Topic 1: Does increasing travels between countries enable people to learn different cultures or to

Topic 62: Far too little has been done to prevent animals and plants from dying out, 
although people have noticed this problem for a long time. Why have people failed to 
improve this situation? What are your suggestions?
 
(lack of environmental awareness), (have no knowledge of the correlation of living species and 
ecosystem)
(animals and plants treated as resources for human purposes) 
(shrinking space for habitats)
(fund raising), (conservation projects);
(sign international protocols) 
(launch campaigns for animal welfare), (raise awareness)
Nowadays, the progressive extinction of living species on the planet-either animals or 
plants has arisen as a big environmental challenge, according to many scientists and 
researchers. Despite the growing concern on this issue, little progress has been made in this 
field. There are some factors that account for why this has happened. In my opinion, this 
situation can be remedied, provided that some reasonable steps are taken.
The sharp fall in living species is first attributed to people's continued and heavy reliance 
on them for their own interests. An age-old tradition is that animals are raised, bred and led 
for human use. For example, laboratory animals, working animals and sport animals have 
been used for economic reasons or to fulfill different tasks throughout much of human history. 
The meat of rare animals is regarded as a delicacy in some countries, for example, whale 
meat in Japan. When it comes to plants, over-logging, over-grazing and soil erosion are the 
root causes of the dwindling vegetation. Over-utilization of living species has made many 
animals and plants face extinction risk.
Another reason cited to explain this is that few people take the mass extinction of species 
seriously. For example, fur is desired and pursued as a fashionable status symbol in many 
countries, even in those countries where people are known for their environmental concern, 
such as New Zealand, Canada and Australia. Barely have buyers realized that their purchase 
decisions will encourage the fur business to further animal slaughter. Rainforest destruction is 
another example. Despite strong opposition to lumber harvesting, this problem continues 
simply because people have an ever-growing appetite for land to live on (such as buying 
luxury properties in the country) and wood products to consume (such as furniture). Humans' 
pursuit of comfort and enjoyment has long been justified and condoned, even though the 
pursuit is at the expense of other species on the planet.
From what has been discussed, it is clear that lack of awareness and over-reliance on 
natural resources are the main reasons why species are being pushed closer to the brink of 
extinction. Humane education represents a long-term commitment and will help raise a 
generation that has a real knowledge of environment protection and stays alert to the risk of 
animal exploitation and ecological degradation. In addition, it is imperative to carefully 
measure and control any activity that is likely to pose a threat on the survival of species. 
Decision makers and individual citizens alike should take into consideration the impacts of 
their decisions and behaviors on living species. It is important to realize that preservation of 
living species is not sentimental, but essential to the well-being of humankind.
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1. Extinction=death=loss=disappearance=annihilation
2. Breed=reproduce
3. Feed=give food to=nourish=raise=bring up
4. Rare animal=exotic animal=endangered animal=threatened species
5. Dwindle=shrink=dec1ine=disappear
6. Over-utilization=excessive use= over-exploitation
7. Condone=forgive=disregard=ignore=overlook=excuse=pardon
8. Brink=verge
9. Sentimental=emotional=unrealistic
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