1. Global Threats and Personal Strategies to Protect the Environment Escola Secundária de Arganil Ano Lectivo 2007/2008 Daniela Ventura Nº7 11ºC

2. Introduction Nowadays global warming is a big problem that concerns a lot of people. But that situation is mainly caused by human actions. That problem gets even more serious when we also consider other global phenomena like the destruction of ozone layer or the greenhouse effect. And one of its causes is the pollution of air, ground and water.

3. Causes of Global Warming: Deforestation It is caused generally by urban development and acid rains. The human beings cut trees to make paper, furniture and houses.

4. Air pollution The atmosphere contains gases such as carbon dioxide, which contribute to climate changes.

5. Greenhouse effect The greenhouse effect is the rise in temperature that the Earth experiences because certain gases in the atmosphere (water vapour, carbon and nitrous dioxide, for example) trap energy from the sun.

6. Ground Pollution “Soil contamination is the presence of man-made chemicals or other alteration in the natural soil environment.” Wikipedia

7. Water Pollution Fertilizers used in agriculture are carried by the rivers into the oceans. The industries, mostly in urban areas, produce waste dirty waters with chemical products. Often waste water unnecessary in people’s homes is added to it and thrown into the rivers and seas with little treatment.

8. Some Solutions Many materials we use every day can be reused and recycled to help sparing the earth’s resources, If you separate the material for recycling, you give a good contribution for the environment protection; Never leave TV or other electrical equipment on “stand by” to save energy; Always stop water running when brushing teeth, using shampoo or shower gel to save water; Don’t smoke and you won’t pollute the air.

9. Conclusion The future of the world is in our hands, and if we don’t do anything to protect it one day it will be too late. For our health we should help the environment keeping clean.

10. Bibliography http://www.canalkids.com.br/meioambient e/planetaemperigo/poluicao.htmhttp://www.canalkids.com.br/meioambient e/planetaemperigo/poluicao.htm http://www.umich.edu/~gs265/society/wate rpollution.htmhttp://www.umich.edu/~gs265/society/wate rpollution.htm http://pages.zoom.co.uk/awake/Soil/Help% 20Green%20the%20Planet/helptheplanet. htmhttp://pages.zoom.co.uk/awake/Soil/Help% 20Green%20the%20Planet/helptheplanet. htm