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"The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it." -- Genesis 2:15 Focus

What do you see in the picture? Why are humans responsible for the destruction of the environment? What are some basic solutions to prevent the destruction of the

environment?

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Before reading: Learn about the title of this unit

The carbon footprint is a measure of the exclusive global amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases emitted by a human activity or accumulated over the full life cycle of a product or service.

The life cycle concept of the carbon footprint means that it is all-encompassing and includes all possible causes that give rise to carbon emissions. In other words, all direct (on-site, internal) and indirect emissions (off-site, external, embodied, upstream, downstream) need to be taken into account. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_footprint

Encompass – to surround on all sides Before Reading 1. Discuss with a partner the ways you can avoid human destruction to the environment? 2. Do you know what ecology means? 3. After looking at the picture on page 1, what does the title “Human Insanity” mean?

Human Insanity by M. Joy Katz

1Sometimes, I find, my perception of humanity is overwhelmed by the abundance of insanity.

2 Man sprays the planet with toxic compounds to poison bugs and weeds- He's ignorant of the poor judgment inherent in these deeds.

3 He endangers many species; renders some others extinct. He doesn't see 'The Big Picture' and that all of us are linked. 1

1 Connected

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4 He renders the soil worthless, devoid of all fertility. In other lands, he purchases a child, for his utility.

5 Man enslaves his own species and the other animals, too... engages in mass murder of his own, in times of old and new.

6 He makes the 'Almighty Dollar' his God and his guiding light. He lives without integrity; does what's easy, not what's right.

7 He lusts after money with a materialistic greed... while his fellow human cries for help in impoverished need.

8 Man will execute the trees like they are 'growing out of style'... never pondering the repercussions of this, all the while.

9 He passes through enchanted woods and leaves his rubbish behind, and limits concern for his fellow man to one of his own kind.

10 He has little tolerance for other religions or races... He's one who thinks his color is the best color for all faces.

11 He adorns himself with gadgets and pierces his skin for rings... He thinks he is attractive by doing such meaningless things.

12 He treats the disease, but neglects the preventative measure-- with little forethought, he delves into momentary pleasure.

13 He settles for 'mere sex' rather than the 'art of Love-making'.... He is empty inside, because his passion he's forsaking.

14 He is a being that is cruel; that inflicts suffering and pain... his viewing of 'animals as a commodity'...is insane!

15 His mind invented the telephone, the computer chip, and more... but can't learn that 'eating animals' is an action to abhor.

16 He fuels his body and soul with a most violent of diets--- never thinking to correlate this with rising city riots!

17 He lives on top of each other, like hens in a factory farm... and with businesses polluting air and stream, ignoring their harm!

18 Something he is compelled to do--is to over-populate...

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Unlike animals, when resources dwindle, he will still mate!

19 He will step on his comrade to make himself appear supreme--- wrapped up in himself, he cares not for the members of his team.

20 This "He" lives in the street bum, as well as the nation's president... Some aspect of this man lives in every global resident.

21 Are we powerless to change 'the lack of virtue' that eludes man? Will we ever know that yearned for 'Peace on Earth' in our life's span?

22 Can the soul subdue the ego; can we unmask our human lies? Will we elevate and save our race, before humanity dies?

23 Will we annihilate ourselves with the weapons made by man? Or will we turn it all around, as only us humans can?

24 Humanity created insanity---yet---we're able to see... that within each of us lies the power to set sanity free.

A. Comprehension Check: 1. Why do you think humans are spraying poison compounds?

2. Do humans know the harm they are doing to the planet?

3. Mention five human practices that contribute to the destruction of earth?

4. Why is it important for humans to be aware of the damage they cause?

B. Vocabulary Building: choose the definition that fits the context in which the word is used.

Match column 1 with column 2 Column 1 Column 2

____1. He renders the soil worthless

devoid of all fertility. (¶4)

a) not having enough of

____2. Man will execute the trees like they

are 'growing out of style'... never

pondering…(¶8)____

b) desired

____3. He is a being that is cruel; that

inflicts suffering and pain... (¶14)

c) empty

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____4. …but can't learn that 'eating animals'

Is an action to abhor. (¶15)

d) decrease

____5. Unlike animals, when resources

dwindle he will still mate! (¶18

e) close companion

6. He will step on his comrade to make

himself appear supreme---

(¶19)

f) detest, hate

____7. Are we powerless to change

'the lack of virtue' that eludes man? (¶21)

g) something unwanted or unpleasant

make someone suffer

____8. Will we ever know that yearned

for 'Peace on Earth' in our life's span? (¶ 21)

h) thinking about

____9. Can the soul subdue the ego;

can we unmask our human lies? (¶22)

i) conquer or gain control of

____10. Will we annihilate ourselves

with the weapons made by man? (¶23)

j) destroy completely

C. Vocabulary Check: Match the words to the definition _______ 1. worthless (¶ 4) a) desire for more than one needs or deserves

_______2. greed (¶ 7) b) useless, valueless

_______3. impoverished (¶7 ) c)abandoning, to giving up

_______4.repercussions (¶8) d) magical

_______ 5. enchanted (¶9) e) poor

_______6. rubbish (¶9) f) results, effects

_______7.gadgets (¶11) g) prior planning

_______8. forethought (¶12) h) small mechanical or electronic devices

_______ 9. forsaking (¶13) i) garbage

D. Vocabulary in context: Fill in the blanks with the vocabulary below. devoid (¶4) pondering (¶8) inflicts (¶14) abhor (¶15) dwindle(¶18) comrade (¶19) lack (¶21) yearn (¶ 21) subdue (¶22) annihilate (¶23) 1. Pacifists are people who __________________violence, people who seek peace.

2. After ______________on the issue of animal killing, I think that it should be avoided.

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3. Humankind use sharp weapons to ____________ animals.

4. Have we the right to __________suffering on others?

5. There has been a _____________ in our natural resources.

6. They carried the same instruments that their eleven murdered ____________ would

have carried.

7. In my darker hours, I dream of and _____________for this day to come.

8. Humankind use massive forces to ________________the enemy.

9. Some humans damage the earth because of a __________ of knowledge of what they

are actually doing.

10. People who kill animals for the fun of it seem __________of any moral respect at all.

E. Sharing Your Thoughts

1. What is the author of “Human Insanity” advocating?

Do her arguments successfully convince the readers?

2. Do you think humans can live better without harming the environment?

3. With a partner, make a list of the things you would do in order to live a life according

to the text?

F. Writing the main Idea: Go back to the poem, “Human Insanity.” In one sentence

write the message the author wants to convey to us.

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Before reading learn what is the green house effect and global warming

The greenhouse effect refers to the change in the thermal equilibrium temperature of a planet or moon by the presence of an atmosphere containing gas that absorbs and emits infrared radiation. Greenhouse gases, which include water vapor, carbon dioxide and methane, warm the atmosphere by efficiently absorbing thermal infrared radiation 1emitted by the Earth’s surface, by the atmosphere itself, and by clouds. As a result of its warmth, the atmosphere also radiates thermal infrared in all directions, including downward to the Earth’s surface. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_effect

Global warming is the increase in the average measured temperature of the Earth's near-surface air and oceans since the mid-20th century, and its projected continuation. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_warming

Before Reading 1. What do you see in the picture? 2. What does this picture suggest is happening to the world?

Web address: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/ 080514131125.htm

1 Infrared (IR) radiation is electromagnetic radiation whose wavelength is longer than that of visible light, but shorter than that of terahertz radiation and microwaves. (In physics, terahertz radiation refers to electromagnetic waves sent at frequencies in the terahertz range).

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Warming Climate Is Changing Life on Global Scale, Says New Study 1 ScienceDaily (May 15, 2008) — A vast array of physical and biological systems across the earth are being affected by warming temperatures caused by humans, says a new analysis of information not previously assembled all in one spot. The effects on living things include earlier leafing of trees and plants over many regions; movements of species to higher latitudes and altitudes in the northern hemisphere; changes in bird migrations in Europe, North America and Australia; and shifting of the oceans' plankton 1 and fish from cold- to warm-adapted communities.

2"Humans are influencing climate through increasing greenhouse gas emissions, and the warming world is causing impacts on physical and biological systems attributable at the global scale," said lead author Cynthia Rosenzweig, a scientist at the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies and the Columbia Center for Climate Systems Research. Both are affiliates of The Earth Institute at Columbia University.

3 Observed impacts included changes to physical systems, such as glaciers2 shrinking, permafrost3 melting, and lakes and rivers warming. Biological systems also were impacted in a variety of ways, such as leaves unfolding and flowers blooming earlier in the spring, birds arriving earlier during migration periods, and plant and animal species moving toward Earth's poles and higher in elevation. In aquatic environments such as oceans, lakes, and rivers, plankton and fish are shifting from cold-adapted to warm-adapted communities.

4 Rosenzweig and researchers from 10 other institutions across the world analyzed data from published papers on 829 physical systems and some 28,800 plant and animal systems, stretching back to 1970. Their analysis of this data revealed a picture of changes on continental scales; previous studies had looked mainly at single phenomena, or smaller areas. In physical systems, 95% of observed changes are consistent with warming trends. These include wastage of glaciers on all continents; melting permafrost; earlier spring river runoff; and warming of water bodies. Among living creatures inhabiting such systems, 90% of changes are consistent with warming.

5 The researchers say it is unlikely that any force but human-influenced climate change could be driving all this; factors like deforestation or natural climate variations could not explain it. Their work builds upon the consensus of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which in 2007 declared manmade climate warming "likely" to have discernible effects on biological and physical systems.

6 "It was a real challenge to separate the influence of human-caused temperature increases from natural climate variations or other confounding factors, such as land-use changes or pollution," said coauthor David Karoly, a climate scientist at the University of

1 The usually microscopic animal and plant life found floating or drifting in the ocean or in bodies of fresh water, used as food by nearly all aquatic animals. 2A huge mass of ice 3 Permanently frozen soil, subsoil, etc.

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Melbourne in Victoria, Australia. "This was possible only through the combined efforts of our multi-disciplinary team, which examined observed changes in many different systems around the globe, as well as global climate model simulations of temperature changes."

7 "Humans are influencing climate through increasing greenhouse gas emissions," Rosenzweig said. "The warming is causing impacts on physical and biological systems that are now attributable at the global scale and in North America, Europe, and Asia."

8 The data showing the patterns of change are strongest in North America, Asia and Europe--mainly because far more studies have been done there, said Rosenzweig. On the other continents, including South America, Australia and Africa, documentation of changes in physical and biological systems is sparse, even though there is good evidence there of human-influenced warming itself. The authors say that there is an urgent need to study these environmental systems, especially in tropical and subtropical areas.

Journal reference:

1. Attributing physical and biological impacts to anthropogenic climate change. Nature. May 15, 2008.

Adapted from materials provided by The Earth Institute at Columbia University, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS. The Earth Institute at Columbia University (2008, May 15). Warming Climate Is Changing Life On Global Scale, Says New Study. ScienceDaily. Retrieved September 27, 2008, from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2008/05/080514131125.htm A. Comprehension Check:

1. What is unique about the new study reported in this article?

2. Mention two things on page 8 that are causing global warming?

3. What is the greenhouse effect, and how is it affecting our climate?

4. What are the effects of global warming?

5. How important are these changes in the long term?

B. Vocabulary Building: Choose the definition that fits the context in which the word is used. Match column 1 with column 2    Column 1 Column 2

___1. …and shifting of the oceans'

plankton and fish from cold- to

warm-adapted communities. (¶1)

a) confusing

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___2 “observed impact includes changes

such as melting and lakes and rivers

warming”. (¶3)

b) consider as resulting from, likely to be caused by

___3. ….observed changes are consistent

with warming trends”. (¶4)

c) a tendencies

___4. “These include wastage of glaciers

on all continents”. (¶4)

d) moving from one place to another

___5. “The influence of other confounding

factors, such as land-use changes or

pollution," (¶6)

e) Loss by deterioration, wear, or

destruction

___6 impacts on physical and

Biological systems that are now

attributable at the global scale and in North

America…(¶7 )

f) to cause a solid to become liquid by heat

C. Vocabulary Match Go back to the text and find these words which are in bold and match the word with the meaning. 1. array(¶1) a. getting smaller, more compact

2. assembled all in one spot (¶1) b. thinly spread or distributed, small number.

3. greenhouse gas (¶2) c. Any of the atmospheric gases

4. shrinking (¶3) d. an orderly grouping or arrangement

5. sparse (¶8) e. together in one place

D. Vocabulary in context shift (¶1) melting (¶3) trends. (¶4) wastage(¶4 ) confounding(¶6) attributable (¶7 ) 1. The article about global warming shows how ready some people are to

____________the blame for their own actions onto someone else.

2. Air curtains reduce heat loss and minimize energy __________________, which is

good for the environment.

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3. Information was sought from three main sources that would identify any

emerging_______________.

4. In Antarctica the glaciers are __________________because the earth's temperature has

risen in recent decades.

5. The pollution caused by humans had a negative effect all around the world, because

temperature has become greater from natural climate variations or other

__________________________factors

6. The word _______________________ means related to a particular cause or source.

E. Making Predictions about the Effects of Global Warming 1. With a partner imagine how the world's climate could change over the next 100 years

if humans do nothing to limit the levels of their greenhouse gas emissions. Analyze and

make predictions about the effects such climate changes could have on humans. Mention

only the ones that are mentioned in the text on pages 7 and 8.

2. Working in pairs or small groups, brainstorm a list of ideas related to these questions in

question number 1. Each should have a copy of the list in order to refer back to it later.

E. Writing Task: Persuasive writing attempts to convince the reader that the point of

view or course of action recommended by the writer is valid. From the reading on page 7

and 8, write 2-3 persuasive paragraphs to answer the following questions:

► Is global warming an imminent world threat? Why or why not?

►Based on your opinion, what actions do you believe should be taken to handle the

global warming issue? Sustain your opinions with specific information from the text.

Before Reading What do you think this title means?

Diet for a Cooler Planet By Michael Jacobson

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1 Our planet just experienced the warmest winter in the 105 years during which records have been kept. According to James Hansen, who heads NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies, “if further global warming reaches 2 or 3 degrees Celsius [4 or 5 degrees Fahrenheit], we will likely see changes that make Earth a different planet than the one we know. The last time it was that warm was...about three million years ago, when sea level was estimated to have been about 80 feet higher than today.” Fossil fuels1—used in coal-burning power plants and gasoline-and-diesel burning cars and trucks—top the list of problems. But other factors also contribute: ●Growth: 6.5 billion people double the population of 1965—now draw down our world’s finite resources. Higher standards of living: air conditioners, cars, air travel, and other conveniences require fossil fuels

Figure1. Heating up. Cattle belch out methane and their manure is a major source of nitrous oxide. Both are greenhouse gases that keep the Earth’s heat from escaping into space. Diet: as incomes rise, people replace wheat and rice with meat and dairy foods. What do more burgers and cheese have to do with climate change? 2 Between global warming and a lack of land, water, and other resources, the Earth simply can’t cope with a worldwide jump in meat and dairy consumption. In 2006, a report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned: 3 “Livestock’s contribution to environmental problems is on a massive scale and its potential contribution to their solution is equally large. The impact is so significant that it needs to be addressed with urgency. 4 ” Livestock not only pollutes our water, air, and soil, said the FAO, it’s also “responsible for 18 percent of greenhouse gas emissions...a higher share than transport.” 5 Cattle belch out huge volumes of methane, a gas that’s 23 times more potent at trapping heat than carbon dioxide. Livestock manure is the source of two-thirds of man-made nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas that’s 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide. 6 Growing corn, soybeans, and hay for livestock feed uses up about half of all U.S. fertilizer, generating large amounts of nitrous oxide. In Brazil, an astounding 70 percent of one time forest land is being used as pasture and to grow animal feed. Worldwide, the 34 million acres of trees that are cut and burned each year account for 25 to 30 percent of all the carbon that enters our atmosphere.

1 any carbon-containing fuel derived from the decomposed remains of prehistoric plants and animals, e.g. coal, peat, petroleum, and natural gas

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7 Eating less meat and dairy foods is a small step that each of us could take to help slow global warming. 8 Bonus: switching from meat to beans, nuts, fruits, and vegetables means lower risks of heart disease, stroke, obesity, diabetes, and cancer. (See www.EatingGreen.org to calculate those benefits and to order our book, Six Arguments for a Greener Diet.) 9 So for the sake of our globe—and our own Health—let’s all try to eat more plants and less meat. 2 N U T R I T I O N A C T I O N H E A LT H L E T T E R n MAY 2 0 0 7 Michael F. Jacobson, Ph.D. Executive Director Center for Science in the Public Interest http://www.psr.org/site/DocServer/DietForCoolerPlanet.pdf?docID=2441 A. Comprehension Check: 1. What are the four main things the author states that contribute to global warming?

2. What solution to the problem does the author suggest?

B.Vocabulary Building: Choose the definition that fits the context in which the word is used.

Match column 1 with column 2

       Column 1 Column 2

___1. The earth simply can’t cope with a

worldwide jump in meat and dairy

consumption(¶2)

a) emit , burp

___2. Livestock’s contribution to environmental

problems is on a massive scale.(¶3)

b) surprise, shocking

___3. Cattle belch out huge volumes of

methane, a gas that’s 23 times more potent(¶5)

c) for the good of

___4. Livestock manure is the source of two-

thirds of man-made nitrous oxide,

a greenhouse gas (¶5)

d) animals kept on farms.

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___5. ..an astounding 70 percent of one

time forest land is being used as pasture

and to grow animal feed. (¶6)

e) waste matter from animals

___6. Growing corn, soybeans, and hay for

livestock uses up about half of all U.S.

fertilizer(¶6)___7. for the sake of our globe

and our own Health…(¶9)

f) consumes

___7. for the sake of our globe

and our own Health…(¶9)

g) deal with

C. Use the vocabulary below to fill in the blank (Vocabulary in context) cope with (¶2) livestock (¶3) belch out (¶5) manure (¶5) astounding (¶6) for the sake of (¶9) 1. Cows and other ruminants ____________________vast quantities of methane,

which accelerates global warming

2. _______________ is a big problem for global warming because their waste matter

pollutes our water air and soil.

3. Humans need to do something about global warming __________________________

our planet.

4. What are ordinary people doing to help _____________________ the situation of

global warming?

5. American Scientist has made _________________discoveries that will change our

view of the universe.

6. I would like to find a source of well rotted ______________to get the soil healthy for

next year's planting.

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D. Problem-Solution Chart List the problems that cause Global warming in the first column. List solutions in the

right column.

Possible Problems Possible Solutions Example: Higher standards of living Use fans instead of air conditioners; Use

other types of transportation etc.

E. Discussion: In a small group discuss the benefits of a vegetarian diet. F. Response Writing: Choose one of these topics: ► According to the poem “Human Insanity” on pages 3 and 4, what is the effect that

pollution has on humans?

►According to the “Science Daily” article on Global warming on page 6, what are the

effects that population growth has on the earth’s resources?

► According to “Diet for a Cooler Planet” on pages 9 and 10, what are the negative

effects that a high standard of living has on our environment?

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G. THREE-WAY VENN DIAGRAM Compare and contrast “Human Insanity”, Warming Climate Is Changing Life on Global Scale, Says New Study and “Diet for a Cooler Planet”. in the Venn Diagram, mention the differences and the similarities of the three readings of the unit.

Comparing A “Human Insanity”____________________________________

B “Warming Climate Is Changing Life on Global Scale, Says New Study” C “Diet for a Cooler Planet. In the out side of the circle”___________

B. Difference A. Differences

C. Differences