1. Global Warming
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/environment/index.html
Script
For 2.5 million years, the Earth climate has fluctuated, cycling from Ice Ages to
warmer periods but in the last century the planet’s temperature has risen
unusually fast: about 1.2 to 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Scientists believe it’s
human activity that’s driving the temperatures up, a process known as global
warming.
Ever since the Industrial Revolution began, factories, power plants
and eventually cars have burnt fossil fuels such as oil and coal, releasing
huge amounts of carbon dioxide and other gases into the atmosphere.
These greenhouse gases trap heat near the Earth through a naturally occurring
process called the Greenhouse Effect.
The Greenhouse Effect begins with the sun and the energy it
radiates to the Earth. The Earth and the atmosphere absorb some of this
energy while the rest is radiated back into space. Naturally occurring gases in
the atmosphere trap some of this energy and reflect it back, warming the
Earth. Scientists now believe that the greenhouse effect has been intensified by
the extra greenhouse gases that humans have released.
Evidence for global warming includes a recent string of very warm years.
Scientists report that 1998 was the warmest year in measured history with
2005 coming in second. Meanwhile, radiance taken from ice core show that
the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide and methane have hit their highest levels
in the past 420.000 years.
Artic Sea ice is also shrinking. According to NASA studies, the extent
of Artic Sea ice has declined about ten per cent in the last 30 years.
As long as industrialised nations consume energy and developing
countries increase their fossil fuel consumption, the concentration of
greenhouse gases in the atmosphere will continue to rise. Researches predict
that temperatures will increase about 2 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit by the
end of the century, what’s lesser in its wet rising temperatures mean for the
planet.
Some climate models predict subtle changes. Others forecast rising sea
levels which could flood coastal areas around the world. Weather patterns
could change, making hurricanes more frequent, severe droughts could
become more common in warm areas and species unable to adapt to the
changing conditions would face extinction.
Although much remains to be learnt about global warming, many organizations
advocate cutting greenhouse gases emissions to reduce the impact of global
warming. Consumers can help by saving energy around the house:
switching to compact or rescent light bulbs and driving fewer miles in
the car each week. These simple changes may help keep the Earth cooler in
the future.
‘rescent light bulbs’: fluorescent light bulbs
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/environment/index.html

2. NA1 The Environment
Global Warming – National Geographic
A. Match the words with the definitions
Fluctuate a. a division of animals or plants
Fossil fuels b. to change
Release c. substances made from organic remains
Shrink d. let free
Consumption e. to get smaller
Species f. the act of using something
B. Watch the video about global warming and answer these questions:
1.- How much has the temperature risen in the last century?
2.- What three things can you mention that have been burning oil and coal?
3.- What do they release into the air?
4.- What is the first step to the greenhouse effect?
5.- What has increased the greenhouse effect according to scientists?
6.- Which are the two warmest years mentioned?
7.- What is happening to the Artic Sea ice?
8.- What are two changes in the climate?
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9.- What other two effects from the weather change can you mention?
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10.- What can we do at home to help reduce global warming?
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3. NA1 The Environment KEY
Global Warming – National Geographic
A. Match the words with the definitions
Fluctuate b. a. a division of animals or plants
Fossil fuels c. b. to change
Release d. c. substances made from organic remains
Shrink e. d. let free
Consumption f. e. to get smaller
Species a. f. the act of using something
B. Watch the video about global warming and answer these questions:
1.- How much has the temperature risen in the last century?
About 1.2 to 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit
2.- What three things can you mention that have been burning oil and coal?
Factories, power plants and cars
3.- What do they release into the air?
Carbon dioxide and other gases
4.- What is the first step to the greenhouse effect?
It begins with the sun and the energy it radiates to the Earth
5.- What has increased the greenhouse effect according to scientists?
The extra greenhouse gases the human have released
6.- Which are the two warmest years mentioned?
1998 and 2005
7.- What is happening to the Artic Sea ice?
It is shrinking. It has declined about 10% in the last 30 years.
8.- What are two changes in the climate?
- Severe droughts become more common in warm areas
- More frequent hurricanes
9.- What other two effects from the weather change can you mention?
- Rising sea levels which could flood coastal areas around the world
-Species unable to adapt to the changing conditions would face extinction
10.- What can we do at home to help reduce global warming?

4. a) Switch to compact or rescent light bulbs b)Driving fewer miles in the car each
week