Reading+comprehension

** //Reading Comprehension// ** ** //Instruction:// ** ** Here is a reading text about "How to take action to reduce global warming?". Read the text carefully and then start doing the exercises by clicking on the exercise links after the passage. **

picture retrieved from: [|www.google.com]  How to Take Action to Reduce Global Warming? **(edited by:Eric, Khbirder, Danny, Jack Herrick)** Global warming is occurring more rapidly than it was originally expected to -- only forty years ago, the big worry was global cooling. World temperatures are projected to rise from between 2 to 4.5 degrees Celsius by the year 2100. Global warming already disrupts millions of lives daily in the forms of destructive weather patterns and loss of habitat. What is already happening is only the tip of the melting iceberg, for it is our children and grandchildren who may suffer most from the effects of global warming. Hundreds of millions of people may be exposed to famine, water shortages, extreme weather conditions and a 20 - 30% loss of animal and plant species if we do not reduce the rate of global warming and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. On the other hand, having warmer winters means longer growing seasons in temperate and subarctic climes, sometimes allowing an additional crop to be planted and harvested each year, or simply making the existing crops more productive. This passage outlines some ways that you can act to help prevent the earth from warming further. ** Steps for preventing global warming: ** **Get educated.** Educate yourself about global warming. The more facts that you have, the more you can persuade others to make simple yet effective changes in daily behavior. Energy-saving techniques either are initially expensive (for example, [|solar power] ) or take extra time (for example, recycling); so many people need to be convinced that their efforts matter. [|*Recycle*] ** more by using recycling bins, ** [|*composting*] **, ** etc. Encourage neighbors, supervisors, colleagues, and businesses to do likewise. [|*Use compact fluorescent bulbs*] Replace light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. A standard compact fluorescent bulb will save around one third of a tonne of greenhouse gas. Remember that CFL bulbs do contain small amounts of toxic mercury. Therefore, proper disposal and recycling (not breaking them) is necessary to prevent any additional landfill contamination.

** Replace old appliances. ** Inefficient appliances (such as refrigerators and air conditioners) waste energy. By replacing them, save hundreds of pounds of carbon dioxide and hundreds of dollars per year. Many countries have "energy star" ratings on new appliances that allow you to assess the energy usage of the appliance. ** Unplug unused electronics. ** Even when electronic devices are turned off, they use energy. Save over 1,000 lbs of carbon dioxide and US$256 per year by unplugging them or switching them off at the wall using a power surge-protector. ** Grow fast growing plants ****. ** Plants like [|bamboo] grow faster and produce 35% more oxygen than trees like oak or birch, and require fewer chemicals and care. Make sure that the plants are appropriate for your area. Bamboo, for example, can be very invasive in most of the US. ** Use public transportation. ** Taking the bus, the subway or other forms of public transportation lessens the load on the roads and reduces one's individual greenhouse gas emissions. Taking public transport removes the stress of long road commutes and gives you a great opportunity to think, and relax. You also save on parking money and time wasted looking for parking spaces. .  ** Text retrieved from: ** **[] **
 * Practice green driving ** . Save gas and by being a considerate driver. Improve fuel efficiency turning off your engine instead of idling for long periods of time (over 1 minute), and removing loads from the trunk/boot that are not necessary.


 * Click on the following links and start answering the questions. **



** Here is a cloze test about "Solutions for preventing global warming". Read the text carefully and then fill in the blanks by clicking on the exercise link below. ** **Text retrieved from:** **//[] //**

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By Saba Mahmoodi