The future of our planet

Exercise 1 

What predictions can you make about future? Do you think that future will be better than today? Read the paragraphs and match them with the headings below.

1. The Effects of Overpopulation

2. Energy Revolution

3. High Technology

4. Changes on Earth

A. .........................................................................

Since life  first appeared on the Earth four billion years ago, there have been tremendous changes. Ice ages have come and gone and volcanoes have erupted. Earthquakes have shattered ancient mountains and changed the course of rivers. Some species have been

displaced by others which are more favoured by new environments. Nowadays scientists are

studying the changes which are likely to take place in 50 years’ time.

B. .........................................................................

A rapidly increasing population is one of the causes of social and environmental problems. The population growth brings the problem of consumption. If we cannot feed 6 billion people today, how will we satisfy the needs of 8 billion people or more by 2030? Global food shortages will become much more serious than today, leading to poverty.

C. .........................................................................

Renewable energy technologies are now ready to be used and will meet the world’s energy demand by 2030. We will find new energy sources like wind and solar power that won’t pollute and will never run out. They are also less expensive compared to other sources of energy.

D. .........................................................................

Wireless technology will be everywhere. There will be no wires on and behind your desk. We’ll be able to control people around us with a tiny microchip and through the access to the Internet. Here are some more predictions about the future:

- Electric currents applied to the soil will make valuable plants grow larger and faster.

- There will be no street cars in our large cities. All traffic will be below or high above the ground.

- People will be able to see the bus coming closer to their stop by means of a web-site.

  

Exercise 2

In pairs, make your own predictions about the planet in about 50 years.

example: I believe the sea will be polluted. We believe we will be able to go shopping on the moon.

Writing: Write a short paragraph describing our planet in 50 years. 

(Send your answers to those exercises by e-mail to: bejumamaster@gmail.com)