31 The environment

A Damaging the environment

Read this extract from a report on getting rid of waste.

Disposal of household waste is a daunting task for local authorities. Towns and cities cannot
just dump1 such waste and hope it will go away. Household waste contains many materials and
substances which are extremely harmful to the environment, and authorities need long-term
solutions. Efforts to recycle waste are only a partial solution. Meanwhile, the problem of toxic2
waste remains. One expert recently warned that the risks to public health are so great that we
may have less than a decade to avoid an environmental catastrophe on a global scale.

1 2
dispose of in an irresponsible manner poisonous

B Climate change and its consequences

Here is an interview with Gary Prime, an American rock star known
for his support of environmental campaigns, who is visiting London.
Interviewer: Would you agree that climate change is the most urgent
issue facing us today?
Prime: Definitely. You only have to look at the changing weather
patterns in many parts of the world. It’s absolutely vital
that we change our ways before it’s too late. Parts of Europe
which used to be cooler now experience intense, searing heat1, and temperatures
soar above the average every summer. Other areas suffer widespread flooding on a
regular basis. We can’t continue in this way without there being dire2 consequences.
Interviewer: So what can people do in the face of this irreversible climate change?
Prime: Well, for a start we can all reduce our carbon footprint3 by flying less, and reduce
our food miles4 by buying local produce. Some airlines have schemes now for
offsetting carbon emissions5.
Interviewer: Flying’s only one part of it, though. Most of the problems come from vehicle
emissions and power stations.
Prime: True, but there are things we can do about that too. Buy a
hybrid car6, develop alternative energy sources for homes,
solar heating for instance, and build more offshore7 wind
farms. Oil supplies will run dry8 within 50 years. Renewable
energy can make a real difference. And politicians shouldn’t
be afraid of introducing green taxes9 and incentives to
encourage eco-friendly design in architecture. With sufficient
will, we can find a solution.
Interviewer: Gary Prime, thank you for giving up your time for this interview.
Prime: No problem. I’ve got just enough time to catch my flight to Los Angeles.
1
extreme heat 2 extremely serious 6
a car can alternate between different
3
amount of carbon dioxide created by a person/business energy sources (e.g. petrol and battery)
4 7
distance food has to travel between where it is grown or at sea, away from the coast
8
made and where it is consumed run out
5 9
paying for an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide to be taxes relating to the protection of the
saved elsewhere environment

Common mistakes
• We say absolutely vital, NOT very vital.
It’s absolutely vital that everyone plays their part in combating climate change.
• We say find a solution, NOT give a solution.
We need to find a solution to the problem of energy supplies.

66 English Collocations in Use Advanced

 Exercises

31.1 Read these remarks by different speakers, and then answer the questions.
Sylvia: We found that poisonous chemicals had been thrown into the river.
Tomas: We have to protect everyone from illnesses caused by environmental problems.
Marcos: We can collect glass and plastic from homes which can then be re-used.
Gerard: We are heading for a major disaster in terms of the pollution of the oceans.
Ulla: We must stop using this chemical. It can destroy plant and animal life.
1 Who mentions public health?
2 Who is complaining about people dumping toxic waste?
3 Who is talking about avoiding the use of something which is harmful to the environment?
4 Who is explaining about recycling household waste?
5 Who is sounding a warning about an environmental catastrophe?
31.2 Complete each sentence using a word from the opposite page.
1 We looked out to sea and spotted some wind farms.
2 Oil supplies are likely to dry within the next 200 years.
3 It’s absolutely that we all do something to reduce global warming.
4 As a green organisation we only use architects who specialise in design.
5 Continued use of fossil fuels will have consequences in the long term.
6 The airline has a scheme where you can your carbon emissions.
31.3 Rewrite the underlined part of each sentence using a collocation from the opposite
page based on the word in brackets.
1 How far our food travels before we consume it should be a concern for everyone. (mile)
2 Energy which comes from inexhaustible sources, such as wind, is our greatest hope for the
future. (renew)
3 The region has experienced flooding over large areas in recent years. (wide)
4 We have caused the world’s climate to alter in a way that cannot be changed back. (change)
5 We must do something to eliminate the problem of toxic waste. (solve)
6 We should all try to reduce the amount of carbon we emit. (foot)
7 Wind farms located out at sea can provide a partial solution to the problem. (shore)
8 The minister chairs a committee aiming to improve the way we get rid of rubbish from our
homes. (dispose)
31.4 Correct the collocation errors in these sentences.
1 Temperatures expanded during the summer months and reached a record high.
2 We must change our way before it is too late.
3 They now have a sun heating system in their house; it’s very economical.
4 The desert experiences soaring heat during the day but is cold at night.
5 The weather designs have changed in recent years: winters are milder, summers are hotter.
6 He has one of those mixed cars which alternates between petrol and battery power.
7 The government must present green taxes so people who damage the environment pay more.
8 Vehicle transmissions are the main source of pollution in big cities.
9 We need to find alternative energy origins for private homes.

Over to you
Go to the United Nations Environment Programme website at www.unep.org and
make a note of useful collocations you find there connected with the environment.

English Collocations in Use Advanced 67