Доклад: Ecological problems
Доклад: Ecological problems
The Earth is the only planet in the solar system where there is
life. If you look down at the Earth from a plane you will see how wonderful our
planet is. You will see blue seas and oceans, rivers and lakes, high
snow-capped mountains, green forests and fields. For centuries man lived in
harmony with nature until industrialization brought human society into conflict
with the natural environment. Today, the contradictions between man and nature
have acquired a dramatic character. With the development of civilization man’s
interference in nature has increased. Every year the world’s industry pollutes
the atmosphere with millions of tons of dust and other harmful substances. The
seas and rivers are poisoned with industrial waste, chemical and sewage
discharge. People who live in big cities are badly affected by harmful
discharge from plants and city transport and by the increasing noise level
which is as bad for human health as lack of fresh air and clean water.
Among the most urgent problems are the ozone layer, acid rains,
global warming, toxic pollution of atmosphere, disappearance of forests,
contamination of underground waters by chemical elements, destruction of soil
in some areas, threat to some flora and fauna representatives, etc.
One of the most important pollution problems is the oceans. Many
ships sail in the ocean water- fishing ships, some ships carrying people, some
carrying oil. If a ship loses some of the oil in the water, or waste from the
ships in put into the ocean, the water becomes dirty. Many sea birds die
because of the polluted water. Many fish are dying in the sea, others are
getting contaminated. Fishermen catch contaminated fish which may be sold in
markets, and people may get sick from eating them. Lakes and rivers are
becoming polluted, too. Some beaches are dangerous for swimming.
Another important problem is air pollution. Cars and factories
pollute the air we use. Their fume also destroys the ozone layer which protects
the Earth from the dangerous light of the Sun. Aerosols create large “holes” in
the ozone layer round the Earth. Burning coal and oil leads to global warming
which may bring about a change in the world’s climate.
The other problem is that our forests are dying from acid rains.
Deforestation, especially destruction of tropical forests, affects the balance
of nature in many ways. It kills animals, changes the climate and ecosystem in
the world.
A person can do some damage to the environment but the greater part
of pollution certainly comes from industry. Modern industry production is the
main threat to nature.
There are a lot of places on our planet that need immediate help.
Our country is not exception. The nuclear accident at Chernobyl, which took
place on April 26, 1986., has seriously aggravated the ecological situation in
Belarus. That catastrophe can be considered as the largest disaster of the 20th
century. As the result of that accident 18% of territories of our republic were
contaminated by radioactive elements. The agriculture of our country suffered
great losses. More than 20% of the population has also suffered. A death rate
among children has increased considerably. The wide researches are carried out,
but health state of the people living in polluted areas, is worsened. The level
of thyroid gland cancer has increased, the immunity of children and women is
weakened, many diseases appear out only a few years later. Everyone understands
that this catastrophe is a threat to health of our nation, and though years
have already passed, the results will be shown on the future generations.
I’d like to say a few words about animals in danger of extinction.
The blue whale is the largest animal which has ever lived. Once there were over
200000 of these creatures living in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Since the
seventeenth century they have been hunted for their oil and meat. In fact, so
many of them were killed that by 1963 their population had been reduced to just
1000. Today it is even less that that. The African elephant is the world’s
largest land animal. Today there are fewer than one million of these animals
left. Even though they are now protected, they are still being hunted because
of their tusks, which are used to make ornaments and jewellery. There is only
one way to save wild animals and wild habitats –conservation. That means
protecting animals in danger by law, opening more national parks, building
fewer new roads, planting more new forests, cutting pollution. It this doesn’t
happen, many wild animals will soon have just one habitat- the Zoo.
Ecological problems have no borders. European states solve these
problems together: the necessary measures are taken, congresses and conferences
on these questions are organized, and these questions have already the
reflection in the legislation of many countries.
The activity of many public organizations is directed to protect
environment. One of the most known organizations is “Greenpeace”, whose purpose
is prevention of environment degradation. This organization was founded in 1971
by the activists from the USA and Canada and it has representations in 25
countries of the world. “Greanpeace” acts against nuclear tests, radiating
threat, pollution of the environment by waste industrial products, to protect
the animal world, etc. This organization influences public opinion through mass
media, under its aegis manifestations and protest actions are carried solutions
for concrete ecological problems.
For example, the “Greenpeace” sent its boats to protect whales, and
today commercial whaling is banned. In the North Sea Greenpeace swimmers turned
back dump ships carrying chemical waste, and a new laws to protect the North
Sea have been considered.
When I look around I realize that not all people understand the
importance of nature protection. On fine summer days a lot of people go out of
town. They have picnics on the shores of lakes and the banks of rivers or on
beautiful forest glades and they often leave behind a lot of rubbish- plastic
bags and bottles, tins and paper. It makes me feel sad when I see people
returning to town with huge bunches of forest or meadow flowers. Many of these
plants are included into the Red Book which contains the names of rare plants
and animals. Some of them have become extinct and others are on the verge of
disappearing. If we don’t realize that we are all responsible for what’s
happening around us we will never feel secure about the future of the world we
live in.
What can be done to protect nature? I believe that environment
disasters can be avoided if people broaden ecological education and every
person understands that the beauty of nature is extremely fragile and people
must obey the unwritten laws of nature. Governments must be prepared to take
action against pollution. Air pollution could be reduced if plants and
factories were made to fit effective filters on chimneys and car exhausts.
Green zones around big cities must be protected and extended. Natural resources
should be used economically because their stocks are not unlimited.
The ecology is a science studying interaction of organisms among
themselves and an environment.
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