Text A. Once again about Ozone HolesHigh above the earth's atmosphere there is a thin veil in the stratosphere called the ozone layer, which protects the earth from the sun's destructive ultraviolet (UV) rays. This protective layer is being damaged by chemicals known as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which are released into the atmosphere by the daily use of such industrial and household products as refrigerators, air conditioners, foam insulation, cleaning chemicals, and food packaging. The CFCs rise into the ozone layer, where the sunlight decomposes them, releasing chlorine. The chlorine attacks the ozone molecules, thinning or even making a " hole" in the ozone layer. This " hole" allows more UV rays to penetrate to the earth. Overexposure to UV rays can increase the risk of skin cancer, weaken the immune system, and damage the retina. It is estimated that in the United States alone one in six Americans will develop skin cancer as a result of overexposure to UV rays. Not only are humans at risk; so, too, are animals, plants, and the environment in general. With the thinning of the ozone layer, UV rays can penetrate the oceans, seriously impairing the growth of plankton, an essential part of the marine-life food chain, and can reduce the yields of economically important crops such as soybeans, cotton, and rice. The scientists point out that the global ecological crisis cannot be precluded unless all countries join their efforts to render mutual ecological help on a non-governmental basis. Now the planet's " green lungs" are being destroyed, its ozone layer ruined, the global warming sets in, the acid rains fall out, the rivers grow shallower, and the oceans get polluted. This is why the major humanistic aim of the Ecological International is to change from an uncontrolled development of the machine-based civilisation to a conscientious development of a society of natural and technological type. A feature of such a non-governmental body is a combination of the social ecological aid with technological activities to conserve the environment (cleaning of sewerage and gas exhausts, and utilisation of industrial wastes). The scientists the world over made a long-term investigation only to come to a conclusion that the Planet's ozone layer is thinning out globally. To save this layer, it is necessary to take measures now and to use only ecologically friendly technologies. It is tackling of this problem which is urgent for the Earthlings that the early efforts of the Ecological International of the Green Cross and Green Crescent will be devoted to. What is implied here is an extensive international project " Resuscitation of Ozone Layer." Materialisation of the project would involve new technologies advanced by the scientists and experts from the Russian key aerospace companies. The patching up of the ozone holes is feasible technologically. This would call for the creation of a superpowerful unit flying at the height of 25-30 km and capable of generating several thousand tons of ozone a month. The world community (and isn't this the problem of the mankind's concern) needs as few as 30-45 such units to save our Planet from the " ultraviolet death." To materialise the project, an international industrial ecological consortium is being set up which will take up the solution of scientific, financial and other problems. Vocabulary poison, v отравлять I. Give the three forms of the verbs: II. Suggest Russian renderings for: 1. The scientists the world over made a long-term investigation. 2. It is tackling of this problem which is urgent for the Earthlings that the early efforts of the Ecological International of the Green Gross and Green Crescent will be devoted to. 3. What is implied here is an extensive international project “Resuscitation of Ozone Layer”. 4. The “patching up of the ozone holes” is feasible technologically. 5. It’s necessary to take measures now and to use only ecologically friendly technologies. III. Give the English equivalents for the following phrases. Consult the text ‘ Once again about the Ozone Holes’: IV. a) Give synonyms for the following words: b) Give antonyms to the following adjectives and verbs: c) Give corresponding nouns: 1. to pollute, to control, to develop, to combine, to conclude, to utilize, to waste, to investigate, to create, to set, to solve, to measure; 2. international, governmental, global, uncontrolled, natural, necessary, ecological, friendly, urgent, feasible, technological, capable, industrial, scientific, financial. V.Match the adjectives and the nouns: adjectives superpowerful nouns efforts VI. Read the text ’Once again about the Ozone Holes’. Answer the following questions: · What is the way to preclude the global ecological crisis? · Why is it necessary to change from an uncontrolled development of the machine-based civilization to a conscientious development of a society? · What does the non-governmental body aim at? · Are there any ways of saving the Planet’s ozone layer? · What will the early efforts of the Ecological International of the Green Cross and Green Crescent be devoted to? · Is the “patching up of the ozone holes” feasible technologically or a fantastic idea only? · How many superpowerful units are able to save our Planet from the “ultra-violet death”?
VIII. Agree or disagree with the following statements. Begin you answer with: · Though each of us must do everything possible to keep the land, air and water clean, the problem can’t be solved by the only man in the only country. · The pollution of the environment is one of the greatest dangers to human beings on earth. · The concentration of smoke in the air is so high in some industrial centers that it is deadly dangerous just to breathe there. · The ecological harmony is disturbed on earth. · Now the planet’s “green lungs” are being destroyed, its ozone layer ruined, the acid rains fall out and the oceans get polluted. · Our aim at present is to change from an uncontrolled development of the machine-based civilization to a conscientious development of a society. · The world community needs 30-45 superpowerful units at least to generate several thousand tons of ozone a month.
Air pollution is the result of man's use of lethal chemicals, and is a common hazard in both industrial and developing countries. One form of air pollution is acid rain. Acid rain results from the release into the atmosphere of sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxide. Electrical generating plants, industrial boilers, large smelters, and automobiles are among the chief source of these emissions. The gases react with water droplets, forming a diluted mixture of sulfuric acid and nitric acid, and it is this mixture that returns to earth in the form of acid rain, mist, or snow. Pushed by wind currents, the acid rain often falls to the ground far from its point of origin. Acid rain is killing vast stretches of forest in Canada, the United States, and central and northern Europe. In Europe nearly every species of tree is affected. Symptoms include thinning of leaves and needles, deformed growth, and, in some cases, death. Acid rain has acidified lakes and streams, rendering them unable to support fish, wildlife, plants, or insects. In Sweden at least 40, 000 of the 90, 000 lakes have been affected, and in the United States one in five lakes suffers from this type of pollution.
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