CHANGING THE PLANET   1

THINK AND DISCUSS

Answers will vary. Possible answers:

1. Humans have developed a lot of the planet’s land and used its resources. With the rapid increase in this activity of humans over the last century, the planet’s climate has changed.

2. Although human activity has had many negative impacts—such as causing pollution, using up the Earth’s resources, and contributing to climate change—in modern times, people are also working hard to make a positive impact by helping to protect the environment, clean the oceans, and preserve wildlife.

EXPLORE THE THEME

A 1. deforestation, desertification, pollution, cities

2. The eastern part of North America, much of northern Europe, and Southeast Asia have experienced significant deforestation. Desertification is seen most in the Middle East; northern, southern

and central parts of Africa; the southern part of India; Australia; the northwest section of North America; and the eastern part of South America. Pollution is especially evident on the coastlines and on major

shipping routes.

3. Air pollution is caused by industrial plants and expanding urban areas. Deforestation is caused by trees being cut down for fuel and farming.

Desertification is caused by overuse of land by farmers and herders.

B atmosphere; fertilizer; erosion

Reading

PREPARING TO READ

A 1. dramatic

2. devoted to

3. eliminate

4. perspective

5. profound

6. consequence

B 1. criteria

2. concept

3. essentially, transform

4. satisfy

5. current

C Answers will vary. Possible answers:

1. Humans have used up the planet’s resources and developed its land.

2. I think the most dramatic consequence might be climate change.

3. Some current efforts to deal with these consequences include attempts to reduce pollution and deforestation.

D Answers will vary. Possible answers:

We know about plants and animals because of fossils that have been found and studied. These fossils have helped us understand what used to

be living on Earth. We can also study rock layers and deposits to learn about how the land on Earth has transformed.

E Answers will vary. Actual answers:

1. b

2. b

3. c

UNDERSTANDING THE READING

A 1. epoch

2. Answers will vary. Possible answer:

Anthropocene refers to the current time period, during which humans are having a major impact on the natural environments of the planet.

3. cities, farming, deforestation, composition of the atmosphere

B How We Are Changing the Planet: Before Paragraph G

Tracing the Origins of the Anthropocene: Before Paragraph L

A New Perspective on Earth’s History: Before Paragraph A

C 1. in the 1870s; the Anthropozoic; other scientists found the idea unscientific (Paragraph C)

2. because the human impact on the world is more obvious now than it was in Stoppani’s time (Paragraph C)

3. Deforestation increases sedimentation through erosion, and habitat loss leads to the extinction of species. (Paragraph I)

4. As temperatures increase, some plants and animals are shifting their ranges to the Poles. Others are expected to become extinct due to

climate change. Sea levels may rise up to 20 feet or more. (Paragraph J)

D 1. man-made materials / steel, glass, concrete, brick (Paragraph G)

2. erosion (Paragraph G)

3. 38 (Paragraph H)

4. yes (Paragraph H)

5. pollen (Paragraph H)

6. cutting down / leveling (Paragraph I)

7. extinctions (Paragraph I)

8. change in composition of (Paragraph J)

9. the fossil record; oceans (Paragraphs J and K)

E 1. Era: Cenozoic

Period: Quaternary

Epoch: Holocene or Anthropocene

2. The Cenozoic Era started 65 million years ago.

3. Epochs are determined based on changes in sedimentary rock.

F Answers may vary. Possible answers:

Evidence For: Other scientists find the concept useful [C, D, E]; stratigraphers think that the human impact will be “stratigraphically

significant” [F]; the pollen record will show agricultural focus on a limited range of plants [H]; erosion from deforestation increases the amount of sediment [I]; habitat loss will lead to extinctions that will show up in the fossil record [I]; similarly, the fossil record will show shifts in habitat due to global warming [J]; CO2 acidifies oceans so that coral cannot form reefs [K]

Evidence Against: Many of the effects of humans on the planet may be transient [G]; cities will not survive erosion [G]; use of fertilizers will

leave only subtle traces for future geologists [H]; dams on rivers are disrupting the natural sedimentation process [I]

1. There is more evidence for than against.

2. Answers may vary. Possible answer:

Yes, I think the information is reliable. The article is from a reputable magazine, and the author is well known. The opinions expressed are backed up by quotes from experts in the field.

G 1. e

2. f

3. c

4. b

5. d

6. a

DEVELOPING READING SKILLS

A 1. c

2. a

B 1. the term Anthropocene

2. fossilized organism

3. change

4. mass extinction

Video

BEFORE VIEWING

A Answers will vary. Possible answers:

Deforestation affects both plant and animal life. Animals lose their natural habitats. Plants are destroyed and perhaps become extinct as a

result.

B 1. animal habitat and resources such as fruits, spices, and medicinal plants

2.Answers will vary. Possible answers: If we destroy rain forests, we will not only lose ingredients used to make current medicines, we will also lose the chance to find new medicinal plants that may cure serious illnesses.

WHILE VIEWING

A 1. F (Explanation: less than, not more than)

2. T

3. F (Explanation: Agriculture is the primary cause.)

B 1. cutting down trees

2. absorb greenhouse gases

3. habitats for plant and animal life

4. food and shelter

5. Agriculture

6. wood and paper

7. urban sprawl / land development

C 1. combat

2. dwelling

3. destruction

AFTER VIEWING

A The first sign is in regard to sedimentation. Increased sedimentation is happening because of massive soil erosion, while at the same time,

a lack of sedimentation is happening because of dams. The second sign is loss of habitat and extinction of animal species. (See Paragraph I.)

Writing

EXPLORING WRITTEN ENGLISH

A 1. avert

2. determine

3. tasked with

4. Preservation

5. relatively

6. subtle

B 1. the debate

2. the process

3. the Anthropocene

4. carbon dioxide, the oceans

5. impact

LANGUAGE FOR WRITING

C Answers will vary. Possible answers:

1. these

2. agriculture

3. actions/things/impacts

4. reduction

5. harmful

WRITING SKILL

D b; It is the best choice because it presents a focused main idea—environmentally friendly food choices.

E c, d, e (Explanation: Each of these choices is good for the environment.)

F Answers will vary. Possible answers:

One way that our food choices can help heal the planet is by not contributing to pollution. Another way is making food choices that don’t

negatively affect endangered species. Finally, we can make food choices that use few resources such as water.

G Answers will vary. Possible answers:

The quality of life could be improved at our school with more community events.

seasonal events on campus 

mixed department activities

opportunities to work with the local community

WRITING TASK

A Answers will vary. Possible answers:

Organization: Surfrider Foundation

Activities: organizes coastal and beach cleanups; tests water to record pollution levels; provides easy ways for people to contact government

representatives about legislation

Impacts: protects coastal areas and beaches; spreads public awareness about water pollution with aim of improving water quality; puts

pressure on government for better laws to protect the environment

B Answers will vary. Possible answers:

Thesis Statement: The efforts of the Surfrider Foundation have made a positive impact locally, globally, and in government to help protect

marine environments.

Notes for Introduction: focused on protecting oceans, waves, beaches; connects experts and people for local and national projects; uses this

activist network to create positive change

Body Paragraph 1

Topic Sentence: The foundation organizes beach and coastal clean-ups, which gets the local community involved in protecting nearby marine

environments.

Details: Clubs across the country organize cleanups; locals become involved and aware; keeps beaches accessible

Body Paragraph 2

Topic Sentence: Surfrider’s efforts to test and record pollution in the ocean have led to increased public awareness of marine pollution

around the world.

Details: tests bacteria levels in water; educates about plastic pollution; encourages people to change habits related to use of plastic

Body Paragraph 3

Topic Sentence: Finally, the group’s grassroots efforts to get people involved in contacting politicians about supporting laws that protect

the oceans have succeeded in the passage of important legislation.

Details: California Coastal Act; plastic bag ban; Beach Act

Notes for Conclusion: ongoing efforts, campaigns across U.S. and other countries; local, global, and government impact