B2 – Upper Intermediate
The impact of climate change is undoubtedly on Mother Nature. However, this problem isn’t only affecting the planet, but also people’s mental health.
According to experts, more and more people suffer from ‘eco-anxiety’. Knowing the state that our world is in now is enough to bring people stress and anxiety.
Listen to this audio and read the transcript about climate anxiety.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2023/ep-230810
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does ”ball game” mean? “We perhaps have these models… now we have the exact science, so it is an absolutely different ball game… we actually know what to do now.” Use this idiom in your own sentence.
- What does ”impassioned” mean? “It is about getting on with it, and the young people are the furthest ahead in this they can see the future as theirs and they’re impassioned to do something about it.” Give 2 synonyms and use “impassioned” in your own sentence.
- What does “to reach net zero” mean, “And also, you know, at the moment the government is trying to reach net zero by 2050 and all that, and they committed to creating 2 million new green jobs.”? Use this idiom in a sentence.
Discussion Questions:
- What are your thoughts on eco-anxiety?
- How do the climate change-related issues take a toll on you and/or the people around you?
- How can we deal with eco-anxiety?
- What is your reaction to this, “Many of those suffering from eco-anxiety are young people.“? Why do you think this is the case?
- Do you think young people are truly impassioned to do something about the state we have left the planet in? Why or why not?
- Do you think dedicating one’s entire working life to building a green sustainable future has a huge effect on their psychology? Explain your thoughts.