The accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power station on April, 26, 1986 caused radioactive contamination of a vast area around the station.

Nowadays some spiecies of plants or animals become extinct. The extinction of the spiecies is caused by people’s destroying or polluting their places of living. The cutting of the plants can kill the animals that eat them too. The giant panda is in danger because it eats only the bamboo plants, which are cut down by farmers. Every ten minutes one kind of animal, plant or insect dies out and disappear forever. Fortunately, it’s not too late to solve these problems. People can make our planet a cleaner, better and safer place.

There are many ways of solving ecological problems. People must save electricity. They can recycle boxes and plastic bottles. People must plant more trees and create parks for endangered animals. Factories must install new equipment that reduces pollution. People can use rain water for washing cars and watering gardens. They must not turn on music loudly. People can use bicycle instead of cars. People must make nuclear stations safer or use wind for producing electricity. People must pick up litter after picnics. So people must keep our soil, water and air clean. They must protect nature, save the life on the planet not only for present, but also for future generations.

Exercise 2. Study and use new vocabulary:

Reduce – to use less

Re-use – to use the same thing again

Recycle – to use an old thing to make a new thing

Exercise 3. Answer the questions:

1. What are the ways of solving ecological problems?

2. What can polluted water, air and soil do?

3. What is the main reason for the greenhouse effect and acid rains?

4. Why are our forests disappearing?

5. Why are the seas in danger?

6. What caused radioactive contamination in 1986?

7. What must people do to save the life on the planet?

Exercise 4. Match the words with their definitions:

1. Recycling a) ruining = killing