ECOLOGY

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ECOLOGY

• Materials from the Conference on Ecology
• held by group 202
• of the Faculty of Foreign Languages
• Yekaterinburg
• USPU, 2006

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• Aim of the project
• - To create a source of information on topic
  Ecology for teachers of English and students.
• Tasks of the project
• - To characterize the ecological situation in
  general
• - To describe the most urgent and vital
  ecological problems
• - To find out the ways of protection of our
  environment.

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Project Portfolio

• Subject ecological situation in the world, types
  of pollution and other ecological problems,
  environmental protection
• Language level advanced
• Participants students of group 202 of the
  Faculty of Foreign Languages
• Age 17-19
• Number of participants 13
• Way of work in- and outclass work
• Time of project work 4 weeks.

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Informational and Technical Sources

• Internet resources
• The USPU library
• Scientific archives of the conductors and
  participants of the project.

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CONTENTS

• 1. General Information (by Irene Melnikova)
• 2. Ecological Problems (by Olya Kokorina)
• 3. Ecological Situation Nowadays (by Mary
  Gorochkina)
• 4. Animals In Danger (by Lydia Tokareva)
• 5. Disappearing Life (by Kate Shostakh)
• 6. Environmental Protection (by Jane Terekhova)
• 7. Land Pollution (by Helen Vinogradova)
• 8. Greenhouse Effect (by Galya Sysolyatina)
• 9. Radioactive Contamination (by Kate Kalina and
  Ann Tokareva)
• 10. The Road To Destruction (by Ruslan
  Khudaibergenov)
• 11. Noise Pollution (by Tanya Glazyrina)
• 12. Light Pollution (by Kate Kataeva)

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General Information

• Man is facing an ecological crisis. For
  centuries he thought little about the
  consequences of the pressure he was placing upon
  nature. Today the by-products of man's activity
  can be compared to the results of global
  geological processes. The pollution of the
  atmosphere, rivers, lakes, seas and oceans has
  reached a dangerous level.
• Some of these ideas contain important
  constructive elements. It is as clear as day that
  as long as mankind continues to exploit nature in
  a blind barbarous way, it will be constantly
  threatened by ecological ruin. The solution to
  every problem of nature conservation, is becoming
  complicated and costly.
• These problems multiply with the development of
  every new oil deposit, the opening of new coal
  mines, the building of railways and power
  stations. That is why money and effort invested
  in conservation are vital.
• 1. What kind of crisis is man facing?
• 2. What is the result of mans activity?
• 3. Why money and effort invested in conservation
  are vital?

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Ecological Problems

• For centuries our humanism has been developing
  in a lop-sided manner proclaiming man the lord
  and the king of nature and not the child. Human
  achievements in conquering nature are so great
  that the economic activity has an increasingly
  negative effect on the biosphere.
• Biodiversity describes the variety of life over
  a wide spectrum of levels. Human activity is
  causing serious destruction of biodiversity at
  all of these levels. If we lose variety within a
  system, will the system be able to keep going in
  a similar way? The "rules" of evolution game are
  well-known. The winners are the "fittest", the
  losers are the "less fit". But today animals and
  plants perish not so much due to their physical
  extermination as due to the production of
  chemical and other industrial pollutants.
• We all want a higher quality environment for
  ourselves. Just as we now demand higher standards
  of healthcare, or education, or public service,
  we increasingly feel we have a right to a high
  quality environment. The first step is to know
  what your rights and responsibilities are.
• 1. In what way does man conquer nature?
• 2. Are there any systems and rules concerning
  biodiversity?
• 3. What do we need at last?

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Ecological Situation Nowadays

• Ecology is a very popular word today. But what
  does it mean? Ecology is a science which studies
  the relationship between all forms of life on our
  planet and the environment.
• This word came from Greek oikos which means
  home. The idea of home includes our whole planet,
  its population, Nature, animals, birds, fish,
  insets and all other living beings and even the
  atmosphere around our planet.
• So, pollution is one of the most burning
  problems of nowadays. Now millions of chimneys,
  cars, buses, trucks all over the world exhaust
  fumes and harmful substances into the atmosphere.
  These poisoned substances pollute everything
  air, land, water, birds and animals. So, it is
  usually hard to breathe in the large cities where
  there are lots plants. Everything there is
  covered with soot and dirt.
• 1. What does the word ecology mean?
• 2. What country did the term ecology come from?
• 3. What may the reason of polluted atmosphere be?

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Animals In Danger

• Environmental protection is one of the main
  problems of today. Industrial civilization is
  characterized by numerous factories and power
  stations, automobiles and airplanes.
  Technological progress improves people's lives,
  but at the same time it causes numerous problems
  that were unimaginable in the past centuries.
• The blue whale is the largest animal which has
  ever lived. It is three times heavier than the
  biggest dinosaur. By 1963 their population had
  been reduced to just 1000. Today it is even less
  than that. The African elephant is the world's
  largest animal. In 1970 there were about 3.3
  million of them living in the wild.
• We, people, are the only species that can
  change the world, and we are the only species
  that can choose either to look after our world or
  to destroy it.
• 1. What is industrial civilization characterized
  by?
• 2. What species of animals are In great danger
  nowadays?
• 3. Who is responsible for our world?

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Disappearing Life

• Vast regions of the Earth have plenty of
  sunshine and rain. This hot, wet climate makes
  trees and plants grow quickly, forming huge dense
  forests. They are called tropical rain forests.
• Meanwhile, what is happening to the plant and
  animal life there? Animals, having lost their
  food and home, move on to the remaining forests.
  They are followed by other animals in the food
  chain. Soon, the remaining forest is overcrowded
  and is unable to support all the animals. What
  happens next. The land that has been cleared from
  the forests is used for farming. But, without the
  protection of the trees, the soil quickly dries
  out and soon it is worn out.
• So what can be done to save tropical rain
  forests? There are two ways to prevent them from
  disappearing altogether. One way is to stop their
  cutting down. The other way is to replant trees
  on the land that has been cleared.
• 1. What are tropical rain forests and what can we
  value them for?
• 2. What is happening to the wild life there and
  what does it mean?
• 3. What should be done to save the forests?

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Environmental Protection

• Air pollution is the result of mans use of
  chemicals, and is a common hazard in both
  industrial and developing countries.
• One form of air pollution is acid rains. Acid
  rain results from the release into the atmosphere
  of sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxide. Electrical
  plants, industrial boilers and automobiles are
  among chief sources of these emissions. The gases
  react with water droplets, forming a mixture of
  sulfuric acid and nitric acid, this mixture
  returns to earth in the form of acid rain, mist
  or snow. Acid rain is killing vast stretches of
  forests in Canada, the United States, and central
  and northern Europe. Acid rain has acidified
  lakes and streams making them unable to support
  fish, wildlife, plants or insects.
• Scientists predict that by the year 2025 the
  population will rise to 8,5 billion, and by the
  year 2050 it will double. Most people find these
  figures alarming. They are afraid that we will
  run out of land, energy and minerals. Optimists
  are sure that new generations will find a way
  out.
• 1. What is air pollution the result of?
• 2. What do you know about acid rains?
• 3. What awaits us in the nearest future?

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Land Pollution

• Both human activities and natural events cause
  land pollution. Soil contamination is often the
  first stage of ? chain of events that lead to air
  and water pollution. Major contributors to land
  pollution include chemical plants, oil
  refineries, nuclear waste dumps, garbage dumps,
  corporal animal farms.
• What are the sources and impacts of litter
  pollution? Residential and commercial communities
  contribute to land, air and water pollution when
  motor oil, antifreeze, household chemicals,
  pesticides and fertilizers drain into soil and
  water.
• You can participate in land, water, and air
  pollution prevention by following these tips 1.
  Reduce. 2. Reuse. 3. Recycle. 4. ?void chemicals
  in your home and yard. Substitute green cleaning
  practices for chemical cleaners. If you do use
  household chemicals or fertilizers, dispose of
  them safely.
• 1. What are main contributors to land pollution?
• 2. What are the sources and impacts of litter
  pollution?
• 3. How can we participate in land protection?

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Greenhouse Effect

• Carbon dioxide is not very poisonous and it is
  present in the atmosphere in so small a quantity
  that it does us no harm. But here is what this
  apparently harmless and certainly essential gas
  is doing to us. The sea level is rising very
  slowly from year to year. Eventually many cities
  will be drowned.
• The concentration of carbon dioxide in the
  atmosphere is going up steadily. This means that
  in the coming decades Earths average temperature
  will go up slightly. The glaciers will retreat,
  the mountain tops will grow more bare, and the
  polar ice caps will begin to melt. It will drip
  down into the ocean and slowly the sea level will
  rise.
• What is to be done? First, we must save our
  forests, and even replant them. We must have new
  sources of fuel. For example, nuclear fission.
  There is also the energy of waves, tides, wind,
  and the Earths interior heat. Most of all, there
  is the direct use of solar energy.
• 1. What are the consequences of the increase of
  the concentration of carbon dioxide in the
  atmosphere?
• 2. Why is it dangerous if Earths average
  temperature goes up?
• 3. What should we do concerning the problem of
  the greenhouse effect?

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Radioactive Contamination

• ULTRA-VIOLET EMANATION is electromagnetic
  waves, which length varies from 0,1 to 0,4 micro
  meter. NEGATIVE ASPECT the influence of UV waves
  on the skin eyes may be destroyable. Eye skin
  diseases, violent burns skin cancer (that is
  melanoma), other biological effects are proven
  consequences of redundant intensity of UV
  radiation.
• ATOMIC POWER STATIONS ARTIFICIAL RADIOACTIVE
  SUBSTENCES which appear as a result of nuclear
  weapon tests are also important sources of
  radiation. Nowadays they are very important
  producers of energy.
• In recent years the pollution problems have
  received great publicity. The environmental
  movement has gained widespread trust support.
  The protection of natural resources wildlife is
  becoming a political program in every country. In
  the end of the XXth century atmospheric testing
  of nuclear bombs was stopped in different
  countries to prevent radioactive contamination of
  the atmosphere.
• 1. In what ways can UV rays influence mans
  health?
• 2. Do you think that people nowadays can live
  without nuclear power plants?
• 3. What are the ways of protecting our Nature
  from radioactive contamination?

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The Road To Destruction

• Anger and stress are nothing compared to the
  real costs of the motor car over 3 thousand
  people die every year in road accidents in
  Britain 25 thousand deaths per year are caused
  by air pollution every seventh child in Britain
  suffers from asthma in London cars produce 99
  of all carbon monoxide in the atmosphere some
  types of cancer are related to traffic pollution
  traffic is one of the major causes of global
  warming and climate change.
• And now some advice from Greenpeace how to
  solve these problems 1. Use your legs. 2. Use
  public transport. 3. Think before you go. 4.
  Share cars. 5. Dont believe adverts!
• 6. Take action! There is always something we
  can do about the noise, pollution and danger of
  traffic. Talk to your neighbours, write to the
  papers, go to the town council, get a protest
  group together. Dont just sit around and
  complain!
• 1. What is meant by the real costs of the motor
  car?
• 2. What are the ways to improve our environment?
• 3. Do you think that it is possible to stop using
  cars?

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Noise Pollution

• A number of experiments confirm that industrial
  and car noise has a negative influence on
  peoples health and make their lives shorter,
  because it is impossible to get accustomed to
  this noise. A person may not notice sounds, but
  it doesnt save him from problems with ears.
• Cars give about 80 of noise. Japan is one of
  the noisiest country in the world. 82 of the
  population live in such regions where industrial
  and car noise is higher than it should be.
• Many young people who listen to loud music may
  become deaf. This conclusion was made by Swedish
  and Japanese specialists, when they examined
  students and senior schoolchildren. Scientists
  try to make cars less noisy, airports and plants
  are built in some distance from the cities.
  People have to observe some rules to reduce noise
  in flats.
• 1. Is it possible to get accustomed to the noise?
• 2. How many people in Japan live in regions where
  car and industrial noise is higher than it should
  be?
• 3. What conclusion was made by Swedish and
  Japanese specialists?

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Light Pollution

• Night satellite photographs of the Earth from
  space show that light pollution fills the night
  sky all over the world. Until recently, bright
  night skies were ?n issue ??l? for scientists and
  astronomers. Today, light pollution is ? public
  concern that affects wildlife, ecosystems, human
  health, and the financial well-being of
  communities.
• Unlike most pollution, light pollution is not
  persistent. Turn the lights off, and the dark sky
  comes back immediately. Mitigating light
  pollution, however, has proven to be particularly
  difficult.
• One solution to light pollution problems is to
  control poor night lighting with laws codes or
  ordinances. Local officials can cite ?nd
  prosecute those who violate these codes. You can
  do your part by learning more about light
  pollution and taking steps to reduce the
  extraneous night lighting in your own backyard
  and town. These steps wi11 save you money ?n
  electricity bi1ls and help mitigate the world's
  energy crisis.
• 1. Where is light pollution most clearly seen
  from?
• 2. What is the difference between light pollution
  and other types of pollution?
• 3. How can we reduce light pollution?

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GLOSSARY(some terms relating to the topic
Ecology)
Acid rain Smog Emission Nuclear
fission Radiation Ultraviolet Emanation Sedimentat
ion Sediment Pathogen Pesticide Fertilizer Fertili
ty Traffic jam Accident
Sewage Pollution Contamination Recycling Sustainab
ility Destruction Exploitation Elimination Mitigat
ion Conservation Preservation Protection Defence
Disturbance Starvation Extinction Survival Habitat
Evolution Natural selection Natural
resources Rainforest Deforestation Climate Global
warming The greenhouse effect Solar energy Carbon
dioxide
Ecology Environment Ecosystem The atmosphere The
biosphere Nature Civilization Humanity Population
Diversity Biodiversity Wildlife Species Threat Dis
aster
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Test on VocabularyTranslate these sentences
using the vocabulary on the topic Ecology

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THE END.