ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

      People have always polluted their surroundings. But until now pollution was not such a serious problem. People lived in unеrowded rural areas and did not have pollution — causing machines. With the development of crowded industrial cities which put huge amounts of pollutants into small areas, the prob­lem has become more important. Automobiles and other new inventions make pollution steadily worse. Since the late 1960’s people have become alarmed with the danger of pollution.

       Air, water, and soil are necessary for existence of all li­ving things. But polluted air can cause illness, and even death. Polluted water kills fish and other marine life. On polluted soil, food can not be grown. In addition environmental pollution spoils the natural beauty of our planet.

        Pollution is as complicated as serious problem. Automo­biles are polluting the air but they provide transportation for the people. Factories pollute the air and the water but they provide jobs for people and produce necessary goods. Fertili­zers and pesticides are important for growing crops but they can ruin soil.

       Thus, people would have to stop using many useful things if they wanted to end pollution immediately. Most people do not want that of course. But pollution can be reduced gradual­ly. Scientists and engineers can find the ways to reduce pollu­tion from automobiles and factories. Government can pass the laws that would make enterprises take measures for reducing of pollution. Individuals and groups of people can work to­gether to persuade enterprises to stop polluting activities.

QUESTIONS:

1. Why wasn’t pollution such a serious problem earlier?

2. When have people become alarmed with the danger of pollution?

3. What can environmental pollution cause?

4. Why is pollution a complicated problem?

5. Can pollution be stopped immediately?

6. What can, government and individuals do to reduce pol­lution?

VOCABULARY:

environmental pollution —загрязнение окружающей среды

uncrowded — слабонаселенный

rura l— сельскохозяйственный

pollution-causing — вызывающий загрязнение

crowded — густонаселенный

pollutants — отходы

invention — изображение

soil — грунт, земля

existence — существование

goods — товары

fertilizer — удобрение

pesticide — пестицид

to grow — выращивать

crops — сельскохозяйственные культуры

to ruin — портить

immediately — сразу, немедленно

to reduce — уменьшить

gradually — постепенно

to pass a law — принять закон

enterprise — предприятие

to take measures — принять меры

to persuade — убедить

activity — деятельность