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QSE 3 Unit 01 +wk_scen_LB_QSE 3 Unit 01 +wk_scen_LB.qxd 2/1/2011 1:09 PM Page 4

Unit 1 Into the future WHAT’S NEW?

Subject: Future of the planet Function: Affirming
Language: Signposting words: Arguments (1)

1 The BIG question: DOES THE EARTH NEED RESCUING?

VIEWPOINT • There have been five great mass

extinctions in the Earth’s history. The
last one wiped out the dinosaurs
65 million years ago.
• The world teenage population aged
between 10 and 19 is 1.2 billion, the
largest in history, and 90 per cent live
in the developing world. About half the
world’s population is under 25.

Now there is one outstandingly important
fact regarding Spaceship Earth, and that is
that no instruction book came with it.
R. Buckminster Fuller

? Are there too many people in the world?

? Are there enough resources for everyone?

2 READING

A Skim through the first article to find what effect global
warming might have on different countries.
B 1 Read through both articles and explain:
1 WORD POWER a) why the Gulf Stream might stop.

A Which of these threats to life on Earth do humans b) which diseases and viruses are mentioned.
have some control over? Use the signposting words What effect did they have?
and phrases in Language Bank 1 (page 9) to support C 1 How might Europe change if summers were
your beliefs. colder by:
a) 5°C in Germany (Berlin average day
• an asteroid • thinning of the ozone layer temperature: 23°C)?
• nuclear war • shortage of fresh water b) 10°C in Sweden (Stockholm average day
• overpopulation • infectious diseases temperature: 20°C)?
• global warming • volcanic activity 2 Should we experiment with viruses and bacteria?
• pollution • loss of biodiversity Do the benefits outweigh the drawbacks?
• solar collapse • geomagnetic reversal
3 SPEAK YOUR MIND
B Some pessimists believe that politicians are not willing
to do anything about the situations we could control. A Explain global warming in your own words.
Use Language Bank 1 for the problems you agree with B The Kyoto Protocol (1997) is meant to reduce carbon
the pessimists about. dioxide output to 1990 levels. Why would countries be
C 1 How important are green issues in your for or against it?
country? Why? C The Amazon rainforest is mainly in Brazil. About 28
2 Should environmental conservation be taught square miles (76 sq. km) of it are cut down every day.
in school? Should the rest of the world tell Brazil how to manage
3 Some radical environmentalists believe the Earth the rainforest?
is more important than humans. Do you agree? D Some virologists predict a super-flu pandemic will
happen soon. What would help or slow down its
SEE PAGE 8-9 FOR MORE ACTIVITIES.
spread?
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