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Global Warming Solutions and Copenhagen's Green Initiatives

The document discusses global warming as a critical environmental issue and outlines practical steps individuals can take to mitigate its effects. It highlights Copenhagen's efforts to become a green city by reducing CO2 emissions, promoting cycling, and utilizing renewable energy sources. Additionally, it reflects on the progress made since the first Earth Day in 1970, noting improvements in health and environmental conditions while acknowledging ongoing challenges.

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25 views4 pages

Global Warming Solutions and Copenhagen's Green Initiatives

The document discusses global warming as a critical environmental issue and outlines practical steps individuals can take to mitigate its effects. It highlights Copenhagen's efforts to become a green city by reducing CO2 emissions, promoting cycling, and utilizing renewable energy sources. Additionally, it reflects on the progress made since the first Earth Day in 1970, noting improvements in health and environmental conditions while acknowledging ongoing challenges.

Uploaded by

ltqn14224
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

UNIT 4

A. Reading comprehension exercises


Exercise 1: Read and complete.
Global warming
Global warming is one of the most serious environmental problems facing our planet today. To
reduce global warming and make it (1) _______________ severe, nations around the world must
work together and take immediate action. However, individuals can also (2) _______________
an important role in solving this crisis.
There are six practical ways that everyone can help reduce global warming in their daily lives.
First, people should avoid (3) _______________ things away unnecessarily. (4)
_______________ of discarding items, we can recycle materials like paper, glass, and plastic so
they can be used again. This reduces waste and saves natural resources.
Second, we need to save energy whenever possible. Simple actions (5) _______________
switching off lights when leaving a room can make a significant difference. Third, we shouldn't
waste water. For example, turning (6) _______________the tap while brushing our teeth helps
conserve this precious resource.
Fourth, changing to energy-efficient light bulbs is an effective way to reduce electricity (7)
_______________. These bulbs use less power and last longer than traditional ones. Fifth,
driving less and walking more not only reduces carbon emissions (8) _______________
improves our health and fitness.
Finally, planting trees is one of the most beneficial actions we can take. Trees absorb carbon
dioxide (9) _______________ the atmosphere and produce oxygen, which helps reduce
greenhouse gases that cause global warming.
By following these simple steps, every person can (10) _______________ to protecting our
environment and creating a more sustainable future for generations to come.
1. A. more B. less C. fewer D. very
2. A. take B. do C. play D. have
3. A. throwing B. throw C. to throw D. threw
4. A. Despite B. Apart C. Besides D. Instead
5. A. like B. as C. unlike D. for
6. A. of B. off C. on D. down
7. A. consuming B. consume C. consumer D. consumption
8. A. and also B. or else C. but also D. either
9. A. on B. under C. to D. from
10. A. distribute B. contribute C. keep D. complain
Exercise 2: Read the passage. Choose True or False.
Copenhagen: Green City Leader
In 2010, the Danish capital of Copenhagen made the decision to go green. Since then, it has worked
hard to become one of the greenest cities in the world. Let’s look at what the city is doing to help the
environment.
One important thing the city is doing is reducing the amount of CO2 it produces. Every year, it has
reduced the amount of fossil fuel—coal, gas, oil—that it uses. Its power plant uses wood, not coal.
And the city uses a lot of wind energy—a clean type of energy. Copenhagen is often very cold, but as
the city produces its electricity, it takes the waste heat from the power plant. It heats 98% of the city
with that heat.
Cars produce a lot of CO2, and one of the city’s aims is to reduce their number. The city is doing that
by making it easy and pleasant for people to cycle. It now has some of the best cycle paths in the
world. The paths are separate from the road and so safe to use. They even have their own traffic lights
to help keep cyclists moving. People living in the city now make about half of all their journeys by
bike. They own nearly seven bicycles for every car.
Public transport and buildings are also going green. All the buses are changing to electric vehicles.
And many of the city’s buildings are green. Buildings are made to stay warm in winter. Copenhagen’s
hotels are also designed to help the environment. They are energy-efficient and produce very little
trash. Other tourist facilities are also becoming greener. One popular activity is to go on a boat trip.
Tourists can now use a small, sun-powered boat, instead of one that produces CO2.
All these changes have made the city much greener and a great place to live. From 2005 to 2017, the
amount of CO2 produced went down by almost half. At the moment, cities produce about 70% of all
CO2 around the world. Copenhagen may soon be the first city in the world that doesn’t add any
CO2 to the air.
1. Since 2010, Copenhagen has been the greenest city in the world.
2. The heat from Copenhagen’s power plant is used to keep the buildings in the city warm.
3. 98% of Copenhagen’s heating comes from the power plant.
4. People living in Copenhagen use bicycles seven times more often than cars.
5. Copenhagen’s public transportation system has electric and sun-powered vehicles.
6. Over 12 years, Copenhagen cut its CO2 production by nearly half.
7. Over two-thirds of global CO2 production comes from cities.
8. Copenhagen is now the first city in the world not to add any CO2 to the air.
Exercise 3: Read the passage. Choose the correct answers.

A Better Earth?
On April 22, 1970, millions of people paraded through American cities to support the environment. It
was the first Earth Day. People were happy because they were celebrating the Earth together. But they
were sad because the Earth was in trouble. Could they change it for the better?
On that day in 1970, many speakers told the crowds that the world was in terrible condition. Firstly,
about one out of four people did not have enough food. In some parts of the world, people did not live
past the age of 45. The environment was also in bad shape. The world’s great rivers—such as the
Tiber and the Mississippi—were full of trash, and the water was undrinkable. Big cities were
covered in smog, and leaded gasoline polluted the air. The speakers thought that these problems
would only get worse.
Happily, many of these problems did not get as bad as experts feared. Most people around the world
are enjoying better health and more nutritious food. Even though there are 3 billion more people than
in 1970, 90 percent of us have enough food today—up from about 75 percent in 1970. In addition,
average life expectancy has increased by more than 13 years.
Some of the worst environmental problems have improved as well. Water pollution has decreased
since 1970. Smog is less of a problem in many cities. And no country in the world makes leaded
gasoline anymore.
These improvements have not helped everyone, however. Millions still live in poverty. Millions more
live in places that are becoming more polluted, not less. Yet they are by the standards of the past,
wealthy and healthy. Billions of people’s lives are better.
The first Earth Day started a trend toward helping the Earth. Today, we face a different set of
problems than we did 50 years ago—such as climate change. Perhaps we can solve these problems,
too. Today, over a billion people celebrate Earth Day. Imagine how much better the world could be in
50 years.
Choose the correct answers.
1. How did the people at the first Earth Day feel?
a. mostly happy
b. mostly sad
c. both happy and sad
2. What was NOT a problem speakers at the first Earth Day talked about?
a. climate change
b. dirty air
c. not having enough food
3. How has the problem of people not having enough food changed since 1970?
a. The problem of not having enough food has gotten worse.
b. The percentage of people without enough food has gone down to 10%.
c. 75% of people around the world now have enough food.
4. What is true about people’s lives today?
a. They are mostly healthier, but have less money.
b. They are mostly living in more polluted places.
c. They are mostly healthier and better off.
5. What is the author’s opinion of the future?
a. mostly positive
b. we don’t know
c. mostly negative
6. The word “they” in paragraph 1 refers to __________ .
a. people
b. Earth Day
c. American cities
7. The word “undrinkable” in paragraph 2 can be best replaced by __________ .
a. impossible to consume
b. unable to find
c. edible
8. The word “average” in paragraph 3 can be best replaced by __________ .
a. unique
b. unexpected
c. common

Common questions

Powered by AI

Since 1970, global food security has significantly improved as the percentage of people having enough food increased from about 75% to 90%, even with a population increase of 3 billion. This improvement is a result of better distribution and potentially improved agricultural practices .

Renewable energy sources, particularly wind energy, play a crucial role in Copenhagen's environmental strategy by significantly reducing reliance on fossil fuels and cutting CO2 emissions. Moreover, the innovative use of waste heat for city heating exemplifies how renewable and sustainable energy practices are integrated into urban infrastructure, advancing Copenhagen's goal of carbon neutrality .

Participants of the first Earth Day experienced both happiness and sadness. Happiness stemmed from the collective celebration and unity in supporting the Earth, while sadness was due to the realization of the deteriorating environmental conditions at the time, such as pollution and inadequate food resources. These mixed emotions were significant as they catalyzed global awareness and actions towards environmental improvements .

Almost half of Copenhagen's residents using bicycles for commuting implies a substantial reduction in carbon emissions, improved public health, and lowered traffic congestion. This shift towards a cycling culture reflects successful urban planning and public policies favoring green transportation, which could serve as a model for other cities seeking sustainable urban mobility .

Since the first Earth Day, environmental improvements have included reductions in water pollution and smog, and the phasing out of leaded gasoline. Despite these advancements, challenges remain in the form of climate change and pollution, especially in areas still suffering from poverty. While many people have better conditions than before, ongoing efforts are needed to address these persisting challenges .

Copenhagen's comprehensive strategies involving the utilization of renewable energy, efficient heat recycling from power plants, extensive bicycling infrastructure, electric public transport, and strict energy-efficient building regulations have significantly reduced its CO2 emissions. These measures, if continued and fully implemented, put the city in a position where it may achieve small or no net CO2 emissions, potentially making it the first city to do so .

Copenhagen has focused on reducing CO2 emissions by transitioning from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources such as wind energy and utilizing waste heat from power plants to heat 98% of the city. The city has also promoted cycling through the construction of safe cycle paths and implemented electric public transport. Furthermore, it has ensured buildings are energy-efficient and promotes green tourism with activities like sun-powered boat trips .

Copenhagen's public transport systems have adapted to environmental goals by transitioning to electric buses which reduce CO2 emissions. The city's effort to integrate green transportation extends also to cycling with extensive networks of cycle paths, promoting a significant reduction in car usage and fostering a culture of eco-friendly transportation .

Individuals can contribute to reducing global warming by implementing practical steps in their daily lives: recycling materials like paper, glass, and plastic; saving energy by switching off lights when not needed; conserving water by turning off taps while brushing teeth; using energy-efficient light bulbs; reducing car use by walking more; and planting trees, which help absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen .

Earth Day has significantly raised environmental awareness by highlighting crucial problems such as pollution and insufficient resources. It sparked global movements leading to improvements like reduced water pollution, less smog in cities, and the elimination of leaded gasoline. These changes showcase Earth Day's role in encouraging environmental protection and inspiring action towards solving newer issues like climate change .

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