The Protection of Nature

Nature is the source of Man's life since ancient times. People lived in harmony with environment for thousands of years and thought that natural riches were unlimited. The development of civilisation increased man's harmful interference in nature.

Large cities with thousands of smoky industrial enterprises pollute the air we breathe and the water we drink. Every year world industry pol­lutes the atmosphere with about 1,000 million tons of dust and other harmful substances. Many cities suffer from smog. Beautiful old forests disappear forever. Their disappearance upsets the oxygen balance. As a result some rare species of animals, birds, fish and plants disappear for­ever, a number of lakes and rivers dry up.

The pollution of air and destruction of the ozone layer are the results of man's attitude towards Nature.

The protection of the environment is a universal concern. We must be very active to create a serious system of ecological security.

Слова к тексту:

destruction (n) – разрушение

dry up (v) – высыхать

harmful interference – вредное воздействие

industrial enterprises – промышленные предприятия

natural riches – природные богатства

ozone 1ауer [´əuzəun ´leıə] – озоновый слой

rare (adj) – редкий

source (n) [´sכ:s] – источник

substances (n) – вещества

suffer (v) – страдать

universal concern – всеобщая забота

upset (v) – зд. нарушать

Ответьте на вопросы:

1. What is the main reason of ecological problems?

2. What are the main ecological problems?

3. Why should the ecological problems be a universal concern?

4. What steps are taken to fight ecological problems?

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