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B2 – Upper intermediate
Oil drilling is one of the most important power source industry of our time. However, oil drilling does cause earthquakes.
Click the title below to know more about fracturing and what it does to the environment.
Discuss:
1. What is the major source of energy in your country/city?
2. What can you say about the environmental effects of industrialization?
3. Have you ever experienced an earthquake?
C1 – Advanced
Have you heard of Urban farming? In the US, it’s been a popular idea for quite some time.
Read the article below and discuss some of the issues that urban farmers are facing.
Discussion Questions:
1. How do you understand urban farming and what are its advantages?
2. Is urban farming something that is happening in your country?
3. Have you started growing your own vegetables? Have you tried it?
C1 – Advanced
When it comes to renewable energy, Denmark aims high. By 2020, the country would like to get half of its energy from the wind. There are hopes that there will be environmental focus to inspire people to go green.
Watch the video below to know more about some of the efforts that Denmark is doing to be a greener country.
Discussion Questions:
1. According to the video, what are organizations doing to be environmentally conscious?
2. Do you think that your country is working on the same issue as well?
3. Is having a green house something that you’re interested in?
C1 – Advanced
Rainforests are very important in keeping our planet healthy. We all benefit from them; they sustain life. Did you know that the abundance of plant species are available because of the mega-gardeners of the forest, the elephants ?
Read the short introduction then watch the video to know how elephants play a big role in propagating plant species.
Discuss:
1. According to the video, how do elephants become jumbo-gardeners?
2. What was your reaction while watching the short video?
3. Have you ever volunteered to help clean and save the environment (beach clean-up, tree planting etc.)?
4. Are there NGOs in your country who are actively promoting to save the rainforests or endangered species?
B2 – Upper intermediate
Many scientists believe that runaway global warming could occur much more quickly than expected. This article contains recent information about the rising temperature of our planet.
Discuss:
1. In your country, do you feel the worsening condition of global warming?
2. What is your local community doing to minimize or prevent global warming?
3. Do you think there is still hope when it comes to “repairing” the environment?
B1 – Intermediate
The city of Seattle is introducing a system to fine people who waste food. They will get a $1 fine if more than 10 per cent of their garbage is food. The Seattle Public Utilities department said the new garbage disposal system should make people more aware that recycling is important.
http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1409/140926-food-waste.html
Discussion Questions:
1. Do you think that fining people will lessen the the amount of food that is being wasted?
2. Is recycling done in your neighborhood or city?
3. What laws does your country have when it comes to food wastage?
4. What are other things the government can do to discourage wastage?
*Update: This law has been in effect since January 2015
B1 – Intermediate
According to a panel of scientists, the ozone layer is starting to repair itself. It’s a good thing that the use of aerosol cans were banned during the 1980s.
Read the lesson about the ozone layer recovering and be ready to answer the questions that follow.
Discussion Questions: