Tag: Environment

Coca-Cola’s Returnable Bottles

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Coca-Cola believes that reusable packaging is among the most effective way to reduce waste, use fewer resources, and lower the carbon footprint in support of a circular economy. Consequently, they aim to have at least 25% of all their beverages sold globally in refillable/returnable glass or plastic bottles or in refillable containers by 2030.

Read the article to know more about Coca Cola’s returnable bottles and be able to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.treehugger.com/coca-cola-returnable-bottles-5219470

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of Coca-Cola company using returnable bottles? Is it probably greenwashing? Explain your stand.
  2. What would be the impact of its change in packaging?
  3. What are the benefits and drawbacks of using reusable packaging?
  4. What are some practices that you do in order to reduce your carbon footprint?

Weather and Tea

B1 – Intermediate

Tea is such an important drink all over the world. India is one of the main sources of it. However, due to the very unpredictable weather these days, tea farmers are having problems in growing tea in their plantations.

If this problem persists, it could cause a shortage in tea supply in the world. 

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the problems in tea production caused by extreme weather changes.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/weather-and-tea-level-3/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news?
  2. Are there tea plantations in your country? How are their conditions nowadays?
  3. What agricultural problems do you have in your country that is caused by unpredictable weather?
  4. How important is tea in your country or for you?
  5. What are the health benefits of drinking tea?

Drought Hits Europe’s Rivers and Crops

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The scorching heat is an ongoing problem face by all of Europe. This extended drought has caused riverbeds to be exposed which has led to restrictions on water use in a lot of places.

Read the article to know more about the drought that’s been affecting Europe’s rivers and crops.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-62466990

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your reaction to this news.
  2. Talk about the good and bad effects of this drought on different European countries.
  3. Choose a photo from the article, describe it, and talk about how/why it caught your attention.
  4. Describe the drought in your country.
  5. “The boom in Spain’s intensive agriculture has fueled concern about its sustainability, given the pressure on water resources in hotter climatic conditions.” What is your opinion on this?

No Necktie, Save Energy

B1 – Intermediate

Hundreds of people have died because of ongoing heatwaves in Spain. It is imperative to find ways to save energy to help with the climate change crisis. At this point, every action is important, no matter how little it is.

Spain’s PM Pedro Sanchez appears at a press conference not wearing a necktie and he encourages everyone to do the same.

Read the article about not wearing a tie as a way to save energy and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2208/220801-necktie-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of this measure? Do you like this idea or not? Explain.
  2. What are some other energy-saving measures you know of or are you doing?
  3. “Mr Sanchez’s government has already restricted the use of air conditioners and heaters.” What is your opinion on this measure?
  4. “Spain has introduced a relief package of $9.2 billion to help people with energy bills.” In your opinion, is this helpful? Why or why not?
  5. How do you feel about wearing a tie to work everyday?

Risk of Being Killed by Falling Space Rocket

B1 – Intermediate

Scientists have revealed that in the near future, rocket parts could fall from space and hit someone and possibly kill them. The problem is that space has more and more junk.

Read the article about increasing space junk and the growing probability of being hit by falling rocket parts. Be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2207/220718-feeling-hangry-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news?
  2. Have you ever worried about something from the sky/space hitting you on the head or falling onto your roof?
  3. Should rocket companies be more responsible for their space wastes?
  4. What is your opinion about how companies are “exporting risk” to poorer nations?

Turn Off Lights in Heat Wave

B1 – Intermediate

Tokyo experienced its all-time high temperature last week. Because of too much heat, everyone wants to use their air conditioner. In this case, producing electricity is very difficult. So the government asked the people to try to conserve electricity as much as possible.

Read the article about energy-saving measures during a heat wave in Tokyo, Japan.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2206/220630-tokyo-energy-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What measures are implemented in your city/country during a heat wave in order to save energy?
  2. Would you mind turning your lights off from for a few hours during the day to save energy?
  3. Do you try and use less electricity during summer? Why or why not?
  4. What is your reaction when your city/country has the highest record temperature?
  5. Do you have power outages in your city during summer? If you do, what do you do during power cuts?

Toilet Paper Made from Ancient Forests

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) says that our choice of toilet paper has an impact on climate change. One example is the use of virgin wood pulp that drives deforestation in Canada’s boreal forest, which is one of the most ecologically important forests in the world.

Read the article to know more about it and be able to answer the questions below.

https://www.treehugger.com/is-your-favorite-toilet-paper-made-from-ancient-forests-5069744

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you feel after reading the article?
  2. How important is toilet paper for you? How often do you shop for it?
  3. What qualities do you look for when purchasing toilet papers?
  4. Do you prefer to purchase one brand of toilet paper or do you try/buy different brands? Why is that?
  5. What are some ways to protect and preserve our forests?

Tax on Farm Animal Burps

B1 – Intermediate

Governments around the world are continuously thinking of ways to address the problems with climate change. It may sound unbelievable and ridiculous but yes, the New Zealand government has revealed its plans to put taxes on some farm animals’ burps. 

Confused yet? Read the article and find out why New Zealand plans to tax cow and sheep burps.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2206/220616-cow-burps-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why is NZ government planning to tax animals’ burps?
  2. What do you think of this measure?
  3. Did you know farming makes up 14.5 percent of global greenhouse gasses? If not, what was your reaction to this?
  4. What is your government doing to address the problems with climate change?
  5. What problems do farmers have in your country?

Freeganism: A Solution to Food Waste?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We work, earn money, buy food, eat, and repeat the cycle. It is what most of us know. We get a job or run a business to put food on the table. Not many people are aware of, more so, care for freeganism.

Freegans do not believe in capitalism,and they strive to reduce the amount of food waste on the planet. Interestingly, freegans can eat food for free. Discover how and why they do it.

Watch the short clip about freeganism.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Which part of the video appeals to you?

2. Tell me about a time when you or anyone you know wasted food?

3. Do you agree that freeganism is the solution to food waste?

4. If given a chance, would you eat in freegans’ mobile kitchen? 

5. Most freegans don’t believe in the money economy. What are your thoughts on this?

6. Do you know any other unconventional lifestyles like freeganism? Describe such lifestyles.

Airlines Miss Climate Change Targets

B1 – Intermediate

Since the year 2000, UK airlines have set their climate change targets. However, according to the climate group Possible, airlines have not had any success in reducing their carbon footprints.

Read the article about how airlines fail to reach their climate change targets.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2205/220512-climate-change-targets-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. The climate record of airlines was very “poor”. What is your reaction to this?
  2. Do you think that the airlines set impossible targets that’s why they failed? Share your opinion.
  3. To meet the goal to be net zero, frequent fliers should pay more. What is your opinion on this?