Tag: Environment

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?