Q2 of 18 Page 110

Urban environmentalists have launched a campaign to raise awareness of the masses. They want to educate the public on saving resources as well as reducing pollution.

As a responsible citizen you want to contribute your bit to this herculean task. You decide to talk to the members of your locality.


Write a speech in which you educate the masses on the causes and effects of being insensitive towards the environment. Remember to advocate carpooling, recycling, planting trees and other activities that are good for the environment.


Insensitivity towards the environment

A very good morning to everyone present here. Today I am here to recite a speech on the causes and effects of being insensitive towards the environment. Urban environmentalists have launched a campaign to raise awareness of the masses. They want to educate the public on saving resources as well as reducing pollution. And this is what brings me here to talk to you. As a responsible citizen I want to contribute a bit to this herculean task.


Environmental degradation is the disintegration of the earth or deterioration of the environment through consumption of assets, for example, air, water and soil; the destruction of environments and the eradication of wildlife. Ecological effect or degradation is created by the consolidation of an effectively substantial and expanding human populace, constantly expanding monetary development or per capita fortune and the application of asset exhausting and polluting technology. Environmental degradation is one of the largest threats that are being looked at in the world today. The United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction characterizes environmental degradation as the lessening of the limit of the earth to meet social and environmental destinations, and needs. Environmental degradation can happen in a number of ways. Pollution, in whatever form, whether it is air, water, land or noise is harmful for the environment. Rapid population growth puts strain on natural resources which results in degradation of our environment. Deforestation contributes to global warming as decreased forest size puts carbon back into the environment. Things like avalanches, quakes, tidal waves, storms, and wildfires can totally crush nearby animal and plant groups to the point where they can no longer survive in those areas.


Of course, humans aren’t totally to blame for this whole thing. Earth itself causes ecological issues, as well. While environmental degradation is most normally connected with the things that people do, the truth of the matter is that the environment is always changing. What we can do to prevent it is find solutions to what causes such degradation. The problem of overpopulation has caused increase in the number of vehicles which causes pollution. This can be prevented by using carpool facilities. Recycling and planting trees will prevent the harmful effects of deforestation and pollution.


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4

The poem is concerned mainly with the fact that "city planning" is a gloomy process that leaves its in-habitants stripped of their humanity. They become devoid of feelings or emotions, essential human attributes for example pedantic rows, sanitary trees, levelness of surface, No shouting here.

 5

Infer the meaning of the following words and phrases and complete the table.

 1

A small town is trying to attract business to their community by pointing out the downsides of big city life.

They need images of imposing buildings towering overhead, seeming to oppress those beneath as well as suitable jingles or slogans to advertise their town/ village as the perfect place to dwell. Through mass media they desire to draw the attention of the investors to their town. Help them by designing these posters.


Remember: Posters are large hoardings to be put up on walls, or the size of the handbills to be displayed on the notice boards. They are meant to be captivating, attractive and persuasive because their intention is to inform/ create social awareness. Catchy slogans can be used to make the message effective.


The Poster has three main features-the content, the layout, and the graphic. Hence give the description/ details related to the theme and also make the poster visually attractive.


 1

You come across the following people at a party giving their views on where they would like to live.

Pratik: The best thing about traveling by train ....is that you get back to Mumbai by the end of it! I've just been to meet my grandmother in a village close to Goa. The village where I was staying was terribly quiet. There were no shops, no restaurants, hardly any people. Perhaps the houses were holiday homes, and the owners were having a bad season. The nearest restaurant was 20 min drive. Perhaps there was a theater and a cinema next to a restaurant- I never found those either. I've always lived in a city- country is not the place for me.


Sid: I work as an architect. I've been here for ten years now, but I don't really like the noise and dirt of city life. So, I'm selling my flat and moving to a small town. When I was a child, I used to visit my grandparents in the village and I loved it. My grandfather and I went walking every day and. my grandmother taught me to swim in one of the lakes. My goodness, the water was cold! Three years ago, I met two other architects and soon became friends. They were working from a small cottage in a town. What an opportunity! The air is so fresh, and the views are out of this world. I can't wait to move.


Nikki: I'm a sports instructor and I share a cottage with three of my colleagues in Himachal. I teach mountain biking and rock-climbing. I love being outside. After work my friends and I take turns to cook a meal -we grow our own vegetables – and then watch TV. We've got everything we need here. There are supermarkets in the nearest town. I wonder how I put up with my old life in a metropolitan for so long.


• Who do you think is most like you? Why? Share your views with the class.


• Enact this as a role play, to express your views on the subject.