Oxford Read & Discover – Unit 5: Keeping Our Planet Cool

Đoạn giới thiệu

Scientists think that Earth’s climate is changing and the weather is getting more extreme. They think that this is happening because Earth is getting warmer. Why is this happening, and how can we keep our planet cool?

Đoạn 1: The Greenhouse Effect

Earth gets heat from the sun. Some of the heat escapes into space, but some is trapped by a blanket of gases. This keeps Earth warm enough for us to live here, and it’s called the greenhouse effect because it works like a greenhouse

Đoạn 2: Global warming

When we use fossil fuels we make a gas called carbon dioxide. Scientists think that we are putting too much carbon dioxide into the air.The carbon dioxide increases the greenhouse effect and Earth gets warmer.This is called global warming

Đoạn 3: Extreme Weather

Scientists think that global warming is changing our climate and making the weather more extreme. This is a problem for people, animals, and plants. Hurricanes are getting more dangerous. In 2005, a huge hurricane hit New Orleans in the USA. About 2,000 people died, and most of the city was flooded. There are many rivers in Bangladesh. There are always floods in the rainy season, but the floods are getting worse. Every year, some people die and thousands of people lose their homes.

In the Sahara Desert in Africa, there is not enough rain and the desert is getting bigger. People have left their homes because they can’t grow food. The Gobi Desert in China and Mongolia is also getting bigger. Desert sand blows all the way into cities in North Korea and South Korea.

Đoạn 4: Melting Ice

Earth is getting warmer and the ice is melting at the North and South Poles. As this ice changes to water, the sea level is getting higher. This is dangerous for low countries like Bangladesh, and for low islands. Tuvalu is a country in the Pacific Ocean and it’s made of groups of islands. Parts of the capital, Funafati, are now only 10 centimeters above sea level. Scientists think that the ocean will soon cover the land, and the people who live there will have to move to other countries like New Zealand or Australia.

Đoạn 5: What can we do?

Scientists are investigating ways of predicting extreme weather so that people can be ready for it. Charities are working with people to build stronger and higher homes. They are also giving people special radios so that they can hear about extreme weather and move to a safer place.

Our planet has natural ways to reduce carbon dioxide. Oceans and plants use carbon dioxide, so we must protect our oceans and plants.

We must try to keep Earth cool by using fewer fossil fuels and producing less carbon dioxide. We need electricity, but we can make it without using fossil fuels. Instead, we can use nuclear energy, or natural energy from the sun, wind, or water.

We must try to keep Earth cool by using fewer fossil fuels and producing less carbon dioxide. We need electricity, but we can make it without using fossil fuels. Instead, we can use nuclear energy, or natural energy from the sun, wind, or water.