new climates theories reading.doc.......
- 1. New climate theories New climate theories Air pollution is an increasing environmental concern, and rising global warming temperatures are not the only consequence…. Climate change is now an indisputable phe- nomenon. Scientists have identified two distinct and worrying developments. While global warm- ing, which has been predicted for some time, is clearly taking place, there is also growing evi- dence of global dimming – a reduction of sunlight. According to BBC Online, the term global dimming was created by Gerry Stanhill, an En- glish scientist who lives in Israel. Stanhill found that sunlight had reduced by 22% in Israel over the past few years. He also noted similar changes in the United States (with sunlight down 10%), in parts of the former Soviet Union (with a reduction of 30%), and in parts of the British Isles (with a loss of 16%) the cause appears to be air pollution. “Climate change impacts humans and animals. Air pollution caused by fossil fuel emissions, will also probably cause a further rise of 0.6 degrees Celsius of global warming, according to professor Stephen Schneider, a leading climatol- ogist from Stanford University in California. He points out that in the past century there has already been a 0.7 degree temperature increase. According to Schneider, the results will endanger species such as polar bears. The traditional life- style of the Inuit people of the Arctic will also be impacted. At the same time, the British Antarctic Survey has revised its predictions about the col- lapse of the Antarctic ice sheet. It used to be be- lieved that it would remain intact until the turn of the 22nd century. Now there is a risk of a much more imminent collapse. David Walter READING COMPREHENSION Vocabulary : Find in the text the words corresponding to the following definition. Questions. What are the other ways used in the text to express the idea of : A rise in the world temperature that has become a major environmental issue to direct someone’s attention A gathering of a sample of data or opinions considered to be representative of a whole to fall abruptly and completely to continue unchanged 1. …………………………… 2. …………………………… 3. …………………………… 4. …………………………… 5. …………………………… global dimming
- 2. CARTOON Comment on the document with the help of the following questions. a) Where and when does the scene take place ? b) What do the two characters present exemplify about the situation of the planet today ? c) What does their meeting mean ? d) What is the cartoonist’s message ? Do you share that vision of our planet ? Writing Choose one of the following subjects and write 150-200 words. a) Are you environment friendly ? Develop. b) Do you think that nuclear energy could be a solution to a cleaner production of energy ? Why ? Why not ? Can’t you think about any other solutions ? What are their advantages and limits ? SPEAKING Role play activity : Choose one of the following roles and discuss in groups on the theme “Saving the environment – what should be done ?” WORD BANK Help yourself with and complete the following word bank (cartoon analysis & role play) NOUNS Drought Ecosystem Species A lack of Biodiversity ADJECTIVES Fateful Apocalyptic Bleak (future) Barren … VERBS To melt To waste To preserve To maintain … EXPRESSIONS To be face to face To run out of (water) Sustainable development … … You are an eco- citizen who tries not to produce too much waste You are the representative of a powerful automobile lobby You regularly take part in Greenpeace actions You are a farmer who uses a lot of pesticides and fertilizers global warming
- 3. … … … … WEB links A video on the subject of global dimming… http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2058273530743771382 …And articles http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4171591.stm http://www.globalissues.org/article/529/global-dimming#Whatisglobaldimming http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/tvradio/programmes/horizon/dimming_prog_summary.shtml http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2003/dec/18/science.research1 http://www.greeniacs.com/GreeniacsArticles/Global-Dimming-Another-Pollution-Side-Effect.html listening Click on the following link : www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/today/reports/international/watershortage_20050203.shtml Once on the page, to get the audio report and complete the grids, click on the link : “Mike Thompson investigates how the world can deal with polluted drinking water and the effects it has on children” What do the following figures correspond to ? 12 million 40 % 60,000 1/3 1 billion 6,000 16 billion 80 % Explain in your own words what is said about : Wars
- 4. Access to water Rainfall / Evaporation TEST Comment on the following posters, advertising for the film an Unconvenient Truth, and the cover from Time Magazine. To finish with, just as a reminder