Week 4  Ocean Priorities

Task 1 Do you understand the idioms below?

1. I can't seem to get my head above water. Work just keeps piling up.

2. Bill got in deep water in algebra class. The class is too difficult for him, and he's almost
failing.

3. Things were going along quite smoothly until you came along and muddied the water.

4. George and I were friends once, but that's all water under the bridge now.

5. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.

6. You can't close the airport because one airline has problems - that's just throwing out the baby
with the bath water.

7. I think you would like working here, and I'm happy to offer you the job. Come on in, the water's
fine.


Task 2  Describe the distribution of Earth´s water. Use emphasisers only, not more than, almost
all, most. Express contrast using while, whereas, etc.  You can also use phrases such as to amount
to over X % of…; to constitute /make up the majority; to be unevenly distributed; X % of water is
contained in…;  the total volume…

(Source: wikipedia.org)

Task 3 Vocabulary – match the words below with their definitions

deplete       reef        acidification        habitat          fishery

a)      a part of the sea or river where fish are caught in large quantities

b)      a long line of rocks or sand near the surface of the sea

c)      to reduce sth. by a large amount so that there is not enough left

d)      the place where a particular type of animal or plant is normally found

e)      the decrease in the pH of the Earth´s oceans caused by the uptake of carbon dioxide

Task 4 Discuss the statements below

1.       Increased atmospheric carbon contributes to climate change and ocean acidification.

2.       The amount of coral reef habitats throughout the world is increasing.

3.       Due to overfishing humans have depleted many ocean fisheries to the point that they may
not recover.

4.       Through coastal development humans have destroyed important habitats. This contributes to
decreased water quality and increased storm damage.

5.       Humans use most ocean resources (fish, habitats, sea water, oil) in a sustainable way –
meaning there will be enough ocean resources to meet human needs now and in the future.

6.       Throughout the ocean there are already enough marine protected areas.

7.       Research has allowed scientists to discover and explore almost all of the habitats and
creatures of the world ocean.

8.       Ocean protection and management strategies are only important for people living near the
ocean.

Task 5 Listen to the programme “Ocean Priorities”

(http://education.nationalgeographic.com/activity/human-impacts-on-marine-ecosystems/)

As you listen take notes on


A)    Ocean threats



B)    Ocean management and research priorities


Task 6 Read one of the five articles
(http://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-altered-oceans-sg-20060730-storygallery.html) and prepare notes
on the following. You will use the notes to present what you learned to the class.

Title article:

Problem:


Evidence:


Possible solutions: