Our Planet Under Pressure
We live on a unique planet that provides everything we need to survive. However, human activity has created serious environmental challenges that are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. One of the most time-sensitive issues today is the climate crisis, which impacts ecosystems, weather patterns, and everyday life worldwide.
A major cause of these changes is the use of fossil fuels such as oil and other types of fuel. These resources are burnt to produce energy and power, often in large facilities such as power stations. While this process supports modern life, it also produces large amounts of smoke and harmful gases. As a result, air pollution has become a serious problem in many regions.
These activities release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which contribute to the greenhouse effect. Over time, the process leads to rising temperatures and extreme weather conditions. In some cases, these changes can create an environmental emergency, requiring immediate action to protect both people and nature.
Another important issue is the way we manage rubbish and waste. In many places, large amounts of waste are not properly managed, leading to environments filled with filth. This not only damages natural areas but also affects human health.
Fortunately, there are solutions. Many communities now organise clean-up activities to improve local environments. People are also encouraged to recycle materials such as plastic, paper, and glass. Recycling helps reduce the amount of waste and saves valuable resources.
In addition, more individuals and organisations are choosing eco-friendly alternatives for their daily lives. This includes reducing unnecessary consumption, utilising cleaner energy sources, and promoting sustainable practices.
Although these actions may seem small, they can make a significant difference when combined. Protecting our planet requires responsibility, awareness, and cooperation at every level of society.
A major cause of these changes is the use of fossil fuels such as oil and other types of fuel. These resources are burnt to produce energy and power, often in large facilities such as power stations. While this process supports modern life, it also produces large amounts of smoke and harmful gases. As a result, air pollution has become a serious problem in many regions.
These activities release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which contribute to the greenhouse effect. Over time, the process leads to rising temperatures and extreme weather conditions. In some cases, these changes can create an environmental emergency, requiring immediate action to protect both people and nature.
Another important issue is the way we manage rubbish and waste. In many places, large amounts of waste are not properly managed, leading to environments filled with filth. This not only damages natural areas but also affects human health.
Fortunately, there are solutions. Many communities now organise clean-up activities to improve local environments. People are also encouraged to recycle materials such as plastic, paper, and glass. Recycling helps reduce the amount of waste and saves valuable resources.
In addition, more individuals and organisations are choosing eco-friendly alternatives for their daily lives. This includes reducing unnecessary consumption, utilising cleaner energy sources, and promoting sustainable practices.
Although these actions may seem small, they can make a significant difference when combined. Protecting our planet requires responsibility, awareness, and cooperation at every level of society.
Key vocabulary:
air pollution — [ˈeə pəˌluː.ʃən] — harmful substances in the air, often consisting of waste from vehicles or industry; gaisa piesārņojums
clean-up — [ˈkliːn.ʌp] — the act of making a place clean by removing dirt or pollution; tīrīšana; uzkopšana
climate crisis — [ˈklaɪ.mət ˌkraɪ.sɪs] — serious problems that are being caused or likely to be caused by changes in the world's weather, in particular the world getting warmer as a result of human activity increasing the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere; klimata krīze
eco-friendly — [ˈiː.kəʊˌfrend.li] — not harmful to the environment, or trying to help the environment; videi draudzīgs
emergency — [ɪˈmɜː.dʒən.si] — something dangerous or serious, such as an accident, that happens suddenly or unexpectedly and needs fast action in order to avoid harmful results; avārija, neparedzēts gadījums
energy — [ˈen.ə.dʒi] — the power from something such as electricity or oil that can do work, such as providing light and heat; enerģija
filth — [fɪlθ] — thick, unpleasant dirt; netīrumi, mēsli
fossil fuel — [ˈfɒs.əl ˌfjʊəl] — fuels, such as gas, coal, and oil, that were formed underground from plant and animal remains millions of years ago; fosilais kurināmais
fuel — [ˈfjuː.əl] — a substance that is used to provide heat or power, usually by being burnt; kurināmais, degviela
rubbish (US garbage, trash) — [ˈrʌb.ɪʃ] — waste material or things that are no longer wanted or needed; atkritumi, gruži
greenhouse effect — [ˈɡriːn.haʊs ɪˌfekt] —an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide and other gases in the atmosphere (= mixture of gases around the earth), that is believed to be the cause of a gradual warming of the surface of the earth; siltumnīcas efekts
greenhouse gas — [ˌɡriːn.haʊs ˈɡæs] —a gas that causes the greenhouse effect, especially carbon dioxide; siltumnīcefekta gāze
oil — [ɔɪl] — a thick liquid that comes from petroleum, used as a fuel and for making parts of machines move easily; nafta, naftas produkts
planet — [ˈplæn.ɪt] — an extremely large, round mass of rock and metal, such as Earth, or of gas, such as Jupiter, that moves in a circular path around the sun or another star; planēta
power — [paʊər] — electricity, especially when considering its use or production; enerģija, jauda
power station (US also power plant) — [ˈpaʊə ˌsteɪ.ʃən] — a factory where electricity is produced; elektrostacija
recycle — [ˌriːˈsaɪ.kəl] — to sort and collect rubbish in order to treat it and produce useful materials that can be used again; atkārtoti izlietot
recycling — [ˌriːˈsaɪ.klɪŋ] — the process of collecting and changing old paper, glass, plastic, etc. so that it can be used again; pārstrādāšana, pārstrāde, otrreizējā pārstrāde
smoke — [sməʊk] — the grey, black, or white mixture of gas and very small pieces of carbon that is produced when something burns; dūmi
waste — [weɪst] — an unnecessary or wrong use of money, substances, time, energy, abilities, etc.; izšķiešana, izšķiest
clean-up — [ˈkliːn.ʌp] — the act of making a place clean by removing dirt or pollution; tīrīšana; uzkopšana
climate crisis — [ˈklaɪ.mət ˌkraɪ.sɪs] — serious problems that are being caused or likely to be caused by changes in the world's weather, in particular the world getting warmer as a result of human activity increasing the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere; klimata krīze
eco-friendly — [ˈiː.kəʊˌfrend.li] — not harmful to the environment, or trying to help the environment; videi draudzīgs
emergency — [ɪˈmɜː.dʒən.si] — something dangerous or serious, such as an accident, that happens suddenly or unexpectedly and needs fast action in order to avoid harmful results; avārija, neparedzēts gadījums
energy — [ˈen.ə.dʒi] — the power from something such as electricity or oil that can do work, such as providing light and heat; enerģija
filth — [fɪlθ] — thick, unpleasant dirt; netīrumi, mēsli
fossil fuel — [ˈfɒs.əl ˌfjʊəl] — fuels, such as gas, coal, and oil, that were formed underground from plant and animal remains millions of years ago; fosilais kurināmais
fuel — [ˈfjuː.əl] — a substance that is used to provide heat or power, usually by being burnt; kurināmais, degviela
rubbish (US garbage, trash) — [ˈrʌb.ɪʃ] — waste material or things that are no longer wanted or needed; atkritumi, gruži
greenhouse effect — [ˈɡriːn.haʊs ɪˌfekt] —an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide and other gases in the atmosphere (= mixture of gases around the earth), that is believed to be the cause of a gradual warming of the surface of the earth; siltumnīcas efekts
greenhouse gas — [ˌɡriːn.haʊs ˈɡæs] —a gas that causes the greenhouse effect, especially carbon dioxide; siltumnīcefekta gāze
oil — [ɔɪl] — a thick liquid that comes from petroleum, used as a fuel and for making parts of machines move easily; nafta, naftas produkts
planet — [ˈplæn.ɪt] — an extremely large, round mass of rock and metal, such as Earth, or of gas, such as Jupiter, that moves in a circular path around the sun or another star; planēta
power — [paʊər] — electricity, especially when considering its use or production; enerģija, jauda
power station (US also power plant) — [ˈpaʊə ˌsteɪ.ʃən] — a factory where electricity is produced; elektrostacija
recycle — [ˌriːˈsaɪ.kəl] — to sort and collect rubbish in order to treat it and produce useful materials that can be used again; atkārtoti izlietot
recycling — [ˌriːˈsaɪ.klɪŋ] — the process of collecting and changing old paper, glass, plastic, etc. so that it can be used again; pārstrādāšana, pārstrāde, otrreizējā pārstrāde
smoke — [sməʊk] — the grey, black, or white mixture of gas and very small pieces of carbon that is produced when something burns; dūmi
waste — [weɪst] — an unnecessary or wrong use of money, substances, time, energy, abilities, etc.; izšķiešana, izšķiest
Practice: now that you have learned the key vocabulary, it is time to use it in practice. Answer the discussion-type questions, which will help you develop the ability to give longer answers and practise expressing opinions — just as in an English exam or real conversation. For each question, an answer prompt is available to guide you. Revise opinion phrases here: Insights into Family Relationships
Discussion-Type Questions
1. Why is it important to reduce air pollution?
In my view, reducing air pollution is essential for both human health and the environment. The main point is that polluted air can cause serious health problems, especially in large cities. For instance, people living near industrial areas often suffer from breathing difficulties. It seems to me that cleaner air would improve the quality of life for many people. At the same time, reducing pollution would also protect natural ecosystems.
2. Do you think people should change their daily habits to help the environment?
From my perspective, people should definitely change some of their daily habits. One strong reason is that small actions can have a big impact when many people do them. For example, recycling and using eco-friendly products can reduce waste. I believe that individuals have a responsibility to protect the environment. However, governments and companies should also take action to support these changes.
3. How serious is the climate crisis in your opinion?
I am convinced that the climate crisis is one of the most serious problems facing our planet today. There is no doubt that rising temperatures and extreme weather are already affecting many regions. This can be seen in natural disasters such as floods and heatwaves. As I see it, if we do not act now, the situation will become even more difficult to control. Nevertheless, there is still time to make positive changes.
4. Should countries reduce their use of fossil fuels? Why / Why not?
I would argue that countries should reduce their use of fossil fuels as soon as possible. The main point is that burning fuels like oil produces greenhouse gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect. To illustrate my point, many power stations release large amounts of smoke into the air. To some extent, I agree that this transition may be difficult for some economies. However, investing in renewable energy could create new opportunities and reduce environmental damage.
5. Is recycling enough to solve environmental problems?
On the whole, I would say that recycling is important, but it is not enough on its own. Another factor to consider is how much waste we produce in the first place. For instance, even if people recycle, large amounts of rubbish still end up in landfills. I tend to feel that reducing consumption is just as important as recycling. As far as I’m concerned, a combination of different actions is needed to protect the environment effectively.