Environmental protection – Защита окружающей среды

Many centuries ago people lived in harmony with nature because industry was not much developed. There were no ecological problems, until people built lots of plants and factories which discharge their production wastes into the air, water and soil where they can last for many years in one form or another. Nowadays people remember only about their own needs, they ignore the laws of nature. That's why today the contradictions between the man and nature are dramatic.

A scientific and technological progress of the twentieth century resulted in a widespread automation, transfer lines, CNC machining, computer aided management, spaceships, atomic power stations, pipelines, new roads and highways.

But it can not be denied, the price for rapid industrial development is very high: natural resources are exhausted, the ecological balance of the planet is disturbed; some species of flora and fauna disappear; city and industry wasted waters, chemicals and fertilisers are endangering lakes, rivers and ponds. Big cities have a problem with air pollution: the “Killer Smog” caused 3500-4000 deaths in London in December 1952. Progress can be blamed for all these environmental problems.

The European Commission has revealed that it is pursuing infringement proceedings against five countries that have failed to comply with the EU's air quality standards for dangerous airborne particles known as PM10. These particles, emitted mainly by industry, traffic and domestic heating, can cause asthma, cardiovascular problems, lung cancer and premature death. It has taken a quarter of a century, but US researchers say their work has finally enabled them to determine to what extent city air pollution impacts on average life expectancy.

Speaking about atmosphere we should mention ozone holes which are the result of air pollution and their growth can result into the destruction of the whole great chain of life of our planet. The pollution of the air, oceans, seas, rivers and lakes and the destruction of the ozone layer can bring our planet to a global catastrophe. The most terrible catastrophe of our age was Chernobyl which resulted not only in atomic explosion. but also ruined 300 thousands hectares of farm soil and has affected the lives of millions of people. The radiation doses have affected and will continue to affect the health of people living in contaminated areas.

The Earth is our home, that's why we must undertake measures to fight soil pollution and keep our environment clean; we must plant trees and flowers and take care of animals, we must not throw our wastes into the rivers.

Recently the pollution problems have received great publicity. The Environment protection movement associated with no political party, has gained a widespread trust and support. Environmental activists underline that the problem is caused by industrial pollution and the vehicles. Long-established environmental groups warn that acid rains threaten many forests. The media’s begun to campaign against the ugliness of billboards, tin cans and trash. Many people started to realize that to keep air and water clean, strict pollution control is necessary.

The protection of natural resources and wildlife is becoming a political programme in every country. Numerous anti-pollution acts passed in different countries led to considerable improvements in environment condition. In many countries purifying systems for treatment of industrial wasted waters have been installed, measures have been taken to protect rivers and seas from oil waters. Wildlife reservation models of undisturbed nature are being developed in some parts of the world.

But the environmental problems have grown beyond the concern of a single country. Their solution requires the cooperation of all nations, especially nowadays.

Words and phrases

destruction - разрушение; уничтожение
destroy - разрушать
habitat - среда
diversity of life – многообразие жизни
overuse of resources - чрезмерное использование ресурсов
human’s disregard for the riches of nature
to tamper with the ecology - портить, наносить ущерб экологии
industrial revolution – промышленная революция
burning of fossil fuels – сжигание топлива
toxic – токсичный, отравленный
carbon dioxide – углекислый газ
acid rain – кислотный дождь
ozone layer – озоновый слой
changes of climate – климатические изменения
greenhouse effect – парниковый эффект
long-term effect on living organisms -
frequent floods – частые наводнения
droughts – засуха, нехватка дождей
poisonous substances – ядовитые вещества
deforestation – вырубка лесов
ecosystems – экосистемы
extinction – вымирание, исчезновение
wetland – заболоченная территория
disaster - несчастье, беда
to cut down – рубить, срубать
trend – тенденция
oxygen – кислород
to breathe – дышать
poison – яд, отрава
industrial and nuclear waste – промышленные и ядерные отходы
fertilizer – удобрение
pesticide – пестицид
on the brink of extinction – на грани исчезновения
to die out – вымирать
species – вид, род
to become extinct – вымирать
equivalent – равноценный, равнозначный
the same holds true for – это справедливо для, это касается и...
to emit – выбрасывать
harmful – вредный
chemicals – химикаты
emission – выброс
disastrous – чудовищный
consequence – последствие
threat – угроза
nuclear power station – атомная электростанция
tragic – трагический
technology – технология
endangered – вымирающий (вид)
to recycle – утилизировать
litter – мусор
to support – поддерживать
to put pressure on – оказывать давление на
those in power - те, кто находится у власти