EnvironmentGlobal warming
Gases such as carbon dioxide trap heat from the sun
This causes global temperatures to rise
This process is known as the greenhouse effect
Human activity is a major factor in the rise of the greenhouse gases
Factories and vehicles produce emissions and exhaust fumes
Many developing countries are becoming industrialized
The number of cars on our streets is growing
Cheap air travel is allowing more people to fly
Effects of Global Warming
Global warming will have a significant impact on our planet
Rising temperature will cause melting of the polar ice caps
Sea levels will rise
We can expect more extreme weather conditions
Flooding and droughts may become more common
Impacts of humans on the environment
The increasing world population is putting pressure on natural resources
Fossil fuels like oil and gas are running out
We are destroying wildlife habitats
We have cut down enormous areas of rainforest
This has led to the extinction of many species of animals and plants
Solutions to environment problems
Governments could introduce laws to limit emissions from factories
They should invest in renewable energy from solar, wind or water power
They could impose “green taxes” on drivers and airlines companies
Government campaigns should promote recycling
Natural areas and wild animals should be protected
Individuals should also try to be greener
We should take fewer flights abroad for holidays
We should take public transport rather than driving
We should choose products with less packaging
We should recycle as much as possible
Waste/rubbish
The amount of waster we produce has increased
This problem is a result of our consumer culture
Products are not made to last
If something breaks, we throw it way and buy a new one
Advertisers encourage is to buy the newest fashions
Packaging is an important part of selling
Most foods are sold in non-biodegradable plastics packaging
The amount of household waste is growing
This waste ends up in landfill sites
Litter
People do not think about the consequences of dropping rubbish
They assume that somebody is pad to clean the streest
Plastic packaging does not break down easily
Most of the litter seen on streets is fast food packaging
Recycling and other solutions
Companies should make goods that last longer
They should not use so much packaging
Governments should be stricter, about waster produced by companies
They should put legal limits on packaging
Consumers should avoid buying over-packaged products
We should recycle and reuse useful materials.
There are collection banks for glass, paper and plastic bottles
Households can use several rubbish bins to separate waste
Recycling saves energy and raw materials.
Nuclear Power: Positives
There are several benefits to build more nuclear power stations
Fossil fuel like oil and gas are running out
Nuclear power is a sustainable energy source
It can be used to produce electricity without wasting natural resources
It could be replace the use of natural resources like coal, oil or gas
Nuclear power stations are cleaner than fossil fuel power stations
They could help to reduce carbon emissions that cause global warming
The risks of accidents are being reduced
Nuclear Power: negatives
Opponents of nuclear power worry about the safety of power stations
The building of new nuclear power stations is unpopular
Nobody wants to live near one
Nuclear waste disposal is a significant problem
There is currently no way to decontaminate radioactive material
People worry that terrorists could steal radioactive materials
It is safer to produce energy from solar, wind or water power.
Family
Family size
Families in many countries are not as large as they used to be
We tend to live in small nuclear families rather than large extended families
Parents tend to have fewer children
Young children are no longer expected to work
Nowadays both parents often work
It costs so much to bring children up
It is more difficult to raise a large family
Working parents (also see “gender” topic)
Children and their parents seem to be less close nowadays
Parents spend less time with their children
Women traditionally stayed at home to cook, clean and look after children
Nowadays both parents often work full time
Children may be left alone, or with nannies or babysitters
Busy parents have less contact with their children
Many families no longer eat meals together
Children spend more time with friends or surfing the Internet
Negative effects on Children
The lack of closeness in families can have a negative effect on children
Many parents have no idea how their children spend their time
Friends, television and the Internet become the main influence on children’s behavior
Teenagers are influenced by peer pressure
Some of them join gangs
Juvenile delinquency is on the increase
Parents should be more involved with their children’s upbringing
Young people need positive role models
Divorce
In the past, divorce was unacceptable
It was considered to be embarrassing for a family
People stayed together for religious or family reasons
Divorce is more socially acceptable nowadays
It has become much more common
Divorce can be extremely stressful
Lone parents may face financial difficulties
Many single parents have to rely on benefits paid by the state
Divorce can have a negative effect on children
Children from single-parent families are more likely to get lower grades or drop out of school.
The rise in divorce rates may be connected to some social problems
Care for Old people
Caring for elderly people was traditionally the responsibility of families
Adults had to look after their elderly parents
A woman’s job was to stay at home taking care of her family
Nowadays, fewer elderly people are looked after by their relatives
Residential homes provide care for large number of elderly people
Some families are unable to look after elderly relatives
Families tend to be smaller these days, and women often have full-time jobs
Cares homes provide a professional service for senior citizens
Nurses are better trained than family members
Care for Old people: Opinion
The best form of care for the elderly depends on the family situation
It depends on whether family members have the time resources
We all have a responsibility towards the older people in our society
Governments should invest money in facilities and training for care workers.
Gender
Gender and education
Men and women should have access to the same educational opportunities
Males and females should be accepted onto courses according to their abilities
It is wrong to discriminate against students because of their gender
Gender should be irrelevant in education
Student’s achievements should depend on hard work and individual merit
In the UK, there are similar numbers of male and female students in higher education
Gender and work
Men and women should have access to the same professional opportunities
Both man and women should be able to pursue a career
They should earn equal salaries
They should be employed according to their abilities, qualifications and experience
Traditionally women have been restricted to certain roles
They were often employed as secretaries or receptionists
Nowadays, a range of occupations is available to both sexes
Career success depends on individual merit
Women’s and Men’s roles in the Family
Some people argue that a mother should not work
She should stay at home and bring up her children
The father should be the breadwinner of the family
Others believe that both parents should share these responsibilities
Working women can take maternity leave during and after pregnancy
Many mothers continue to work after this period
Many fathers and mothers share their parenting and domestic responsibilities
They contribute equally to childcare, cooking and cleaning
Some women many have better career prospects than their husbands.
Paternity leave and “househusbands” are becoming more common
Traditional gender roles and gradually changing
Families can divide roles and responsibilities in the most convenient way.
Date: 2015-04-20; view: 887
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