Tuesday, June 11, 2013

GLOBAL WARMING. PANIC OR REALITY?

Global warming is already under way. The evidence is vast and the urgency of taking action becomes clearer with every new scientific study. Some of the most obvious signs are visible in the Arctic, where rising temperatures and melting ice are dramatically changing the region’s unique landscapes and wildlife—as well as people’s lives and livelihoods. Across the globe, other early warning signs include melting glaciers, shifting ranges of plants and animals, and the earlier onset of spring.


1. What is global warming?


Global warming  is the current rise in the average temperature of Earth's oceans and atmosphere. The scientific consensus is that global warming is occurring and was initiated by human activities, especially those that increase concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, such as deforestation and burning of fossil fuels. 
 






2. What is the process involved in the greenhouse effect?


The "greenhouse effect" is the warming that happens when certain gases in Earth's atmosphere trap heat. These gases let in light but keep heat from escaping, like the glass walls of a greenhouse. First, sunlight shines onto the Earth's surface, where it is absorbed and then radiates back into the atmosphere as heat. In the atmosphere, “greenhouse” gases trap some of this heat, and the rest escapes into space. The more greenhouse gases are in the atmosphere, the more heat gets trapped. 
 


3. What signs warn us about global warming?


Some of the signs are visible in the Arctic, where rising temperatures and melting ice are dramatically changing the region’s unique landscapes and wildlife—as well as people’s lives and livelihoods. Across the globe, other early warning signs include melting glaciers, shifting ranges of plants and animals, and the earlier onset of spring.



 

4.Watch the video and explain this idea: Global warming: panic or reality?
 


I think it's true what the video says, because humans are destroying this beautiful planet without even thinking about the consequences later. I think if everyone put their little bit we could get to a better world and stop a little global warming.







5. What can we do to stop global warming? Suggest five ideas.
 
- Using more bicycles instead of cars with diesel or gasoline.
- Utilitzar les papereres. No llençar la brossa al terra.
- Use more renewable energy sources like solar energy, wind energy and hydropower.
- Recycle containers. Everything in its container!
- Care a little more about our beautiful world!


RESPONSIBLE CONSUMER

Who Made My Trainers? How To Be A Responsible Consumer

1. Your local supermarket sells really delicious potato crisps. They’re also really cheap. One day a friend tells you that the crisps are made from potatoes which are picked by children. What’s more, the children are not paid. They work 12 hours a day. All they get is a bed and an evening meal. Many of them are sick and unhappy.

Question: Would you keep buying the crisps?
There will continue to buy this potatoe crisps because I think that child abuse is horrible besides, what those poor kids have done to deserve this? So go to another supermarket or buy other potatoe crisps.

2. You discover that your favourite brand of shampoo is made by a company that tests its products on rabbits. When they do this, some of the rabbits go blind. Many of them suffer from skin inflammations and have to be destroyed.

Question: Would you keep using this shampoo? 
If I see that the shampoo is good and have already fixed this problem I would use but if not change it for precaution.

Your favourite music group is really cool, and you buy all their albums. Then you realise that some of their songs contain ideas that could be considered racist and sexist. This is confirmed when you read a news report in which the band leader is accused of having intolerant attitudes towards minority groups.

Question: Would you keep buying their albums?
If you really like their music probably continue to buy.


Vocabulary

  • brand: marca.
  • brand name: marca de fàbrica.
  • high street: carrer principal.
  • Consumer: consumidor.
  • Logo: logotip.
  • marketing: mercadeig.
  • ethical/unethical:ètit/ no ètic.
  • exploit, exploitative: explotació.
  • multinational: multinacional



     save the Earth