Ecology of transport and environmental protection

Ecology is the study of the environment and the way plants, animals, and humans live together and affect each other. This word came from the Greek ‘oikos’ which means ‘home’.

The problem of protecting nature is of primary importance today. Through their daily activities people pollute water, air, soil. If these activities aren’t stopped the damage may become irreversible.

The Earth is suffering many ecological problems. One of them is air pollution. Air pollution destroys the ozone layer which protects the Earth from the dangerous light of the Sun.

The second important problem is water pollution. Plants and factories put trash into seas lakes and rivers. Many birds and fish die because of the polluted water.

Industries located along waterways downstream contribute a number of chemical pollutants, some of which are toxic. Another form of pollution that is characteristic of industrial societies is noise.

Waste is an enormous problem. One third of all waste is burnt which leads to contamination of air, water and soil. Waste recycling is of a great importance in most European countries.

Railway transport industry negatively impacts on nature by building railroads and industrial enterprises. Operations of railways and rolling stock lead to great fuel and energy consumption, and exhaust fumes from diesel locomotives contain a lot of harmful substances.

Construction and functioning of railways is connected with pollution of natural complexes by emissions, drains, waste which may break balance in ecological systems. In comparison with different means of transport, railways are environmentally friendly. Electric trains cause no pollution at all, while diesel-powered trains generate fifteen times less harmful substances than automobiles for the same traffic.

In recent years the pollution problems have received great publicity. Protection of natural resources and wildlife is becoming a political programme in every country.

Non-political environmental organisation Greenpeace has gained widespread trust and support. There are many serious actions in the list of Greenpeace activities. The national offices exist in 27 countries of the world. In Russia Greenpeace was formed in 1992. It works here in three directions: Wood Campaign, Antinuclear Campaign and Campaign for preservation of Lake Baikal. Greenpeace tries to attract public attention to different problems in the world and to find the way out.

To protect nature people should change their attitude to it. People must realize that they should keep air and water clean by establishing strict pollution control. Efforts are made to reduce pollution caused by automobile engines. Nowadays pollution-free engines are being developed which may eventually eliminate more serious air pollution problems.

Notes:

to affect - оказывать влияние;

to pollute – загрязнять;

waterways downstream - вниз по течению;

waste – отходы;

contamination – загрязнение;

rolling stock - подвижной состав;

exhaust fumes – выхлопные газы;

drain – утечка;

widespread trust - большое доверие;

to eliminate – исключить;

Задание II. Выберите правильный ответ на вопрос.

 

1. What does the term "ecology" mean?

The term "ecology" means: a) nature b) animals c) home

2. What ecological problems does the Earth suffer?

The Earth is suffering: a) problems with noise b) problems of air, water and waste pollution c) political problems

3. How does the railway transport industry impact on nature?

The railway transport industry impacts on nature: a) negatively b) positively c) neutrally

4. How is construction and functioning of railways connected with pollution of natural complexes?

Construction and functioning of railways connected with pollution of natural complexes by a) improving ecological system b) building balance in ecological system c) emissions, drains, waste which may break balance in ecological systems

5. Do electric trains cause any pollution?

Electric trains cause: a) much pollution b) no pollution c) many problems

6. Is Greenpeace a political or environmental organisation?

Greenpeace is: a) a political organization b) a scientific organization c) an environmental organization

7. When was Greenpeace formed in Russia?

Greenpeace was formed in Russia in: a) 1994 b) 1992 c) 1993

8. How does Greenpeace work in Russia?

Greenpeace works in Russia in: a) 2 directions b) 5 directions c) 3 directions

9. What should people do to protect nature?

To protect nature people should: a) study nature b) change the attitude to it c) speak about nature

10. Have the pollution problems received great publicity nowadays?

Nowadays the pollution problems have received: a) great publicity b) no publicity c) little support

 

Задание III. Определите, соответствуют ли данные предложения тексту (True/False/Not mentioned in the text):

 

1. The problem of protecting nature is of no importance today. a) true; b) false; c) not mentioned in the text

2. The second important problem is wastes. a) true; b) false; c) not mentioned in the text

3. Another form of pollution that is characteristic of industrial societies is noise. a) true; b) false; c) not mentioned in the text

4. Railway transport industry positively impacts on nature by building railroads and industrial enterprises. a) true; b) false; c) not mentioned in the text

5. Railways are environmentally harmful. a) true; b) false; c) not mentioned in the text

6. Electric trains cause much pollution. a) true; b) false; c) not mentioned in the text

7. In recent years the pollution problems have received great publicity. a) true; b) false; c) not mentioned in the text

8. Greenpeace tries to attract public attention to different problems in the world. a) true; b) false; c) not mentioned in the text

9. Greenpeace works in Russia in five directions. a) true; b) false; c) not mentioned in the text

10.Nowadays pollution-free engines are being developed. a) true; b) false; c) not mentioned in the text

Задание IV. Выберите правильный вариант. Обратите внимание на формирование времен группы Perfect Active (таблица № 4)

 

1. In recent years the pollution problems _______ great publicity.

a) has received; b) will have received; c) have received.

2. Non-political environmental organisation Greenpeace ______ widespread trust and support.

a) have gained; b) had gained; c) has gained.

3. Politicians ______ the problem of global warming until 2010.

a) have solved; b) will not have solved; c) will have not solved.

4. In ten years' time, some wild animals ________ extinct.

a) have become; b) will have; c) will have become.

5. By the year 2050, the temperature of the Earth ______ a few degrees.

a) will be rising; b) will rise; c) will have risen.

6. Do you think people _______ up using cars in 50 years' time?

a) will give; b) have given; c) will have given.

7. By the time the train finally arrived, we _______ for two hours already.

a) have waited; b) will have waited; c) had waited.

8. In the 1960s people ________ on the streets, but not now.

a) would protest; b) had protested; c) have protested.

9. Do you think we _______ a cure for AIDS by the year 2020?

a) will be finding; b) have found; c) will have found.

10. My mother ________ by air.

a) has never travel; b) have never travelled; c) has never travelled.