Environment

Global 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: 1042