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The Environment and Global Economies
As we enter the new millennium,
the challenge for humankind is to
transform the existing economy into
one that does not, threaten or
destroy the environment. This
Environmental Revolution can be
compared to the Agricultural
Revolution and the Industrial
Revolution of the past.
Archaeological findings reveal
that the great civilizations at the
dawn of history pursued economies
that were fairly destructive to the
environment. However, the people
then were unable to change what they were doing because they did not
understand what was happening. Either that or they could not persuade
their governments to bring about the necessary changes.
Today, however, we have the power to bring about changes to stop the
destruction of the environment because we are becoming more aware of how
our lives are shaped by the environment. Even when events do not directly
affect us, reports in the mass media expose us to the extensive damage
caused by such events. Fishery collapses, water shortages, rainforests
burning uncontrollably, sudden deaths of birds, dolphins and fish, record
heat waves, and raging storms that cause widespread destruction only serve
to increase our awareness that our survival depends on the weather which in
turn depends on our ability to maintain the ecological balance.
Decades before, it was mainly environmental activists who played a
dominant role in drawing attention to the gradual destruction of the
environment. Today, directors of large corporations, government ministers,
prominent scientists and intelligence agencies are speaking out on the need
to change. They have a clear sense of what has to be done for they know that
the current economy cannot take us as far as we want to go under the present
circumstances.
People can now make decisions that will help restructure economies. For
example, companies who want to buy timber products can decide whether to
buy from companies that are managing forests in a responsible manner or
from companies suspected of illegal logging practices. Consumers in the
United States, for example, can choose to buy power from 'green' sources as
consumers become more aware of different energy sources available.
Governments can also decide to become a 'green consumer' by opting for
sources of electricity that are climate-friendly and buy paper that has a high
recycled content.
Time is of the essence and the new economic practices must be accepted
quickly. The only way this can be done is to spread accurate information
quickly and on a regular basis. For example, information on climatic
changes, and of how the inefficient use of water can lead to food shortages
must be shared. Media coverage of environmental trends and events must
also be stepped up. Can the global economy be restructured in time before
environmental deterioration in turn, leads to economic decline?
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1. |
Why do you think the author compared the Environmental Revolution to the
Agricultural Revolution and the Industrial Revolution ? |
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(A) |
These Revolutions had a great impact on the lives of people.
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(B) |
These Revolutions took place a long time ago. |
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(C) |
These Revolutions took place over many, many years. |
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(D) |
These Revolutions brought about bloodshed. |
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2. |
Why couldn't people in the past stop the destruction of the environment ? |
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(A) |
They were ignorant simple peaceful people. |
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(B) |
They did not realize that their actions were slowly destroying the
environment.
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(C) |
They did not know people in the governments. |
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(D) |
Their governments did not believe that the environment was being
destroyed. |
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3. |
The people of today have become more aware of the relationship between the
weather, environment and global economies because of |
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(A) |
the havoc caused by storms and beat waves |
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(B) |
the efforts of governments |
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(C) |
extensive media coverage
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(D) |
collapsed fisheries |
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4. |
Who is paying more attention to preserving the environment today ? |
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(A) |
Environmental activists as opposed to big companies |
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(B) |
Strong individuals as opposed to weak individuals |
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(C) |
Public corporations as opposed to individuals
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(D) |
Ecologists as opposed to economists |
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5. |
How can business decisions affect economies and consequently, the environment
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(A) |
If a country buys paper from only one company, the other paper-producing
companies will have no market and so their revenue will decrease. |
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(B) |
If countries decide to buy paper with a high recycled content, then
paper-producing countries must heed to this demand, otherwise there will
be no demand for their products.
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(C) |
Paper-producing countries must plant more trees to meet the demand for
paper, otherwise they may not have any more trees to produce paper. |
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(D) |
Companies wishing to buy paper often scrutinize the type of paper
because they only want to buy paper with a high recycled content. |
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6. |
What is the writer trying to convey in the
expression Time is of the essence. |
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(A) |
The very essence of life is time |
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(B) |
it is important |
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(C) |
We must not delay
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(D) |
Time is life |
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7. |
The writer emphasizes two elements in the
last paragraph : time and |
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(A) |
climatic changes |
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(B) |
environmental trends |
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(C) |
the sharing of information
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(D) |
food shortages |
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Answers : 1) A 2) B
3) C 4) C 5) B
6) C 7) C |
