BRITAIN’S ECOLOGICAL ACTIVITY

               Mankind long believed that, whatever we did, the Earth would remain much the same. We know now that is untrue. Nature is under threat. One country’s pollution can be every country’s problem. So we all need to work together to safe­guard our environment.

               We have a moral duty to look after our planet and hand it on in good order to future generation. That does not mean try­ing to halt economic growth. We need growth to give us the means to live better and healthier lives. We must not sacrifice our future well-being for short-term gains, nor pile up envi­ronmental debts which will burden our children. Where there are real threats to our planet we have to take great care. Pre­vention can often be better and cheaper than cure. But action in Britain is not enough. The Government will play a full part in working out international solutions through bodies like the United Nations, the World Bank, the Organisation for Eco­nomic Cooperation and Development, and the European Com­munity.

                 The British Government will aim:

• to preserve and enhance Britain’s natural and cultural inheritance;
• to encourage the more prudent and efficient use of ener­gy and other resources;
• to make sure that Britain’s air and water are clean and safe, and that controls over wastes and pollution are main­tained and strengthened where necessary.

                The world’s population doubled between 1950 and 1987. More people means more mouths to feed, and that demands more agricultural land. That in turn can lead to deforestation and soil erosion.

                  By burning forests, draining wet lands, polluting water courses and overfishing mankind is rapidly driving many spe­cies to extinction.

               The Government is supporting international efforts for a global agreement to protect species of plant and animal life. The Government is also supporting projects to conserve en­dangered species of wild life such as the black rhino and the African elephants.

            Action Taken

            Britain attaches particular importance to the environmen­tal policy of the European Community.

           Much has already been achieved: since Britain joined, the Community has adopted some 280 environmental measures, including far-reaching-legislation to combat acid rain, curb pollution from cars and industry, conserve wildlife and ensure public access to information about the environment.

QUESTIONS:

1. What do we know now?

2. What do we all need to do?

3. What moral duty do we have?

4. Why do we need economic growth?

5. What will the Britain’s Government aim do?

6. What demands more agricultural land?

7. What does Britain attach particular importance to?

8. What has already been achieved?

VOCABULARY:

to enhance — увеличивать

prudent use of energy — экономное использование энер­гии

deforestation — уничтожение лесонасаждений

soil erosion — эрозия почвы

species — виды

extinction — исчезновение

rhino — носорог

wildlife — природа

to avert — избегать

to combat — бороться против

to curb — сдерживать

access — доступ