Environment

Civilization has brought many advantages to all people but it also pollutes and damages the environment in which we live. We must be aware of these problems and try to protect the environment against pollution. Pollution affects land, air, water, forests, animals, plants and even people.

Britain has serious environmental problems. In 1952, more than 4.000 people died in London as a result of smog. The government introduced new laws to stop smog from coal fires and factories. Another problem is smog from cars. In 1991, many people died because of pollution in London.
Part of the problem is "out of town shopping centers" because many people drive to these shopping centers. Britain also needs better and cheaper public transportation.
Many people try to reduce use of cars by cycling to work (some cities have special bicycle paths for them). Some people at least travel to work together in one car. People should call for improvement, take direct action.

In general, population is growing very fast and more factories and roads will be needed soon. But one day, natural resources will finish. There are three ways how to solve the problem:
• recycling rubbish
• reduce the amount of waste which is not biodegradable (= which won't disappear for hundreds of years)
• save natural resources which are not renewable (coal, gas, metals, minerals), and plant new trees because they grow slowly

Technology
• Technology has an important role to play in developing new means for reducing harmful emissions. For this purpose, end-of-pipe systems should be installed to clean up emissions.
• It can also help with developing new ways to recycle materials. Waste materials which were previously dumped can be converted into useful products.
• It can also help to make cleaner and less harmful products.