Many environmental scientists and other analysts call for us to bring about a new environmental, or sustainability, revolution during this century. It would involve learning how to reduce our ecological footprints and live more sustainability.
One that meets the current and future basic resource needs of its people in a just and equitable manner without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their basic needs.
Functions of nature, such as purification of air and water, which support life and human economies.
With constant warnings about climate change, global warning and the depletion of natural resources, virtually everyone is now aware that we need to live a greener lifestyle.
And while using a jute bag instead of plastic carrier bags when you go shopping once a week is a small step in the right direction, it certainly isn't enough if you want to make a real difference and do your bit for the environment.
So, are you really adopting a more eco-friendly lifestyle – or just paying lip service to the idea?
Take our Twenty Questions Green Quiz to find out just how far up the environmental ladder you’ve climbed ….
Questionnaire
Do you...
1. Switch off the light whenever you’re the last to leave a room ?
a) Never
b) Sometimes
c) Always
2. Fit a new energy efficient lightbulb whenever a bulb blows?
a) Never
b) Sometimes
c) Always
3. Always close the door to keep in the heat (if popping out to the dustbin/get something from the car etc)?
a) Never
b) Sometimes
c) Always
4. Recycle bottles and cans and newspapers?
a) Never
b) Sometimes
c) Always
5. Recycle cardboard, cartons and packaging?
a) Never
b) Sometimes
c) Always
6. Use the washing machine on a cool wash whenever possible?
a) Never
b) Sometimes
c) Always
7. Wait until you have a full load to wash rather than use the machine for just a few items?
a) Never
b) Sometimes
c) Always
8. Walk instead of drive when you pop to the local shop, take children to the park, parties etc ?
a) Never
b) Sometimes
c) Always
9. Give old clothes, furniture and unwanted household items to charity/recycling rather than put in the bin?
a) Never
b) Sometimes
c) Always
10. Check when buying a new appliance or electrical equipment, whether it has a good energy-saving rating?
a) Never
b) Sometimes
c) Always
11. Use the compost bin regularly ?(choose never if you don’t have one yet)
a) Never
b)Sometimes
c) Always
12. Use rainwater (collected in a butt or barrel) for use in watering plants etc?
a) Never
b) Sometimes
c) Always
13. Buy local foodstuff to save on food miles?
a) Never
b) Sometimes
c) Always
14. Use public transport or car-share on journeys to work whenever possible?
a) Never
b) Sometimes
c) Always
15. Choose products with minimal/re-usable packaging whenever possible– eg milk in bottles, non-boxed cosmetics etc?
a) Never
b) Sometimes
c) Always
16. Buy recycled or Fairtrade products when possible – such as computer paper, notebooks, clothing, tea, coffee, fruit etc?
a) Never
b) Sometimes
c) Always
17. Buy from charity shops (and therefore help in recycling of clothing, books, bric-a-brac etc)?
a) Never
b) Sometimes
c) Always
18. Dry washing outside (when weather permits) rather than use a tumble drier or turn up the heating to dry clothes?
a) Never
b) Sometimes
c) Always
19. Switch off the TV, computer or stereo rather than leave on standby?
a) Never
b) Sometimes
c) Always
20. Carry shopping home in re-useable bags rather than use supermarket plastic carrier bags?
a) Never
b) Sometimes
c) Always
Add Up Your Score
2 points for each Always answer
1 point for each Sometimes answer
0 point for each Never answer
(If there’s a good reason why you can’t do something (use public transport/car-share for work, for example, because no-one lives in your direction and there’s no bus service, then choose Sometimes rather than Never as your answer for that particular question.
Your Green Score
Less than 12 points
Have you even heard about climate change and the planetary threat? If so, you are not giving it the priority it deserves.As the class teacher would say – Must Do Better!
Between 12-20 points
You are already doing a few basic things – but there is so much more that you could be doing to show your concern for the environment. Note some of the tips in our quiz – and start to implement them
Between 20-34 points
You demonstrate a good environmental conscience – but there’s still room for improvement, so look at the questions where you scored badly and make some changes
Between 35- 40 points
Wow, you certainly know your Greens. If you scored this highly, you can rightly call yourself a Green Champion – well done and keep up the good work!
Ecological Problems
Since ancient times Nature has served Man, being the source of his life. For thousands of years people lived in harmony with environment and it seemed to them that natural riches were unlimited. But with the development of civilization man's interference in nature began to increase.
Large cities with thousands of smoky industrial enterprises appear all over the world today. The by-products of their activity pollute the air we breathe, the water we drink, the land we grow grain and vegetables on.
Every year world industry pollutes the atmosphere with about 1000 million tons of dust and other harmful substances. Many cities suffer from smog. Vast forests are cut and burn in fire. Their disappearance upsets the oxygen balance. As a result some rare species of animals, birds, fish and plants disappear forever, a number of rivers and lakes dry up.
The pollution of air and the world's ocean, destruction of the ozone layer is the result of man's careless interaction with nature, a sign of the ecological crises.
The most horrible ecological disaster befell Ukraine and its people after the Chernobyl tragedy in April 1986. About 18 percent of the territory of Byelarus were also polluted with radioactive substances. A great damage has been done to the agriculture, forests and people's health. The consequences of this explosion at the atomic power-station are tragic for the Ukrainian, Byelorussian and other nations.
Environmental protection is of a universal concern. That is why serious measures to create a system of ecological security should be taken.
Some progress has been already made in this direction. As many as 159 countries — members of the UNO — have set up environmental protection agencies. Numerous conferences have been held by these agencies to discuss problems facing ecologically poor regions including the Aral Sea, the South Urals, Kuzbass, Donbass, Semipalatinsk and Chernobyl.
An international environmental research centre has been set up on Lake Baikal. The international organisation Greenpeace is also doing much to preserve the environment.
But these are only the initial steps and they must be carried onward to protect nature, to save life on the planet not only for the sake of the present but also for the future generations.
Questions:
1. How did people live for thousands of years? 2. What cities appear all over the world today? 3. What pollutes the air we breathe? 4. What is the result of the pollution the atmosphere? 5. Why is environmental protection of a universal concern? 6. What are the initial steps in this direction?
Vocabulary:
ancient — древний harmony — гармония environment — окружающая среда riches — богатства unlimited — неограниченный to interfere — вмешиваться to increase — увеличиваться, возрастать smoky — дымный enterprises — предприятия by-product — побочный продукт activity — деятельность to pollute — загрязнять substances — вещества oxigen — кислород rare — редкий destruction — разрушение ozone — озон layer — слой interaction — взаимодействие horrible — ужасный disaster — катастрофа to befall — пасть (на что-то)
Комментариев нет:
Отправить комментарий