Global Warming Class 8th - English : Prose - Lesson 3 -

 

Class 8th - English : Prose - Lesson 3 - Global Warming (Inam-Ur-Rehman)
GLOBAL WARMING – A CATASTROPHE IN THE MAKING

 SUMMARY IN ENGLISH

Global warming refers to the rising average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere and oceans, caused mainly by human activities such as deforestation and burning of fossil fuels. The effects of global warming include rising sea levels, changes in precipitation patterns, expanding deserts, more frequent extreme weather events, and species extinction. In the Indian subcontinent, the Himalayan region, which is called the "Water Tower of Asia" due to its glaciers that provide a large amount of water to the region, is particularly vulnerable to the effects of global warming. Glaciers in the region are receding at an alarming rate, leading to water scarcity, increased flooding, and changes in the migration patterns of birds. Climate change also impacts society and economy, and it is critical to understand and assess its effects on water resources for sustainable development.

 

    Glossary

Catastrophe: आपदा (aapdaa) Greenhouse gases: उर्वरक गैस (urvrak gais) 

Retreat: पीछे हटना (peeche hatna) Permafrost: स्थायी बर्फ़ (sthaayi barf) 

Non-existent: अस्तित्वहीन (astitvahin) Accumulate: संचय करना (sanchay karna) Devastating: विनाशकारी (vinaashkaari) The black death: काले मृत्यु (kaale mrityu) Subtropical: उपक्षिप्त (upakshipt) Floodplain: बाढ़ क्षेत्र (baadh kshetra) Wetlands: स्वच्छ भूमि (svachchh bhoomi) marsh, swamp, or bog: सुनवल, समुद्री जलभूमि, या समुद्री जलभूमि (sunawal, samudri jalbhumi, ya samudri jalbhumi) Perennial: स्थायी (sthaayi) Complacent: संतुष्ट (santusht) Plethora: अधिकता (adhiktaa) Simulation: अनुवैधानिक (anuvaidhaanik) Unprecedented: अभूतपूर्व (abhutapurv) Staggering: स्थिर नहीं होने वाला (sthit nahi hone wala) Demarcation: सीमा निर्धारण (siima nirdhaaran) Stakeholders: हितधारक (hitdhaarak) Consensus: सहमति (sahmati) Robust: मजबूत (majboot) Sustainable: स्थायी (sthaayi) Degradation: पतन (patan) Receding: हटता जा रहा है (hatta jaa raha hai)

WORKING WITH TEXT

Q1. Why has the earth’s average surface temperature increased?

Ans. The Earth's average surface temperature has increased primarily due to human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, which release large amounts of greenhouse gases (primarily carbon dioxide) into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat from the sun, leading to a warming of the Earth's surface, known as the greenhouse effect.

Q2. Why the Himalayan region is called the ‘Water Tower of Asia’?

Ans. The Himalayan region is called the 'Water Tower of Asia' because it has a lot of glaciers that cover a huge area of about 33000 square kilometers. These glaciers give birth to many streams and rivers and support the economy and way of life for many people in different countries in Asia.

Q3. What are the main sources of water in the Kashmir valley?

Ans. The main sources of water in the Kashmir Valley include lakes in flood plains, high altitude Himalayan lakes, rivers that flow all year long. It also has different types of wetlands, small ponds, streams that are fed by snow, springs, and man-made reservoirs.

Q4. Why is water the most precious natural resource?

Ans. Water is very important for our survival and well-being. We need it to drink, to make electricity, to grow food, and to keep ourselves clean. It is used in many ways that make our lives better. Without water, we would not be able to survive. This is why water is considered the most valuable natural resource.Top of Form

Q5. How has Kashmir been influenced by global warming?

Ans. The valley of Kashmir has been affected greatly by global warming. Over the past 20 years, many changes have been observed in the area. As the Kolhai Glacier melts, water is becoming more scarce. The seasons have also changed and it is hard to tell when spring, summer, or winter is happening. Wetlands that were once used to provide water for crops have been filled with concrete, which has also lowered crop production.

Q6. How is global warming the largest threat to humanity?

Ans. Global warming is a big problem that affects everyone and everything. It happens when the Earth gets too hot because of too much pollution in the air. This melts the glaciers and the sea level goes up. The weather changes a lot and it can be very hot and dry. This makes it hard for farmers to grow food and can cause natural disasters. It affects how people live their lives. If we don't do something about it, it will only get worse.

Q7. What do you think  is the cause of a decrease in snowfall in Kashmir?

Ans. It is believed that global warming leads to changes in precipitation and can result in extreme weather conditions. it is responsible for the decrease in snowfall in the Kashmir region.

Q8. What has been the impact of global warming on Jammu and Kashmir so far?

Ans. The effects of global warming are increasingly visible in Jammu and Kashmir. The clear distinctions between seasons that once existed have become blurred. It is now difficult to differentiate between autumn and winter. The glaciers in the region are rapidly melting as a result. Additionally, global warming has led to an increase in high-velocity storms in the area.

Q9. What role do the scientists play in J & K to deal with the problem of global warming?

Ans. Scientists have chosen the Kolhai glacier in the Lidder Valley as an important glacier to study. They will watch it for a long time to see how it changes. This glacier is important because it provides water for the whole community in the valley. Scientists will study the glacier for five years and then suggest ways to slow down its shrinking. This work will be done by TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute J&K).

Q10. What do we, as individuals, need to do to deal with the problem of global warming?

Ans.As individuals, it is our responsibility to raise awareness about the severe consequences of global warming and take action to reduce our own carbon footprint. This can be achieved by implementing small changes in our daily habits, such as reducing energy consumption, using public transportation or carpooling, and choosing products that are more environmentally friendly. We must also educate others about the importance of taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and encourage them to make similar changes in their own lives. By working together, we can make a significant impact in slowing down the effects of global warming.

LANGUAGE WORK

I. Fill the blanks in the following sentences with appropriate compound word/s or phrases from the box below:

White House/white house, Green House/greenhouse, Black box/black box, Strong hold/stronghold, White-collar/white collar

a) We live in a beautiful white house.

b) My uncle has built a greenhouse next to his house, where he grows vegetables in winter.

a) Most Ph.D.’s only preferred white-collar jobs.

b) He was wearing a pink shirt with a white collar.

a) We live in a white house near the mosque.

b) The president of America lives in the White House.

a) My wife keeps her jewelry in a black box.

b) The black box  has been found. It will now be possible to find out why the plane crashed.

a) He has a strong hold on his wife.

b) The southern part of the state is a stronghold of the robbers.

II. Use the following phrases or expressions from the lesson in your own sentences :

1. In progress: The construction of the new school in India is still in progress.
2. Uncontrollable rate: The population in India is growing at an uncontrollable rate.
3. Across the globe: Indian cuisine is popular across the globe.
4. In the backdrop of: In the backdrop of the beautiful Himalayas, India is a beautiful country.
5. At an alarming rate: The air pollution in India is increasing at an alarming rate.
6. An irritating change: The rising pollution levels in Kashmir are causing an irritating change in the air quality.
7. Bereft of: Many rural areas in India are bereft of clean drinking water.
8. Dried up: The monsoon season in India has dried up, causing a water shortage.
9. At the global level: India is a major player at the global level in the field of technology.
10. Heavy burden: The poverty in India is a heavy burden on the country's economy.

III. Choose the synonym of the word from the four options given:

1. The sporadic  rise in his temperature has caused us much worry.

a. Frequent b. irksome c. irregular d. scattered

Ans.   c. Irregular

2. The reading of poetry is not congenial to his state.

a. Suited b. Beneficial c. Helpful d. Preferable

Ans.   a. Suited

3. The weavers have to do monotonous work.

a. Repetitive b. exhaustive c. irksome d. autonomous

Ans. a. Repetitive

4. The fishing pulled away from the wharf and chugged smoothly down the bay.

a. harbor b. shore c. quay c. ager

Ans. c. Quay

GRAMMAR WORK

In the following sentences, use either infinitive or gerund in order to make them correct:

1. Laughing is good for health. (to laugh/laughing)

2. Our turn to be over, we left the library. (be / being)

3. The old woman tried to go to the hospital alone. (to go/ going)

4. Being late for school is his habit. (to be / being)

5. Hina, having completed her work, left home. (to have / having)

6. Listening to music is her hobby. (to listen / listening)

7. I liked to read Arabic literature. (to read / reading)

8. His only aim was to cheat. (to cheat / cheating)

9. Fishing is not allowed here. (to fish / fishing)

10. Children love to make mud houses. (to make / making)

Let’s Write

1. Is there any water body in your neighbourhood? Write a paragraph on it. 

Dal Lake

It is located in the city of Srinagar, in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is situated in the district of Srinagar and is considered to be one of the most famous tourist attractions in the region. The lake is spread over an area of 18 square kilometers and is surrounded by beautiful gardens, houseboats, and shikaras. The lake is known for its rich flora and fauna, which includes lotus flowers, water lilies, and various species of fish and birds. The total area of the lake is 26 square kilometers.

Wular Lake

is located in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir and is situated in the district of Bandipora. It is considered to be one of the largest fresh water lakes in Asia and is spread over an area of 260 square kilometers. The lake is surrounded by lush green forests and is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including fish, birds, and various plant species. The total area of the lake is 340 square kilometers.

Manasbal Lake

This lake is located in Jammu and Kashmir and is situated in the district of Ganderbal. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful lakes in the region and is spread over an area of 3.5 square kilometers. The lake is surrounded by beautiful mountains and is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including fish, birds, and various plant species. The total area of the lake is 8.5 square kilometers.

1. What preparation/ rehearsals have Disaster Management Groups of your school made to meet any eventuality in the institution? 

 

Introduction: Disaster management is an essential aspect of any institution, including schools. It is crucial to have proper preparations and rehearsals in place to ensure the safety and well-being of students, staff, and other stakeholders in the event of a disaster. This report will detail the preparation and rehearsals that the Disaster Management Groups of our school have made to meet any eventuality in the institution.

Preparations:

·      The Disaster Management Group at our school has compiled a comprehensive  

    emergency response plan that outlines the procedures to be followed in case of

    different types of disasters, such as fire, earthquake, and floods.

·      The school has identified and marked emergency exits and designated assembly  

     points for students and staff.

·      The school has also identified and trained key personnel who will be responsible  

    for leading the emergency response team in case of a disaster.

·      The school has also established communication systems that can be used in case    

    of a disaster, including walkie-talkies and public address systems.

·      The school has also acquired emergency equipment such as fire extinguishers,

    first aid kits, and emergency lights.

 

Rehearsals:

·          The Disaster Management Group at our school regularly conducts fire drills to  

     ensure that students and staff are familiar with the emergency procedures and   

     can evacuate the building quickly and safely.

·            The school also conducts earthquake drills to ensure that students and staff know how to protect themselves during an earthquake.

·            The school also conducts mock simulations of different types of disasters to test the effectiveness of the emergency response plan and make any necessary adjustments.

 

Conclusion: The Disaster Management Group of our school has made comprehensive preparations and rehearsals to meet any eventuality in the institution. These include a comprehensive emergency response plan, designated emergency exits and assembly points, trained key personnel, established communication systems, and acquired emergency equipment. Regular drills and simulations are also conducted to ensure that students and staff are familiar with the emergency procedures and can respond effectively in case of a disaster.