05 01 natural sciences u1a

Module

1A

Mission Impossible

The environment

Rubbish
rubbish
We throw away millions of tons of
a variety of
every year. This rubbish contains
you empty
material which we can recycle. If
rubbish bin
the contents of a typical domestic
er and
you will find that about a third is pap
About
ing.
kag
pac
d
card, especially from foo
te;
was
d
foo
be
a quarter of the contents will

al
equ
t
res
a tenth per cent, plastic and the
parts of glass, cloth and metal.

Recycling
Many of the things we throw awa
y can be
recycled. Recycling can reduce poll
ution
from certain products such as car
oil and
batteries. It can also prolong the
life of
limited reserves of other natural res
ources
such as wood. It often saves ene
rgy too. For
example, using recycled glass, sav
es energy
so it is cheaper. Recycling also give
s jobs
to hundreds of people since new
industries
are created. So, before you throw
something
away next time, stop and think!

Activities
1 Answer these questions.
aWhat
bWhat
cWhat
dWhat
eWhat

is Greenfreeze?
is the advertisement warning us about?
makes Greenfreeze different from other technologies?
is destroying the ozone layer?
can do you do to protect the ozone layer?
English Toolkit 1 - Natural Sciences

Photocopiable © Ediciones Santillana S.A. / Richmond 2011

In the early 1970s, scientists discovered that a
type of chlorine containing industrial chemicals
called halocarbons was harmful to the ozone
layer. The most commonly used halocarbons
are chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). CFCs are
stable, non-toxic and inflammable compounds.
These qualities have made them very attractive
for industrial use. In fact, they have numerous
applications. Unfortunately, they are also the
major contributors to the depletion of the ozone
layer and consequently need to be eliminated.
Over the years, Greenpeace has maintained
that it is possible to meet all the human needs

that have been serviced by ozone depleting
substances without using chemicals that affect
the ozone layer or climate.
In 1992, Greenpeace published two extensive
reports: Climbing out of the ozone hole and
Making the right choices which surveyed the
then existing alternatives to CFCs and other
ozone depleting chemicals.
The development of the world’s first ozone
safe technology for domestic refrigerators
-Greenfreeze- was initiated, revolutionising the
refrigeration industry and the market.
Minimum ozone levels in the Antartic have
decreased steadily throughout the 1990s and
less dramatic decreases have been found
above other areas of the world. In 2000 (and
again in 2003 and 2006) the ozone hole
reached a record size, extending to an area
greater than that of North America. Recovery of
the ozone layer, however, is expected to take
50 to 100 years. Damage to the ozone layer
can also be caused by sulphuric acid droplets
produced by volcanic eruptions.


Module

1A
2Re-read the text and tick (3) the right choice.
d Greenfreeze...

...harms the ozone layer.
...contributes to avoid ozone layer
depletion.
e According to Greenpeace, it is possible
to meet all human needs...
...only by harming the ozone layer.
...without harming the ozone layer.

3Read the paragraph about rubbish again and complete
this pie graph with the information provided.

4Match the words to the
objects in the pictures.
a food waste
b paper and card
cglass
d plastic

5What are the advantages of recycling waste?
Read the text and make a list.

6Get in pairs, look for information about products which don’t harm the
ozone layer. With all the information you have collected, plan a campaign
to promote ozone layer protection. You can use photographs or your own
drawings to design a poster.
English Toolkit 1 - Natural Sciences

Photocopiable © Ediciones Santillana S.A. / Richmond 2011

a The ozone layer’s most vulnerable

period...
...has already taken place.
...will take place in ten years’ time.
b In 1992, Greenpeace...
...discovered that halocarbons were
harmful to the ozone layer.
...reported existing alternatives to
CFCs and other ozone depleting
chemicals.
c Chlorofluorocarbons are...
...toxic.
...non-toxic.