America's Great Outdoors Initiative
Donn Saylor
1Pollution levels are increasing. Threats to nature are rising. It has never been more important to protect America's natural beauty. At the same time, the country keeps growing. More people means a need for more goods and services. If not sensibly made, these goods and services can cause lasting problems in nature. Large companies and big businesses often think only about customers' wants. They pay less attention to the long-term problems that the natural world could face as they try to quickly meet those wants.
2To help save America's natural beauty, President Barack Obama created America's Great Outdoors Initiative in 2010. This plan places great value on protecting the country's outdoor spaces. It asks local and state leaders to help make the natural world cleaner and safer. According to the plan, one thing state and local leaders should do is properly care for parks, forests, rivers, mountains, and wildlife.
3Another aim of the plan is to create wildlife corridors, which will let wild animals move freely through outdoor spaces. Animals will be able to find food and shelter more easily. Through these efforts, wildlife will remain alive and well.
4Animals are not the only ones who need a better place to live. The plan also encourages citizens to make their own land more Earth friendly. What can you or I do? One way to help is by using power sources such as wind and sun. Another way to help is through the use of cleaner, more natural farming methods to grow food.
5The main goal of America's Great Outdoors Initiative is for every person to learn more about the country’s outdoor spaces. Today's children spend about half as much time outside as their parents once did. Also, big companies clear two million acres of American land each year to make room for homes and businesses. With such big changes taking place, it is important to value the natural beauty of the country as it is now. By spending time in the great outdoors, people can see the natural wonders America has to offer.
6Like the rest of America's citizens, you should do your part to protect nature. Pollution has been a threat to nature for a long time. That threat has only gotten worse in recent years. Every American can enjoy the beautiful outdoor spaces the country has to offer. In doing so, they will have the opportunity to see how important it is to save these lands. This can happen only by working together to cut pollution and live more Earth friendly lives. America’s Great Outdoors Initiative is the first step in making the whole country more aware of the natural world. It is your key to a brighter world, a healthier life, and a better future.
Question
What are the two central ideas of America's Great Outdoors Initiative?
Responses
A to encourage Americans to recycleto encourage Americans to recycle
B to create space for parks and areas for suburbsto create space for parks and areas for suburbs
C to create industrial areas and wildlife areasto create industrial areas and wildlife areas
D to care for outdoor spaces and create wildlife corridorsto care for outdoor spaces and create wildlife corridors