GLOBAL WARMING (courtesy of A. Rozkošná) 1. Work in pairs. Ask and answer questions about the environment and global warming: STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B) a. Do you think the Earth is becoming warmer? b. What are the dangers of global warming? c. Has there been a change in weather conditions in your country in recent years? d. What do you think the climate will be like in 50 years? e. Do you do anything to reduce global warming? f. Would you rather it be too hot or too cold? g. What action do you think the world should take to reduce climate change? h. Are you pessimistic or optimistic about the future of our climate? i. How would your life change if water became ten times more expensive? 2. Vocabulary. Match the following words from the article with their synonyms (=words that mean the same). The similar form of the words may help you (e.g. both ending in –ing, -ed, -s, -ly) a. committee (n) – komise, rada 1. to point out b. to restrict (v) – omezit 2. buying goods c. strategies (n) – strategie 3. big problem d. to indicate (v) – označit 4. to deal with a problem e. spending money (n+n) – utrácení peněz 5. endangering f. to address an issue (v+n) – zabývat se otázkou 6. plans g. comparatively (adv) – poměrně 7. panel h. range of options (n+n) – škála možností 8. relatively i. threatening (adj) – ohrožující 9. to limit j. deep trouble (adj+n) – velké potíže 10. variety of possibilities More useful vocabulary: report concluded (n+v) – zpráva došla k závěru low costs (adj+n) – nízké náklady chairman (n) – vedoucí output (n) - výdaje efficient (adj) – účinný, efektivní to stress (v) - zdůraznit remarkable (adj) – pozoruhodný urgent need (adj+n) – naléhavá potřeba to introduce (v) – zavést to provide (v) - poskytovat 3. Listening. Today´s newspaper article is named „UN - We can control Global Warming“. Guess whether these sentences are true (T) or false (F), according to the article. Then listen and check your answers. a. Over 120 nations met to discuss how to limit greenhouse gases. T / F b. Scientists say Armageddon will not happen if we use the right technology. (Armageddon = Doomsday, Apocalypse, the end of the world) T / F c. People should change the way of using energy. T / F d. This problem can be solved at relatively high costs (=it will be expensive). T / F e. Rising temperatures are NOT such a big problem now. T / F 4. Now listen again and fill in the gaps (3-5 words are necessary in each gap). UN - We can control Global Warming A United Nations committee on climate change ______________________ control global warming. The panel, made up of representatives from over 120 countries, believes ____________________________ the harm greenhouse gases do to the atmosphere. Its report concluded the picture of Armageddon painted by many scientists _______________________ we use technology and have the right strategies to protect the ozone layer. Rajendra Pachauri, chairman of the panel, told reporters in Bangkok __________________________ a “remarkable step forward”. 1 The panel indicated that we can keep our Earth safe by changing _______________________ energy around the world. Most important is to introduce more fuel-efficient vehicles and household goods. For this to happen, individuals _________________________ lifestyles and spending patterns. 2 Report co-author Pete Smith said: “We can go a long way to addressing this problem at relatively low costs __________________________ options.” He calculated that it would cost less than three percent of world economic output by 2030. He added: “We've got a big ___________________________ [but] this report provides governments with a way out." 3 The “big problem” is the damage rising temperatures _______________________ Earth. Increased floods, droughts, ______________________, more violent and destructive storms and extinctions of species are just a few things threatening the life ____________________. The report stressed the urgent need for introducing a wide variety of clean technologies. Harlan Watson, head of the U.S. team, warned: “If we continue to do what we are doing, _______________________ deep trouble.” 4 5. Look at these sentences. They should be answers to your questions. The information can be found in the text. Example: Answer: Rajendra Pachauri. (in Par.1) Question: Who was the chairman of the panel? a) A: She told them that the study was a „remarkable step forward.“ Q:………………………………………………………………. b) A: By changing the way we use energy around the world. Q: …………………………………………………………….. c) A: Pete Smith. Q: …………………………………………………………….. d) A: Increased floods, droughts and extinction of species. Q: ……………………………………………………… 6. Speaking. Warming future: The following is a list of possible effects of global warming. Of course they may not come true. Think about their probability and rate them 1-9 (1=the most likely, 9=the least likely). Use the words from the probability table below. Then discuss it in pairs. Example: A: I think it is very unlikely that winters will be 10 degrees colder. B: I disagree. I think that it is … Probability table: 1 virtually certain more than 99% 2 extremely likely more than 95% 3 very likely more than 90% 4 likely more than 60% 5 more likely than not more than 50% 6 unlikely less than 33% 7 very unlikely less than 10% 8 extremely unlikely less than 5% 9 virtually impossible less than1 % · Polar bears and penguins will disappear · Winters will be 10 degrees colder · Malaria will spread around the globe · Cockroaches will be everywhere · Africa will have more droughts · Hurricanes will be stronger · Skin cancer will increase · Drinking water will be expensive · Many countries will disappear under water · Water wars will break out between nations 7. Grammar focus. Change these sentences into passive. Example: Humans are causing global warming. Global warming is being caused by humans. a) Scientists may reverse the climate change. ................................................................................................... . b) In recent years, people have observed the melting of glaciers. ................................................................................................... . c) The global warming will strongly affect the polar regions. ................................................................................................... d) Higher acidity of oceans could kill a lot of fish. ................................................................................................... e) We expect many natural disasters. ................................................................................................... f) Rising temperatures may affect agriculture. ................................................................................................... . g) In 2007, the Intergovermental Panel on Climate Change documented species extinctions. ................................................................................................... ........................... 8. Discussion: You are going to take part in a short debate on climate change and the world´s future. STUDENTS A think climate change is not a problem, they believe that scientists and politicians can act together to reverse global warming, to protect the enviromnent and to save our planet. OR they think global warming is a natural part of the nature´s cycle. They are OPTIMISTIC about the world´s future. STUDENTS B think climate change is the most serious problem in the world today and that it is caused mainly by humans. They believe the world will overheat because of human activity and that the end of the world is near. They are PESSIMISTIC about the world´s future. Try to find the best arguments for your opinion (As and Bs). Then regroup and discuss. E.g.: A: The Earth will repair itself. vs. B: It’s too late to save the environment. A: Scientists will find solutions to stop global warming. vs. B: I don’t think so. A: There is great hope for the environment. vs. B: The environment is doomed. A: President Klaus knows what he’s talking about. vs. B: Excuse me? etc. Useful phrases for argumenting: The first thing to be considered is ... It is a fact that ... There is no doubt that ... One of the main arguments in favour X is that ... against Different points of view: While it is true to say that ... On the other hand, ... but ... ... however ... It is not always the case that ... On the contrary, ... It is often suggested that ... This (question) can be looked at from several points of view. Firstly ... Opponents of ... take a very different view. This (problem) should be considered in relation to ... It can be examined in terms of ... ... must be taken into account ... It depends. It depends on … Agrement/disagreement: I agree with X when he says that ... I disagree with X when he says that ... Conclusions in conclusion in brief overall thus to conclude to summarize then finally to sum up briefly altogether therefore in addition Based on: Breaking News English – Ad 1. Work in pairs. Ask and answer questions about the environment and global warming: STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A) a. Do you always believe what scientists and media say about global warming? b. Would you like to work in Antarctica and study climate change? c. Is global warming the biggest problem of our planet? d. Have you experienced any catastrophes due to weather? e. Do you think melting ice caps will affect your life? f. Do you think global warming is because of man’s actions? g. What should we do in our everyday lives to prevent global warming? h. What would you do if your winters became 20 degrees colder and your summers 20°C hotter? i. Do you think the disappearance of the Arctic ice would mark the beginning of the end of the world? Week 11 – Vocabulary – Global Warming committee (n) komise, rada to restrict / to limit (v) omezit strategies (n, pl) strategie to indicate / to point out (v) označit, indikovat, upozornit na spending money (n+n) utrácení peněz to address an issue (v+n) zabývat se aktuální otázkou comparatively / relatively (adv) poměrně, relativně wide range of options (n+n) široká škála možností threatening / endangering (adj) ohrožující deep trouble (adj+n) velké potíže goods zboží the report concluded that …(v+n) zpráva došla k závěru, že … chairman (n) vedoucí efficient (adj) účinný, efektivní remarkable step forward pozoruhodný krok kupředu to introduce clean technologies zavést čisté technologie low costs (adj+n) nízké náklady output (n) výdaje to stress an urgent need zdůraznit naléhavou potřebu to provide (v) poskytovat virtually certain prakticky jisté extremely / very likely extrémně / velmi pravděpodobné extremely / very unlikely extrémně / velmi nepravděpodobné It is a fact that ... Je fakt, že … There is no doubt that ... Není pochyb o tom, že … One of the main arguments in favour X is that ... Jeden z hlavních argumentů ve prospěch X je, že … On the other hand, Na druhou stranu, … This question can be looked at from several points of view. Na tuto otázku se můžeme podívat z různých úhlů pohledu. I agree with X when he says that ... Souhlasím s X, když říká, že … ... must be taken into account ... … musí se brát v úvahu … in conclusion / to conclude závěrem