The Nature

Nature, in the broadest sense, is the natural, physical, or material world or universe. "Nature" can refer to the phenomena of the physical world, and also to life in general. The study of nature is a large part of science. Although humans are part of nature, human activity is often understood as a separate category from other natural phenomena.

The word nature is derived from the Latin word natura, or "essential qualities, innate disposition", and in ancient times, literally meant "birth". Natura is a Latin translation of the Greek word physis, which originally related to the intrinsic characteristics that plants, animals, and other features of the world develop of their own accord. The concept of nature as a whole, the physical universe, is one of several expansions of the original notion; it began with certain core applications of the word physis by pre-Socratic philosophers, and has steadily gained currency ever since. This usage continued during the advent of modern scientific method in the last several centuries. Within the various uses of the word today, "nature" often refers to geology and wildlife. Nature can refer to the general realm of living plants and animals, and in some cases to the processes associated with inanimate objects – the way that particular types of things exist and change of their own accord, such as the weather and geology of the Earth. It is often taken to mean the "natural environment" or wilderness–wild animals, rocks, forest, and in general those things that have not been substantially altered by human intervention, or which persist despite human intervention. For example, manufactured objects and human interaction generally are not considered part of nature, unless qualified as, for example, "human nature" or "the whole of nature". This more traditional concept of natural things which can still be found today implies a distinction between the natural and the artificial, with the artificial being understood as that which has been brought into being by a human consciousness or a human mind. Depending on the particular context, the term "natural" might also be distinguished from the unnatural or the supernatural.

b) Explain the meaning of the following words and word combinations.

Nature, natural things, universe, supernatural, environment.

c) Put 5 special questions to the text. 

Speaking.

What can we do to improve the ecological situation? Work in groups and brainstorm the ideas. Are your ideas realistic? Can they be achieved in an everyday life? Use the following conversational questions in your discussion.

• Do you think there are lessons to learn from nature?

• How has the world changed since you were a child? (technology, values, environment, health)

• How often is garbage collected in your neighborhood?

• If humans are really intelligent and not simply manipulated by their genes like any other animal, why can't they do anything about overpopulation?

• What are some things that can be recycled?

• What are some things that your community is doing to help the?

• What are some things which you recycle?

• What are some types of pollution?

• What are some ways that you can reduce pollution in this country?

• What can you do to help prevent pollution?

• What can you do to make this world a better place?

• What do you think of people who smoke cigarettes indoors?

• Which is more important, increasing people's standard of living, or protecting the environment?

• Who do you think is more responsible for pollution, individual people or the government? Explain.

• What is the most important issue facing the environment today?

• Do you know about any anti-pollution programs in your country?

• If you could choose one alternative energy source to develop which one would you choose?

• Are companies more or less environmentally responsible now than they were in the past?

• What types of energy are popular in your native country?

• What can large cities do to improve their air quality?

• How can we protect the environment and at the same time improve people's standard of living?

• Do you think overpopulation is an important environmental issue? Why or why not?

• What should we do to increase the awareness about environmental pollution?

Tasks for self-study