Environment. Lesson 2

Why Coral Reefs Are Dying
Coral reefs are dying in many parts of the world. Climate change makes the sea warmer, and this hurts the coral. Also, chemicals from farms and sunscreen can pollute the water. Boats and fishing nets also damage the reefs.

Coral reefs are underwater structures made by tiny animals called corals. They are very important for sea life. Many fish and other animals live in coral reefs. These reefs also protect coastlines from strong waves and storms.

But coral reefs are in danger. Pollution, overfishing, and rising ocean temperatures are big problems. When the water gets too warm, corals become white and weak. This is called coral bleaching.

One way to help is to create marine protected areas. These are places where fishing and boats are limited.

Vocabulary

to pollute - contaminate (water, the air, etc.) with harmful or poisonous substances.

загрязнять

to damage - inflict physical harm on (something) so as to impair its value, usefulness, or normal function.

повреждать

coastlines - the land along a coast.

береговые линии

bleaching - cause (a material such as cloth, paper, or hair) to become white or much lighter by a chemical process or by exposure to sunlight.

отбеливание

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Coral reefs

Answer some of these questions:

Do you have metro in your area? Do you know what they do with old subway cars?
Have you ever gone diving? Have you seen corals?
What would you suggest for this environmental problem?

Vocabulary

to scrap - discard or remove from service (a redundant, old, or inoperative vehicle, vessel, or machine), especially so as to convert it to scrap metal.

превращать в лом

to recycle - convert (waste) into reusable material.

перерабатывать

shipwreck - the destruction of a ship at sea by sinking or breaking up

кораблекрушение