should 12.___ you with information about what vaccinations you need, but if not, make sure you ask directly. The best companies will also provide an information pack about the project and the country you are going to. Find out what guidance is available during and after the trip, too.

Listen to a description of one of the voluntourism holidays below. Which one is being described? Listen again and complete the corresponding information card.

Country: Type of Project: Main responsibilities: Free-time activities: Benefits to the volunteer: helping to conserve Now complete the information in the other two cards with the photocopies the teacher is going to hand out. LISTEN to four people giving their opinions about this type of holidays and complete the following.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Lorna thinks they Thailand holiday sounds ________________ And the holiday in Tanzania is for _________________________ The holiday in Mexico might be ______________________ but she might have __________________ The holiday Dave likes the least is the one in ____________ Doing something for people in Africa would be _____________________ In Shaunas view people who choose this kind of holiday are trying to ______________ All these holidays seem to imply ___________________________ Majeed is not attracted by the possibility of ________________________ As a baby Majeed used to have ___________________ Another reason to choose the Thai holiday is that _________________________

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CITY COUNCIL SURVEY RECYCLING

WASTE NOT, WANT NOT

How often do you recycle things?

Always Whenever something can be recycled As often as possible, but it depends how busy I am Occasionally, when I feel particularly guilty about the environment Never

Why do people recycle things?

Government advertising and publicity campaigns Availability of resources for recycling (e.g. containers for separating rubbish) Friends and neighbours The media Their conscience

Listen to four people explaining their views on recycling. Which of the factors in the second question of the recycling survey above are mentioned by Owen (O), Leonard (L), Maggie (M) and Robert (R)? Listen again and say whether the following statements are True or False. Correct the false sentences. I Owen now separates his rubbish into four different categories. T 2 He thinks recycling should be easier for him than for the family next door. 3 Leonard is dubious about the council's motives for raising environmental issues. 4 He believes that the councils campaign will be a long-term one. 5 Maggie does not mind walking for ten minutes to the recycling containers. 6 She feels that a realistic proposition would be for the council to collect the rubbish separately from each person's house. 7 Robert was surprised to discover how much rubbish people throw away. 8 He is sure that individuals can make a big difference. Complete the following sentences with most suitable word: WASTE, TRASH, RUBBISH, JUNK, LITTER, SEWAGE, GARBAGE. 1. Look at those pipes! The _________ is being pumped into the river. 2. _________ disposal is one of the main concerns when running a nuclear power plant. 3. Hes just white _____________, scum. 4. I try not to eat ____________ food even though I like it. 5. Throw it away in the _____________ can. 6. Throwing ___________ in the park is fined. 7. Most of the programmes on TV are just ____________. 8. I hate receiving so much __________ mail! Work in pairs. Make a list of different ways waste can be dealt with. Read the article below and underline the different ways of dealing with waste. Point out the advantages and disadvantages of each. Although waste disposal is a huge problem for many countries, there is hope on the horizon. New rules mean that countries have to reduce landfills because of the threat they pose to public health, and, while incineration seems attractive, there are political and financial problems with this option. Indeed, only if countries actually reduce the amount of waste they generate in the first place will the problem of waste disposal become manageable. Many are in fact already turning to a system called 'zero waste', which it is hoped will bring about the end of landfills and dramatically reduce the need for incinerators. The idea is that everything should be made from materials that can be repaired, reused or recycled, with governments, councils and industry working, together to find ways either to turn waste into profitable resource or to design it out of the system completely. Many cities around the world have introduced a
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three-level waste collection system, separating organic waste, dry recyclables such as bottles and plastics, and dangerous materials such as batteries. No sooner do they introduce these systems than they suddenly find that they are recycling more than 50 per cent of their waste. Not only does zero waste help the environment, but it can also make money. Small businesses that recycle waste can create jobs in areas of high unemployment. Twenty per cent of waste is difficult or expensive to recycle, but zero waste proposes a system that simply removes such materials from the system. Inversion Inversion is used to give emphasis or to be rhetorical in more formal situations, in political speeches, on the news, and also in literature. Some native speakers may also use them occasionally in day-to-day conversation. In normal everyday English, inversion is used : to make questions : after so, neither, nor : does he? can you? so do I, neither do I, nor do I.

In written English, as well as in a very formal style, inversion is used in the following cases : 1. After negative adverbial expressions : Under no circumstances can we accept cheques. In no way can he be held responsible. At no time did she say she would come. Not until January will I have a holiday. 2. After adverbial expressions of place : In this case there is inversion, but the use of the auxiliary for simple past or present tenses is not necessary Round the corner came the postman. On the doorstep was a bunch of flowers. 3. After seldom, rarely, never, in comparisons : These are most commonly used with the present perfect or past perfect, & with modals such as can and could. The present simple can also be used. Seldom have I seen such a beautiful view. Rarely did he pay anyone a compliment. Never had I felt so happy. Seldom have I seen him looking so miserable. Rarely does a movie make you feel so warm and so uneasy at the same time Never in her life had she experienced this exhilarating emotion. 4. After barely, hardly, scarcely, no sooner, hardlywhen and, not so oftenhardlybefore when one thing happens after another. This is used to refer to an event that quickly follows another. It is usually used with the past perfect. Hardly had I begun to speak when I was interrupted. Scarcely had we started our meal when the phone rang. No sooner had I arrived than they all started to argue. Hardly had I got into bed, when there was a knock at the door. Hardly had I left before the trouble started Scarcely had I arrived home when there was a knock on the door. 5. After adverbial expressions beginning with 'only'. This is usually used with the simple past Only after the meeting did I realize the importance of the subject. Only then did I know what I had got myself into. 6. After exclamations with here and there. Here comes the winner! There goes all our money! 7. After Little e.g. Little did I know that he was a compulsive liar. Little does she know what surprises we have in store for her.
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8. AfterNo sooner.....than This is used to refer to an event that quickly follows another. It is usually used with the past perfect, but sometimes with the simple past. e.g. No sooner had I reached the door than I realised it was locked. No sooner did I reach the door than I realised it was locked. 9. AfterNot + object e.g. Not a single word did she say. 10. After Not only.....but also e.g. "Not only has McDonalds, which employs over 1 million people worldwide, played a huge role in pioneering low standards now equated with the word "McJobs", but it has also decided to restrict our ability to have a public discussion about the impact of the McJobs phenomenon", Naomi Klein, "No Logo: Taking Aim at Brand Bullies" (Toronto: Vintage Canada, 2000) 11. After Nowhere e.g. Nowhere had Susan seen a more beautifully decorated room. 12. After So......that This is a common inversion, usually used with an adjective & the verb `be`. e.g. So exciting was the soap opera, that I forgot to do my English homework. It can also be used with much. e.g. So much did she adore John, that she would not give him up. 13. After Such....that Used with the verb `be` and a noun, it means so much or so great. e.g. Such was the popularity of the soap opera, that the streets were deserted whenever it was on. 14. In Conditional clauses Should you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact me at the following address (=if you require) Had he known she would treat him so, he would have been more cautious

EXERCISES
Turn the following into inverted sentences. 1. The matter could be explained in no other way. In... 2. We had hardly started when it began to rain. Hardly... 3. I have seldom heard such beautiful singing. Seldom... 4. I shall never forget your kindness. Never... 5. I saw only then the danger we were in. Only... 6. We had no sooner left the house than it exploded. No... 7. He didn't realize that he had lost the key till he got home. Not... 8. They not only robbed you, they smashed everything. Not... 9. Half a dozen apples fell down. Down... 10. If an emergency should arise, dial 999. 11. If Rex were a little more hardworking, he would not have failed. 12. If Mr Chan had been kinder to his employees, his business would not have collapsed. 13. had hardly begun to apologize when the door closed . 14. I have seldom heard such a talented singer. 15. If John had known that his mother liked curry, he would have brought her to an Indian restaurant. 16. The artist rarely paid any attention to his agent's advice. 17. He had never felt so depressed. 18. The shop can in no way be held responsible for customers' lost property. 19. The couple had no sooner arrived than the priest started the ceremony. 20. Tom only understood the meaning of the comment when he saw his wife's face. 21. She never at any time said that she was allergic to cats. 22. The restaurant cannot accept animals under any circumstances. Complete these sentences with no sooner (than), not only (but also), never or not even. 1 NO sooner do you arrive __________ you find yourself in a world of peace and relaxation.
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2 _________with a significant pay rise will our workers consider returning to work. The company must improve our working conditions. 3 _________in my life have I experienced such rudeness and appalling service in a restaurant. 4 _________has inflation increased under the present government,_________unemployment is rising. Where might you find each of the sentences in Exercise 1 ? Match them to the situations. a) a letter of complaint c) a holiday brochure b) a political speech d) a union strike Work in pairs. Choose one of the situations in Exercise 2. Write three more sentences to go with the situation. No sooner had we sat down than the, waiter moved us to a different table. Not only did the, waiter put his thumb in my soup, but he also...

THE BEST ALTERNATIVES

What do the photos above have in common? Match them to the following alternative energy sources. BIOMASS / GEOTHERMAL POWER / SOLAR POWER / WAVE POWER / WIND POWER What do you know about these different energy systems and how they work? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each system? Listening Listen to experts talking about four of the alternative energy sources above. Complete the first column of the table. Form of Advantages Disadvantages energy Enough produced annually to meet 1 Costs much

Biomass
2

Considerable impact on Can be

Large turbines are ugly and spoil the natural beauty of the countryside

3 4

Important for Great benefits for They are less Equipment needed is

2 Listen again and complete the notes in the second column. 3 Listen one more time and make notes in the third column. Work in pairs. Discuss the following questions. Give reasons for your answers. 1 Which speaker do you think sounds least positive about his / her form of energy? 2 Which of these forms of energy do you think will be used most in the future?

LANGUAGE FOCUS. REPORTING QUESTIONS, INTENTIONS & ADVICE

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Match the extracts (1-4) from Transcript 7.8 to the functions (a-d). 1 We suggest that modern society move away from excessive dependence on fossil resources 2 ...we advise politicians to consider the long-term benefits... 3 ... many scientists are wondering if geothermal reservoirs will last long enough... 4 many Western governments have promised to investigate its potential more thoroughly. a) reporting a yes / no question c) reporting a promise b) reporting advice d) reporting a suggestion .

Complete each rule (1-4) with one of the structures (a-d) below. 1 To report a yes / no question we can use wonder +.......................... 2 To report advice we can use advise + 3 To report a promise we can use promise +.......... 4 To report a suggestion we can use suggest +.. a) someone + to-infinitive c) if-clause (if can be replaced by whether) b) to-infinitive d) that-clause

Match these other reporting verbs to the structures (a-d) above. enquire recommend encourage offer Report these examples of direct speech using the reporting verbs provided. I -Listen Sophie, the best thing to do is to end your relationship with Dan.
Jill advised... Sophie to end her relationship with Pan.

2 3 4 5

'Excuse me, can you tell me if theres another train before 11 o'clock?" Joanna enquired... "You should definitely do that teaching course, Mick. You'd really enjoy it.' Gareth encouraged... 'Thanks for lending me that cash, Terry. I'll pay you back tomorrow". Janet promised... "We need some milk, but I don't know if the supermarket will still be open". Ravi wondered...

Work in pairs. Take turns to recommend holiday destinations, giving reasons. Work with a new partner. Report your conversations and decide which destination sounds most attractive. Write a verb in the sentences. advise encourage enquire recommend suggest offer want to know promise wonder

1 What are three things you plan to do in the next few months? 2 If someone came to visit your city, which places would you ------that they see? 3 What's the best way to ----- people to use public transport? 4 Do you ever --------- if the food you buy is genetically modified? 5 What did your local government -----------to do at the last elections? 6 Would you--------to work as a volunteer for a local organisation? Which one? 7 What would you-----that someone do to raise money for charity? 8 Where do you go if you----- if there are plans to build in your neighbourhood? 9 Would you------someone to invite the neighbours if they planned a party? 10 Is it possible to-----how your local taxes are spent? Now ask your classmates these questions.

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