Unit12 Looking after our oceans

Vocabulary

  1. adverse (adj)
/ Ocean acidification could have adverse effects on the health and biodiversity of the ocean.
  1. coral reef (n)
/ Warm water temperatures affect coral reefs through coral bleaching.
  1. conservation (n)
/ You can support marine conservation projects by making donation to our organization.
  1. diversity (n)
/ The diversity of the world’s oceans always manages to amaze us.
  1. ecosystem (n)
/ Healthy marine ecosystems are essential for human survival.
  1. extinct (v)
/ If coral reefs became extinct, we would all be affected.
  1. destructive (adj)
/ Pollution, logging and coastal developments are destructive to marine habitat.
  1. erode (v)
/ A more acidic ocean could erode seashells, and this is like soda eating away enamel on our teeth.
  1. fishing practice (n)
/ With the current fishing practice, a large amount of seafood species will be wiped out in a few decades.
  1. prohibit (v)
/ Disruptive fishing methods such as deep-sea trawling should be prohibited.
  1. ocean acidification (n)
/ Ocean acidification, pollution and rising temperatures all contribute to the increase of marine organisms.
  1. organism (n)
/ Spilt oil is posing serious threat to marine organisms, which in turn will affect birds such as seagulls.
  1. seashore (n)
/ When visiting the seashore, it is important to keep in mind not to remove animals from their homes.
  1. vulnerable (v)
/ The Netherlands is particularly vulnerable to the effects of global warming and rising sea levels.

Useful phrases

1.In spite of the vital role oceans play in human’s lives, many people are not conscious of how their behaviour and consumption patterns are threating our oceans.

2.Do not shrug your shoulders and stand by!

3.Governments promise to tackle this question, but progress is either slow or non-existent.

4.It is astonishing that many countries still regard international laws and policies on the ocean as optional.

5.It is only through dialogue, discussion and action at every level that we can bring about change.

6.Our oceans account for 71% of our planet’s surface and contain 97% of our planet’s water, but less than 2% of our oceans are protected.

7.Rather than accepting the fact that large sections of our oceans are dying and doing something about it, many governments choose to look away.

8.Sea level rise from the melting of polar ice is contributing to the loss of polar bear’s habitat.

9.The condition of the ocean in many parts of our world is abysmal because many countries close their eyes to the situation and continue to treat the sea as a cheap and easy dumping ground for waste.

10.The world’s oceans are deteriorating at an alarming rate.

11.The sea is not just a thing of infinite beauty, but also a supporter of human life.

12.The more you learn about the issues facing the marine ecosystem, the more you’ll want to help ensure its health.

13.We assume that if these problems are not on the news every day, the situation is not worsening and we can leave the work to the experts to sort it all out in the end.

14.Whether you live on the coast or far from it, whether you eat seafood or not, you and the future of all those you love depend on healthy oceans.

15.Whileinternational cooperation may not be within our reach, as individuals, we can help protect the ocean through simple acts, such as not leaving rubbish on the beach, or buying less to reduce the amount of manufactured items winding up as garbage in the ocean.

1

© 2015 ATHENS EDUCATION