11. 9 Listen to the interview with a senior research engineer called Dr. Michael Blomberg. Dr. Blomberg gives his opinions on future trends in science and technology.

1. What predictions does Dr. Blomberg make about technological progress? Make a list.

2. Classify these predictions in three columns according to how strongly Dr. Blomberg expresses his belief that they will happen.

STRONG BELIEF

BELIEF (not strongly held)

UNCERTAIN (it could happen)

3. What questions does the interviewer put to Dr. Blomberg?

4. Now prepare three questions that you would ask Dr. Blomberg if you were present at the interview.

5. Do you agree with Dr. Blomberg’s ideas? Say what developments you foresee in science and technology over next fifty years.

From Johnson C.N. & D. General Engineering. Prentice Hall, Europe, 1998

12. Work in pairs. Discuss the following quotations about ecological problems.

1. Nature pardons no errors. (R.W. Emerson. Essays)

2. Our remedies oft in ourselves do lie which we ascribe to heaven. (W. Shakespeare. All’s Well That Ends Well)

3. As soils are depleted, human health, vitality and intelligence go with them. (Bromfield Louis Writer (1896-1956)).

4. Only when the last tree is cut; only when the last river is polluted; only when the last fish is caught; only then will they realize that you cannot eat money. (Indian proverb).

5. Man has lost the capacity to foresee and to forestall.  He will end by destroying the earth.  (Albert Schweitzer).

Wordlist

abiotic	абиотический, неживой
abundant	распространенный
biosphere	биосфера
biota	биота (флора и фауна района)
biotic	биотический, живой
concept	концепция, понятие
deal with	иметь дело с, рассматривать
ecosystem	экосистема
emerge	появляться
influence	влияние
layer	слой
magnitude	величина
remediation	восстановление
waste disposal	удаление отходов

Unit 2 the impact of mining and oil extraction on the environment

Coal, oil and gas – fossil fuels – are called conventional fuels because people are accustomed to using them. Today, approximately 80 % of the energy consumed worldwide comes from burning petroleum, natural gas, and coal. However, coal is the dirtiest fuel to burn because it has many impurities which influence the environment.

Lead-in

Discuss the questions.

1. What impacts of mining and mineral extraction on the atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere do you know?

2. What stages of mineral extraction from the subsurface do you know?

Comment upon the following statements. How do you think they are connected with the theme of the lecture?

1. In its broadest ecological context, economic development is the development of more intensive ways of exploiting the natural environment.  ~Richard Wilkinson

2. Waste is a tax on the whole people. 

~Albert W. Atwood