I. Translate the words and phrases in brackets into English using the box. Then answer the questions that follow. Environmental Groups in the uk

Protect global warning pollution whales pour pesticides rain forests hunting issue protection ozone layer destruction nuclear power environment

There are several groups in Britain, which try to (захистити навколишнє середовище). The most famous group is Greenpeace, which campaigns in many countries around the world. They have campaigned against (мисливства на китів), (забруднення) in the North Sea, (ядерної енергії), testing nuclear weapons, and many other environmental (проблем). Greenpeace supports organize demonstrations and they also take direct action. For example, they block pipes that (зливають) pollution into the sea.

Another important environmental group is Friends of the Earth. They have led campaigns against (глобального потепління), the (знищення тропічних лісів), and the depletion of the (озонового шару). There is also a Green Party, which is a political party. It regularly fights elections and it has won seats in the European Parliament and on local councils.

There are many other groups, which are concerned with (захистом навколишнього середовища), for example, the Royal Society for the (захисту) of Birds (RSPB), which campaigns to (захистити) against dangers such as (пестициди) and (мисливства). Some environmental groups are very old. The oldest is in the National Trust, which was set up in 1895 to (захистити) parks, buildings and monuments in Britain.

1. Which environmental groups are there in your country?

2. What issues do they campaign?

3. What kinds of things do they do?

II. Finish the sentences:

If I saw somebody throwing an empty packet on the street, I would ...

If I discovered the factory I worked in was secretly polluting the environment, I would ...

If I were minister for the Environment, I would ...

If I had to do without perfume/deodorant, I would ...

If I were a fish, I would ...

If I were a fisherman, I would ...

If I could not eat tinned tuna fish, I would ...

If I lived on an island, I would ...

If a nuclear bomb exploded, I would ...

If they tried to build a nuclear power station near my house, I would ...

If I lived in a jungle, I would ...

If I were an endangered species, I would ...

If I had to light my fire with either coal or wood, I would ...

If I had to travel to work by car or by public transport, I would ...

If I wanted to dump a box of rubbish, but I could not find a bin, I would ..

If the local council were planning to build a dump near my house, I would ..

III. You will get the pictures from your teacher. Make up your own stories. You may use your essential vocabulary.

IV. Have you damaged the environment in any way? Recall a recent action or relate an anecdote involving a friend or a neighbour.

V. Do you know how to be more environmentally conscious? Is all rubbish the same to you? Do you believe that the responsibility for saving planet Earth also lies in your hands?

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Here’s a list of 24 practical ideas. Can all of them help you to help the environment?

• Buy fresh food that doesn’t need a lot of packing.

• Try to buy ‘organic’ fruit and vegetables from farmers who don’t use chemicals.

• Look for food and other products which come from Third World countries.

• Save as much water as possible.

• Find out more about Green organizations in your area.

• Write letters to the government in your country about Green problems which worry you.

• Use products that won’t stay for ever in the earth or sea when you throw them away.

• Use bottles more than once (or take them to the bottle bank).

• Try to save paper. Also, buy and use recycled paper as often as possible.

• Avoid ‘throw-away’ products.

• Make sure that your family and friends use unleaded petrol in their cars.

• Don’t buy products (fur or ivory, for example) made from rare or protected species.

• Use public transport as often as possible.

• If you’re buying wood, don’t choose hardwood from tropical rainforests.

• Look for aerosols which haven’t got any CFCs in them.

• Try to eat a healthier diet. Avoid too much fat or sugar.

• Don’t buy hamburgers or pizzas in plastic boxes which contain CFCs.

• Use batteries as little as possible. It takes 50 times more energy to make them than they produce.

• Don’t have on electric lights, TV, hi-fi, etc. if you’re not using them.

• Take more aerobic exercise at least three times per week.

• Find out more about conservation issues in your area. Are there any woods, fields, etc. in danger, for example?

• Try to throw away at least 25 % less rubbish.

• Help old people in your area to insulate their homes. This saves energy and helps to keep them warm in winter.

• Visit any local nature reserves or zoos and talk to the people who run them.