Chapitre 4 · Semestre 1 · Unité 1
Sustainable development
Units 1 – 5
Theme: Sustainable development
Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (Brundtland Report, 1987). It combines economic growth, social equity and environmental protection.
Morocco invests in renewable energy (the Noor solar complex in Ouarzazate, wind farms) and in water saving to face drought.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| renewable energy | solar, wind, hydroelectric energy |
| fossil fuels | coal, oil, gas |
| global warming / climate change | rise of the Earth's temperature |
| greenhouse gases / carbon emissions | gases that trap heat (CO₂) |
| deforestation | cutting down forests |
| to recycle / to reduce / to reuse | the 3 Rs |
| drought / water scarcity | lack of rain / lack of water |
| eco-friendly | not harmful to the environment |
| biodiversity | variety of plants and animals |
Grammar: the passive voice
be (in the right tense) + past participle — used when the action is more important than the doer.
| Tense | Active | Passive |
|---|---|---|
| Present simple | People recycle plastic. | Plastic is recycled. |
| Past simple | They built a solar plant. | A solar plant was built. |
| Present perfect | Man has polluted rivers. | Rivers have been polluted. |
| Future | They will plant trees. | Trees will be planted. |
| Modal | We must protect forests. | Forests must be protected. |
| Present continuous | They are cutting trees. | Trees are being cut. |
The doer is introduced by by only if it is important.
Function: expressing cause and effect / concern
- Cause: because, since, as, because of, due to, owing to
- Effect: so, therefore, as a result, consequently, that's why
- Concern: I'm worried about… / I'm concerned about… / It's alarming that…
Writing: an argumentative essay (the environment)
Introduction (state the problem) → body (causes, consequences, solutions) → conclusion (call to action).
Exercise 1 — Passive voice
Rewrite in the passive.
- People waste a lot of water.
- The government built a new dam last year.
- Factories have polluted the river.
- We must reduce carbon emissions.
Voir le corrigé
- A lot of water is wasted.
- A new dam was built (by the government) last year.
- The river has been polluted by factories.
- Carbon emissions must be reduced.
Exercise 2 — Cause and effect
Join the sentences using the word in brackets.
- It didn't rain. The harvest was poor. (so)
- The air is polluted. There is too much traffic. (because of)
Voir le corrigé
- It didn't rain, so the harvest was poor.
- The air is polluted because of too much traffic.
Summary — Sustainable development
- Definition (Brundtland, 1987): meeting present needs without compromising future generations.
- Vocabulary: renewable energy, fossil fuels, global warming, greenhouse gases, deforestation, recycle, drought, eco-friendly, biodiversity.
- Passive: be + past participle (is recycled, was built, has been polluted, will be planted, must be protected).
- Cause: because (of), due to, since ; effect: so, therefore, as a result.
- Concern: I'm worried/concerned about…