Upper interm II, profe Nadia (adults)

1. Upper-Intermediate II, profe Nadia
Report: How to reduce our ecological footprint
Part 1: Water pollution
Water pollution is a global problem which requires ongoing evaluation. The revision of water resource policies
at all levels (from international to individual acquirers and wells) is essential. Water is typically referred to as
polluted when it is impaired by anthropogenic contaminants or does not support a human use. Te specific
contaminants of water include a wide spectrum of chemicals, pathogens, and physical changes.
It has been suggested that is it leading to worldwide causes of deaths and diseases (more than 14.000 people
are affected daily). An estimated amount of 700 million Indians have no access to a proper toilet and 1.000
Indian children die of diarrhea every day. About 90% of Chinese cities suffer from some degree of water
pollution, and nearly 500 million people lack access to safe drinking water.
Part 2: Shortage of food resources
According to a report by the FAO [Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations], in 2050,
developing countries will need to double their agricultural production to satisfy food demand. Here are some
of the reasons of the shortage:
Climate change
Land degradation, which affects 25% of the world population, is a factor that has serious consequences on
food production; 52% of the land for agriculture and grazing is affected by a moderate or a severe form of soil
degradation. For this reason, a worldwide loss of 40 thousand million dollars is estimated to happen
annually. In a time when you need to produce more food, land degradation and abuse of chemicals provoke a
decline in agricultural production. Climate change may exacerbate the problem of soil degradation by
increasing drought and heat stress, extreme weather events and increase pests and crop diseases. Rising sea
levels in the next 50 years, due to glaciers melting, will eliminate many coastal areas, destroying large cities
and vital infrastructure such as roads, railways, ports, pipelines, refineries and power plants, as well as
excellent arable land, thereby contributing to the loss of production and distribution of food resources. Also,
the crops will be exhausted by more severe storms and intense heat waves, causing floods or wildfires.
Population increase
It is projected that in 2050 the global population will grow to 9100 million from the current 6700 million. This
growth will require a 70% increase in agricultural production. The director general of the FAO, Jacques Diouf
said: “In the next 40 years it is expected that the combined effect of population growth, strong income
growth and urbanization, will result in a demand for twice as much food”. In industrialized countries the
population is expected to increase only by 56 million, while in developing countries the population growth will
be of 900 million in 2020. Therefore, laws that promote global population increase, such as the universal child

2. subsidy, assisted reproduction law, prohibition of abortion and laws protecting mega mining, which
contaminate freshwater, help promote a worse life for every person born on the planet.
Part 3: Energy, the advantages of LED
- Lower cost in illumination.
- More durability.
- Low maintenance and all related cost.
- Strong brilliant light to illuminate buildings, squares and streets with a C.R.I (color rendering index = high
chromatic power).
- Low luminance contamination.
- Possibility to have a monitoring control of it.
- If you replace 16.000 lights of 100w and 150w by LED you can save 75% of energy, you need to change it in
ten years instead of two. In terms of the reduction of the ecological footprint it is like removing 400 cars
from the streets. The main problem is that there are small things that people don´t know about how to save
electricity, and maybe they don’t care because they don’t see any danger which could change their lives. But
it´s time to become aware and do something.
Part 4: Tips for reducing our environmental impact
• WATER
Avoid contamination of water, not littering in drains, rivers, lakes and ponds.
Choose detergents and biodegradable cleaning products, as many products are very toxic.
Avoid wasting water, leaving taps open unnecessarily.
• CLIMATE DISASTERS
Reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, responsible for climate change, it is necessary to reduce the
consumption of fossil fuels, which is achieved with a reasonable use of heating and air conditioning,
insulate housing, buy efficient appliances, override appliances and any stand-by electrical system is not
used.
Transport and its power consumption is another major emitter of greenhouse gases. Consumers can
opt for a more sustainable mobility model: use any public transport and require more environmentally
friendly, whenever possible, walk or ride bike.
Fight forest loss

3. • FOOD SHORTAGE
Develop agriculture is very important to encourage local production.
End the European Agricultural Policy and the U.S. and stop subsidizing biofuels.
Do not waste food, just prepare what you are going to consume.
• ELECTRICITY
Unplug your cell phone charger or any domestic device when they are not being used in the house.
Turn off the lights in the morning when you leave your homes.
If you are cold try to wrap yourself with your winter clothes instead of turning on the electric stove.
Try to catch as much natural light as possible before switching on the electrical light.
We are all part of this world and if we don´t reduce our ecological footprint soon we will run out of
resources and be in real danger. There are many things we can all do to help, what are you waiting for?