Module 1B Dirty Transport Environmental Risks Do you agree that the only recognised environmental risks are represented by factories, cars, deforestation or pesticides? A young teenager, Paul, member of the School Environmental Club is planning a campaign at school against water pollution and air pollution But suddenly the telephone rings downstairs His little sister is playing the drums in the living room His mother calls him to come down for lunch Paul doesn’t hear any of this His mp3 headphones are at top volume He is in the presence of noise pollution Parents always tell teens to use their mp3s at a low volume For many bands and their fans, though, the louder the better Today, more medical evidence shows that music played at high volume is a real environmental health hazard for both audience and performer It’s possible to affect your hearing and not feel any discomfort until it is too late Noise pollution or environmental noise disrupts the balance of human and animal life It can cause several health problems, such as hypertension, stress, sleep disturbances and hearing loss The source is not only audio entertainment systems, but also home appliances, car alarms, sirens, fireworks, mechanical equipment, especially at construction sites, and transportation systems The impact of noise pollution on animal life is enormous, causing death of several species such as whales that beach themselves after being exposed to military sonar In very noisy areas, many species have become endangered, and even on their path to extinction! Did you know… seasickness? that the word noise comes from the Latin word nausea which means http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise_pollution Activities 1 Scan the text and complete a Find the types of pollution mentioned in the text b Write down the examples of noise pollution in Paul’s house mentioned in the text English Toolkit - Natural Sciences Photocopiable © Ediciones Santillana S.A / Richmond 2011 Turn the Volume down! Module 1B c Find health problems noise pollution can cause d Briefly describe the impact noise has on the environment 2 Choose the right verb a Young people (think / thinks) that the louder you play the music the better b Paul (doesn’t / didn’t) hear anything because his headphones are at top volume c Music at high volume (is / can be) a real environmental hazard d You (can’t / aren’t) realize that your hearing is affected until it is too late a air b water c fruit d vegetables factories chemicals 3 pesticides cars 4 Answer the following home questionnaire to find out how risky your house is and tick (3) your choice How can you reduce environmental threats? Discuss with your classmates a Is your house / flat… …near a factory? …near a disco? …in a heavy traffic area? …none of these? b Do you use at home? pesticides or insecticides cleaners air fresheners c Do you listen to loud music? Yes No d Does anybody smoke at home? Yes No e Do you open the windows when… …sleeping? …cleaning? …somebody is smoking? f Do you pay attention to the air you breathe? Yes No g Do you use at home? returnable bottles disposable bottles h Do you use recycled paper? Yes No 5 Use the home questionnaire and the discussion in activity to plan a poster giving advice on how to reduce environmental threats English Toolkit - Natural Sciences Photocopiable © Ediciones Santillana S.A / Richmond 2011 Match these elements and their possible causes of pollution