Unit 1

This book says our world is in danger.It describes the various threats to the environment.The situation is so serious that we must do something to save the Earth.
The greenhouse effect.
The writers ask us to 'imagine that the Earth is inside a kind of greenhouse with the atmosphere around it.The atmosphere acts like the glass: it lets sunlight in and keeps warmth from getting out.The atmosphere is essential for all living things.Without it,the Earth would be as cold and lifeless as the surface of the moon',,
'The trouble is that our atmosphere is changing because we are polluting it with chemicals—in the form of gases—and it is keeping in too much heat.'
These gases,mainly carbon dioxide,are produced by burning fuels such as petrol.The greenhouse effect may cause the level of the sea to rise and flood cities and even whole countries.
Damage to the ozone layer.
The writers tell us that ‘ozone is a gas which occurs 20 to 50 km above the ground.It forms an essential protective layer around the Earth.Without it,the Sun would burn us up'.
We are making holes in the ozone layer,mainly by using chemicals called CFCs.
We use these in fridges and spray cans,and to make plastic items such as fast food boxes.
Destruction of the forests.
The burning and cutting down of the forests is making the greenhouse effect worse because trees take in CO2.It also causes soil erosion and flooding,as well as destroying the homes of people and animals that live in the forests.
Bad habits.
Many of our habits cause pollution.especially our habit of using things once and then throwing them away.This creates massive mountains of rubbish.We do not know what to do with the rubbish and it pollutes our land and sea.For example,people throw away as many as seven billion drink cans in Britain each year.That is enough to reach from the Earth to the moon.
How can we save the Earth,?
The book is asking us to become ‘green consumers'.That means we should only buy and use environmentally friendly goods so that we can save the Earth.These goods will not damage the environment.
Let's be green consumers and enjoy living a better life on the Earth!