Global Warming
- Gases such as carbon dioxide trap heat from the sun
- This causes global temperatures to rise
- This process is known as the greenhouse effect
- Human activity is a major factor in the rise of the greenhouse gases
- Factories and vehicles produce emissions and exhaust fumes
- Many developing countries are becoming industrialized
- The number of cars on our streets is growing
- Cheap air travel is allowing more people to fly
Effects of Global Warming
- Global warming will have a significant impact on our planet
- Rising temperature will cause melting of the polar ice caps
- Sea levels will rise
- We can expect more extreme weather conditions
- Flooding and droughts may become more common
Impacts of Humans on the Environment
- The increasing world population is putting pressure on natural resources
- Fossil fuels like oil and gas are running out
- We are destroying wildlife habitats
- We have cut down enormous areas of rainforest
- This has led to the extinction of many species of animals and plants
Solutions to Environment Problems
- Governments could introduce laws to limit emissions from factories
- They should invest in renewable energy from solar, wind or water power
- They could impose ‘green taxes’ on drivers and airlines companies
- Government campaigns should promote recycling
- Natural areas and wild animals should be protected
- Individuals should also try to be greener
- We should take fewer flights abroad for holidays
- We should take public transport rather than driving
- We should choose products with less packaging
- We should recycle as much as possible
Waste/Rubbish
- The amount of waste that we produce has increased
- This problem is a result of our consumer culture
- Products are not made to last
- If something breaks, we throw it away and buy a new one
- Advertisers encourage to buy the newest fashions
- Packaging is an important part of selling
- Most foods are sold in non-biodegradable plastics packaging
- The amount of household waste is growing
- This waste ends up in landfill sites
Litter
- People do not think about the consequences of dropping rubbish
- They assume that somebody is paid to clean the street
- Plastic packaging does not break down easily
- Most of the litter seen on streets is fast food packaging
Recycling and other Solutions
- Companies should make goods that last longer
- They should not use so much packaging
- Governments should be stricter, about waste produced by companies
- They should put legal limits on packaging
- Consumers should avoid buying over-packaged products
- We should recycle and reuse useful
- There are collection banks for glass, paper and plastic bottles
- Households can use several rubbish bins to separate waste
- Recycling saves energy and raw
Nuclear Power: Positives
- There are several benefits to build more nuclear power stations
- Fossil fuel like oil and gas are running out
- Nuclear power is a sustainable energy source
- It can be used to produce electricity without wasting natural resources
- It could replace the use of natural resources like coal, oil or gas
- Nuclear power stations are cleaner than fossil fuel power stations
- They could help to reduce carbon emissions that cause global warming
- The risks of accidents are being reduced
Nuclear Power: Negatives
- Opponents of nuclear power worry about the safety of power stations
- The building of new nuclear power stations is unpopular
- Nobody wants to live near one
- Nuclear waste disposal is a significant problem
- There is currently no way to decontaminate radioactive material
- People worry that terrorists could steal radioactive materials
- It is safer to produce energy from solar, wind or water
