Read this passage from Alan Weisman's "The City Without Us": As (New York City] already had sewer lines, the only place
for subways to go was below them. "So," explains Schuber,
"we have to pump uphill." In this, New York is not alone:
cities like London, Moscow, and Washington built their
subways far deeper, often double as bomb shelters.
Therein lies much potential disaster.
Now read this passage from Jared Diamond's "The Ends of the World as We
Know Them":
There is a similar story from Iceland. When the island was
first settled by the Norse around 870, its light volcanic soils
presented colonists with unfamiliar challenges. They
proceeded to cut down trees and stock sheep as if they
were still in Norway, with its robust soils. Significant
erosion ensued, carrying half of Iceland's topsoil into the
ocean within a century or two.
What common theme of green literature is most strongly evident in both
passages?
A. Of all the myriad impressive forces of nature, water and gravity
may be the most destructive.
B. In order to thrive in coming centuries, people must find viable
alternatives to fossil fuels, such as coal.
C. In order meet their goals, environmentalists must help people
develop a personal desire to protect nature.
D. Working against the natural tendencies of the environment leads
to long-term consequences.