Tag: Environment

World Wonders Threatened

B1 – Intermediate

More and more people are becoming aware of climate change, simply because it’s more evident. Do you think we still have time to save this Earth?

Winters are becoming warmer each year. Summers are hotter and drier. Scientists say that extreme weather will become normal in the future. Water shortages will be common too, and will affect more than one billion people around the world. And according to new information, global warming may destroy some of the Earth’s natural wonders.

World governments and environmental organizations are starting to talk more honestly about climate change. Evidence increasingly shows how much damage we have done to the environment. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in Brussels recently said that humankind’s activities are definitely the top reason for our hotter planet.

So what will the impact be? With warmer oceans, coral reefs everywhere will begin to die. Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, one of the world’s natural wonders, will disappear. In the Amazonian rain forest, many of the trees will die, and much of the area will become dry savannah. In Chile and Argentina, melting glaciers will create a drier climate. As a result, there will be more forest fires in the region.

Some of the damage cannot be repaired. Action now, though, could limit or prevent some of the problems.

Discuss: (from article)

1. Are you concerned about the environment?
2. What could every person on Earth do right now to help save the environment?
3. How has the environment changed since you were a child?
4. What do you think the Earth will be like in the future?
5. Have you ever seen any of the natural wonders?

Link Between Earthquakes and Oil Drilling

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.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/experts-see-close-link-between-earthquakes-and-oil-drilling/2741941.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your thoughts on oil and gas drilling’s effects on the environment.
  2. What can you say about the environmental effects of industrialization?
  3. Have you ever experienced an earthquake? Talk about that time.

The Time for Urban Farmers

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.

http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/05/18/407732692/urban-farmers-say-its-time-they-got-their-own-research-farms

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you understand urban farming and what are its advantages? How about disadvantages, what might they be?
  2. Is urban farming something that is happening in your country? Why or why not?
  3. Have you started growing your own vegetables? Have you tried it?

Green Energy for Denmark

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?

Video: How Elephants Affect Weather

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.

Jumbo-gardeners: How elephants affect weather

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?

Can Global Warming End our Civilization?

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.

http://edition.cnn.com/2015/01/14/opinion/co2-crisis-griffin/index.html

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?

Fined for Wasting Food

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. Talk about the problem of food wastage and give some solutions to it.
  2. Do you think that fining people will lessen the amount of food that is being wasted? Explain your opinion.
  3. Is recycling done in your neighborhood or city? Talk about it.
  4. What laws does your country have when it comes to food wastage?
  5. What are other things the government can do to discourage food wastage?

 *Update: This law has been in effect since January 2015

Ozone Layer Recovering

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.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/wordsinthenews/2014/09/140912_witn_ozone.shtml

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this?
  2. Share your ideas on how you can contribute in protecting the environment.
  3. Have you ever done any volunteer works to help save the environment?
  4. Do you reduce, reuse, and recycle? Why or why not?