6. Reading: Ecological problems

 

 

Ecological problems are causing great damage to our environment. Among the most urgent ones are the ozone layer, acid rains, global warming, toxic pollution of the atmosphere, disappearance of forests, contamination of underground waters by chemical elements, destruction of soil in some areas, and the threat to some flora and fauna representatives.

The Earth is the home to millions of different kinds of living creatures, which make up the complex world of nature. Nowadays people try to change their habitats to suit their own needs – to create farmlands or build cities. They cause pollution and destroy wildlife habitats by digging the ground up for mining, or by building roads. A quarter of all the plants in the world are known to be in danger or threatened with extinction. There are different types of pollution: water pollution, air pollution, ground pollution and nuclear pollution.

Acid rain falls when poisonous gases from power stations and vehicle exhausts mix with oxygen and moisture in the air. These gases become the part of the water cycle and may be carried a long way by the wind before they fall as acid rain, which kills the wildlife in lakes, rivers, and forests, and damages the surrounding plant life.

World temperatures are currently rising every year. This so called global warming is caused by the building of gases and water vapour in the atmosphere. As the planet warms up, the polar ice caps will start to melt. This could cause sea levels to rise and many habitats will disappear under water.

However, environment disasters can be avoided if people broaden ecological education and every person understands that the beauty of the nature is extremely fragile. Governments must take serious actions against pollution.

 

 

1. Ecological problems are causing great damage to our environment.

   

• true
• false

 

2. A half of all the plants in the world are known to be in danger or threatened with extinction.

   

• false
• true

 

3. Environment disasters can be avoided if people broaden ecological education.

   

• true
• false