The environment

Would you rather switch off lights or take fewer foreign holidays?

Few people are willing to give up air travel in order to reduce carbon emissions, according to a new study, even though they are concerned enough about climate change to cut energy use in their homes.
The Loughborough University study asked 500 people whether they would be willing not to fly in the next 12 months in order to cut emissions. Just 26 per cent of people were willing to forego air travel. In comparison 88 per cent of people were willing to cut the amount of energy they use in the home. For example by switching off lights and wearing a jumper rather than putting on the central heating.
Dr Tim Ryley said: "It is cost and not environmental consequences that deter people from flying more often." "Obviously households are on a tight budget at the moment because of the recession but they will not give up air travel easily," he said.
The research found fares will have to go up by £50 or more in order to persuade people to fly less. Air passenger duty, the government’s tax on air fares, is changing later this year, with the duty on short-haul flights rising from £10 to £12 in 2010. The increase in long-haul trips will be higher, with duty on economy class flights of more than 6,000 miles – such as London to Sydney – jumping from £55 to £85.
Air travel is making an increasing contribution to greenhouse gases in Britain. While total greenhouse gas emissions from the EU fell by three per cent between 1990 and 2002, emissions from international aviation increased by nearly 70 per cent. The Government's adviser on climate change has warned that if growth in flights was left unchecked emissions from global aviation could account for 15 to 20 per cent of all CO2 produced in 2050.

Question 1 (2 points)
Indicate whether the following statements are true or false and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.
a) Loughborough university interviewed 500 people over a period of 12 months.
b) Most people said they would try to fly less and reduce their energy consumption at
home.
c) Families have less money to spend at the moment.
d) In 40 years, air travel could cause as much as one fifth of carbon dioxide pollution.
Question 2 (2 points)
Answer the following questions in your own words.
a) What action are people taking at home to save energy?
b) How much more will air passengers travelling from the UK to Australia have to pay?
Question 3 (1.5 points)
Find words or phrases in the text that correspond in meaning to the words and definitions given.
a) do without something (paragraph 2)
b) the people who live together (paragraph 3)
c) not limited or controlled (paragraph 5)
Question 4 (1.5 points)
Complete the following sentences without changing the meaning.
a) Dr.Ryley said “"Obviously households are on a tight budget at the moment because of the recession but they will not give up air travel easily,"
Dr. Ryley said that……………………………..
b) The research found fares will have to go up by £50 or more in order to persuade people to fly less.
The research claims that if the government wants ………………………………..
c) The increase in tax on long-haul trips will be higher than the rise on short distance flights.
The rise in tax on short distance flights will…………………………………………………………….
Question 5 (5 points)
Write a short essay (120-150 words) on the following topic:
“Everyone can help to save our planet”. Do you agree?
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