Рубрика:
44
between the two rates which seems to be at the root of most of today's problems.
This is by no means an exhaustive explanation, ignoring as it does, the social factor.
2. The threat to his environment is a challenging problem man is faced with at
the end of the 20th century. What is so peculiar about the environmental crisis when
compared to the other menacing problem, that of a nuclear catastrophe? Surely not
its global character and everybody's involvement. A nuclear catastrophe, as seen
nowadays by practically everybody everywhere, would inevitably involve every
country, no matter how small or big it is, and would concern every individual,
whatever secluded life he might be living. Should it happen, its inescapability is too
obvious to be disputed. So is its explosive character. In contrast to this, the
environmental crisis is of a cumulative nature. It is just the obscure and intricate
pattern of the interaction of all factors that makes it so dangerous. For no single
action taken, or decision made, can bring about an immediate catastrophe, nor could
there be the last straw or the last step that would set in motion an avalanche of
irreversible and immediate events leading to the ultimate gloomy end. It is only step
by step that we approach the critical point, were there such a thing as "point" in this
context.
3. Consequently, what is needed first and foremost is that we realize the
possible adverse impact of the long-range effects of our actions, however noble the
motives may seem to us at present, on the entire human race. Out of this realization
may come an entirely new approach to the problem, the new approach as
proclaimed by Vernadsky of the biosphere governed and operated in accordance
with the laws of the human mind. Next comes the urgent need for basic research to
get more profound knowledge of the cause-effect relationship, the time factor
necessarily taken into account, in the whole realm of human environment, both
natural, man-disturbed and man-initiated. Fundamental and irreversible as they may
often be, the changes in our environment are not likely to bring mankind to the
brink of annihilation overnight. It would take us some time yet to reach there. So let
us use the time for learning how to preserve our planet in good shape and in running
order for an indefinitely long time.
Task 1.
a) State one of the causes of the present-day environmental problems.
b) What is meant by “the intricately operating whole”?
Task 2. Compare the characteristics of a nuclear catastrophe and that of
environmental crisis to see their common and different features.
Task 3.
a) What is the main idea of the 2
d
paragraph.
b) State the most urgent needs of the situation.
Task 4. Give the title to each paragraph.
Task 5. Suggest possible solutions of the present-day environmental problems.
Task 6. Translate paragraph 3 in writing.
Text 5
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