Tag: Environment

Global Treaty to End Plastic Pollution

B1 – Intermediate 

Countries are meeting in South Korea in hopes of coming up with a treaty that could end plastic pollution all over the world and help protect the planet and our future. The South Korean president urges governments to finalize a treaty to address the problem with plastic pollution.

Read the article about the new zero plastic pollution treaty among countries.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2411/241128-plastic-pollution.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the phrase “insurance policy” mean in this context, “The U.N. said a treaty is, ‘an insurance policy for this generation and future ones, so they may live with plastic and not be doomed by it.’”?Use this phrase in a sentence in the same context.
  2. What does “drown” mean here, “Our world is drowning in plastic pollution.” Use this word in a sentence in this context.
  3. What does “to open a new chapter” mean? “He asked governments, ‘to open a new historic chapter by finalizing a treaty on plastic pollution.’” Use this expression in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on this treaty among nations to reduce plastic pollution?
  2. What are some problems related to plastic pollution?
  3. Share your opinion on this, “Our world is drowning in plastic pollution.”.
  4. A path to zero plastic pollution, is it possible? Why or why not? If so, how?
  5. Share your thoughts on this, “We must stop thinking of plastic as being convenient.”.

Singapore’s Urban Farming Initiatives

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Urban farming is a growing trend in cities worldwide as people become more aware of the benefits of growing their food. This form of agriculture involves growing fruits, vegetables, and herbs in urban environments, such as rooftops, balconies, and vacant lots. One of the main benefits of urban farming is the ability to produce fresh, organic produce right in the heart of the city.

By growing food locally, urban residents can reap the benefits of fresh, organic produce while reducing the environmental impact of food production. With the growing popularity of urban farming, this trend is clear to continue flourishing and bringing positive change to urban communities.

Watch the video to learn how a country that imports more than 90% of its food is changing its way to embrace urban farming.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of the noun zoning? “Singapore developed policy and zoning and incentives around urban agriculture that say this is allowed to be done on top of a parking garage or allowed to be done in a vacant area.” Create a sentence using the word.
  2. What is the meaning of the green movement? “Singapore’s architectural community is also joining the green movement.” Use this term in your sentence.
  3. What is the meaning of “to sow the seeds“? “In a world of finite resources, they are sowing the seeds of possibility.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about Singapore’s urban farming initiatives?
  2. Do you think this project is applicable in your country? Please justify your answer.
  3. What do you think are the benefits and downsides of urban farming?
  4. Do you think you can do this? Why or why not?
  5. Do you know of any plans your government has regarding agriculture? What are those plans?

Spain Hit by Deadliest Floods in Decades

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Valencia, a beautiful city in Spain, recently experienced a devastating flood that had a significant impact on the community. The flood, which occurred due to heavy rainfall and poor drainage systems, caused widespread damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure. Many residents were left homeless and without basic necessities.

While the Valencia flood was a tragic event, it also highlighted the resilience and strength of the community. By coming together and supporting one another, the people of Valencia were able to weather the storm and begin the process of rebuilding their lives. It serves as a reminder that in times of crisis, it is important to come together and support one another.

Read the article for more information.

https://edition.cnn.com/2024/10/31/europe/spain-deadly-flash-flooding-wwk-intl/index.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “underway” mean? “Emergency workers are still fighting to rescue those who are trapped, with operations underway to recover bodies and clear debris.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “to be caught off guard” mean? “However, many people were caught off guard, leaving it too late for them to seek safety.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “to load the dice” mean? “We are loading the dice of extreme weather in the worst way possible.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on what happened in Spain?
  2. Have you ever been a victim of a natural disaster or do you know someone who has been? Talk about the said experience.
  3. “Some of the local residents said that they did not receive a government alert warning that there would be a flood or even possibility of a flood until it was already happening.” Share your thoughts on this.
  4. What can be learned from this situation and what may be needed to be improved moving forward?

Europe’s Waste Goes to Other Countries

B1 – Intermediate 

One problem of any city or country in the world is where to dump their millions of tonnes of wastes.

Europe exports a huge amount of their garbage to developing countries. The problem is a lot of these waste trades are not exactly legal.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript to find out where Europe’s waste trades.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/europes-waste-goes-to-other-countries-level-3/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “developing country” mean? “Every year, Europe exports millions of tonnes of waste to developing countries; however, a significant portion of these shipments are illegal.” Use this term in a sentence.
  2. What does “shipment” mean? “Italian customs officers use a new alert system to catch illegal waste shipments.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use this word in your own sentence.
  3. Define “circular economy”. “Recycled materials, like copper from electronic cables, are now being processed within Europe to support the circular economy.” Use this term in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your opinion about illegal waste exports from Europe to the developing countries.
  2. What are the new EU rules to prevent illegal waste exportation?
  3. What are the effects of waste exports on the developing countries?
  4. What are your thoughts on Tunisia returning hundreds of containers of waste to Italy?
  5. Discuss one policy or incentive that can be implemented to improve this situation.

Panama Evacuates Islanders Due to Rising Sea Levels

B1 – Intermediate 

As a result of global warming, the sea levels across the world are rising at an alarming rate.

The rise in sea levels is greatly due to water from melting glaciers and ice sheets and seawater expansion caused by the warmer temperatures.

In Panama, residents of a small island called Gardi Sugdub had to be evacuated because the sea levels on the island has gone up by a lot.

Read the article about the evacuation of islanders in Panama because of rising sea levels.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2406/240603-rising-sea-levels-5.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “last minute” mean? “A government official said some people are refusing to leave their ancestral home. They will stay until the last minute.” two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use this phrase in your own sentence.
  2. What does “a sign of something to come” mean? “The government said Gardi Sugdub is a sign of things to come.” two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use this idiom in your own sentence.
  3. What does “engulf” mean? “Many more islands are under threat from being engulfed.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the effects of rising sea levels in Panama?
  2. What is your reaction to this, “A recent environmental study estimated Panama would lose 2.01 percent of its coastal territory to rising sea levels.”?
  3. Some inhabitants of the island do not want to leave their homes. How can the government convince them to evacuate?
  4. Do you think the relocated inhabitants will have a better life in their new community? Explain.
  5. Does news about rising sea levels affect you? Why or why not?

Europe’s Ludicrous Hydrogen Bet

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Recently, the world has reached an unprecedented state of destabilization as threats including global warming, wars, and material shortages grow more prevalent as we go through the 21st century. As such, nations and global superpowers have had to adapt in order to survive the chaos of our current world.

The global superpower, the EU, wants to address two major issues: economic problems and global warming. In order to do this, the leaders of the EU have begun to heavily invest in hydrogen as the fuel of the future. The EU claims that the hydrogen they produce will be enough to bring its emission rates to 0% by 2050.

But is hydrogen really the fuel of the future? Is hydrogen really the miracle gas that the leaders of the EU believe it to be?

Watch the video below to have a better understanding of how Europe plans to clean up its economy by way of clean hydrogen.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to sound like a broken record” mean? “If you asked EU leaders how to save the climate in the last few years, they sounded like a broken record.” Use this expression in your own sentence.
  2. What does ”the champagne of energy” mean? “Hydrogen has been defined as the champagne of energy.” Make your own sentence using this phrase.
  3. What does ”lobby register” mean? “Corporate Europe Observatory, an NGO, combed through lobby registers.” Use this to make your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the supposed benefits of using hydrogen as a renewable energy source?
  2. What are the problems with this supposed ‘miracle solution’?
  3. Do you think that the hydrogen strategy is worth being on EU’s top priority for subsidies and fast-track planning? Explain your insights.
  4. Do you believe that hydrogen will solve the economic and gas emission problems in Europe? Why do you believe your statement?
  5. Share what you know about and your thoughts on EU’s net zero goals by 2050.

Disney Animal Kingdom

B1 – Intermediate

Disney is passionate about animal conservation and has created various programs to support wildlife. They have a large team of experts who care for animals and develop strategies to protect endangered species.

Their commitment to the environment extends to innovative solutions, ensuring the safety and well-being of animals globally.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/disney-animal-kingdom-level-2/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “threatened” mean in this sentence, “Disney’s Animal Kingdom worked for 25 years to increase the population of threatened animals such as lions, giraffes, and rhinos.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “to keep something away” mean, “They partnered with researchers to use bees to keep elephants away from African farms.“? Use it in a sentence.
  3. What is a “pollinator garden”? “On Earth Day, conservation experts asked people to grow their own pollinator gardens which help their local animal kingdom.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are some other ways Disney might help animals besides the ones mentioned in the article?
  2. Do you think it’s important for big companies like Disney to be involved in animal conservation? Why or why not?
  3. What can individuals do to help protect threatened animals?
  4. What challenges might Disney face in their efforts to protect threatened animals?
  5. What role do you think education plays in Disney’s animal conservation efforts?

Dubai Floods

B1 – Intermediate

Dubai suffered from heavy rainfall. This resulted to big problems with flooding in many areas. The unexpected heavy rains caused many issues in the city’s infrastructure. It caused for the roads to be impassable and the buildings to be damaged.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the heavy rains and flooding in Dubai.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/dubai-floods-level-2/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “torrential rain” mean, “Last week, a big storm brought torrential rain to the United Arab Emirates and flooded the airport.“? Use this phrase in a sentence.
  2. What does “flood” mean, “Last week, a big storm brought torrential rain to the United Arab Emirates and flooded the airport.“? Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use the verb ‘flood’ in your own sentence.
  3. What does “to get stuck” mean? “Lots of people got stuck at the airport because the airport canceled flights.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use the idiom ‘to get stuck’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news?
  2. What effects did the rain and flooding have in Dubai?
  3. What can be done to prevent similar problems in the future?
  4. How might the flooding at Dubai International Airport impact the tourism industry in Dubai?
  5. Does your city/any parts of your country suffer the same problem with flooding? How does the people/city manage such situation?

Environmental E-waste Catastrophe

B1 –  Intermediate 

The technological revolution also means people need more devices that are needed in using technology. More and more gadgets like computers, laptops, mobile phones, and tablets are manufactured and then, thrown away. Therefore, producing tons of electronic wastes or e-wastes.

The amount of e-waste we produce has become bigger and bigger. The United Nations (UN) warns about its impact on the environment.

Read the article about electronic wastes and the catastrophe we might face if we don’t try to reduce them.

Be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2403/240325-electronic-waste-catastrophe-4.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “e-waste” mean? “The UN reported that in 2022, we created 62 million tons of e-waste.” Use this word in a sentence.
  2. What does the phrase “at a record level” mean? “The UN issued a warning about the amount of electronics we are throwing away. It is at record levels.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘at a record level’ in your own sentence.
  3. Define “food chain”. “Worryingly, 58 tons of mercury entered the environment and food chain last year.” Use this phrase in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What effects does e-waste have on the environment?
  2. What is your reaction to this news about our huge amount of e-waste?
  3. Should electronic devices manufacturers be responsible for the disposal of their products? Explain your opinion.
  4. How can we reduce our e-waste? How do you reduce your e-waste?
  5. Share your opinion on this, “A lot of e-waste is sent to poor countries for recycling.”.

Japanese Cherry Blossoms May Disappear

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In the peaceful scenery of Japan, every year, the blossoming of cherry trees marks the start of spring, enchanting many with their short-lived beauty. Yet, there is a serious danger lurking beneath their fragile petals: the possibility that these famous trees may vanish by the end of the century. With climate change on the rise, causing changes in ecosystems and upsetting delicate harmony, the future of Japanese cherry blossoms, also called “sakura,” is uncertain.

Watch the video to learn more and be able to answer the questions that follow.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the word “boon“, mean? “While it may be a boon for snap-happy tourists, the early spring foreshadows a darker reality.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘boon’ in your own sentence.
  2. What does the word “snap-happy” mean? “While it may be a boon for snap-happy tourists, the early spring foreshadows a darker reality.” Use this word in your own sentence.
  3. What does the word “foreshadow” mean? “While it may be a boon for snap-happy tourists, the early spring foreshadows a darker reality.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘foreshadow’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you feel about the potential disappearance of Japanese cherry blossoms by 2100? What impact do you think it would have on Japanese culture and identity?
  2. What do you believe are the main factors contributing to the decline of Japanese cherry blossoms, and how do you think this issue should be addressed?
  3. In your opinion, what role should governments, communities, and individuals play in preserving iconic natural landmarks like Japanese cherry blossoms?
  4. How might the loss of cherry blossoms impact tourism and the economy in Japan and other regions where they are cherished?