Read the text and complete the exercises below.
In October 2026, Armenia is hosting an important international environmental conference in Yerevan: the seventeenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, known as COP17. The conference takes place from 19 to 30 October under the theme “Taking Action for Nature.”Representatives of governments, international organizations, scientists, young people, and civil society are coming together to discuss how to protect the natural world.
But what does COP17 actually mean? The letters COP stand for Conference of the Parties. The parties are countries and other members that participate in an international agreement. The Convention on Biological Diversity is a global agreement aimed at conserving biodiversity, using biological resources sustainably, and sharing the benefits of genetic resources fairly. At COP meetings, participating countries discuss common challenges and agree on actions to achieve these goals.
Biodiversity means the variety of life on Earth. It includes different species of plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms, as well as the ecosystems in which they live. Biodiversity is essential for human survival. Healthy ecosystems provide food, clean water, fertile soil, pollination, and other services on which people depend. Forests store carbon, wetlands help regulate water, and diverse plant species can contribute to medicine and agriculture.
Unfortunately, biodiversity is under pressure. Habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, overexploitation of natural resources, and invasive species can damage ecosystems and threaten wildlife. When a species disappears, the consequences may extend far beyond that species itself. For example, the decline of pollinating insects can affect crops, food production, and the livelihoods of farmers.
One of the central tasks of COP17 is to review global progress towards the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted in 2022. This framework sets out global goals and targets for protecting nature, restoring damaged ecosystems, and using natural resources more sustainably. COP17 provides an opportunity for countries to examine what has been achieved, identify what remains to be done, and accelerate action towards the 2030 targets.
Hosting COP17 gives Armenia an opportunity to draw international attention to biodiversity and environmental challenges. The South Caucasus is home to diverse landscapes and species, making nature conservation an important regional concern. Protecting mountain ecosystems, forests, rivers, and other habitats requires cooperation among governments, communities, scientists, businesses, and citizens.
However, environmental protection cannot depend on international conferences alone. Agreements must be followed by practical action. Governments can strengthen environmental laws and protect natural habitats. Businesses can reduce pollution and use resources more responsibly. Communities can organize clean-up campaigns, restore green spaces, and reduce waste. Schools can help students understand environmental problems and take part in local projects.
Young people have an important role to play. They can investigate environmental issues in their communities, collect information, raise awareness, and propose realistic solutions. A school project about local biodiversity, for instance, can help identify native plants, examine the condition of a nearby river, or suggest ways to make a schoolyard greener.
COP17 reminds us that protecting nature is a shared responsibility. International agreements can establish common goals, but their success depends on decisions and actions taken at every level of society. The key question is not only what countries promise to do, but also what they actually accomplish.
Vocabulary development
Exercise 1. Match the words with their definitions.
1. Biodiversity-B. Variety of life
2. Ecosystem-D. Organisms and environment
3. Habitat-A. Natural home
4. Conservation-E. Protection of nature
5. Sustainable use-C. Responsible resource use
6. Invasive species-F. Potentially harmful introduced species
Exercise 2. Complete the sentences.
Use the words in the box.
biodiversity, habitat, conservation, sustainable, pollution, restore
- Protecting biodiversity is essential for the survival of many species.
- Plastic pollution can harm marine and freshwater ecosystems.
- Governments and communities should cooperate to restore damaged ecosystems.
- The protection of endangered species is part of nature conservation.
- We need to use natural resources in a sustainable way.
- The variety of life on Earth is called biodiversity.
Reading comprehension
Exercise 3. Answer the questions in complete sentences.
- What does COP17 stand for?
COP17 stands for the seventeenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties. - Where and when is COP17 taking place?
COP17 is taking place in Yerevan, Armenia, from 19 to 30 October 2026. - What are the three main aims of the Convention on Biological Diversity?
Its three main aims are conserving biodiversity, using biological resources sustainably, and sharing the benefits of genetic resources fairly. - Name three threats to biodiversity mentioned in the text.
Three threats are habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change. - Why is biodiversity important for human survival?
Biodiversity provides food, clean water, fertile soil, pollination, and other resources essential for human survival. - What is the purpose of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework?
Its purpose is to protect nature, restore damaged ecosystems, and promote the sustainable use of natural resources. - How can hosting COP17 benefit Armenia?
Hosting COP17 can draw international attention to Armenia’s biodiversity and environmental challenges. - Why are international agreements not enough on their own?
Because agreements must be followed by practical actions to protect nature. - What can schools and young people do to protect biodiversity?
They can organize environmental projects, collect information, raise awareness, and suggest realistic solutions. - What does the author mean by the difference between promises and accomplishments?
The author means that it is important not only to make promises but also to take real action and achieve results.
Exercise 4. True or false?
Write T for true and F for false. Correct the false statements.
- COP17 is a meeting about climate change only.-F–COP17 is about biodiversity and nature protection, not only climate change.
- Biodiversity includes plants, animals, fungi, microorganisms, and ecosystems.-T
- Habitat destruction can threaten wildlife.-T
- The Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was adopted in 2026.-F–The framework was adopted in 2022.
- Businesses and local communities can contribute to environmental protection.-T
- Young people cannot make a meaningful contribution to biodiversity conservation.-F–Young people can make a meaningful contribution to biodiversity conservation.
Exercise 5. In 200-250 words or less write your opinion on one of the topic “Protecting biodiversity is everyone’s responsibility, not just the government’s.”
I believe that protecting biodiversity is everyone’s responsibility, not just the government’s. Biodiversity is important because humans, animals, and plants depend on nature to survive. First, governments should create laws to protect forests, rivers, and endangered species. They should also control pollution and support environmental projects. However, ordinary people can also make a difference. For example, we can recycle waste, use less plastic, save water, and plant trees. We should also respect animals and their natural habitats. Schools have an important role too. Students can organize clean-up campaigns, learn about local plants and animals, and encourage others to protect the environment. Businesses should also use natural resources responsibly and reduce pollution. In my opinion, even small actions can have a positive effect when many people work together. We should not wait for others to solve environmental problems. Everyone can contribute to a cleaner and healthier planet. Protecting biodiversity means protecting our future.
Grammar exercises:
Exercise 6. Complete the sentences using the correct form of the verbs in brackets.
- If governments protect (protect) natural habitats, more species will survive.
- If people continue to pollute rivers, aquatic ecosystems will suffer (suffer).
- International cooperation is (be) essential for addressing global environmental problems.
- If our school organized (organize) a biodiversity project, many students could participate.
- By reducing waste, we help (help) protect the environment.
- If more people understood the importance of biodiversity, they
would make (make) more responsible choices.
Exercise 7. Rewrite the sentences using the word given.
- People destroy forests, so many animals lose their homes. (IF)
IF: If people destroy forests, many animals will lose their homes. - We must protect biodiversity because human life depends on healthy ecosystems. (BECAUSE OF)
BECAUSE OF: Because of our dependence on healthy ecosystems, we must protect biodiversity. - Governments should take action immediately. (IT IS ESSENTIAL …)
IT IS ESSENTIAL: It is essential for governments to take action immediately. - Students can raise awareness by organizing environmental campaigns. (IF)
IF: If students organize environmental campaigns, they can raise awareness.
