Environmental problems and
solutions
Climate change – Global warming
Global warming is a gradual increase in the earth’s temperature that
causes changes in climate.
Not only does the Earth’s temperature continue to rise, but the sea
levels are rising, too. Both the ocean and the earth are growing
warmer.
Global temperatures are climbing. Ice caps are melting. Droughts,
wildfires, and super hurricanes are becoming more common.
to contribute to global warming
to combat/fight/tackle global warming
Causes:
Greenhouse gasses – CO2 emissions
Deforestation
Greenhouse gases - Carbone dioxide (CO2)
the emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
The burning of fossil fuels releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into
the atmosphere, which leads to global warming.
Fossil fuels are coal, gas and oil.
Greenhouse gases are the leading cause of climate change.
Solutions:
Using renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power,
will assist in the fight against climate change.
to install solar batteries on the roofs of buildings
to build wind farms
Planting more trees as trees absorb carbon dioxide.
to reduce the carbon footprint of a factory
businesses that are committed to reducing their carbon footprint
Deforestation
By 2030, only 10 per cent of the rainforests may be left; the rest will
have been cut down for wood or cleared for agricultural use.
Problem 1. Greenhouse gases
There are fewer trees to produce oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide.
Deforestation is contributing to global warming because trees absorb
carbon dioxide.
Problem 2. Endangered species
When forests are cut down, the plants and animals that live in
the forests are destroyed, and some species are at risk of being made
extinct.
to go/become extinct
Species lose their
habitat. Ecosystems die
out.
Causes:
People cut down forests to build cities or clear land for
agricultural use.
Solutions:
To preserve the remaining forests, humans should simply stop
cutting down trees.
Forests are in major need of preservation.
For every tree that is cut down, a new one needs to be planted
in its place.
Endangered species
- a type of plant or animal that might stop existing
species of fish, animals, birds
flora and fauna – plants and animals
One out of every ten plant and animal species is expected to
become/go extinct by 2050.
extinct - no longer existing
almost/nearly extinct
critically endangered
species
Loss of Biodiversity
Biodiversity, or the variety of life in the world, is declining.
The levels of biodiversity across the world have significantly decreased
in the last three decades.
Causes:
Lost habitats mean losing the species that
live there. (deforestation)
With the rising temperatures of the Arctic, sea ice melts, which
eliminates the habitat of polar bears and various other animals. (global
warming)
Many species of plants and animals have become extinct
due to human activity.
Wild animals are being poached on a massive scale, with millions
of individual animals worldwide killed or captured illegally.
to poach – to hunt illegally
Solutions:
save/protect endangered species
Focus on wildlife conservation – protect wildlife habitats by
controlling pollution and creating nature reserves
Stop deforestation
Limit green gas emissions
Support organizations dedicated to fighting species extinction
Pollution
to pollute air/water/soil/the environment
contamination - the process or fact of making a place dirty by
adding a substance that is dangerous or carries disease
Environmental contamination resulting from human activities is a major
health concern.
Contaminated waters are undrinkable.
Polluted air causes health problems.
Contaminated soil destroys habitats. (endangered species)
Air pollution
Most major cities suffer from dangerous levels of air pollution.
People who live in areas with high levels of air pollution are more likely
to die from cancer or other diseases.
poor air quality
Good air quality is essential for our health, quality of life and the
environment.
Causes:
Most air pollution is the result of combustion of fossil fuels to
generate power and heat, and to power vehicles.
Power stations, factories, and vehicles emit harmful gases
into the atmosphere.
Emissions from car exhausts cause pollution around cities.
Solutions:
cut/reduce/limit emissions
The most basic solution for air pollution is to end its root
cause and move away from fossil fuels, replacing them with
clean, renewable energy.
renewable energy = alternative energy: solar, wind and geothermal
energy
Shifting to electric vehicles and promoting public transports could
reduce air pollution.
It is important to conserve energy because sources of energy
such as electricity, diesel, gasoline, and wood contribute to air
pollution.
Waste disposal
Waste disposal poses a threat to not only the Earth and its environment
but humans as well.
a landfill - an area of land where large amounts of waste are buried
under the earth
factories that empty toxic waste into rivers and oceans
The dumping of toxic waste has contaminated the area.
Plastic pollution
Most plastics do not biodegrade which means no natural process can
break them down.
Plastics are littering cities, oceans, and waterways, contributing to
health problems in humans and animals.
Plastic is often dumped in the ocean where it is consumed by wildlife.
Solutions:
Recycle plastic
Use biodegradable packaging in supermarkets
Limit the production of single-use plastic
Protecting the environment
sustainable - causing little or no damage to the environment
sustainable growth, sustainable development, sustainable communities,
sustainable energy sources
renewable energy - energy that is produced using natural resources such as
the wind, sun, etc.
reduce the impact on the environment
environmentally friendly - behaviour and products that do not harm the
environment
environmentally friendly products/businesses/practices/technologies to preserve
the environment for future gene