Environmental problems
Essay
Made by Vasyutin Maxim Group OMD-10
Stary Oskol 2011
Environmental problems have become exceptionally acute in the modern world and environmental protection has become a vital necessity for all people. Our planet is in serious danger. One of the most important environmental problems in the world today is the shortage of clean water. Industrial pollution has made many sources of water undrinkable. Rivers, lakes and even seas have become poisonous. Thousands of fish die every year as a result of the illegal dumping of waste in rivers by factories all over the world. Lake Baikal is one of the world’s largest and most beautiful lakes. It contains a rich variety of fish and plants, including 1,300 rare species that do not exist anywhere else in the world. However, they are being killed by the massive industrial waste, which some factories still pour into the lake every day. A few years ago people thought that the supply of clean water was limitless. Now clean water is scarce, and we are beginning to respect this precious resource. We must protect the clean water that remains for the sake of our children and grandchildren.
Air pollution is another important problem. In hundreds of cities and towns the concentration of harmful substances in the air is over ten times the admissible level. Every day a huge number of plants and factories emit lots of harmful substances into the atmosphere of big cities. The great increase in the use of motor cars in the last quarter of the 20th century has caused an increase in a new kind of air pollution. Pollution from factories and cars poisons the air we breathe and is the main reason for the greenhouse effect and acid rains. The acid rain can damage life in lakes and rivers and destroy forest. Greenhouse effect may also have disastrous consequences for our planet. It is already affecting several areas of the world with unusual weather causing droughts or navy storms. The world`s temperature is going up and the climate is changing. Cutting down on emission from large plants and exhaust fumes from vehicles could help solve the problem. I think we should try and use alternative energy such and wind energy, and design plants and cars that run on electricity, a much cleaner fuel petrol. One the most alarming environmental problems is depletion of the ozone layer, which protects the Earth from the dangerous ultraviolet rays of the sun. Because of the ozone holes the dangerous rays get through the atmosphere, causing skin cancer and other serious diseases. Many scientists think that these ozone holes are the result of air pollution.
In my opinion, the most urgent ecological problem today is the environmental safety of nuclear power station. Nuclear pollution can`t be of the Chernobyl disaster are. Nuclear waste also endangers peoples lives. People all over the world protest against nuclear tests and nuclear weapons. If we do not take any action, the possibility nuclear disaster is very real. Of course, we can`t help mentioning such burning issues as destruction of tropical forests and wildlife, overpopulation and shortage of natural resources. The list serious ecological problems could de continued.
However, there a lot of simple things we should all do to stop the destruction of the environment. First of all, we most keep our cities and towns clean. That means, we mustn`t drop litter in public places. If we see litter on the ground, we most put in into a litter bin. Besides, we shouldn`t bump our rubbish without thinking which things, such as bottles and paper, can be recycled. And of course, we most draw or paint on pavements, walls trees. We must stop using aerosol sprays because the stuff they contain destroys the ozone layer. We should take care of birds and animals. we can help to plant trees and create parks for endangered species. We can clean rivers and canals and create footpaths. But first of all we must change peoples attitude towards the environment. If we take action now, there might de some hope for the future. If we do nothing we are heading for disaster.
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