Green Energy
The United Kingdom is doing a lot to increase its use of renewable energy. It is moving away from fossil fuels and making more use of green energies, such as wind power, nuclear power and solar energy. New figures from the UK's electricity provider show that the UK had its greenest year ever in 2017 for electricity production. It even had its first coal-free day for over 150 years. The UK broke 13 clean energy records in 2017. In June, wind, nuclear and solar power produced more electricity than gas and coal combined. It was the first time this has ever happened. The UK's power system is now the fourth cleanest in Europe and the seventh cleanest in the world.
The United Kingdom has been trying to reduce the amount of coal it uses. Coal now supplies less than 7 per cent of the UK's electricity. A spokesman said it must now try to use less gas to make sure it meets its target for greenhouse gas emissions. The UK currently uses too much gas. The conservation charity World Wildlife Fund said it was pleased that the UK is moving towards greener energy. It said: "We have never been cleaner or greener, and we are on [target] for an even better year in 2018." It added: "Climate change is wreaking havoc on our nature and wildlife, but we are at last facing up to the challenge. We are turning our backs on polluting fossil fuels and embracing a new, clean future."
Sources: bbc.com / independent.co.uk / telegraph.co.uk
Choose True / False
a) The article said the UK is having problems moving away from fossil fuels. T / F
b) The UK is making less use of wind power. T / F
c) In 2017, the UK had its first coal-free day for over 150 years. T / F
d) The UK has the fourth cleanest energy system in the world. T / F
e) Less than 7% of the UK's electricity comes from coal. T / F
f) The article says the UK doesn't use enough gas. T / F
g) A wildlife charity wasn't happy about the UK's efforts to be greener. T / F
h) The charity said the UK was turning its back on greener energy. T / F
The UK is committed to reducing its emissions by at least 80% by 2050, compared to 1990 levels. We need a transformation of the UK economy while ensuring secure, low carbon energy supplies to 2050. We face about how to do this: should we rely more on cutting energy demand, or on increasing and decarbonising ? How should we produce our electricity – should we build more , rely on nuclear power or build up other sectors?
My native town Slavgorod differs a little from tens of other quiet provincial towns of Russia. It cannot boast any unusual sights or exotic landscapes. Everything here is simple and quiet. It is situated in Koolunda steppe among a lot of salt lakes. From childhood I associate it with windy and dusty storms, rainy pools, heavy snowfalls and frosts. It was founded in 1910 near salt lake Yrovoye in the north west of the territory. Its population is 41 thousand people.
It is necessary to say that it constantly changes, grows and develops from year to year. Now it is one of the main administrative, industrial, educational and cultural centers of the Altai Territory. It is clearly seen from the plane. Long, straight and wide streets are well planned.
It has got a Railway Station, banks, a hospital, three micro districts, a private sector, 3 markets and a lot of shops. People can get their education at 4 schools, 3 technical secondary schools and a branch of Altai State University. I think Slavgorod is an industrial centre too. We’ve got some small furniture factories, a lorry factory, a heavy metal equipment factory, a factory of plastic windows, meat, milk and bread factories. If you wish you can visit our House of Culture, a stadium, libraries, cafes, discos, a central park and Yarovoye lake beach and have a nice time there.
It’s difficult to picture the image of our town in future but this oasis in steppe must grow and develop. People must have higher standard of living. There should be not only a theatre, a beach, good roads but a hotel for homeless people in it too. People are the main value in any time in any country.
New Year is the best of holydays. At New Year’s Eve always appears this strange expectation of something big, new and great. Joyful atmosphere is all around. Everybody is busy picking nice Christmas trees, presents and feasts for holyday table. It seems like fairytale since childhood.
Preparations for this celebration are starting early. Everything begins with general cleaning. Than rooms are decorating with beautiful toys, garlands, holiday lights and candles. But most beautiful decorations are New Year and Christmas wreaths with conifer branches, bright ribbons and figures of angels.
Dishes on holyday table are always special. And the most important moment of celebration is coming of New Year with chiming clock. Last toll marks beginning of grand firework which may last for whole hour. Than all guests, relatives and friends, begin celebrations with dances and contests which last for the whole night. And first thing to do at next is to check all presents.