Tag: Environment

Thai Parks Mail Litter Back to Tourists

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Littering irritates everyone. It destroys the beauty of nature and our surrounding. People are sometimes too lazy to dump their rubbish in a bin and just throws them anywhere, making the area look dirty.

Read this lesson on an unusual punishment for littering.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2009/200920-litter-mail.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of Thailand’s litter policy?
  2. What are the rules or laws on littering in your country?
  3. Should people pay a fine or go to prison for littering? Why or why not?
  4. What does littering say about someone’s character?
  5. Should we pick up other people’s litter? Why or why not?

Pringles Packaging

B1 – Intermediate

The snack brand ‘Pringles’ has changed its packaging into a more eco-friendly one. It was considered as the greatest “villain” of the recycling world due to the combination of materials present in its packaging.

Read the article to know more and be able to answer the following questions:

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2009/200914-pringles-packaging-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why has Pringles been described as a “nightmare” to recycle?
  2. What do you think about the company’s change in their packaging?
  3. Do you know any companies that make their packaging recyclable in order to reduce the negative impact of wastes and pollution on our planet?

Wind Turbines Cause Bird Deaths

B1 – Intermediate

With our growing problem with the environment, we continue to find alternative sources of energy. One example of alternative energy source is wind. 

One good thing about wind turbines is that they produce green energy. However, one problem with them is the danger they bring to wildlife, especially birds.

Find out more about this environment concern and what the solution is to this problem.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2008/200829-wind-turbine-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the good and bad things about wind turbines or wind farms?
  2. What are other common causes of death of birds that you know of?
  3. How is the scientists solution helpful?
  4. Are there a lot of wind turbines in your city/country? What do you think of them?
  5. What is your opinion on this statement: “wind farms should not be a risk to wildlife”?

Japan Begins Commercial Whaling

B1 – Intermediate

Whaling has been part of the Japanese culture for hundreds of years. However, in 1986, it was banned. After more than 30 years of being illegal, commercial whaling is allowed again in this country. Many people are not happy about the return of whaling.

Read about this news and find out more about commercial whaling in Japan.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1907/190706-commercial-whaling-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is  on whaling?
  2. What is your reaction to the return of whaling in Japan?
  3. Tell us about another activity that involve killing of animals in your country. What do you think of it?
  4. Have you ever tried whale meat? If yes, what can you say about it? If not yet, would you like to try it? Why or why not?
  5. What is the most exotic meat you have ever tried?

Arctic Circle Highest-Ever Temperatures

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We have been seeing different signs of global warming all over the world. There is a new one and it is in the Arctic Circle.

Read the article about rising temperatures in the Arctic Circle from the link below.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2006/200626-arctic-circle.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction that the heatwave in the Arctic Circle is much higher than usual? 
  2. What are the possible effects of this rise in temperature?
  3. Why should we be worried about rising temperatures?
  4. Talk about the changes in temperatures in your country over the past few years?
  5. What is your opinion on this statement “This [ rising temperature ] is a warning message from the Earth itself”?

Cleaner Future

B1 – Intermediate

Yes, the pandemic might have put us in a very bad situation. However, there are some good results from it, too. One of which is that this global crisis has given us a chance to see what we are doing wrong to the environment. Hopefully, this period gives us a chance to change things.

Read the transcript and listen to the audio about cleaner future from the link below.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/cleaner-future-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What effects did the pandemic have on the environment of your country?
  2. Do you agree or disagree that something about how we use nature must change? 
  3. Do you agree or disagree that it is important to use cleaner energy for a better future?
  4. How is the environment protected in your country?
  5. How do you help in taking care of the environment?

Climate Crisis Threatens Future of Global Sport

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Sports have always been an important part of society and we all have contributed to our favorite sport at some point in our lives. However, sports do so much more than entertain us. Sports provide jobs, influence the economy, and can sometimes cause troubles.

What if major sports events are to be cancelled and postponed? What do you think will happen?

Let’s read the article below.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2006/200622-sports-events.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do sports events create global emissions?
  2. How might climate change affect sports?
  3. What do you think of your country’s national sport?
  4. How can sports deal with climate change?
  5. What are the benefits of sports to the world?
  6. What’s your favorite sport and why?

Scientists Discover the World’s Cleanest Air

B1 – Intermediate

There’s nothing quite like opening the door and breathing fresh, clean air but how clean is the air you’re breathing right now?

Due to increasing concentration of poisonous gases in the environment, the air is getting more and more toxic day by day. These gases are also the cause of many respiratory illnesses and other diseases.

Let’s read the article below.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2006/200606-clean-air.html

Questions Discussions:

  1. How important is it for you to have perfectly clean air?
  2. What will our air be like in 50 years from now?
  3. How clean is the air where you live? What damage have humans done to the air in your area?
  4. What activities do you do that creates pollution?

Bottled Water Has Plastic

B2 – Upper Intermediate

One cause for concern is the presence of plastic in bottled water. Research indicates that most bottled water contains micro plastics, which may pose health risks. Your bottled water probably has plastic in it, should you worry?

Even though water is not acidic (unlike soda), whenever you drink out of a plastic bottle, you risk ingesting the chemicals used to make the bottles as these toxins can leach into the water over time.

Watch the video and read the article to find out more about the dangers of drinking water from a plastic bottle:

https://time.com/5581326/plastic-particles-in-bottled-water/

Questions Discussions:

  1. Do you think tap water is better than bottled water?
  2. How concerned are you with plastic bottles and their use of resources? Why?
  3. Will this article cause you to stop buying bottled water? Why/not?
  4. What problem causes the greatest damage to the environment? Why do you think so?
  5. Were you surprised by how much Americans pollute? Why/not? How does your country compare?
  6. If we continue to use resources and pollute, what will the world be like in fifty years? Please explain.

Asthma from Traffic Pollution

B1 – Intermediate

Asthma is a serious lifelong, incurable condition. When a person has it, they suffer from difficulties in breathing. According to some studies, traffic pollution causes this medical condition and it has affected millions of people.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript to find out more about diseases that are caused by pollution from traffic.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/asthma-from-traffic-level-3/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this fact “pollution from traffic connects to 4 million new asthma sufferers”?
  2. Do you know anyone who has asthma or other pulmonary conditions that were caused by pollution? How did it begin and how are they doing now?
  3. How can air pollution problems be solved?
  4. Is air pollution a problem in your city? What are its bad effects on people and the environment?
  5. What do you do to keep your lungs healthy?