How to solve the problem

Fact 2

25

Our environment is in trouble. The air we breathe is dirty. Our oceans are polluted. Our forests are being cut down. We are drowning in the waste we produce.

Glossary

drowning: (v. gerund) to suffocate by submersion

What can each of us do to improve the situation? You probably already know! But do you do what’s necessary? Let’s take a look and see if you are a ‘Protector of the Environment.’

1) Reduce the plastic you use.

Plastic products pollute the environment. A lot of it ends up in the ocean where it slowly breaks down into small pieces that last for hundreds of years and get into the food chain.

Glossary

pollute: (v.) to contaminate (an environment) especially with man-made waste

Go to page 31 Activity Book

Experts aren’t sure how eating contaminated fish affects us, but they do know that there are things you can do to reduce the plastic you throw away. 1. Stop using plastic straws. Use metal or paper ones instead.

2. Ask your mom and dad to use reusable cloth bags when they go to the supermarket. 3. Use reusable plastic containers to put your school lunch in.

2) Save energy

Read the guide. How many of these things do you do? 1. Walk, ride a bicycle or take public transport whenever you can. The fewer cars on the road, the better.

2. Turn off lights when there is nobody in the room.

Glossary

light bulb: (n.) an electric lamp

3. Disconnect electronic equipment you are not using. 4. Check that your parents have put low energy light bulbs in your house. 5. Check that whoever washes the clothes does it in cold water.

3) Recycle

You know all about recycling, but do you and your family really do it? Remember, recycling is good for the environment because it reduces the amount of new raw materials we use produce new products.

Glossary

raw material: (n.) crude or processed material that can be converted by manufacture, processing, or combination into a new and useful product

Glossary

improve: (v.) to enhance in value or quality; make better

Go to page 33 Activity Book Recycling also reduces the energy we use, improves the quality of our air and water, and slows climate change. So recycle as much glass, plastic, metal, paper, textiles and electronic equipment as you can.

Of course, it’s no good separating your trash if the trash man just throws it all together again. Check that there is a good recycling program in your neighborhood. If not, campaign with your family and friends to introduce one!

Glossary

faucet: (n.) a fixture for drawing or regulating the flow of liquid especially from a pipe leak: (v.) to let a substance or light in or out through an opening

4) Save water

Did you know that more than 60% of the water we use, we use in the bathroom? Have shorter showers. Don’t leave the faucet running when you’re brushing your teeth. Check your faucets don’t leak!

Don’t waste paper. Did you know that on average in the West, a person uses 17 trees a year in paper! Think about that every time you use paper unnecessarily.

Glossary

badge: (n.) an emblem awarded for a particular accomplishment

Go to page 35 Activity Book So, do you deserve a badge? Are you already doing what you can to help protect the environment? If not, think carefully about what you can do in the future.