English For Today chapter 2: Climate Change

Unit Two

Climate Change

Learning outcomes

After we have studied this unit, we will be able to

• demonstrate understanding and summarise texts
• ask and answer questions
• take part in debates on given topics
• take part in role playing and conversations
• draft and deliver lectures on given topics
• write letters to newspapers highlighting certain problems
• write slogans for posters.

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Lesson 1: The Greed of the Mighty Rivers

A. Read the following text and answer the questions.

Meherjan lives in a slum on the Sirajgonj Town Protection Embankment. The whispering wind from the river Jamuna makes the fire unsteady. The dancing flames remind Meherjan of the turmoil in her life.

Not long ago Meherjan had everything– a family, arable land and cattle. The erosion of the Jamuna gradually consumed all her land property. It finally claimed her only shelter during the last monsoon. It took the river only a day to devour Meher's house, trees, vegetable garden and the bamboo bush. She had a happy family once. Over the years, she lost her husband and her family to diseases that cruel hunger and poverty brought to the family. Now, she is the only one left to live on with the loss and the pain. The greedy Jamuna has shattered her dreams and happiness.

There are thousand others waiting to share the same fate like Meherjan. Bangladesh is a land of rivers, some of whose banks overflow or erode during monsoon. Erosion is a harsh reality for the people living along the river banks. During each monsoon many more villages are threatened by the mighty rivers like the Jamuna, the Padma and the Meghna. It is estimated that river erosion makes at least 100,000 people homeless every year in Bangladesh. In fact, river erosion is one of the main dangers caused by climate change. If we can't take prompt actions to adapt to climate change, there will be thousands of more Meherjans in our towns and villages every year.

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B. For each phrase below choose the meaning that is closest to the meaning used in the text in A.

1. In paragraph 3 'mighty rivers' mean a. rivers that have huge volumes of water and very strong currents b. rivers having many rowing boats in them c. rivers that make people cry out d. rivers that have strong banks
2. landed property a. a rented piece of land b. a piece of land on the bank of a river c. property in the form of a source of income to its owner d. property used only as an agricultural farm
3. whispering wind a. wind that blows from across the river b. wind that blows with a hissing sound c. wind that helps someone make a fire d. wind that blows in summer
4. dancing flames a. a traditional form of folk dance b. flames that make people dance around them c. flames that are made unstable by the blast of air d. flames made by people to remember their past

C. Ask and answer the following questions in pairs.

a. What does Meherjan use to make fire for cooking her meals? b. What property did Meherjan lose due to river erosion? c. What do you know about Meherjan’s family? d. In which season is river erosion most likely to occur? e. Why is the phrase ‘greedy Jamuna’ used to describe the river? What greed do you notice in the description?

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D. Complete the summary of Meherjan’s life with words/phrases from the box.

Meherjan is a typical (1) ..................... woman who lives in a slum. She lost her shelter and properties (2) ..................... the erosion of the river Jamuna. She also lost her family. Her husband had died of diseases caused by poverty and (3) ..................... . Now, she is only a (4) .................... . Like Meherjan there are many people who have become the (5) ............. of river erosion. River erosion is still posing (6) ..................... to the lives and properties of thousands of people. People living (7) ..................... the rivers are the most likely victims of river erosion. Each year about (8) ..................... people become homeless due to river erosion in Bangladesh. Meherjan’s life is just one (9) ..................... of how climate change (10) ..................... the lives of thousands of people

E. Debate: Form two groups of 3/4. Decide which group will speak for/against the motion given below. In your group, first, discuss and note down five/six points to support/oppose the motion. Then select the speakers from each group to start the debate.

Motion: Humans can’t do anything to control the course of nature.

Lesson 2: Environmental Pollution

A. Look at the pictures below and discuss the questions.

1. What do you see in each picture?
2. What are some of the common sources of environmental pollution?
3. Which of these sources are most threatening for your environment?

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Figure: Picture 1

Description: A congested city street packed with buses, cars, and microbuses creating heavy traffic.

Figure: Picture 2

Description: A large open-air waste landfill with heaps of discarded trash and a bulldozer working on top.

Figure: Picture 3

Description: A polluted body of water with muddy runoff, dark murky water, and waste scattered along the banks.

Figure: Picture 4

Description: An industrial factory site with multiple smokestacks releasing dense smoke into the sky.

B. Now read the following passage to know more about environmental pollution in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh is now in the grip of all sorts of pollution like air pollution, soil pollution and water pollution. The dwellers of the urban areas are the worst sufferers of such pollution. The indiscriminate industrialisation process in Bangladesh over the past decades has created significant environmental problems. We will now read about some of the most common types of environmental pollutions and ways of coping with them.

Air Pollution

Air pollution comes from a wide variety of sources. In Bangladesh poisonous exhausts from industrial plants, brick kilns, old or poorly-serviced vehicles and dust from roads and construction sites are some of the major sources of air pollution.

We can minimise this type of pollution by making less use of motor vehicles and avoiding the use of vehicles older than 20 years. We may also use proper lubricants to lessen the level of emission and pollutants. We can encourage

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people to use Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) or Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) for fuelling their cars. The government may relocate hazardous industries like brick kilns to areas away from human habitations.

Water Pollution

Water pollution can occur in oceans, rivers, lakes, ponds and underground reservoirs. As different water sources flow together, the pollution can spread easily and quickly. Causes of water pollution include:

• increased sediment from soil
• erosion
• improper waste disposal and littering
• leakage of soil pollution into water supplies
• organic materials that decay in water supplies

In fact, polluting the land means polluting the water. Throwing away a toxic substance on the ground near a water source means it eventually reaches the body of water. As a result, the water is polluted. Industrial wastes must not be disposed in rivers or lakes. We need to be more careful about disposing household wastes too. Use of pesticides means that when it rains, chemicals used in the lawn or garden wash into the water bodies. Therefore, we must be aware of the dangers of using pesticides as they may pollute our rivers, canals and lakes.

Soil Pollution

Among the most significant causes of soil pollution is the enormous volume of industrial waste which is being produced every day but not disposed properly. The mismanagement of household wastes, particularly the polythene shopping bags, has caused serious threat to the soil and the drainage system. Another cause for soil pollution is the use of agricultural pesticides, fertilizers, etc. Sometimes fuel leakages from automobiles may get washed away by rain and seep into the nearby soil.

Pesticides and fertilizers are useful for plant growth but their overuse has led to soil pollution. Natural fertilizers and compost can be used instead of their chemical alternatives. Recycling is another way to reduce and control soil pollution. Recycling papers, plastics and other materials reduces the volume of refuse in landfills. Deforestation also causes erosion, pollution and the loss of fertility in the topsoil. Planting trees and re-forestation help prevent soil erosion and pollution.

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